Best Medicare Supplement Plan G Providers of 2023

Final Verdict

Mutual of Omaha stands out because the company offers a widely available high-deductible Plan G, has excellent pricing, and high financial strength ratings. But AARP members may prefer the low-cost premiums and additional discounts offered by UnitedHealthcare if they’re not interested in a high-deductible Plan G. Those looking for a low-cost vision, hearing, and dental add-on will be best served by Blue Cross Blue Shield, while folks seeking the cheapest possible premium should consider a high-deductible Plan G from Humana. 

It’s wise to compare prices at all companies that offer the plan type you’re looking for, since pricing and benefits can vary by state. For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield offers a unique Plan G Plus in Illinois that includes vision and dental benefits. And in some states, Mutual of Omaha offers a cheaper high-deductible Plan G than Humana. 

How to Shop and Compare Medicare Supplement Plan G

Step 1: Choose Between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage

When you sign up for Medicare, or during open enrollment, you must decide if you want to be on Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage. Original Medicare has a nationwide network of providers but has fixed benefits and no limit on out-of-pocket expenses. Medicare Advantage plans are typically based on a local network of providers but can offer additional benefits. If you sign up for Original Medicare, you are eligible for a Medicare supplement plan. 

Step 2: Determine Which Types of Medicare Supplement Plan G Are Available

Medicare.gov offers a plan finder that lets you search for Medigap plans by ZIP code. For more accurate pricing, enter your age, gender, and whether or not you use tobacco. Scroll to Medicare Plan G or Medicare Plan G-high deductible to get a quick overview of costs and coverage. Then, select “View Policies” for a list of specific insurance companies offering that plan in your area.

Step 3: Choose a Regular or High-Deductible Plan G

High-deductible plans will pay your Medicare out-of-pocket costs after you pay an annual deductible, which is set at $2,700 for 2023. These plans will have lower monthly premiums than a regular plan. You will need to decide if paying higher monthly payments makes more sense financially than paying higher costs when you need care.

Step 4: Ask a Medicare Specialist About Medicare Supplement Plan G

Common issues include when to sign up for the best rates (Medigap Open Enrollment is different from Medicare Open Enrollment), understanding guaranteed issue rights, and transitioning from a Medicare SELECT plan to Medigap. Your local state health insurance assistance program or Medicare.gov's help line or live chat can help you navigate issues like these.

Step 5: Enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan G

Some plans allow you to enroll online on their company website. Others may require you to speak with an agent. Regardless, you will need to gather the necessary information to complete your application. There is no option to sign up on the Medicare website.

Every Medicare Supplement Plan G covers the same items. In that way, choosing the best plan is less about coverage than it is about pricing, customer service, and incentives offered. After researching the companies offering Plan G in all 50 states, the companies above stood out for their cost, website friendliness, availability, and perks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Medicare F Went Away. Will Plan G Stick Around?

When Congress passed the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) of 2015, it changed which Medicare supplement plans could be made available to new Medicare beneficiaries. Beginning January 1, 2020, Medicare Plans C and F were no longer available to people who were newly eligible for Medicare. As a result, high-deductible plans were made available for the first time. There are no publicized plans to discontinue Plan G.

Does Medicare Plan G Cover Acupuncture Services?

Medicare supplement plans do not pay for health services directly. Instead, they cover the leftover costs for Medicare-approved services that Part A or Part B did not pay in full. Original Medicare covers acupuncture for chronic low back pain. If you meet the specific criteria for acupuncture services, Plan G will cover your 20% coinsurance amount. Medicare does not cover acupuncture for other indications.

Does Medicare Plan G Cover Chiropractic Services?

Medicare covers limited chiropractic services. Specifically, it covers spinal manipulation to correct a subluxation, an alignment issue of the spine that causes pain and/or functional impairments. Part B covers 80% of those costs and Plan G will cover the remaining 20%. Other chiropractic services like X-rays or massage are not covered.

What Is the Typical Cost of a Medicare Supplement Plan G?

Costs for Medicare supplement plans vary widely depending on your age, gender, and where you live. Chronic medical conditions are taken into account if you apply outside Medigap Open Enrollment, including whether or not you smoke. The one-time Medigap Open Enrollment Period starts when you first enroll in Medicare Part B and ends six months later.

Plan G costs were reviewed in the two states with the highest Medicare enrollment for 2022. Based on quotes for male and female, 65-year-old, non-smoking applicants, Plan G costs ranged from $231 to $338 in the Southeast (Florida) and  $103 to $166 in the South (Texas). High-deductible Plan G costs ranged from $97 to $114 and $39 to $47, respectively.

Methodology

Literature Review

We identified top companies by market share within the industry offering Medicare plans from various business and market insight databases including Statistia, Plunkett, and Gale. We also considered user-generated data from Google to determine public interest and trends in Medicare plans. 

Data Collection and Verification

Our data was collected from third-party rating agencies, official government websites and databases, and directly from companies via websites, media contacts, and existing partnerships. Our sources include: AM Best, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), J.D. Power, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Data was verified to ensure data integrity and accuracy by cross-referencing the records and citation corresponding to each data point with our primary sources.

Ratings Methodology

We calculated the quality of each company’s different plan types. Factors considered for companies offering Medicare Supplement Plan G include: 

• Plan quality and customer satisfaction: NCQA ratings were considered to measure this criteria. The NCQA independently rates the quality of Medicare plans on a one-to-five scale based on HEDIS and CAHPS scores to help people compare plans during open enrollment. 
• Cost: This is a measure of plan cost for Plan G and Plan G-high deductible for 65-year-old males and females living in regions with the highest annual Medicare enrollment.
• Types of plans, benefits, and discounts available: We considered whether companies offered both Plan G and Plan G-high deductible as well as additional available benefits and discounts. 
• Financial stability: We considered financial strength ratings to assess a company’s ability to honor its financial obligations, such as paying claims.