By Jennifer Mauldin, Licensed Medicare Specialist  |  Mauldin Insurance Group, Lexington, SC  |  Updated April 2026

If you are shopping for a Medicare Supplement plan in South Carolina, chances are you have narrowed it down to two options: Plan G and Plan N. They are the two most popular Medigap plans for new Medicare enrollees in 2026, and for good reason — both offer strong, predictable coverage at a reasonable cost.

But they are not the same plan, and choosing the wrong one could cost you hundreds of dollars a year — or leave you with unexpected bills when you least expect them.

This guide breaks down exactly what Plan G and Plan N cover, what they cost in South Carolina in 2026, and which one is right for your specific situation. I work with seniors across the SC Midlands — Lexington, Columbia, Irmo, Chapin, and the Lake Murray area — and this is one of the conversations I have more than almost any other.

 

📌  QUICK ANSWER: WHICH PLAN IS BETTER?   Plan G is better if you want zero surprises and see doctors frequently. Plan N is better if you are generally healthy, want a lower monthly premium, and are comfortable with small copays. The right answer depends entirely on your health, your doctors, and your budget. Read on — or call 843-509-2462 for a personalized comparison.

 

What Is a Medicare Supplement Plan?

Before we compare Plan G and Plan N, it helps to understand what Medicare Supplement insurance is and why it exists.

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) covers most major medical costs — but it does not cover everything. It leaves gaps: deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments that you are responsible for paying out of pocket. For some people, those gaps add up to thousands of dollars in a single year.

A Medicare Supplement plan (also called Medigap) works alongside Original Medicare to fill those gaps. You pay a monthly premium to the Supplement carrier, and in return, the plan covers most or all of the costs that Medicare does not.

Both Plan G and Plan N are standardized by federal law — meaning the benefits are identical from every carrier that sells them. The only difference between carriers is the monthly premium. That is why it always makes sense to shop multiple carriers before enrolling.

 

Medicare Plan G vs Plan N: Side-by-Side Comparison (2026)

Here is a complete side-by-side comparison of what each plan covers in 2026:

 

Feature	Plan G	Plan N
2026 Monthly Premium (SC avg)	$130–$180/mo	$100–$145/mo
Part B Deductible ($283 in 2026)	✅ Covered	❌ You pay $283/yr
Part A Deductible ($1,736/benefit period)	✅ Covered	✅ Covered
Part B Coinsurance (20%)	✅ Covered	✅ Covered
Part B Excess Charges	✅ Covered	❌ Not covered
Office Visit Copay	None	Up to $20/visit
ER Copay (non-admitted)	None	Up to $50
Foreign Travel Emergency	✅ 80% after deductible	✅ 80% after deductible
Nationwide Doctor Access	✅ Any Medicare provider	✅ Any Medicare provider
Drug Coverage (Part D)	Separate plan needed	Separate plan needed
Best For	High utilizers, predictability	Healthy seniors, lower premium

 

The bottom line: The only significant differences between Plan G and Plan N are (1) the Part B deductible, (2) Part B excess charges, and (3) the office visit and ER copays under Plan N. Everything else is identical.

 

What Plan G Covers in 2026

Medicare Supplement Plan G is the most comprehensive Medigap plan available to new enrollees in 2026 (Plan F was discontinued for new Medicare enrollees in 2020). Here is what it covers:

• Part A hospital coinsurance and hospital costs up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are exhausted
• Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
• Part A deductible ($1,736 per benefit period in 2026)
• Part B coinsurance or copayment — the 20% that Medicare does not pay
• Part B excess charges — what doctors who do not accept Medicare assignment can charge above Medicare rates
• Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
• Foreign travel emergency coverage (80% after a $250 deductible, up to plan limits)
• Blood (first three pints)

 

What Plan G does NOT cover: The Part B annual deductible ($283 in 2026). This is the only out-of-pocket cost you will pay under Plan G in a typical year, beyond your monthly premium.

 

What Plan N Covers in 2026

Medicare Supplement Plan N covers almost everything Plan G covers — but with a few key differences that translate to a lower monthly premium:

• Everything Plan G covers EXCEPT: the Part B annual deductible and Part B excess charges
• Office visit copays of up to $20 per visit
• Emergency room copays of up to $50 (waived if admitted)

 

What this means in practice: Under Plan N, you will pay the $283 Part B deductible at the start of each year, up to $20 per doctor visit, up to $50 per ER visit (unless admitted), and any Part B excess charges your doctor may charge. In exchange, your monthly premium is typically $30–$50 less than Plan G.

