Medicare Supplement Plan N in Florida: Cost & Coverage

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plan N is a popular, affordable option for Medicare beneficiaries in Florida. Offered by private insurers, it covers out-of-pocket costs not included in Original Medicare.

Plan N provides benefits similar to the most comprehensive Plan G and Plan F - but with some coverage differences.

Key Points:

The top Plan N providers in Florida are Cigna, Mutual of Omaha, and Florida Blue.

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Premiums for Plan N in Florida range from $140 to $300 per month on average.

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Plan N requires beneficiaries to pay a small copay for doctor ($20) and ER ($50) visits.

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Let's start with the details on how Medigap Plan N works.

How Does Medigap Plan N Work?

Medicare Supplement Plan N is a popular Medigap option that helps cover some of the out-of-pocket costs left behind by Original Medicare (Part A & B).

It offers a balance between affordability and coverage, making it an attractive choice for many Medicare beneficiaries.

What Plan N Covers

Plan N helps pay for several key expenses that Original Medicare does not fully cover, including:

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) Costs

• Part A Deductible – Covers the hospital deductible, which is $1,676 per benefit period in 2025.
• Hospital Coinsurance and Costs – Covers hospital stays beyond Medicare’s coverage (up to 365 additional days).
• Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Coinsurance – Covers the daily coinsurance costs after day 20 in a skilled nursing facility.
• Hospice Care Coinsurance & Copays – Covers Medicare-approved hospice care cost-sharing.

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) Costs

• Part B Coinsurance – Covers 20% of Medicare-approved outpatient services, except for certain copays (see exclusions below).
• Preventive Care – Fully covers Medicare-approved preventive services.
• Blood Coverage – Covers the first three pints of blood each year.
• Foreign Travel Emergency – Covers 80% of emergency medical costs outside the U.S. (up to plan limits).

What Plan N Does NOT Cover

While Plan N provides strong coverage, it does have some gaps that beneficiaries should be aware of:

• Medicare Part B Deductible – Plan N does NOT cover the annual Part B deductible, which is $257 in 2027.
• Part B Excess Charges – Plan N does NOT cover excess charges (extra fees up to 15% higher than the Medicare-approved rate) if a provider does not accept Medicare Assignment. This can be avoided by using Medicare-approved doctors who accept assignment.
• Office Visit Copayments – Unlike other Medigap plans, Plan N requires a small copay for doctor visits:
  • Up to $20 for each office visit.
  • Up to $50 for emergency room visits (waived if admitted).
• Prescription Drugs (Part D) – Plan N does not cover prescription drug costs. Beneficiaries must enroll in a separate Medicare Part D plan for prescription drug coverage.
• Routine Dental, Vision, & Hearing – Like other Medigap plans, Plan N does not cover dental, vision, or hearing services such as eye exams, glasses, hearing aids, or dental work.
• Long-Term Care – Plan N does not cover custodial care in a nursing home or assisted living facility.

Who Should Consider Plan N?

• Budget-conscious individuals who want a lower monthly premium than Plan G but still want good coverage.
• People who see doctors who accept Medicare assignment, so they don’t have to worry about excess charges.
• Those willing to pay small copays for doctor and ER visits in exchange for lower premiums.

In summary: Medicare Supplement Plan N is a cost-effective option for those looking to lower monthly premiums while still getting strong coverage for hospital stays, doctor visits, and emergency care.

However, it’s important to consider the copays, lack of excess charge coverage, and exclusions before enrolling.

Would Plan N work for you? It depends on your healthcare needs and budget. Be sure to compare it with other options like Plan G before making a decision.

What’s the Difference Between Plan N and Plan G?

Medigap Plan N and Plan G both help fill the gaps in Medicare, but they differ when it comes to coverage, costs, and out-of-pocket expenses.

Plan G gives you more complete coverage, including Medicare Part B excess charges and no copays for doctor or ER visits. It’s a great option if you want predictable healthcare costs and don’t want to worry about unexpected expenses.

Plan N, on the other hand, has lower premiums but comes with small copays for certain visits and doesn’t cover Part B excess charges, which could mean higher out-of-pocket costs for some services.

If you’re generally healthy and okay with small copays here and there, Plan N could be the more budget-friendly choice.

If you prefer comprehensive coverage and are willing to pay a little more upfront for peace of mind and no copays, Plan G is the way to go. It’s ideal if you want to avoid surprises with your healthcare costs.

Top Plan N Providers in Florida

Our top picks for Florida Medigap providers are based on policyholder feedback, pricing, coverage options, and experience in the Medicare industry.

How Much Does Plan N Cost?

Plan N's monthly premium can range from $140 to $300+ on average. However, your age, gender, location, and tobacco use can all affect your premium.

