Which medicare plan is closest to plan F?
💡 Plan G
Plan G is the closest and most direct alternative to Medigap Plan F.
📊 Comparing Plan F and Plan G
- Coverage identity: Identical benefits except for one item.
- Part B deductible:
- Plan F: Covers it completely.
- Plan G: Does not cover it (you pay out of pocket).
- Part B excess charges: Both cover 100% of excess charges if a doctor charges more than Medicare's approved amount.
- Foreign travel emergency: Both cover 80% of approved costs up to limits.
📌 Why Plan G Works Best
- New enrollees: Required option since Plan F is closed to those eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.
- Cost savings: Often features lower total annual costs once the minor Part B deductible is factored in.
- Price stability: Draws a newer, healthier risk pool than closed Plan F cohorts.
Which Medigap plan is closest to plan F?
Medigap Plan G is the closest alternative to Medigap Plan F.
Key Similarities
- Identical Coverage: Plan G covers the exact same benefits as Plan F, including Part A hospital costs, coinsurance, and Part B excess charges.
- Comprehensive Care: Both plans pay for nearly all out-of-pocket costs not covered by Original Medicare.
The Only Difference
- Part B Deductible: Plan F covers the Medicare Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), while Plan G does not.
- Out-of-Pocket Cost: When you have Plan G, you must pay the annual Part B deductible out of pocket before your supplemental coverage begins.
Why Choose Plan G Over Plan F
- Availability: Plan F is closed to new Medicare enrollees who became eligible on or after January 1, 2020. Plan G is open to everyone.
- Lower Premiums: Plan G often features lower monthly premiums than Plan F, making it a more cost-effective choice if the premium savings outweigh the Part B deductible cost.
What are the disadvantages of plan F?
The main disadvantages of Medicare Supplement Plan F are its closure to new enrollees, higher and faster-rising monthly premiums, and lack of extra out-of-pocket benefits.
Key Disadvantages
- Closed to New Enrollees: You cannot buy Plan F unless you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.
- Shrinking and Aging Pool: Because no new (typically younger and healthier) members can join, the existing pool of enrollees is aging. This often leads to faster-accelerating annual rate increases compared to open plans.
- Higher Monthly Premiums: It offers "first-dollar" coverage—meaning it covers everything, including the Part B deductible—which makes its upfront monthly cost higher than alternatives like Plan G or Plan N.
- No Extra Benefits: Like other Medigap plans, it does not cover prescription drugs, dental, vision, or hearing care.
- Risk of Overpaying: Because it covers the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), you may pay a much higher annual price difference in premiums than the actual cost of that deductible.
What is the average monthly premium for Medicare Plan F?
The average monthly premium for Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plan F generally ranges from $150 to $300+, with an overall national average around $185 to $230 per month.
Cost Breakdown and Factors
- Age Variations: Premiums typically start around $150 to $166 monthly for someone turning 65, but can increase to $250–$480+ per month as a beneficiary reaches their 80s and 90s.
- High-Deductible Plan F: If you choose the high-deductible version of Plan F, the average monthly premium is much lower—typically between $50 and $83 per month—though you must meet a $2,950 annual deductible (in 2026) before benefits kick in.
- Geographic Differences: Costs vary wildly depending on where you live. For instance, monthly rates can average near $100 in lower-cost states like Maine, but exceed $400 in higher-cost areas like New York.
- Other Cost Influencers: Your exact premium is also determined by your gender, tobacco use, the specific private insurance carrier you choose, and their pricing model (community-rated, issue-age-rated, or attained-age-rated).
Important Eligibility Note
Medigap Plan F is only available to individuals who were eligible for Medicare prior to January 1, 2020. If you became eligible for Medicare on or after that date, you cannot purchase Plan F, though popular alternatives like Plan G offer similar comprehensive coverage minus the Part B deductible.
Why is plan F being phased out?
Medicare Supplement Plan F is being phased out because the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) of 2015 prohibits new Medigap policies from covering the Medicare Part B deductible.
Why Congress Made This Change
- First-Dollar Coverage: Plan F provided "first-dollar" coverage, meaning beneficiaries paid nothing out of pocket for deductibles or copays from their very first medical visit.
- Reducing Overutilization: Congress believed that having no out-of-pocket costs at the point of service encouraged people to seek unnecessary medical care, which drove up federal healthcare spending.
- Skin in the Game: The law aims to make beneficiaries more financially responsible for their initial care by requiring them to pay the Part B deductible themselves.
Who is Affected?
- New Enrollees: Anyone who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, cannot buy Plan F.
- Existing Enrollees: If you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, you can keep Plan F or enroll in it if it is offered in your area.
NO MORE Medicare Plan F (Why You Should Change Plans)
Is Medigap plan F worth it?
Medigap Plan F is usually not worth it for most people today because its rising premiums often cost much more than the savings it provides.
Why Plan F Costs More
- Closed Enrollment: Since January 1, 2020, new Medicare enrollees cannot buy Plan F because federal rules stopped new plans from covering the Part B deductible.
- Aging Member Pool: Because no younger, new members can join, the group of people on Plan F is aging and shrinking, which causes insurance companies to raise monthly prices faster.
