Medicare Plan F Rates at a Glance
Medicare Plan F is a Medigap policy that covers many out-of-pocket costs tied to Original Medicare. Because it includes the Part B deductible, Plan F remains one of the most comprehensive supplemental plans available for people eligible before 2020. Medicare plan F rates differ by ZIP code, insurer, and the age of the policyholder, and they adjust each year as insurers file new rates with state regulators.
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Plan F is no longer available to anyone who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. For those who already have it, the coverage continues, but new enrollees must look at Plan G or other options. Understanding how rates are set and what the plan pays is the first step in comparing costs across insurers.
What Medicare Plan F Covers
Plan F pays for the gaps that Original Medicare leaves behind. It covers Part A coinsurance and hospital costs for an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are used. It also pays for Part B coinsurance and copayments, the first three pints of blood, and skilled nursing facility coinsurance. Most notably, in 2025, Plan F covers the Part B deductible of $257, a feature that standardizes much of the out-of-pocket burden for enrollees.
Plan F also covers excess charges, which are the differences between what a doctor accepts from Medicare and the Medicare-approved amount. This is a significant benefit because not all doctors participate in Medicare assignment. When a doctor does not accept assignment, the 15 percent excess charge can come as a surprise bill, and Plan F absorbs it.
How Medicare Plan F Rates Are Determined
Insurers set Medicare plan F rates based on several factors. Age at enrollment is the primary one. Some companies use community-rated pricing, where everyone pays the same premium regardless of age. Others use issue-age-rated pricing, where the premium is set at the age you first buy the policy, or attained-age-rated pricing, where the premium rises as you grow older.
Location also matters. Plan F rates are filed state by state, and even ZIP code by ZIP code, so two neighbors can pay different premiums. Tobacco use and the insurer's claims history in a given area can influence the final rate as well. Each year, insurers must file rate changes with state insurance departments, and those filings are public records that can show how a company's pricing has moved over time.
Plan F vs. Plan G: Cost and Coverage Trade-Offs
For people who cannot enroll in Plan F, Plan G is the closest alternative. Plan G covers everything Plan F does except the Part B deductible. In 2025, that means the first $257 of Part B charges come out of pocket. The trade-off is that Plan G premiums are often lower than Plan F premiums, and for many enrollees, the annual savings can offset the deductible cost several times over.
Because Plan F rates include the Part B deductible coverage, they tend to run higher than Plan G rates. The gap narrows or widens depending on the insurer and the region. Comparing the total cost of each plan, including the deductible, gives a clearer picture than looking at premiums alone.
Who Can Enroll in Medicare Plan F
Only people who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, can buy a new Plan F policy. This is sometimes called the Plan F protection for existing enrollees. If you are already enrolled in Plan F, you can keep it for life, and the insurer must renew it as long as you pay the premium.
For everyone else, the enrollment window is the six-month Medigap open enrollment period that begins the first month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During that window, insurers must offer you a Plan F (or other Medigap policy) regardless of health status, and they cannot charge higher premiums based on preexisting conditions. Outside that window, insurers can use medical underwriting, which can mean denial or higher rates.
How to Compare Medicare Plan F Rates
The best way to compare rates is to request a quote from each insurer licensed in your state. Every company sets its own price for the same standardized Plan F coverage, so the difference between the lowest and highest premium can be significant. State insurance departments and the Medicare Rights Center publish resources that help consumers compare Medigap policies and understand rate filings.
When you review a quote, look at the full premium amount, not just the monthly figure. Some insurers offer higher premiums with richer discounts for paying annually or auto-debit, while others structure pricing around age or tobacco status. Comparing the same coverage across at least three insurers gives a reliable starting point for understanding what Medicare plan F rates look like in your area.