What Is AARP Medicare Supplement Plan F?
AARP Medicare Supplement Plan F is a Medigap policy that helps cover gaps in Original Medicare. It pays for Part A and Part B deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments, and it covers the first three pints of blood. Plan F also covers the Part B excess charge, which is the difference between what a doctor charges and what Medicare approves. Because it offers the most comprehensive gap-fill among Medigap plans, Plan F has been a popular choice for people who want predictable out-of-pocket costs.
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Plan F is standardized by Medicare, which means the core benefits are identical regardless of the insurance company. AARP, through its partner insurers, offers these policies with additional perks such as travel emergency coverage and access to an agent network, but the basic medical coverage stays the same across carriers.
Eligibility and Enrollment Timing
You are eligible for AARP Medicare Supplement Plan F if you are 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. The best time to enroll is during your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which begins the first day of the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Part B. During this window, insurers cannot deny you coverage or charge more based on health history. Outside this period, insurers may use medical underwriting, which can lead to higher premiums or denial of coverage.
Plan F is no longer available to people who become eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, due to the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act. If you enrolled in Medicare before that date, you may still be able to buy or keep Plan F.
What Plan F Covers
- Medicare Part A hospital deductible
- Medicare Part B deductible
- Part A coinsurance and hospital costs up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are used
- Part B coinsurance or copayment
- First three pints of blood
- Part B excess charges
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- Out-of-pocket foreign travel emergency coverage
Plan F vs. Plan G and Plan N
Plan G offers the same benefits as Plan F but does not cover the Part B deductible. Plan N covers fewer services, including a copay for some office visits and emergency room trips. Plan G is often the most cost-effective option for people who are comfortable paying the annual Part B deductible out of pocket, and Plan N can lower premiums further if you do not visit the doctor often.
Costs and What to Check
Premiums for AARP Medicare Supplement Plan F vary by state, carrier, and your age. You should compare premiums from multiple AARP-partnered insurers, check whether the plan offers a high-deductible version, and verify that your preferred doctors and hospitals accept Medicare assignment. Always review the full policy documents before enrolling, and confirm that the plan is guaranteed renewable so the insurer cannot drop you as long as you pay premiums.