Should I switch from plan F to plan G?
You should likely switch from Plan F to Plan G if your annual premium savings for Plan G exceed the Medicare Part B deductible ($283 in 2026).
Key Differences in Coverage and Cost
- Coverage: Plan F and Plan G offer identical coverage except for one detail: Plan F covers the annual Part B deductible, while Plan G does not. Once you pay that deductible out-of-pocket on Plan G, coverage is 100% the same.
- Premiums: Plan F often has significantly higher and faster-rising premiums because it is closed to new beneficiaries who became eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020. Plan G monthly premiums are typically $30 to $60 (or more) lower.
- Math Check: If Plan F costs more than $23.58 extra per month ($283 divided by 12) than Plan G, Plan G will save you money overall.
Things to Consider Before Switching
- Medical Underwriting: In most states, switching from Plan F to Plan G requires answering health questions (medical underwriting) to qualify, unless you have specific guaranteed issue rights or live in a state with special rules (like California or Oregon's annual birthday rule). If you have underlying health conditions, you might be denied or charged a higher rate for Plan G.
- Future Rate Increases: Because Plan F no longer adds healthy, new enrollees, the pool tends to age and face steeper annual rate hikes compared to the active pool in Plan G.