 

⚠️  WHAT ARE PART B EXCESS CHARGES AND SHOULD YOU WORRY ABOUT THEM?   A Part B excess charge is what happens when a doctor does not accept Medicare assignment. These doctors can legally charge up to 15% above the Medicare-approved amount — and that extra charge is your responsibility.   The good news for SC Midlands patients: nearly all doctors at Lexington Medical Center, Prisma Health, and Providence Health systems accept Medicare assignment, meaning excess charges are rare in our area. However, some independent specialists and out-of-state providers may not.   If you travel frequently, see specialists outside the Midlands, or visit doctors in states like Massachusetts, Ohio, or New York where non-assignment is more common, Plan G's excess charge protection is worth having.

 

2026 Premium Comparison: What Does Plan G vs Plan N Cost in South Carolina?

Premiums vary by your age, zip code, gender, and tobacco use — but here are typical 2026 premium ranges for South Carolina residents enrolling at age 65:

 

Age at Enrollment	Plan G Monthly Premium (SC)	Plan N Monthly Premium (SC)
65 (female)	$115–$155/mo	$90–$125/mo
65 (male)	$130–$175/mo	$100–$145/mo
68 (female)	$130–$175/mo	$105–$140/mo
68 (male)	$145–$190/mo	$115–$160/mo
70 (female)	$145–$190/mo	$115–$155/mo
70 (male)	$160–$210/mo	$130–$175/mo

 

*Estimates based on SC market data for 2026. Actual premiums vary by carrier, zip code, and health history. Call 843-509-2462 for a personalized quote.

 

Real-World Cost Scenarios: When Each Plan Comes Out Ahead

The question most people really want answered is: 'Which plan costs me less over a full year?' The answer depends on how much healthcare you actually use. Here are four realistic scenarios:

 

Scenario	Plan G Annual Cost	Plan N Annual Cost	Verdict
Rarely sees doctors (2–3 visits/yr)	$1,560–$2,160	$1,200–$1,740 + $40–60 copays ≈ $1,280–$1,840	Plan N saves $280–$320/yr
Moderate use (6–8 visits/yr)	$1,560–$2,160	$1,200–$1,740 + $120–160 copays ≈ $1,360–$1,900	Plan N saves $200–$260/yr
High use (surgery, hospital stay)	$1,560–$2,160 total out-of-pocket: ~$0	$1,200–$1,740 + excess/copays; could reach $1,900+	Plan G is better — predictability wins
Sees specialist who charges excess	$1,560–$2,160 — excess covered	$1,200–$1,740 + unlimited excess charges	Plan G is clearly better

 

Key takeaway: Plan N saves money for healthy seniors who rarely visit the doctor. Plan G saves money — and stress — for anyone with chronic conditions, frequent specialist visits, or a planned procedure.

 

When Plan G Is the Right Choice for SC Midlands Seniors

Plan G is typically the better fit if you:

• Have ongoing health conditions that require frequent doctor visits or specialist care
• Take multiple prescription medications and see several providers regularly
• Travel frequently outside of South Carolina and may see doctors in other states
• Want complete predictability in your healthcare costs — no copay surprises
• Have had a major health event (heart surgery, cancer treatment, joint replacement) and expect continued follow-up care
• Value simplicity — present your Medicare and Medigap card and walk out with nothing to pay

 

The peace of mind that comes with Plan G is real. When a client of mine went through a cardiac procedure last year, her Plan G covered everything Medicare didn't. No bill. No fight. No stress at the worst possible moment.

 

When Plan N Is the Right Choice for SC Midlands Seniors

Plan N is typically the better fit if you:

• Are generally healthy and see a doctor only a few times per year
• Do not have chronic conditions requiring regular specialist visits
• Are comfortable paying the $283 Part B deductible and small copays
• Want to keep your monthly premium as low as possible
• Are confident your SC Midlands doctors all accept Medicare assignment (most do)
• Are newly enrolled in Medicare and want strong coverage at a lower entry cost

 

Plan N has become increasingly popular in South Carolina over the past few years — especially for newly-turning-65 seniors who are coming off healthy years on employer coverage. The premium savings are real, and for the right person, they more than offset the small out-of-pocket costs.

 

Can You Switch From Plan N to Plan G (or Vice Versa) Later?

This is an important question — and the answer requires some care.

During your Initial Enrollment Period (the six months starting when you turn 65 and enroll in Part B), you have guaranteed issue rights. This means any carrier must accept your application for Plan G or Plan N regardless of your health history. You can switch freely.

After your initial enrollment period ends, switching Medigap plans in South Carolina typically requires medical underwriting. That means the carrier can ask health questions and can deny your application or charge higher premiums based on pre-existing conditions.

