Is Medicare Plan F being phased out?

Asked by: Lavonne Berge  |  Last update: January 2, 2024
Score: 4.6/5 (38 votes)

In case you missed the news, Medicare Supplement Plan F is being phased out starting January 1, 2020. If you currently have a Plan F, don't panic. You can keep your plan as long as you want. However, if you become eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020, you can't purchase a Plan F.

Has Plan F been discontinued?

Is Medicare Supplement Plan F being discontinued? Yes. Medicare Supplement insurance plans that pay the Medicare Part B deductible are not available to you if you became eligible for Medicare on January 1, 2020 or later. This change is part of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA).

Why are they phasing out Plan F?

Why is Medicare Plan F no longer an option for most people? In short, Medicare Plan F is being phased out because of the first dollar coverage that made it so popular. As federal lawmakers saw it, that kind of coverage has the potential to be overused at the expense of the Medicare program.

Should I change from Plan F to Plan G?

Two Reasons to switch from Plan F to G

You can often save $50 a month moving from F to G. Even though you will have to pay the one time $226 for the Part B deductible on Medigap G, the monthly savings will be worth it in the long run. 2) Plan G will be a better deal in the future.

What Medicare plan is closest to Plan F?

If you're not eligible for Medigap Plan F but want a similar option, Plan G is the closest alternative.

Medicare Supplement Plan F - Not worth it anymore?

21 related questions found

Which is better Plan C or Plan F?

Medigap Plan C

It is very similar to Plan F, having only one benefit difference from Plan F benefits. Keep in mind that Plan F is the most common and comprehensive plan – it pays everything that Medicare doesn't cover at the doctor/hospital. Plan C does the same with the exception of the Medicare Part B Excess charges.

Is Medicare Supplement Plan F better than Plan G?

With Plan F, you have no out of pocket costs, no co-pays or deductibles to pay. Plan G is almost identical to Plan F, with only one exception. That exception is that Plan G does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible. For 2022, the Medicare Part B deductible is $233/year.

What is the deductible for Plan F in 2023?

Effective January 1, 2023, the annual deductible amount for these three plans is $2,700. The deductible amount for the high deductible version of plans G, F and J represents the annual out-of-pocket expenses (excluding premiums) that a beneficiary must pay before these policies begin paying benefits.

What plan is comparable to Plan F?

Plan G covers nearly as much as Plan F — and it's available for any Medicare member. Both Plans F and G also offer a high-deductible Medigap plan in some states. Because Plan F covers more than Plan G, it also costs more.

Why is Plan F more expensive than Plan G?

The difference between F and G is the cost of Part B deductible. Plan G doesn't cover the Part B deductible (In 2023, it is $226.) After the deductible is met, Plan G benefits are exactly the same as Plan F. Plan F benefits include coverage for all copays, deductibles and coinsurance.

Is Plan F grandfathered?

If you already have Plan F, you can your grandfathered in. As long as you were eligible for Medicare before 2020, you can still enroll in Plan F with any carrier that offers it in your area.

Why should I keep Plan F?

With Medicare Supplement Plan F, you get the most complete coverage available. First, it includes all the benefits of Medicare Supplement Plans A, B and C. In addition, Plan F provides coverage for skilled nursing facility care, Medicare Part A and B deductibles, and international travel medical emergency help.

What is AARP Medicare Supplement Plan F?

Plan F is the most comprehensive of the 10 Medigap plans offered in the U.S. Plan F is a supplemental policy to Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and can fill many of the gaps of Original Medicare and provide broader assistance with out-of-pocket costs. However, not all health insurance gaps will be covered by Plan F.

When did Plan F end?

In 2014, Congress passed legislation that included a prohibition against “first-dollar” Medigap coverage (i.e. Plan F). This took effect in 2020. As of 1/1/2020, plans that covered “everything” Medicare does not cover, including Plans F and C, were eliminated to NEW enrollees.

Does Medicare plan F cover cataract surgery?

Generally speaking, if you are enrolled in Original Medicare or a private Medicare insurance plan, you have coverage for cataract surgery. It's always best to research and have an open conversation with your medical provider about any additional charges before the procedure is done.

Is Medigap going away?

The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 states that, after January 1, 2020, insurance companies can no longer offer any new Medigap plan that covers the Original Medicare Part B deductible. On that date, insurance carriers cannot offer Medigap plans C and F to new enrollees.

Is Medicare going up in 2023?

For 2023, the Part A deductible will be $1,600 per stay, an increase of $44 from 2022. For those people who have not worked long enough to qualify for premium-free Part A, the monthly premium will also rise. The full Part A premium will be $506 a month in 2023, a $7 increase.

Are all Medicare Plan F the same coverage?

Remember, all Plan F policies offer the exact same benefits. This is true no matter where you buy the plan. Different insurance companies may charge different premiums, deductibles, copayments or coinsurance for it, but they can't change its coverage.

What is the Medicare deductible for 2023?

In 2023, the Medicare Part A deductible is $1,600 per benefit period and the Part B annual deductible is $226. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) releases new premiums, deductibles and coinsurance amounts for Part A, Part B and the Medicare Part D income-related monthly adjustment amounts every fall.

What is the difference between Plan F and Plan F high deductible?

High Deductible Plan F overview

High Deductible Plan F includes the comprehensive benefits of regular Plan F, but you manage your health care costs until you've reached the calendar year deductible amount. After that, the plan functions like regular Plan F. Having a high deductible can reduce your monthly premiums.

What is Part B premium giveback 2023?

A giveback can cover anywhere from 10 cents up to $100 in 2023. The amount you receive, if any, will depend on your location and plan. The giveback can be applied to your Social Security check or — if you don't currently receive Social Security benefits — directly to your Part B premium.

What is high deductible Plan F?

High-Deductible Plan F works in a similar fashion. HDPF offers extremely generous coverage after you've paid a certain amount of out-of-pocket costs. Once you've spent enough on your own to reach your deductible, then your plan will pay for 100% of covered services for the rest of the calendar year.

Should I switch from Medicare F to G?

The major difference between these two plans is that Plan F covers the annual Medicare Part B deductible while Plan G does not. Even with the increasing cost of Original Medicare Part B deductible over time, it may make sense financially to opt for Plan G since it usually has a lower monthly premium than Plan F.

What is the G plan for Medicare?

Plan G includes all the benefits of Medicare Supplement Plans A, B and C with the exception of the Medicare Part B deductible. It's a good fit for people who want some coverage for hospitalization, but are willing to pay the Medicare Part B deductible on their own. A high-deductible Plan G is also available.

What is the difference between Plan F Plan G and Plan N?

Plan F is the most comprehensive plan. It covers one more benefit than Plan G. Plan G typically has higher premiums than Plan N because it includes more coverage. You could save money with Plan N because out-of-pocket costs with Plan N may equal or exceed the premium difference with Plan G.