Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plan N is one of the more popular Medicare Supplement plans among beneficiaries in 2022. Medigap Plan N is ideal for those who prefer lower monthly premiums but do not want to forfeit major benefits.
Medicare Supplement Plan N in 2022
Medicare Supplement Plan N is a standardized Medicare Supplement insurance plan available in most states nationwide. As a Medicare Supplement, this plan helps cover certain cost-sharing expenses that would otherwise be the beneficiary’s responsibility with Original Medicare.
Since the introduction of Medicare Supplement Plan N, enrollment into the plan increases each year. However, the popularity of this plan is not surprising. Medicare Supplement Plan N offers great coverage for a low monthly premium.
While researching available plans, you may have heard this plan referred to as Medicare Part N. What people mean when they say Medicare Part N, Medigap Plan N, and Medicare Plan N are all the same thing, but the correct term is Medicare Supplement or Medigap Plan N. Remember that Parts refer to Original Medicare, and Plans refer to Medigap.
Listen to this Podcast Episode Now!Medicare Supplement Plan N Benefits
Similar to Medicare Supplement Plan G in many ways, Medicare Supplement Plan N offers major cost-sharing benefits to policyholders.
These benefits include:
- Medicare Part A coinsurance
- Medicare Part A deductible
- Foreign travel emergency care
- Medicare Part B 20% coinsurance (Beneficiaries are responsible for a $20 copayment at doctor office visits and $50 copayments for emergency room visits if not admitted.)
If you live in a state that allows excess charges, you may be responsible for those charges. However, most doctors accept Medicare assignment, so excess charges are rare.
How Much Does Medicare Supplement Plan N Cost in 2022?
The average cost of Medicare Supplement Plan N in 2022 is around $120-$180 per month. However, there are many factors that determine premium cost. Premiums vary from one ZIP Code to another. Thus, in some areas, Medicare Supplement Plan N can be as much as $250 and in others, it can be as low as $80.
Your state of residence, gender, age, and tobacco use all play a part in determining your premium rates.
Medicare Supplement Plan N Outline of Coverage Chart for 2022
How Much Are the Copays for Medicare Supplement Plan N?
In exchange for lower monthly premiums, you are responsible for a copay of $50 when visiting the emergency room (if it does not result in inpatient admission) and a $20 copay at the doctor’s office. Yet, if you visit an urgent care center, there is NO copay.
Thus, if you can’t get an appointment with your primary care physician instead of going to the emergency room over something minor, you can go to urgent care and avoid copays. Remember that these copays will NOT count towards the Medicare Part B deductible.
Medicare Supplement Plan N Rate Increase History
Alongside the factors that affect your monthly premium rates, the pricing method that your carrier uses can also impact your premium over time. According to csgactuarial.com, in the last five years premiums for Medicare Supplement Plan N increased between 2% and 4%. These increases are lower when compared to Medicare Supplement Plan F and Plan G.
As Medigap Plan N benefits are the same from carrier to carrier, it’s important to discuss with your agent rate increase history for the company you are considering enrolling with. Additionally, research carrier reviews for Medigap Plan N.
When Do I Enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan N?
During your Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period, you can enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan with no underwriting health questions. This period lasts up to six months following your 65th birthday.
Outside of this time frame, you can enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan at any time of the year by passing underwriting. Being subject to underwriting health questions means that any carrier could deny your application because of your health status.
Medicare Supplement Plan N Reviews
The feedback we hear from clients about Medicare Supplement Plan N is positive. As long as you are prepared for the small copays that come with this great coverage, Medigap Plan N is a great choice for you.
Keep in mind, when researching reviews for a specific letter plan, make sure to focus on reviews about the plan benefits, not the carrier. Often, the negative reviews have to do with complaints about the carrier, not the plan.
FAQs
How to Compare Rates for Medicare Supplement Plan N
Medicare is complex and you shouldn't have to tackle it alone. Your health care is important to us so we never sell a policy to a client that we would not sell to our own family members or enroll in ourselves.
Our job is to keep you informed and up-to-date with the latest Medicare changes. You can depend on your agent and our client care team to help you manage claims and to make sure you have the best rate at all times.
To get a rate comparison for Plan N or any other Medicare Supplement plan, give us a call at the number above or complete our online rate form for a comparison today!
In your well prepared explanation of Plan N, you write, “.. if you visit an Urgent Care center, there is NO copay.” To clarify, does that mean no Copay in any way? Or does that mean just no $50 emergency room Co-pay? I’m wondering if we will still have the $20 physician office visit copay when going to an Urgent Care center, or does it really mean no CoPay at all?
