Plan M vs Plan G: Why M Nearly Vanished
Plan M covers 50% of the Part A hospital deductible and nothing of Part B — a half-step design that made sense on paper in 2010 and almost none today. It survives in a handful of state portfolios, and the M-vs-G comparison mostly explains why it should stay rare.
| Dimension | Plan M | Plan G |
|---|---|---|
| Part A deductible ($1,676 in 2025) | 50% covered — you pay ~$838 | 100% covered |
| Part B coinsurance (the 20%) | You pay all of it | 100% covered |
| Part B excess charges | Not covered | Covered |
| Skilled nursing coinsurance | 100% covered | 100% covered |
| Foreign travel emergency (80% after $250, $50k life) | Covered | Covered |
| Market presence | Sparse — few carriers, few states | Everywhere |
The exposure M leaves on the table
M’s fatal gap is the Part B 20% coinsurance with no cap — the same uncovered tail that makes A and B poor value. It covers the SNF benefit and half the hospital deductible, but outpatient-heavy years (infusions, imaging, surgery) generate unbounded 20% bills. The premium discount versus G is rarely large enough to compensate, and thin carrier participation means less price competition where M is even sold.
Who might legitimately hold M
Essentially one profile: a guaranteed-issue buyer whose state GI menu caps out at M, or a legacy holder whose book has stayed unusually cheap. For everyone else, N delivers a similar premium discount with far better protection (N at least covers the 20% and adds only copays), and G removes the tail entirely. Treat M as a fallback design, not a recommendation.
FAQ
Is Plan M closed like Plan F?
No — M remains open to new enrollees; it simply sells poorly and many carriers dropped it.
Does M cover the Part B deductible?
No — no plan sold to new eligibles covers it except legacy F.
What is the Part A deductible in 2025?
$1,676 per benefit period; M splits that 50/50 with you.
Related reading: Plan G full file · Plan N — the better discount design · All Medigap plans · Plan G rate curve