Medicare Plan F is an example of a Medicare supplement insurance plan, also known as Medigap. This is extra insurance a person can buy from a private company to help cover out-of-pocket costs in Original Medicare.
However, Plan F is no longer available for people who turned 65 on or after January 1, 2020, and for some people under 65.
People eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, but did not enroll may still be able to buy Plan F.
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People who have Original Medicare, otherwise known as Medicare Part A and Part B, may choose to buy a Medigap plan from a private insurance company as additional insurance.
Most states offer 10 different types of Medigap plans. Companies refer to these plans by letters: A to D, F, G, and K to N. Despite costing more than the other Medigap plans, Plan F is popular because its comprehensive coverage leaves people with few out-of-pocket expenses.
The extensive coverage of Plan F includes the following:
- 100% of the deductibles for parts A and B
- 100% of the Part A coinsurance
- hospital expenses up to an extra 365 days after a person uses all available Medicare benefits
- 100% of the copayment or coinsurance for Part A hospice care
- 100% of the copayment or coinsurance for Part B
- the first 3 pints of blood.
- 100% of the coinsurance for skilled nursing facility care
- 80% of foreign travel emergency healthcare costs up to the plan limits
In addition, Plan F covers 100% of Part B excess charges. These expenses refer to amounts doctors may charge higher than Medicare-approved costs.
Some states offer a high deductible version of Plan F. This means a person must first pay all Medicare costs up to $2,870, the deductible in 2025.
Like other Medigap plans, Plan F does not cover prescription drugs or extra benefits, such as dental and vision.
However, as of January 1, 2020, Plan F is unavailable to new Medicare enrollees because of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) in 2015. Plan F has no copay, deductible, or other out-of-pocket costs, and federal lawmakers were concerned that this may be causing the plan to be overused. By ensuring that every available Medigap requires a deductible, lawmakers are encouraging people to make sure their doctor visits are medically necessary.
That said, individuals who already have this plan can keep it, and those who became eligible before this date but did not enroll may still be able to buy Plan F.
Other Medigap plans are alternatives to Plan F. These include plans A, B, D, G, K, L, M, and N.
These plans provide the same primary benefits, and they may include some extra ones. The plans that offer more coverage usually have higher premiums.
Plan G has become a popular alternative because it is similar to Plan F. The only difference is that it does not pay the Medicare Part B deductible. If comprehensive coverage is important to a person, Plan G may be the best alternative to Plan F.
Plan G also offers a high deductible version of the policy, where an individual pays the same deductible of $2,870 before the Medigap benefits take effect.
That said, when comparing plans, a person may find it helpful to check the copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Some individuals may prefer a policy with less coverage than Plan G.
These options could include:
- Plan D: provides all of the coverage of Plan G, except for Medicare Part B excess charges
- Plan N: similar to Plan D but does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible
Medigap also offers choices for a person who may require less coverage. These include:
- Plan L: pays 75% of certain costs
- Plan K: pays 50% of certain costs
To compare Medigap plans at a glance, this tool shows what plans are available in a particular area.
Glossary of Medicare terms
- Out-of-pocket cost: This is the amount a person must pay for care when Medicare does not pay the total amount or offer coverage. Costs can include deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, and premiums.
- Premium: This is the amount of money someone pays each month for Medicare coverage.
- Deductible: This is an annual amount a person must spend out of pocket within a certain period before Medicare starts to fund their treatments.
- Coinsurance: This is the percentage of treatment costs that a person must self-fund. For Medicare Part B, coinsurance is 20%.
- Copayment: This is a fixed dollar amount a person with insurance pays when receiving certain treatments. For Medicare, this usually applies to prescription drugs.
Medigap plans can vary significantly in cost, and the premium price with one insurance company may differ from another, even though the plans have the same benefits.
Once an individual decides on a Medigap plan, they can consider comparing prices before buying. The following chart shows a few premium ranges from different states based on people over 65 who don’t smoke. Your exact costs will depend on your age and where you live.
| State | Plan F premium for females | Plan F high deductible premium for females | Plan F premium for males | Plan F high deductible premium for males |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | $135-$518 | $38-$66 | $153-$585 | $39-$75 |
| Maine | $244-$395 | $47-$79 | $244-$395 | $47-$79 |
| Nevada | $164-$548 | $34-$68 | $184-$618 | $34-$76 |
| Georgia | $149-$390 | $51-$84 | $171-$448 | $55-$97 |
Some states also offer Medicare Select plans. These plans can include any of the above Medigap plans but require a person to use in-network doctors or hospitals. The premiums are generally less expensive than those of other Medigap plans.
Find out more about the different Medigap plans on the Medicare website.
Learn moreLearn more about Medigap plans F and G.
As Medicare parts A and B do not pay for all healthcare costs, some people buy a Medigap supplement insurance plan.
Medicare Plan F provides the most coverage but is no longer available to new enrollees. Plan G is the option that most closely resembles Plan F.
Before buying a Medigap plan, a person may wish to carefully examine the differences in their coverage, as insurance companies may offer the same plans but with different pricing.
Once a person decides on a policy, they can compare the costs between insurance providers.
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