- Low Value Compared to Alternatives: Plan F covers 100% of out-of-pocket costs, including the Medicare Part B deductible ($283 in 2026). However, if your annual premium for Plan F costs more than $283 extra compared to Medigap Plan G, Plan F loses its financial value.
Better Alternatives
- Medigap Plan G: This plan offers nearly identical coverage to Plan F, except you pay the annual Part B deductible yourself. Because Plan G is open to newer enrollees, its monthly premiums are usually much lower.
- Medigap Plan N: This option features even lower monthly premiums in exchange for small copays during some doctor or emergency room visits.
What is the most highly rated Medicare Supplement plan?
Medigap Plan G is widely considered the most popular and comprehensive highly rated Medicare supplement plan available to new enrollees.
Because Medicare supplement (Medigap) benefits are strictly standardized by the government, a Plan G from one private insurance company provides the exact same core medical coverage as a Plan G from any other company. Ratings and "best plan" distinctions instead apply to the specific insurance carriers offering them based on cost, customer satisfaction, and stability of rate increases.
Top-Rated Insurance Carriers for Medigap Plans
- State Farm: Frequently ranks highest for overall customer satisfaction and slow, stable rate increases over time.
- AARP / UnitedHealthcare: The largest Medigap provider nationwide, recognized for massive enrollment numbers, wide availability, and extra member perks.
- Mutual of Omaha: Consistently praised for strong financial stability, high customer satisfaction, and fast claim processing.
- HealthSpring (formerly Cigna): Noted for having some of the most competitive, low initial monthly premiums on the market.
What Medigap Plan G Covers
- 100% of Part A coinsurance, hospital costs, and hospice care.
- 100% of Part B copayments or coinsurance.
- The Part A deductible.
- The only major item it does not cover is the annual Medicare Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), which you must pay out-of-pocket before coverage kicks in. (Note: Plan F covers this deductible too, but is legally closed to anyone who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020).
Is it a good idea to keep Medicare Plan F?
Keeping Medicare Plan F is generally only a good idea if your rate remains competitive, because closed enrollment pools cause premiums to rise faster than open alternatives like Plan G.
📊 Financial Comparison
- Part B deductible: $283 annually (2026)
- Monthly threshold: Roughly $24 difference
- Plan G savings: Switch if gap exceeds $24 monthly
📈 Premium Dynamics
- Closed pool: No new enrollees since 2020
- Aging demographic: Higher average medical claims over time
- Accelerated hikes: Rates outpace open plans
✅ When To Keep It
- Convenience: Zero tracking of outpatient deductibles
- Underwriting risk: Failed health screening prevents switching
- Tight spread: Premium gap remains under $24 monthly
⚠️ When To Switch
- High premiums: Paying significantly more than Plan G
- Good health: Easily pass medical underwriting
- Better value: Plan G provides identical coverage minus deductible
Which is better, the Medicare Supplement plan F or G?
Medicare Supplement Plan G is generally considered the better overall choice because it offers nearly identical coverage to Plan F while typically featuring lower monthly premiums and better long-term price stability.
According to community consensus on Reddit, users note that Plan F is being phased out, leading to a closed pool of policyholders that can age and experience faster rate increases. You can read more detailed breakdowns on the NerdWallet Medigap Plan F vs. Plan G Guide.
Key Differences
- Eligibility: Plan F is only available to people who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. Plan G is open to all Medicare beneficiaries.
- Part B Deductible: Plan F covers the annual Medicare Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), meaning you have zero out-of-pocket costs for approved services. Plan G does not cover this deductible; you pay it out of pocket once per year before coverage kicks in.
- Coverage: Once the Part B deductible is met for Plan G, both plans cover 100% of all other Medicare-approved out-of-pocket costs, coinsurance, and excess charges.
Cost Comparison
- Premiums: Plan F usually costs more per month because it covers the Part B deductible.
- The Math: If the annual price difference between Plan F and Plan G is more than the Part B deductible ($283), Plan G saves you money. If Plan F costs less than $23.58 more per month than Plan G, Plan F might be a better financial deal. However, rate hikes on the closed Plan F pool often make Plan G cheaper over time.
Why is Medicare Plan F so expensive?
Medicare Supplement Plan F is expensive primarily because it is a "closed pool" with an aging demographic and covers 100% of out-of-pocket costs, including the Part B deductible.
📉 Closed Risk Pool
- No new 65-year-olds can join Plan F since January 1, 2020.
- The pool of policyholders is aging and using more medical care.
- Insurers raise premiums continuously to cover higher average claims.
💡 First-Dollar Coverage
- Plan F covers all Part A and Part B deductibles, coinsurance, and copays.
- Insurers price this comprehensive financial safety net heavily upfront.
📊 Plan Comparison
| Feature | ✅ Plan F | ✅ Plan G | ✅ Plan N |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Premium | Highest ($300+) | Moderate ($200–$300) | Lowest ($150–$250) |
| Part B Deductible ($283) | Covered | Not Covered ($283 user paid) | Not Covered ($283 user paid) |
| Doctor Copayments | $0 | $0 | Up to $20 |