How Does Medicare Supplement Plan F Compare to Plan G?

What is Medicare Supplement Plan F?

Medigap Plan F is considered to be one of the most inclusive Medigap plans. Like other Medigap plans, you’ll have a monthly premium for Plan F. This amount will depend on your purchase policy.

Most Medigap plans don’t have a deductible. However, in addition to the typical Plan F, you also have the option of purchasing a high-deductible policy. The premiums for these plans are lower, but you’ll have to meet a deductible before coverage begins.

If you qualify to purchase Plan F, you can shop for a policy using Medicare’s search tool. This allows you to compare the different policies that are offered in your area.

Medigap Plan F covers 100% of the following costs:

• Part A deductible
• Part A coinsurance and copay costs
• Part B deductible
• Part B coinsurance and copays
• Part B excess charges
• blood (first 3 pints)
• 80% of emergency care when traveling in a foreign country

Not that as of January 1, 2020, Medigap plans no longer cover the Medicare Part B premium.

Who can enroll in Plan F?

Anyone eligible for Medicare is eligible for Medigap. However, the enrollment rules for Plan F changed in 2020. The new rules for Plan F enrollment are as follows:

• Plan F isn’t available to anyone who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.
• People who were already covered by Plan F before 2020 are able to keep their plan.
• Anyone who was eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, but didn’t have Plan F can still buy one if it is available.

What is Medicare Supplement Plan G?

Similar to Plan F, Medigap Plan G covers a wide variety of costs. However, it doesn’t cover the Medicare Part B deductible.

You have a monthly premium with Plan G, and your pay can vary depending on your chosen policy. You can compare Plan G policies in your area using Medicare’s search tool.

There’s also a high-deductible option for Plan G. Again, high-deductible plans have lower premiums, but you’ll have to pay the set deductible amount before your costs are covered.

Medigap Plan G covers 100% of the costs listed below:

• Part A deductible
• Part A coinsurance and copays
• blood (first 3 pints)
• Part B coinsurance and copays
• Part B excess charges
• 80% of emergency care when traveling in a foreign country

Who can enroll in Plan G?

Anyone who is enrolled in Original Medicare can purchase it. To enroll in Plan G, you must have Original Medicare (Parts A and B).

You can first buy a Medicare supplemental policy during your Medigap initial enrollment period, which is a six-month period that begins the month you turn 65.

Some people are eligible for Medicare before age 65. However, federal law doesn’t require companies to sell Medigap policies to people under age 65.

If you’re under 65, you may not be able to purchase the specific Medigap policy that you want. In some cases, you may not be able to purchase one at all. However, some states offer Medicare SELECT, an alternative type of Medigap plan available to people under 65 years old.

What is the difference between plan G and plan F?

So how do these plans compare to one another? Overall, they’re very similar.

Both plans offer comparable coverage. Part G’s main disadvantage is that it doesn’t cover the Medicare Part B deductible, while Plan F does.

Another big difference between Plan F and Plan G is who can enroll. Anyone enrolled in Original Medicare can sign up for Plan G. This isn’t true for Plan F. Only those who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, may enroll in Plan F.

Check out the tables below for a visual comparison of Plan F vs. Plan G.

How much do Plan F and Plan G cost?

You’ll have to pay a monthly premium for your Medigap plan. This is in addition to the monthly premium that you pay for Medicare Part B if you have Plan G.

Your monthly premium amount depends on your policy, plan provider, and location. Compare Medigap policy prices in your area before deciding on one.

Both plans also have a high-deductible option in some states. In 2024, this deductible is set at $2,800, which must be paid before either policy begins paying for benefits.

Below is a head-to-head cost comparison of Medigap Plan F and Plan G in four example cities across the United States.

Why is Medicare Plan F being discontinued?

Plan F is the most comprehensive Medicare Supplement. It covers all Medicare Part A and B expenses without any copays or deductibles.

However, some argue this increases the program’s cost burden, so Congress decided to phase out Plan F by passing the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA).

This means you can no longer enroll in Plan F if you’re new to Medicare after January 1, 2020, and will need to enroll in another plan like G, which doesn’t cover the Part B deductible.

However, if you turned 65 before January 1, 2020, or if you’re under 65 and your Part A started before January 1, 2020, you may be able to buy Plan F if it is offered in your state. If you already have Plan F, you can keep it.

Takeaway

Medigap is supplemental insurance that helps cover costs that aren’t covered by original Medicare. Medigap Plan F and Plan G are two of the 10 different Medigap plans that you can choose from.

Plan F and Plan G are very similar overall. However, while Plan G is available to anyone new to Medicare, Plan F policies cannot be purchased by those new to Medicare after January 1, 2020.

All Medigap plans are standardized, so you’re guaranteed to receive the same basic coverage for your policy regardless of the company you purchase it from or where you live. However, monthly premiums can vary, so compare multiple policies before you buy.

Medicare plan options and costs are subject to change each year.