Medicare Supplement plans, also known as Medigap, offer several plans. In this article we will compare Medigap Plan C to Plan N. The first thing you should know is that Plan C covers all but one infrequent used benefit offered by Medigap, while Plan N makes you pay out of pocket for frequent services, among other . In the chart, you’ll see the differences between the two plans.

Medigap Plan N Vs C Benefit Details

Here is a chart of the differences between Medigap Plan N and C. You’ll see the difference is that Plan C covers everything but excess charges, while Plan N doesn’t cover that, and it also doesn’t cover the Part B deductible AND it makes you pay copays. Check it out:

Benefits Original Medicare Alone Original Medicare With Medigap Plan N Original Medicare With Medigap Plan C
Doctor Network All Doctors that accept Medicare All Doctors that accept Medicare All Doctors that accept Medicare
Part A Hospital Benefit Period Deductible You pay $1,676* You pay $0 You pay $0
Hospital Coinsurance You pay $419 per day for days 61-90, $838 per day for 60 lifetime reserve days You pay $0 You pay $0
Skilled Nursing Facility Coinsurance You pay $209.50 per day from Day 21-100 You pay $0 You pay $0
Part B Annual Deductible You pay $257 You pay $257 You pay $0
Doctor’s Office Copays/Coinsurance You pay 20% (Part B deductible applies) You can pay up to $20 for some office visits (Part B deductible applies) You pay $0
Part B Excess Charges You pay 100% (Part B deductible applies) You pay 100% (Part B deductible applies) You pay 100%
Foreign Travel Emergency You pay 100% You pay 20%*** You pay 20%***
Emergency Room Costs You pay 20% for doctor’s services, and an unspecified copay (Part B deductible applies) $50 copay, and $0 for all other services (Part B deductible applies) You pay $0

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Who Should Choose Medigap Plan N?

We think everyone should consider Plan N. There is main reason why you would want to choose Plan N: it can save you a lot of money in your monthly premium. Now, all of you don’t go run out and purchase it, you still need to consider a few things. If you were to have a serious illness you could be nickel and dimed to death with doctor’s office copays. You also have to pay the Part B deductible. So, if you’re healthy and are able to afford multiple copays if you were sick, then Plan N might be right for you.

Who Should Choose Medigap Plan C?

Medigap Plan C covers all benefits offered by Medigap, save for excess charges, but has a higher monthly premium than Plan N. As long as you only see doctor’s and use services that except Medicare assignment, you should have no out of pocket costs for care (as long as Original Medicare covers it). So, if you prefer to know exactly what you would pay each year for costs, even if you pay more in your premium each month, Plan C may be right for you.

*Medicare Part A deductible is broken down into 60 day benefit periods. You have to pay the deductible if you reenter the hospital after 60 days from discharge. Example: If you enter the hospital March 1st you’ll pay the Part A deductible. If you leave the hospital 5 days later and return to the hospital on July 6th, you will be charged the Part A hospitalization benefit again.
**For Skilled Nursing you must have a 3-day qualifying stay in the hospital to qualify for Skilled Nursing Facility care AND you’ll still pay the benefit period Part A deductible ($1,676).
***Foreign Travel Emergency requires a deductible of $250. You will have to have your emergency within the first 60 days of travel, and the plan has a lifetime coverage amount of $50,000.