NISONA Insurance Blog

High Deductible Plan G in 2026: Is It Worth It for Florida Seniors?

HD Plan G offers significantly lower monthly premiums than standard Plan G — but with a $2,950 deductible. Here's how to decide which one makes more financial sense for you.

Quick answer: High Deductible Plan G (HD-G) offers the same comprehensive coverage as standard Plan G — but at a significantly lower monthly premium. Medicare still pays its share (80% of approved Part B charges after the $283 deductible) from day one. The HD-G plan kicks in to cover your remaining out-of-pocket costs once they accumulate to $2,950 in 2026. It’s a smart choice for generally healthy seniors who want catastrophic protection without paying high premiums every month.

Medicare Supplement Plan G is widely regarded as the gold standard of Medigap coverage for new Medicare enrollees — but the monthly premiums can give some Florida seniors sticker shock. Enter High Deductible Plan G (HD-G): a lesser-known alternative that delivers identical coverage at a fraction of the monthly cost, in exchange for a higher deductible before the plan kicks in. For the right person, it’s one of the smartest Medicare decisions available. For the wrong person, it could leave you exposed at the worst possible time. Here’s exactly how to think about it.

What Is High Deductible Plan G?

High Deductible Plan G is a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan that provides the same benefits as standard Plan G — but only after your out-of-pocket costs reach a set deductible first. In 2026, that deductible is $2,950. Once you’ve met that deductible, HD-G covers everything that standard Plan G covers for the rest of the calendar year.

It’s important to understand how this works in practice: Medicare still pays its share of your medical costs from day one. For Part B services, you pay the $283 annual deductible first, then Medicare pays 80% of approved charges — and you’re responsible for the remaining 20% coinsurance. With HD Plan G, that 20% coinsurance (along with other Medicare cost-sharing like the Part A deductible) accumulates toward your $2,950 HD-G deductible. Once your accumulated out-of-pocket costs reach $2,950, the HD-G plan kicks in and covers the rest for the remainder of the year. Your Part B premium does not count toward the HD-G deductible.

What Does HD Plan G Cover After the Deductible?

Once you’ve met the $2,950 deductible, HD-G covers exactly the same things as standard Plan G:

Medicare Part A deductible ($1,736 per benefit period)
Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs up to 365 additional days after Medicare benefits are exhausted
Medicare Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment (the 20% that Medicare doesn’t pay)
Part B excess charges (when a provider charges more than Medicare’s approved amount)
Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance (days 21–100)
Foreign travel emergency coverage (80% up to plan limits)

The one item Plan G (standard or HD) does not cover is the Medicare Part B deductible ($283 in 2026) — this is the only difference between Plan G and Plan F, the latter of which is no longer available to new Medicare enrollees.

The Premium Difference: Standard Plan G vs. HD Plan G

The key financial advantage of HD Plan G is the premium savings. While premiums vary by age, gender, location, and carrier, here are realistic figures for a 65-year-old in Florida in 2026:

	Standard Plan G	High Deductible Plan G
Typical Monthly Premium (age 65, FL)	$225–$295/month	$68–$90/month
Annual Premium Cost	$2,700–$3,540/year	$816–$1,080/year
Annual Premium Savings	—	~$1,800–$2,700/year
Annual Deductible	$0	$2,950
Maximum Annual Out-of-Pocket	Very low (Part B deductible only)	$2,950 + premiums

The break-even math: If HD Plan G saves you $2,000/year in premiums compared to standard Plan G, you’d need to hit nearly the full $2,950 deductible before standard Plan G becomes the better financial choice. In a healthy year with minimal medical use, HD-G saves you money. In a year with a major health event, standard Plan G protects you better. Over many years, many healthy Florida seniors come out significantly ahead with HD-G.

Who Is HD Plan G Best For?

High Deductible Plan G tends to be the better choice for seniors who:

Are generally healthy and don’t anticipate frequent hospitalizations or major procedures
Want to keep monthly expenses low and can absorb a deductible in a bad year
Have adequate savings or a Health Savings Account (HSA) balance to cover the $2,950 deductible if needed
Are comfortable self-insuring for routine medical costs and want protection mainly for catastrophic events
Are budget-conscious at enrollment and want to invest the premium savings rather than pay for coverage they may not use

Who Should Choose Standard Plan G Instead?

Standard Plan G is likely the better fit if you:

Have chronic health conditions or a history of frequent hospitalizations
See specialists regularly and want predictable, low out-of-pocket costs throughout the year
Are not comfortable with the uncertainty of a variable deductible year to year
Don’t have savings readily available to cover the $2,950 deductible if a health event occurs early in the year
Prefer the peace of mind of knowing almost all Medicare-approved costs are covered from day one

One Important Caveat: Switching Later Is Not Always Easy

If you enroll in HD Plan G and later decide you’d prefer standard Plan G — perhaps because your health has changed — switching is not guaranteed. Outside of your initial enrollment window, Medicare Supplement insurers in Florida can require medical underwriting, meaning they can charge you more or deny coverage based on your health history. If your health has deteriorated since you first enrolled, you may find yourself unable to qualify for standard Plan G at a standard rate.

However, there are some notable exceptions worth knowing about:

UnitedHealthcare/AARP and United American both allow policyholders to upgrade or downgrade between plan types within the first two years of enrollment without medical underwriting — giving you a window to switch if your health needs change shortly after enrollment
Florida Blue allows policyholders to upgrade or downgrade between Supplement plan levels at any time without medical underwriting — making it one of the most flexible options available in Florida for seniors who want the ability to adjust their coverage as their needs evolve

This flexibility can be a significant factor in your carrier selection — not just the monthly premium. A local independent advisor can walk you through which carriers offer this flexibility in your specific county and help you weigh it against premium differences when making your initial plan decision.

Standard Plan G or HD Plan G — Which Is Right for You?

A local NISONA advisor can run the numbers based on your health history, budget, and the actual plan premiums available in your Florida county — at no cost to you.

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