In practical terms: if you start on Plan N and later develop a serious health condition, you may find it difficult or expensive to switch to Plan G. This is one reason many clients choose Plan G from the start — even if they are healthy today.

 

📌  THE TIMING RULE EVERY SC SENIOR NEEDS TO KNOW   Your guaranteed issue window opens when you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part B. It lasts exactly six months. During this window, every carrier MUST accept you for Plan G or Plan N at standard rates — no health questions asked.   After this window closes, you lose that protection. This is the most important window in Medicare Supplement enrollment. Do not let it pass without making a decision.   Call Jennifer at 843-509-2462 if you are approaching 65 and want to make sure you enroll correctly.

 

A Note About the SC Midlands and Excess Charges

One of the practical questions I get from Lexington, Chapin, and Irmo clients is: 'Do I actually need excess charge protection here?'

The honest answer is: for most SC Midlands patients, it is not a major daily concern. The majority of physicians at Lexington Medical Center, Prisma Health Richland, Prisma Health Baptist, and Providence hospitals accept Medicare assignment, which means they cannot bill excess charges.

However, there are exceptions — including some independent specialists, certain procedures performed at outpatient centers, and any care received out of state. If you are a retiree who spends part of the year in another state (a snowbird pattern we see a lot around Lake Murray), Plan G's excess charge protection becomes more valuable.

 

How to Enroll in Plan G or Plan N in South Carolina

Enrolling in a Medicare Supplement plan in South Carolina is straightforward — but the carrier you choose matters, because premiums vary significantly for the same exact plan.

Here is the process:

• Step 1: Confirm you are enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B
• Step 2: Identify your enrollment window (ideally during your guaranteed issue period)
• Step 3: Compare premiums from multiple carriers for your specific age and zip code
• Step 4: Confirm your doctors accept Medicare assignment (especially if considering Plan N)
• Step 5: Enroll through a licensed independent agent who can submit your application across multiple carriers

 

Important: The plan benefits are identical regardless of carrier — only the premium differs. Shopping multiple carriers is essential, and an independent agent does this at no cost to you.

 

Frequently Asked Questions: Plan G vs Plan N in South Carolina

Q: Is Plan G being discontinued in South Carolina?

No. Plan G is not being discontinued. Plan F was discontinued for new Medicare enrollees as of January 1, 2020, but Plan G remains fully available and is now the most comprehensive Medigap plan available to new enrollees in SC.

 

Q: Does Plan G or Plan N include drug coverage?

Neither Plan G nor Plan N includes prescription drug coverage. You will need to enroll in a separate Medicare Part D drug plan. Mauldin Insurance Group compares Part D plans for all of our Medicare Supplement clients at no additional charge.

 

Q: Can I use Plan G or Plan N at Lexington Medical Center?

Yes. Both Plan G and Plan N work with any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare — including Lexington Medical Center, all Prisma Health facilities, Providence hospitals, and virtually every healthcare provider in the SC Midlands. There are no network restrictions with Medigap plans.

 

Q: What is the average cost of Plan G in Lexington, SC?

For a 65-year-old female enrolling in Lexington, SC in 2026, Plan G typically runs $115–$155 per month depending on the carrier. For a 65-year-old male, premiums typically run $130–$175 per month. Call 843-509-2462 for a personalized quote specific to your zip code and birthdate.

 

Q: I already have a Medicare Advantage plan. Can I switch to Plan G or Plan N?

Yes — but the timing and process depend on when and how you make the switch. Switching from Medicare Advantage to a Medicare Supplement outside of guaranteed issue periods requires medical underwriting in most cases. There are specific windows (like the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, January 1–March 31) where switching is possible. Call us to discuss your specific situation.

 

Q: Is there a difference between Plan G from different carriers?

The benefits are identical — federal law standardizes what every Plan G and Plan N must cover. The only differences between carriers are the premium, the company's financial rating, and their history of rate increases. An independent agent like Mauldin Insurance Group compares all of these factors for you.

 

 

 

Ready to Compare Plan G vs Plan N? Call or text Jennifer Mauldin for a free, no-pressure comparison specific to your doctors, prescriptions, and zip code.   📞  843-509-2462 jennifer@mauldininsurancegroup.com  |  MauldinInsuranceGroup.com 100 Old Cherokee Rd, Lexington, SC 29072  |  Serving Lexington, Columbia, Irmo, Chapin, Lake Murray & all of the SC Midlands   Independent agent — we compare Plan G and Plan N across all available SC carriers at no cost to you.