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Medicare Supplement Plan N Copays Explained for 2026
Last Modified: 10/05/2026 | Reviewed by Keith Armbrecht (NPN 634015)
Quick Summary
Medicare Supplement Plan N can require a copayment of up to $20 for certain office visits and up to $50 for certain emergency-room visits that don’t result in inpatient admission.
These copays are one of the primary differences between Plan N and Plan G.
Plan N’s potentially lower monthly premium can make the additional cost sharing worthwhile for some Medicare beneficiaries.
Key Facts
- Certain office visits can have a copay up to $20.
- Certain ER visits can have a copay up to $50.
- The $50 ER copay doesn’t apply if the visit results in inpatient admission.
- Not every medical service automatically generates a $20 copay.
- Plan N also doesn’t cover the annual Part B deductible.
- The 2026 Part B deductible is $283.
- Plan N doesn’t cover Medicare Part B excess charges.
- Plan N covers the Medicare Part A deductible.
- Plan N may have a lower monthly premium than Plan G.
Is Every Doctor Visit $20?
No.
Medicare’s standardized benefit describes Plan N as paying Part B coinsurance except for a copayment of up to $20 for some office visits.
That’s different from saying every medical encounter costs $20.
When Does the $50 ER Copay Apply?
Plan N can require up to $50 for certain emergency-room visits.
That copayment is waived when the ER visit results in inpatient admission.
What Other Costs Can You Pay?
In addition to Plan N’s permitted copays, you’re responsible for:
The $283 Part B deductible in 2026
and potentially:
Medicare Part B excess charges
because Plan N doesn’t cover excess charges.
Video Explanation from Keith
Is Every Doctor Visit $20?
Keith's Take
People sometimes hear “copays” and immediately reject Plan N.
I think that’s a mistake.
You need to put the copays into context.
If Plan N saves you $30 per month, that’s $360 per year.
How many applicable doctor copays would it take to use up that $360?
That’s the kind of calculation I want someone making.
Keith Armbrecht
Medicare on Video
Frequently Asked Questions About Plan N Copays
Q. Is every doctor visit $20?
A. No.
Q. What's the maximum office copay?
A. Up to $20 for certain office visits.
Q. What's the maximum ER copay?
A. Up to $50 in applicable situations.
Q. Is the ER copay charged if I'm admitted?
A. The standardized Plan N benefit doesn't apply that ER copay when the visit results in inpatient admission.
Q. Does Plan N have hospital copays?
A. Plan N covers applicable standardized Part A cost sharing, including the Part A deductible.
Q. Does Plan N cover the Part B deductible?
A. No.
Q. Are excess charges considered copays?
A. No. Excess charges are separate and Plan N doesn't cover them.
Q. Does Plan G have these Plan N copays?
A. No.
Official Government Sources
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