Karen, when visiting an Urgent Care facility there is no copay at all. You will not be charged $50 for an emergency visit or $20 for seeing a physician.
Hello, I will be leaving my job by May 2022, and I am currently enrolled in Part A. I have Plan N and Part B starting in May. I had planned to have surgery this March. After talking to my current employee health plan and hearing about all the copays and deductibles I’ll be expected to pay out-of-pocket, I’m wondering if I should wait until I retire to get this elective surgery done. I’m not sure my surgeon takes Medicare, however. Do you suppose waiting would be financially wiser?
Leslie, this depends on the coverage you currently have. With Medicare Part A and Part B, and Plan N, you will be responsible for the full Part B deductible if you wait to have the surgery. This is $233 in 2022.However, you’ll need to be sure your surgeon/doctor takes Original Medicare.
Please clarify the statement above, “When you have Plan N, the only costs you’ll have when visiting your doctor are the $20 copay and the Part B deductible.” I thought the $20 copay didn’t come into effect until after one meets the Part B deductible. So is it “copay AND deductible” or is it “copay OR deductible?”
Hi Karen, sorry if the above comment was confusing. However, when you are on the Plan N you will be responsible for the Part B deductible first. Once you meet the deductible, you will be required to pay the copayments.
I think this is a tremendous explanation of a plan N i’ve been Looking for this online for a long time thank you very much for your help with this
Thank you for the kind words, Richard! I am glad we could help.
Hi I have a&b,I have plan n through aarp and aarp Medicare rx, any suggestions for vision and dental, something that would help with dentures
Hi Mark – we help with dental/vision/hearing insurance to pair with Medicare coverage. Your options vary depending on your location. Feel free to call us at the phone number above or fill out our online rate form. We assist people across the country with their coverage.
Why can’t we know what plan N is going to cost for 2022. How are you suppose to sign up on time when United health care can’t get their act together does anyone know how much it’s going up. 2021 was 171.50 what’s 2022????
Hi Theresa – everyone’s Plan N premiums are different due to a number of factors. You should receive a letter from UHC informing you what your premium will be for the coming year. The Annual Enrollment Period doesn’t apply to Medicare Supplement plans.
Why should I pay for plan N when a Medicare supplement seems to have more benefits?
Hi Nancy – Plan N is a Medicare Supplement plan. It is one of 12 options in most states.
Do any of your plans offer Silver & Fit or Renew Active?
Hi Daniel – Medigap plans (such as Plan N) typically do not include fitness programs.
My Mom has Tricare for Life and I recently discovered she is paying for Plan N. My understanding of Tricare for Life is she only needs Parts A and B to be fully covered by Tricare. Is she over insured at this point?
Hi Angie – TFL works as a wraparound for Original Medicare (Parts A and B). There is less need for a Medigap plan with TFL, but it is still a good choice to make for maximum coverage. If you don’t have Medigap, then TFL is your secondary insurance but if you do, TFL pays last.
will my Aetna plan N pay for my shingles shot???
Hi James – you will need a prescription drug plan to pay for the shingles vaccine. It is not covered by Part A or Part B, so no Medicare Supplement plan provides coverage for the shot.
My husband is over will be 78 next year. He is still working and will be retire by June 2022. I am retired now and my healthcare is cover by my husband company. My husband is expecting and AAA procedure either next year or the following yr depending on the size of Vessel. Can you please advise which of the plan (N) or (G) we should consider to add on to Medicare part A and Part B.
Hi Kimberly – whether you go with Plan N or Plan G is a matter of personal preference. Plan G has higher premiums, no copays, and covers excess charges. Plan N has lower premiums, can involve copays, and does not cover excess charges. Both cover the 20% that Medicare Part A and Part B do not cover.
What is the deductible B under plan N at 2022
I’m thinking of switching from Plan F to Plan N… are there copays for blood work? I receive a weekly treatment for psoriasis is there a copay? How about physical therapy?
I understand copays for ER and doctors just not sure what services falls under the category of copays.
Thank you,
Cathy
Hi Cathy, the copay that you owe on Plan N ultimately depends on the billing code for the service you receive. Most of the time, there is a copay.
Does supplemental Plan N cover any portion of the cost for hearing aids
Robert, unfortunately Medicare does not cover hearing aids. Since Plan N is a supplement to Medicare, it does not cover any portion of hearing aid costs either. For hearing aid coverage, you would need to have separate hearing coverage.
my father recently passed away and my mother will lose his blue cross blue shield insurance. She has mental health issues. We and need to make sure her current doctors and therapists and medications are covered under a supplemental plan. Which plan supplemental plan would be best for her?
