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

High Deductible Plan F and High Deductible Plan G are both Medicare Supplement (Medigap) options with lower monthly premiums and a shared annual deductible of $2,950 in 2026.

Key Differences

• Eligibility Date: High Deductible Plan F is only available to people who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. High Deductible Plan G is available to anyone, including new beneficiaries who became eligible on or after January 1, 2020.
• Part B Deductible Handling: High Deductible Plan F covers the Medicare Part B deductible ($283 in 2026) after you meet the overall high deductible, meaning it can technically pay for that specific out-of-pocket cost once unlocked. High Deductible Plan G operates like regular Plan G, meaning the $283 Part B deductible counts toward your $2,950 high deductible, but out-of-pocket expenses before meeting the deductible require you to pay the 20% Part B coinsurance first.
• Availability: Because Plan F is phased out for new enrollees, High Deductible Plan F enrollment is frozen to older beneficiaries, whereas High Deductible Plan G is widely open to new Medicare entrants (except in mass-market exceptions like Minnesota or Wisconsin which standardize differently).

Shared Features

• Deductible Amount: Both share an annual high deductible of $2,950 for 2026.
• Coverage After Deductible: Once you spend $2,950 on out-of-pocket Medicare-approved costs (like Part A/B coinsurance and deductibles), both plans cover 100% of approved charges for the rest of the calendar year.
• Premiums: Both offer much lower monthly premiums compared to their standard, non-high-deductible plan counterparts.

Medicare Plan G is generally the better and more practical choice for most people today, because Plan F is closed to new enrollees who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.

Both Medigap Plan F and Plan G offer nearly identical, highly comprehensive coverage for Original Medicare out-of-pocket costs. However, they differ in two main ways:

Key Differences

• Part B Deductible: Plan F covers the annual Medicare Part B deductible ($283 in 2026). Plan G does not cover this deductible, meaning you pay it out of pocket before coverage starts.
• Eligibility: Plan F is only available if you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. Plan G is open to all Medicare beneficiaries.

Cost and Value

• Premiums: Plan F usually costs more per month because it provides "first-dollar" coverage that includes the Part B deductible.
• Overall Savings: Plan G usually has lower monthly premiums. Even after paying the $283 Part B deductible out of pocket, Plan G is frequently the better financial value. Furthermore, because Plan F's risk pool is aging and closed to newcomers, its premiums may rise faster over time.

You can check your official options and compare benefits directly through the Medicare Plan Comparison Tool.

A high-deductible Medicare Supplement Plan G is worth it if you are in good health, visit the doctor infrequently, and want to save money on low monthly NerdWallet premiums.

How High-Deductible Plan G Works

• The Deductible: You must pay $2,950 out of pocket for Medicare-approved costs (including Part A and Part B deductibles and coinsurance) in 2026 before the plan starts paying.
• Full Coverage After: Once you meet that deductible, the high-deductible plan covers 100% of all remaining Medicare-approved costs for the rest of the year, just like standard Plan G.
• Lower Premiums: Monthly premiums are significantly cheaper than a standard Plan G policy.

Pros and Cons

• Pros:
  • Lower monthly payments.
  • Capped financial risk at the annual deductible amount.
  • Slower annual rate increases compared to standard plans.
• Cons:
  • High upfront costs if you experience an unexpected medical emergency or surgery.
  • The deductible increases slightly every year.
  • Switching back to a standard Plan G later may require answering health questions (medical underwriting).

Is It Right For You?

• Worth it if: You save more on monthly premiums than you would spend paying out-of-pocket for your minimal yearly care, and you have $2,950 available in savings for an unexpected medical bill.
• Not worth it if: You have chronic health conditions, take frequent trips to the doctor, or prefer predictable monthly medical budgeting.

Medicare Supplement Plan G features comprehensive benefits, but it also has several notable disadvantages including higher monthly premiums, out-of-pocket costs for the Part B deductible, and a lack of coverage for prescription drugs, dental, or vision care.

Main Disadvantages of Plan G

• Higher Monthly Premiums: Because Plan G offers extensive coverage, its monthly premium is generally higher than lower-tier supplemental options like Plan N or high-deductible plans.
• Does Not Cover the Part B Deductible: You must pay the annual Medicare Part B deductible out of pocket ($283 in 2026) before Plan G begins covering your remaining Part B coinsurance and approved costs.
• No Prescription Drug Coverage: Plan G does not include outpatient prescription drugs, meaning you must purchase a separate Medicare Part D plan for medication coverage.
• No Extra Benefits: Like most Original Medicare supplements, Plan G does not cover routine dental, vision, hearing aids, or long-term/custodial care.
• Potential for Rate Increases: Premiums can rise over time based on your age (attained-age rating) or general healthcare inflation, making future costs harder to predict.

Yes, you should usually switch from Medigap Plan F to Plan G if your annual premium savings for Plan G are larger than the Medicare Part B deductible ($283 in 2026).

Key Differences Between Plan F and Plan G

• Coverage: Plan F covers the annual Medicare Part B deductible, while Plan G does not. Once you pay that deductible out of pocket, both plans offer identical coverage for all other Medicare-approved costs.
• Availability: Plan F is closed to new beneficiaries who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. Plan G is open to all members.
• Price Trends: Because Plan F has a "closed pool" of older members with no new younger enrollees joining, its rates tend to rise faster and become more expensive over time. Plan G tends to have more stable, moderate rate increases.

When Switching Makes Sense

• Lower Premiums: If Plan G costs at least $24 less per month ($283 divided by 12 months) than Plan F, switching will save you money overall. Many beneficiaries save $50 to $100 per month by making the switch.
• Long-Term Value: Even if the immediate savings are small, future rate hikes on Plan F make Plan G a safer financial choice in the long run.

Important Considerations Before Switching

• Medical Underwriting: In most states, switching from Plan F to Plan G requires answering health history questions to pass underwriting. If you have underlying health conditions, you could be denied or charged a higher rate.
• State Exceptions: Some states allow you to switch without health questions during specific windows, such as an annual birthday rule (like in California or Oregon) or specific trial rights.