Here's an overview of Plan N average premiums by zip code in Florida:

Premium Analysis

• Pensacola: Cigna offers the lowest premium at $141.29, which is 11.3% lower than the average premium across the locations analyzed.
• Lakeland: Allstate's premium is 9.2% lower than the average.
• Palm Bay: Mutual of Omaha's premium of $175.96 is 6.1% higher than the overall average of $165.84.
• Miami: Aflac's premium of $255.81 is a significant 44.5% higher than the average.
• Pompano Beach: BCBS has the highest premium at $312.51, which is 77.4% higher than the average premium for this group.
• Sarasota: Aetna's premium is 1.7% higher than the average, showing a slight increase compared to other regions.

Key Observations:

Location-Based Variability: There is a clear premium disparity based on geographic location.

Premiums in South Florida (e.g., Miami and Pompano Beach) are significantly higher compared to other regions like Pensacola and Lakeland, with Miami and Pompano Beach exceeding $250 per month.

Average Costs and Trends: The premiums for individuals aged 65 (both male and female) range from $140 in Pensacola to over $300 in Pompano Beach.

Premiums for older individuals (ages 68 and 70) show a slight increase, particularly in Miami, where the cost jumps to $255.81 for a 68-year-old male.

Factors Influencing Premiums

1. Age: Older individuals typically face higher premiums, especially as they approach 70. For instance, premiums for a 70-year-old male are generally higher than for a 65-year-old.
2. Gender: The data provided suggests some variations in premiums between males and females, though these differences are less significant in the locations analyzed here.
3. Location: The most significant factor impacting premium differences is geographic location. Premiums in Miami, Pompano Beach, and Sarasota are consistently higher than those in Pensacola, Lakeland, and Palm Bay.

Summary

The premium analysis reveals that location is the key factor in determining premium costs for Plan N, but provider selection also plays a significant role.

In Florida, companies like Cigna and Allstate offer more affordable rates, whereas Aflac and BCBS are among the more expensive options.

Depending on where you live, selecting the right provider could save you anywhere from 11.3% to 77.4% off the premium compared to other providers in the same state.

Medigap Plan N vs. Medicare Advantage: Key Differences

Choosing the right Medicare coverage can feel overwhelming, but understanding the differences between Medigap Plan N and Medicare Advantage can help you make the best decision for your needs.

Here’s a quick breakdown:  

Medigap Plan N is a supplemental plan that helps cover out-of-pocket costs for Original Medicare. It doesn’t include extra perks like prescription drug coverage.

Medicare Advantage (Part C), on the other hand, is an all-in-one plan that combines Original Medicare with extras like prescription drugs, vision, dental, and more, all offered by private insurers.  

With Plan N, you’ll usually pay higher, more predictable premiums, but it helps cover most Medicare out-of-pocket expenses, with small copays for doctor or ER visits.

Medicare Advantage often has lower or even $0 premiums, but you’ll have higher out-of-pocket costs.

Plan N gives you the flexibility to see any doctor or specialist that accepts Medicare, making it a great choice if you travel or live in multiple places.

Medicare Advantage plans often have network limitations, like HMO or PPO requirements, meaning you might need to stick with specific providers—and pay more for out-of-network care.  

Enrollment Statistics

Medigap Plan N:

• Enrollment Share: Plan N is the third most popular Medigap plan, covering approximately 10% of Medigap policyholders, equating to nearly 1.4 million beneficiaries.

Medicare Advantage:

• Enrollment Share: In 2024, over half (54%) of eligible Medicare beneficiaries were enrolled in private Medicare Advantage plans.

What We Think:

Medicare Advantage plans offer extra benefits like drug, dental, and vision coverage but come with network restrictions, higher out-of-pocket costs, and potential delays due to prior authorization requirements.

In contrast, Medigap Plan N provides more predictable and flexible coverage, allowing you to see any Medicare-approved provider without network limitations or high out-of-pocket expenses, making it a better choice for those seeking freedom in their healthcare options.

Enrolling in Plan N in Florida

To be eligible for Plan N in Florida, you must be 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B. Some individuals under 65 with a disability may also be able to apply.

You can apply for this plan during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which begins when you turn 65 or older and are enrolled in Medicare Part B for the first time. This period only happens once and lasts for six months.

Applying during this time guarantees that all beneficiaries will be accepted and will not be denied because of pre-existing health conditions.

Bottom Line

Plan N is the second favorite Medicare Supplement plan for new enrollees and ranks third nationwide. It's a solid choice for those seeking comprehensive coverage but willing to handle some out-of-pocket costs.

By accepting slightly higher financial risk, you can lower your monthly premium. If you're healthy, don't often see the doctor, and your providers accept Medicare's approved amount, the savings on premiums can balance out your copays.