Medicare Part B comes with an annual deductible that you pay out of pocket before coverage kicks in. Many people wonder whether supplemental insurance covers this deductible-and the answer depends on which Medigap plan you choose.
At Dave Silver Insurance, we’ve helped countless Medicare beneficiaries navigate these decisions. This guide breaks down exactly how different Medigap plans handle Part B deductibles so you can pick the right coverage for your situation.
What You Actually Pay for Part B Deductibles
The $283 Annual Cost You Face Each Year
The Part B deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket each year before Medicare starts covering your doctor visits and outpatient services. In 2026, that deductible sits at $283, according to Medicare.gov. This fixed annual cost resets every January first, meaning you face it fresh each year regardless of what you paid previously. The deductible applies to services like office visits, diagnostic tests, and outpatient procedures covered under Part B. Once you meet this $283 threshold, Medicare pays its share of covered services for the rest of the calendar year, though you may still owe coinsurance or copayments depending on the service.
How the Deductible Fits Into Your Total Healthcare Costs
The Part B deductible comes directly out of your pocket before any Medicare coverage activates. If you rarely visit doctors, you hit the deductible and then use minimal Medicare benefits for the rest of the year. But if you have chronic conditions requiring frequent appointments or ongoing treatments, you’ll hit the $283 quickly and then benefit from Medicare coverage for months afterward. The Part B deductible is separate from Part A costs, prescription drug expenses, and any coinsurance you owe after Medicare pays its portion.
What Medigap Plans Actually Cover (And Don’t)
Many people assume their supplemental insurance automatically covers this deductible, but that assumption costs them money. Most Medigap plans available to people who turned 65 after January 1, 2020 do not cover the Part B deductible at all, according to Medicare.gov. Plan G, the most comprehensive option for new beneficiaries, covers Part B coinsurance and copayments but leaves you responsible for paying that $283 deductible yourself. Only people who became eligible for Medicare before 2020 can enroll in Plan F, which actually covers the Part B deductible.
This eligibility cutoff creates a significant financial difference between what different groups of beneficiaries pay.
The distinction between what plans cover matters enormously when you’re budgeting for healthcare. Plan G covers the same gaps as Plan F except it does not pay the Part B deductible, so you must pay that amount out-of-pocket. Plan N covers Part B coinsurance and hospital costs but generally does not cover the Part B deductible and may require copays for some Part B services. These differences mean your actual out-of-pocket costs vary dramatically depending on which plan you qualify for and which one you select. Knowing exactly which plans are available to you and what they actually cover becomes essential before you make your final decision.
What Medigap Plans Actually Cover
How Medigap Fills the Gaps Medicare Leaves Behind
Medigap plans exist for one reason: to pay the costs that Original Medicare leaves behind. Medicare covers many services, but it requires you to pay deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments out of your own pocket. Medigap steps in to cover some or all of these gaps, depending on which plan you choose. The Part B deductible stands as the prime example of this disconnect-most Medigap plans available today do not cover it at all, according to Medicare.gov. This hard truth changes how you should approach your coverage selection.
Plan G: The Standard for New Beneficiaries
Plan G has become the standard for new beneficiaries, and here’s what you get: it covers Part B coinsurance and copayments after you meet the deductible, hospital coinsurance for up to 365 days after Medicare benefits end, and Part A deductible coverage. What it doesn’t cover is that $283 Part B deductible. You must pay this amount out of your own pocket before Plan G pays a single dollar toward your doctor visits or outpatient care. Making it a significant annual expense to budget for separately.
Plan N and Plans K/L: Lower Premiums, Different Trade-Offs
Plan N works differently and costs less in premiums, but it requires you to accept copays of up to $20 for office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that don’t result in admission. You still pay the full Part B deductible yourself with Plan N. Plans K and L include annual out-of-pocket limits-$8,000 for Plan K and $4,000 for Plan L in 2026 according to Medicare.gov-which cap your total spending once you hit those thresholds. These plans cover only 50% and 75% respectively of your coinsurance and copayments before you reach the limit, making them suitable for beneficiaries who want predictable annual costs.
Plan F: The Exception for Pre-2020 Beneficiaries
The only people who can actually get Part B deductible coverage through Medigap are those who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, because they can still enroll in Plan F. If you fall into that category, Plan F covers the Part B deductible completely, making it significantly more valuable financially for frequent healthcare users. Most new beneficiaries cannot access this advantage, which means you must budget for that annual cost separately when evaluating your total out-of-pocket expenses.
