For decades, Plan F was the gold standard of Medicare Supplement plans. It covered almost everything. Then in 2020 it was phased out for new Medicare members. If you have Plan F, you can keep it. But you may also want to look at Plan G. Here is how the two compare.
What is Medigap Plan F?
Plan F is a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy. It is sold by private insurance companies, and it pays for most of what Original Medicare does not. Copays, coinsurance, the Part A deductible, the Part B deductible, and excess charges. Almost every gap is covered.
Because Plan F covered so much, people loved it. For many years, more Medicare members had Plan F than any other Medigap plan.
Why was Plan F phased out?
In 2015, Congress passed a law called MACRA. One of its rules said that starting January 1, 2020, no new Medicare members could buy a Medigap plan that covers the Part B deductible. Plan F and Plan C both cover the Part B deductible. That is why they are no longer sold to new members.
The thinking was that when a plan covers everything, people may use more medical care than they need. A small deductible is supposed to make people pause and think. That is the rule, even if you may not agree with it.
Who can still buy Plan F?
You can still buy Plan F if you turned 65 before January 1, 2020, or if you got Medicare before that date for other reasons. If you turned 65 on or after January 1, 2020, you cannot buy Plan F. You can buy Plan G or Plan N instead.
If you already have Plan F, you can keep it as long as the carrier keeps offering it. Most still do.
What is Plan G?
Plan G is the closest thing to Plan F that new Medicare members can buy. It covers almost everything Plan F covers, with one exception. You pay the Part B deductible yourself. For 2026, the Part B deductible is around $257 for the year.
That means with Plan G, the first $257 or so of Part B costs each year come out of your pocket. After that, Plan G picks up the rest, just like Plan F would.
Plan F vs Plan G: the only real difference
This is the part most people get wrong. Plan F and Plan G are almost identical. The only difference is who pays the Part B deductible.
- Plan F: The plan pays the Part B deductible. You pay nothing.
- Plan G: You pay the Part B deductible (about $257 for 2026). The plan pays the rest.
That is it. Every other covered service is the same. Hospital stays, doctor visits, skilled nursing, foreign travel emergency, the works.
So which one is cheaper?
Plan F has a higher monthly premium than Plan G. The difference is often $30 to $60 per month. Over a year, that is $360 to $720 in extra premium.
If Plan F costs you $500 more per year than Plan G, but you save $257 on the Part B deductible with Plan F, you come out behind by about $243 a year. For most people, Plan G ends up costing less over time, even with the deductible.
There is another factor that matters more than most people think. Plan F rates often go up faster than Plan G rates. Because no new healthy 65-year-olds are joining Plan F, the pool of people on it is getting older. Older customers usually mean higher claims, which usually mean rate increases.
Should I switch from Plan F to Plan G?
Maybe. Here is the math. If you can save more on premium than the deductible costs you, switching makes sense.
The catch is that in most states, you need to go through medical underwriting to switch from Plan F to Plan G. The new carrier can ask health questions and either deny you or charge you a higher rate based on your health.
If you are in good health, switching often saves money. If you have several chronic conditions, you may not pass underwriting, or you may be charged enough to wipe out the savings.
States with easier switching rules
A few states make it easier to change Medigap plans. California, Oregon, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New York, and Washington have rules that let you switch between certain Medigap plans without underwriting, or have a yearly "birthday rule" window for switching. The rules vary by state and by carrier.
If you live in one of these states, switching from Plan F to Plan G is usually easier and worth considering.
What if you cannot switch?
If your health does not let you pass underwriting, Plan F is still a strong plan. It covers everything. Your rates may go up faster than they would on Plan G, but you will not be left without coverage. You can also shop your Plan F to other carriers. The benefits are the same, but the prices can be very different.
Plan N is the other option
If Plan G premiums are too much, Plan N is a third choice. Plan N has a lower premium than Plan G. The trade-off is that you pay small copays for some doctor visits (up to $20) and emergency room visits ($50, waived if admitted). Plan N also does not cover Part B excess charges, which is a niche risk most people never run into. Read more in our Plan G vs Plan N guide.
The bottom line
If you have Plan F, you do not have to do anything. It is still good coverage. But it is worth getting a Plan G quote at least once a year to see what you would save. If you are healthy, switching to Plan G usually puts money back in your pocket. If you are not, Plan F is doing exactly what it should.