High-Deductible Plan G vs Regular Plan G: The $2,870 Question
High-deductible Plan G is regular G with one change: you pay the first $2,870 (2025) of covered medical costs yourself before the plan pays anything. In exchange, the premium runs 40–60% cheaper. It is the closest thing Medigap has to a high-deductible health plan, and the right answer depends almost entirely on your savings buffer and claim history.
| Dimension | Regular Plan G | High-Deductible G |
|---|---|---|
| Annual deductible before plan pays | $257 (Part B only) | $2,870 (2025) covering A+B combined |
| Typical monthly premium (age 65) | $120–160 | $50–70 |
| Premium savings per year | Baseline | $840–1,320 |
| Worst-case year-one cost | Premium + $257 | Premium + $2,870 |
| Who the deductible resets | Calendar year | Calendar year |
| Availability | Every state | Not sold in MA, WI, MN (own systems); limited carrier lists |
The break-even test
HD-G wins when your annual claims stay under roughly $2,000 for several consecutive years — the cumulative premium savings then outweighs the deductible you occasionally pay. It loses if you expect surgery, cancer treatment, or frequent hospitalization: a single joint replacement produces bills far past $2,870, and in that year you pay both the full deductible and the premium. The discipline test matters as much as the math — you need the savings to actually hold the $2,870.
The one-way-door problem
Moving from HD-G up to regular G later requires passing medical underwriting in most states. The ideal HD-G customer is healthy at 65 with strong savings who would rather self-insure the first layer — and accepts that if their health turns at 68, they may be stuck re-shopping only in guaranteed-issue states. If you would fail underwriting today for any reason, treat HD-G as a plan you might live with permanently, and price both before deciding.
FAQ
Does the HD-G deductible include the Part B deductible?
Yes — the $2,870 is an all-in figure; once you meet it, the plan behaves exactly like regular G for the rest of the year.
Why is HD-G not sold everywhere?
Massachusetts, Wisconsin and Minnesota run their own standardized Medigap systems, and several carriers simply omit HD-G from their state portfolios.
Do copays count toward the HD-G deductible?
There are no copays on G. Everything Medicare-approved counts toward the $2,870 until it is met.
Related reading: HD-G full file · Regular G full file · Plan G age curve · MA own system