What Medicare Supplement Plan F Pays For
Medicare Supplement Plan F is a standardized Medigap policy sold by private insurers. It fills the coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles that Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does not cover. Plan F is the most comprehensive Medigap option because it picks up nearly every cost-sharing gap left by Medicare.
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Specifically, Plan F covers the Medicare Part A deductible for each benefit period, the Part A coinsurance for hospital costs beyond 60 days, the Part B coinsurance (typically 20% of Medicare-approved costs), the first three pints of blood, and the Part A hospice coinsurance. It also covers the skilled nursing facility coinsurance and any foreign travel emergency costs that Medicare excludes. Because Plan F covers the Part B excess charge — the difference between what a doctor charges and what Medicare approves — enrollees face fewer surprise bills from providers who do not accept assignment.
Who Can Enroll in Plan F
Plan F is no longer available to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. This rule, part of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act, prevents new Medicare enrollees from buying Plan F or the similar Plan C, which also covers the Part B deductible. If you were enrolled in Medicare before that date, you can keep Plan F or switch to it during certain enrollment windows.
People already holding Plan F can keep it for life, and insurers can continue renewing the policy. New Medicare beneficiaries who turned 65 or became eligible due to disability before the 2020 cutoff may still buy Plan F during their Medigap open enrollment period, which begins the first month they are 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B.
How Plan F Compares to Other Medigap Options
Plan F sits at the top of the Medigap coverage spectrum. Plan G offers the same benefits except it does not cover the Part B deductible, which in 2024 is $240 per year. Plan N is more limited still, covering Part A coinsurance and hospital costs but requiring copays for some Part B services and emergency room visits. Plan G often costs less in monthly premiums than Plan F because insurers do not bear the Part B deductible risk, and for many people the premium savings outweigh the single annual deductible.
| Benefit | Plan F | Plan G | Plan N |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A Deductible | Covered | Covered | Covered |
| Part B Deductible | Covered | Not covered | Not covered |
| Part B Coinsurance (20%) | Covered | Covered | Covered |
| Part B Excess Charges | Covered | Covered | Not covered |
| Foreign Travel Emergency | Covered (80%) | Covered (80%) | Covered (80%) |
When to Consider Plan F
Plan F is worth considering if you want the broadest protection against out-of-pocket Medicare costs and you qualify under the 2020 cutoff rule. It removes nearly all financial risk from Medicare-covered services, which can simplify budgeting for people with frequent doctor visits or hospital stays. Because the Part B excess charge coverage is included, Plan F is especially useful if you see specialists or use hospitals where doctors may bill above Medicare rates.
However, Plan F typically carries higher monthly premiums than Plan G or Plan N. Over time, the premium difference can be significant, and the Part B deductible in Plan G is a known, fixed amount that does not rise with inflation. When comparing options, weigh the premium gap against the risk of paying the Part B deductible once each year.
How to Buy Medicare Supplement Plan F
Medigap policies are sold by private insurance companies, and premiums, underwriting rules, and plan availability vary by state. You can buy Plan F during your Medigap open enrollment period, during a guaranteed-issue window after certain life events such as moving out of a plan's service area, or through the regular market if you are eligible and the insurer is willing to issue the policy. Because Medigap premiums can increase with age or community-rated structures, comparing policies from multiple insurers in your area is important.
If you are already on Medicare and enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you may be able to drop the Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare to buy Plan F, but this switch is subject to medical underwriting outside of open enrollment periods. Check the rules for your state and insurer before making a change.