Why did Medicare get rid of plan F?

Asked by: Dr. Sebastian Steuber Jr.  |  Last update: June 7, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (70 votes)

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.

Will plan F be grandfathered?

The Plan F was phased out in 2020. For all consumers who qualify for Medicare Nevada before 2020, they will be grandfathered into having Plan F as an option forever. For everyone who qualifies for Medicare after 2020, the Plan F will not be an option to enroll in.

What is the replacement for plan F?

The most obvious choice to replace your F policy would be Plan G because the only difference between the two is that Plan G will not pay your Medicare Part B deductible ($257 in 2025). This makes Plan G the best option to Medicare Plan F when comparing benefits.

Is plan F still available in 2024?

As of 2024, Medicare Plan F is no longer available for new enrollees. However, if you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, you can still enroll in or keep your existing Medicare Plan F coverage. To be eligible, individuals must be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B.

Can you still get plan F with Medicare?

If you have Medicare Supplement Plan F- READ THIS In January of 2020, the Supplement Plan F has been phased out, meaning anyone that's new to Medicare in 2020 or later can no longer go on the Plan F. As time goes on, people on the Plan F are going to either pass away, or switch off to another plan.

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39 related questions found

What happened to Medicare Plan F?

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.

What is the best medicare plan that covers everything for seniors?

Original Medicare with Medigap likely offers the most comprehensive coverage, but it may also be the most costly. A person can consider their income and how much they are able to spend before choosing a Medicare plan. Original Medicare with Medigap also offers a lot of flexibility when choosing a doctor or specialist.

Why are people leaving Medicare Advantage plans?

Key takeaways: People leave Medicare Advantage plans because out-of-pocket costs vary between plans, network restrictions can cause frustration, prior authorization requests can delay care, and it can be difficult to use the additional benefits they provide.

Should I switch from plan F to plan G?

If the premium savings on 'G' are greater than the deductible amount, then 'G' makes more sense than 'F'. Often, the premium differences between these two plans are $300/year or more. In some cases, the premium difference can be as much as $500/year, making 'G' a “no-brainer”.

Why is plan F so expensive?

Medigap Plan F and Plan G differ because Plan F covers the Part B deductible, while Plan G does not. In 2024, the Part B deductible is $240. For this reason, Plan F tends to be more expensive than Plan G, but pricing differs by insurer. In addition, Plan F is not available to those who qualify for Medicare after Jan.

Can I drop my medicare advantage plan and go back to original Medicare?

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: Between January 1 and March 31 of each year, if you already have a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) you can: Switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage). Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare.

Does Medicare Plan F cover dental?

Coverage Not Included in Plan F

You'll need to enroll in a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan to get those benefits. Some other common services not included are routine dental care and treatment, vision exams and eyeglasses, and hearing exams and hearing aids.

What Medicare plan is closest to plan F?

Plan G coverage is similar to that of Plan F. However, it does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible. Both plans F and G offer a high deductible version.

What causes a plan to lose grandfathered status?

Plans may lose “grandfathered” status if they make certain significant changes that reduce benefits or increase costs to consumers. A health plan must disclose whether it considers itself a grandfathered plan.

What are the top 5 medicare supplement plans?

💬 From our Nerds: What are the top five Medicare supplement plans? "Based on NerdWallet's Medigap rubric, I picked five best Medicare Supplement Insurance companies for 2025: AARP/UnitedHealthcare, Mutual of Omaha, State Farm, Anthem and Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Why are seniors losing Medicare Advantage plans?

Medicare vs Privatized Medicare Advantage

Beneficiaries are tossed aside because they live in an unprofitable market for their insurer or because they are actually using the insurance they signed up for to access services.

Why are doctors dropping Medicare Advantage?

Health systems have cited delayed reimbursements, cumbersome prior authorization requirements and high rates of patient claim denials for their decisions to drop Medicare Advantage plans.

Why is Humana dropping Medicare?

Rising medical costs and lower reimbursements from CMS led Humana and other insurers to plan market exits in 2025.

Does everyone pay $170 for Medicare?

Understanding the costs of original Medicare can help you choose the right coverage options. Most people pay no premiums for Part A. For Medicare Part B in 2025, most beneficiaries will pay $185 per month. Certain factors may require you to pay more or less than the standard Medicare Part B premium in 2025.

What does Plan F not cover?

Prescription drugs aren't covered by either Plan F or Original Medicare. Many people get drug coverage by adding on a Medicare Part D plan. You can also buy stand-alone dental insurance and vision plans.

Why are hospitals refusing Medicare Advantage plans?

Among the most commonly cited reasons are excessive prior authorization denial rates and slow payments from insurers. In 2023, Becker's began reporting on hospitals and health systems nationwide that dropped some or all of their Medicare Advantage contracts.

What are the 6 things Medicare doesn't cover?

Some of the items and services Medicare doesn't cover include:
  • Eye exams (for prescription eyeglasses)
  • Long-term care.
  • Cosmetic surgery.
  • Massage therapy.
  • Routine physical exams.
  • Hearing aids and exams for fitting them.

Is there a Medicare plan that pays 100%?

Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C):

Deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments vary based on which plan you join. Plans also have a yearly limit on what you pay out-of-pocket. Once you pay the plan's limit, the plan pays 100% for covered health services for the rest of the year.