Moving Forward With Your Coverage Decision
The plan you select determines whether you shoulder the Part B deductible alone or receive help covering other gaps in your Medicare coverage. Your eligibility date and healthcare needs should guide which plan makes financial sense for your situation.
Pick the Plan That Matches Your Doctor Visits
Count Your Annual Doctor Visits to Drive Your Decision
Start with how often you actually visit doctors each year, because this number drives your financial decision more than anything else. If you see a doctor five times annually, you hit the $283 Part B deductible quickly and then benefit from Plan G’s coinsurance coverage for the remaining nine months. If you see specialists monthly for chronic conditions, that deductible becomes a minor expense compared to the coinsurance and copayments you’ll owe throughout the year. According to Medicare.gov, Plan G covers Part B coinsurance after you meet the deductible, which means frequent healthcare users save substantially on those ongoing costs.
Compare Premium Costs Across Plan Types
The average Medigap premium across all policies was about $217 per month in 2023 according to data cited by Kiplinger, with Plan G averaging around $164 nationwide. Regional variation matters enormously-Hawaii and New Mexico averaged $140 while New York averaged $236. Your total annual spending for Plan G could range from roughly $2,000 to $3,600 depending on location, plus the $283 deductible you pay separately.
Plan N costs less in premiums but requires $20 copays for office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits without admission. If you visit doctors twelve times yearly, Plan N’s copays could total $240 plus the deductible, potentially costing less than Plan G in some states. Plans K and L offer different math entirely-they cap your annual out-of-pocket spending at $8,000 and $4,000 respectively in 2026 according to Medicare.gov, which appeals to people with unpredictable healthcare needs who want cost certainty. These plans only cover 50% and 75% of your coinsurance and copayments before you hit the limit, so major medical events require substantial out-of-pocket spending initially.
Understand Your Eligibility Based on Enrollment Date
The enrollment timing determines which plans you can actually access, which makes this decision point non-negotiable. If you became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, you can enroll in Plan F and avoid the Part B deductible entirely-Plan F covers it completely according to Medicare.gov. Everyone else must choose between Plan G, Plan N with lower premiums and copays, or Plans K and L with spending caps.
Use Tools to Calculate Your Actual Costs
The Medicare Plan Finder tool at Medicare.gov lets you input your specific doctor and pharmacy information, which shows your actual costs under different plans rather than theoretical averages. Contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program through shiphelp.org or call 877-839-2675 to speak with counselors who work without sales incentives-they’ll walk through your medications, doctors, and healthcare patterns to identify which plan saves you the most money. Avoid brokers who emphasize one plan heavily, as compensation incentives can skew their recommendations toward higher-commission options.
Act During Open Enrollment to Switch Plans
The open enrollment period from October 15 through December 7 each year is your window to switch plans without medical underwriting, so use this time to reassess whether your current plan still matches your healthcare reality. Missing this window means you may face underwriting that could result in denial or higher premiums if you want to switch to a better plan.
Final Thoughts
Most Medigap plans do not cover the Medicare Part B deductible, and this reality shapes your entire coverage strategy. If you became eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020, you will pay that $283 deductible out of pocket regardless of which plan you select. Plan G, the most comprehensive option available to you, covers Part B coinsurance and copayments but leaves the deductible as your responsibility. Only those who qualified for Medicare before 2020 can access Plan F, which actually covers this deductible completely.
Your financial strategy should focus on what you can control by counting your annual doctor visits and comparing premium costs across Plan G, Plan N, and Plans K and L to find where your total spending lands lowest. The Medicare Plan Finder tool at Medicare.gov lets you input your specific doctors and medications, which reveals actual costs rather than averages. Contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program at shiphelp.org or 877-839-2675 for unbiased guidance from counselors without sales incentives pushing particular plans.
The October 15 through December 7 open enrollment window each year gives you the opportunity to reassess whether your current plan still fits your healthcare reality. We at Dave Silver Insurance understand how Part B deductibles interact with different Medigap plans and can show you the real numbers for your situation. Schedule a consultation with us today to review your Medicare options with personalized guidance based on your health and financial needs.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or insurance advice. Coverage options, terms, and availability may vary. Please consult with a licensed professional for advice specific to your situation