Hi Kelly. I’m so sorry to hear about the recent passing of your father. Your mother will have a Special Enrollment Period to enroll in a Medigap plan without having to go through medical underwriting. You will need to enroll her in not only a Medigap plan but a Part D plan to cover her prescriptions. Your best option is probably going to be either Medicare Supplement Plan G or Plan N.
Does Plan N Cover Urgent Care under a Doctor visit or an ER Visit?
Hi Paul! Urgent care would fall under Part B, doctors visit.
Hi Lindsay, can Plan N Co-Pays for Doctor and Hospital visits change and go up in the future in Florida? Or are they permanently stabilized? Thank You for responding, Mike.
Hi Mike! The copays under Plan N are standardized across all 50 states, it won’t change based on your location.
Say I visit a doctor who charges $40. Under Original Medicare, Medicare pays $32 and I’m responsible for paying the remaining $8 directly to the doctor. Plan N has a $20 copay for office visits. If I visit this doctor covered by original medicare and a Plan N supplement, what do I owe the doctor $8 or $20? It seems silly to think that I’d pay more for this service with plan N than with just original medicare, but that’s exactly what a representative at a supplement company told me. Thanks for any insight you can provide.
Hi Simeon! The copay under Plan N for doctor’s visits is up to $20. In your example, you would pay $8.
HI i am turning 65 and i have had medicare parts A AND B due to disability and i am going on Plan N thru colonial penn as my supplement ,,I am on an insulin pump i believe it will be covered and the insulin under medicare part B and my supplement it that correct and should my doctor know how to order this from my pharmacy so its billed correctly or do i have to go thru mail order?
Hi Cathy! Yes, that’s correct. No, you do not need to tell your doctor how to bill Medicare, they will know. You can find the breakdown of how Medicare is billed for diabetic supplies here.
I recently had surgery on Monday lower eye lid and the bill was @8500.00,Medicare paid about $3300.00 and my N plan paid about $1500.00.How much will I have to pay?
Hi Ron! You will not have to pay anything out of pocket. Medicare paid the surgeon the approved amount they agreed on, which was more than likely less than $8,500. The 20% coinsurance on the Medicare-approved amount was covered by your Medigap plan. The bill you received is called balance billing, which you are not responsible to pay.
Hi Lindsay,
My mom recently was in a car accident and is no longer able to drive. I am unable to take her to doctor appointments the majority of the time because I travel weekly for my job. Does Supplemental Plan N cover transportation to necessary medical appointments?
Thank you,
Susan
Hi Susan! Medigap plans will only cover services that Original Medicare covers. Since Original Medicare does not cover transportation, unfortunately, Plan N won’t cover it either.
Hello. I will be losing coverage with my employer on 6/30/2021. I want to enroll in Plan N. I was told I might not be eligible for guaranteed issue. why is this?
Hi Theresa! I have a few questions for you before I can answer your question. When did you become eligible for Medicare? What parts of Medicare do you currently have? How many employees does your previous employer have?
Hi Lindsay,
I have had Aetna insurance with my employer. I recently went part time and lost my insurance through my employer. I now have Aetna Medicare Plan N. Will the doctors/labs that I had under my regular Aetna be covered under my Aetna Medicare Plan N. I am unsure where to find this information out. I was hoping to keep my same doctors.
Thank you in advance.
Hi Jami! Plan N is great, all your doctors & labs will still be covered. You should be able to keep your same doctors as long as they accept Medicare. Which 96% of doctors in the US accept Medicare.
I just got plan n , I had plan f and liked it, now I might have to have some major test in the next two months so if test run over $5,ooo what would I have to pay on plan n.
Hi Carmen! The main difference between Medicare Supplement Plan F and Medicare Supplement Plan N is with Plan N, you’re responsible for the Part B deductible. You’ll also have a small copay for each doctor visit, which is $20. If your tests run over $5,000, you still would only be responsible for the Part B deductible and copays for each doctor visit, nothing more than that! I hope this helps.
Could you tell me if Teresa Jones at Women’s & Children’s Center in Findlay, Ohio is covered by AARP Medicare Supplement Plan N?
Hi Cheryl! Yes, Teresa Jones does accept Medicare. So she will also accept your Plan N.
What is deductible B under plan N
Hi Lucyna – the Part B deductible for 2022 is $233. This applies to all Medigap plans.