Plan G vs High-Deductible Plan G: 2027 Deductible and Costs
Reviewed October 18, 2026. High-deductible Plan G and regular Plan G cover the same things. The difference is when coverage starts. With high-deductible Plan G you pay Medicare-covered costs yourself up to a yearly deductible, which CMS has set at $3,050 for 2027 (up from $2,950 in 2026), and then the policy pays like regular Plan G. In exchange, high-deductible Plan G usually has a much lower monthly premium.
Quick answer: Regular Plan G pays almost everything after you meet the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026; the 2027 amount isn’t published yet). High-deductible Plan G makes you pay up to $3,050 in 2027 before it pays anything. If you rarely see doctors and can afford a bad year, the lower premium can come out ahead. If you have ongoing treatment, regular Plan G is usually more predictable.
Plan G vs high-deductible Plan G at a glance
| Plan G | High-deductible Plan G | |
|---|---|---|
| Benefits after the deductible | Part A coinsurance and hospital costs, Part A deductible, Part B coinsurance, Part B excess charges, skilled nursing coinsurance, hospice coinsurance, first 3 pints of blood, 80% of foreign travel emergency care | The same benefits |
| Deductible you pay first | Only the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026) | Up to $3,050 in 2027 ($2,950 in 2026) in Medicare-covered costs |
| Part B deductible | Not covered | Not covered (counts toward the high deductible) |
| Monthly premium | Higher | Usually much lower |
| Availability | Sold in every state that follows the standard plan letters | Offered by some insurers in some states |
What is the high-deductible Plan G deductible for 2027?
CMS sets one national deductible each year for the high-deductible versions of Plans F, G and J. Its October 2026 announcement says: “Effective January 1, 2027, the annual deductible amount for these three plans is $3,050.” For 2026 the amount is $2,950. (CMS: F, G and J deductible announcements; CMS CY2026 announcement)
Medicare.gov explains that with a high-deductible plan you must pay for Medicare-covered costs up to the deductible amount before your policy pays anything. (Medicare.gov: Compare Medigap plan benefits)
What counts toward the deductible
Your share of Medicare-covered services counts, such as the Part A hospital deductible, the Part B deductible and your 20% Part B coinsurance. Services Medicare doesn’t cover, such as routine dental, don’t count. Plan G and high-deductible Plan G also cover Part B excess charges, which matter if your doctors don’t accept Medicare assignment.
Does Plan G have a deductible?
Regular Plan G doesn’t have its own deductible, but it doesn’t pay the Part B deductible, so you pay that first each year: $283 in 2026. CMS usually announces the next year’s Part B premium and deductible in November, so the 2027 figure isn’t out yet. (CMS: 2026 Medicare Parts A and B premiums and deductibles) People new to Medicare on or after January 1, 2020 can’t buy Plans C and F, which is why Plan G is now the most complete plan most new enrollees can buy. (Medicare.gov: Choosing a Medigap policy)
How to compare the two plans
The math is the extra premium you pay for regular Plan G versus the most you could pay out of pocket with the high-deductible version.
- Get quotes for both plans from the same insurer, for your age and ZIP code.
- Multiply the monthly difference by 12. That’s what regular Plan G costs you extra each year.
- Compare it with the gap between the high deductible ($3,050 in 2027) and the Part B deductible.
- Consider your health. If you expect surgery, regular infusions or frequent specialist visits, you are more likely to meet the high deductible.
Example with made-up premiums: If regular Plan G costs $100 a month more than high-deductible Plan G, you save $1,200 a year with the high-deductible plan. In a year with large medical bills, you would pay up to $3,050 instead of about $283, a difference of roughly $2,770. The high-deductible plan wins in healthy years and loses in expensive ones. Real premiums vary by insurer, age and location; see how much Medicare supplement plans cost per month.
Who high-deductible Plan G fits
- Often a good fit: healthy people with savings who want catastrophic protection and a low premium.
- Often not a good fit: people with chronic conditions, frequent specialist visits or planned procedures, and anyone who would struggle to pay $3,050 in one year.
- Switching later: outside your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, insurers in most states can use medical underwriting, so moving from high-deductible Plan G to regular Plan G later isn’t guaranteed.
When to buy: Medigap Open Enrollment
Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is the 6-month period that starts the first day of the month you’re 65 or older and signed up for Part B. During it, insurers can’t refuse to sell you a plan or charge more because of your health. (Medicare.gov: When can I buy Medigap?) That’s the best time to pick between Plan G and high-deductible Plan G.
Related guides
- What is Medicare high-deductible Plan G?
- High-deductible Plan G vs Medicare Advantage
- Plan G vs Plan N
- AARP Medicare Supplement plans 2027
- Medicare Part B premium 2026 and IRMAA
Frequently asked questions
What is the deductible for high-deductible Plan G in 2027?
$3,050, set by CMS for the high-deductible versions of Plans F, G and J starting January 1, 2027. In 2026 it is $2,950.
Is high-deductible Plan G worth it?
It can be if you’re healthy and can cover up to $3,050 in a bad year. Compare the yearly premium savings with the extra deductible risk using real quotes.
Do high-deductible Plan G and Plan G cover the same benefits?
Yes. After the deductible is met, high-deductible Plan G pays the same benefits as regular Plan G for the rest of the calendar year.
Does the Part B deductible count toward the high deductible?
Yes. Your Part B deductible and other Medicare-covered cost sharing count toward the high-deductible amount.
Can I switch from high-deductible Plan G to regular Plan G?
You can apply at any time, but outside your Medigap Open Enrollment Period or a guaranteed-issue situation, the insurer may ask health questions and can decline you in most states.
This article is general information. Medicare365 is an independent website and is not affiliated with any U.S. government agency or insurance company.