Jane Dotson
Medicare Supplement Plan F, also known as Medigap Plan F, is a form of supplemental insurance sold by Medicare-approved private insurers to people with Original Medicare (Parts A and B). Plan F covers the most when it comes to supplemental insurance plans, addressing some of the coverage gaps in Medicare Part A and Part B. This includes deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. However, it does not cover all costs, and beneficiaries may still need to pay monthly premiums for Medicare Part B. As of January 1, 2020, Plan F is no longer available to new Medicare enrollees, but those who had it before that date can keep it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plan Type | Medicare Supplement Plan |
| Alternative Name | Medigap Plan |
| Availability | Only available to those eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020 |
| Coverage | Covers Medicare deductibles, copays, and coinsurance |
| Cost | Monthly premium between $120 and $400, depending on location, age, gender, and tobacco use |
| Popularity | Was the top-selling Medigap plan for many years |
| Alternatives | Plan G, Plan N |
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What You'll Learn
Plan F eligibility
Medicare Supplement Plan F is only available to those who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. This means that your 65th birthday must have occurred before this date, or you qualified for Medicare due to disability before January 1, 2020.
In some states, Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan F is available to those under 65 who are eligible for Medicare due to disability or End Stage Renal Disease. These states include Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, Maryland, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas, and Virginia. In North Carolina, individuals aged 50-64 can also access Plan F.
If you already had Plan F before January 1, 2020, you can generally keep it. However, Plan F is no longer available to individuals new to Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.
Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan F offers broad coverage, but it does not cover all costs in Original Medicare. For example, you will still need to pay your Medicare Part B premium payments each month, and if you haven't worked enough quarters to qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A, you may owe a premium for that as well.
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Plan F coverage
Medicare Supplement Plan F is a Medigap plan that helps cover the costs of Original Medicare, such as deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. It is a form of supplemental insurance sold by Medicare-approved private insurers to people who have Original Medicare (parts A and B). Plan F is the most comprehensive Medicare Supplement plan, covering many out-of-pocket costs typically incurred by Medicare beneficiaries. It is important to note that Plan F does not cover every medical cost or concern and there may be gaps in coverage.
Plan F has two versions: one has a high deductible but costs less per month than the other. The premium for Medicare Supplement Plan F is typically higher compared to other supplement plans due to its comprehensive coverage. Monthly premiums for Medicare Supplement Plan F can vary depending on various factors, including the insurance company, location, age, gender, and tobacco use. People who smoke cigarettes or use other tobacco products may need to pay higher monthly premiums for Plan F. Some companies offer household discounts for their Medicare Supplement policies, and discounts may be available for non-smokers, women, or married people with multiple policies.
Medicare Supplement Plan F is no longer available to individuals new to Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. This change applies to Medicare Supplement insurance plans that cover the Medicare Part B annual deductible (Plan F and Plan C). If you qualified for Medicare before January 1, 2020, you may still be able to buy Plan F. Additionally, if you had Medigap Plan F coverage prior to this deadline, you can generally keep it.
Benefits, premium and/or co-payments/co-insurance may change on January 1 of each year. It is recommended that you compare the Medicare Plan F cost between insurance companies annually and look for the cheapest Medigap Plan F in your area. An annual review of your area’s Medicare Supplement Plan F rates can help you save money over the years.
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Plan F premiums
Medicare Supplement Plan F is a comprehensive supplemental insurance plan that helps cover out-of-pocket expenses not paid by Original Medicare, providing extensive coverage for medical services and reducing or eliminating deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. Plan F premiums vary depending on factors such as location, age, gender, tobacco use, and insurance provider.
The premium for Medicare Supplement Plan F is typically higher compared to other supplement plans due to its comprehensive coverage. People who are eligible for Plan F enrollment can expect to pay a monthly premium between $150 and $400, with an average of around $230. This number can vary significantly depending on the provider and personal factors. The premium rates can differ between insurance companies offering the same plan, and some companies may offer discounts for non-smokers, women, or married people with multiple policies.
Medigap Plan F has no out-of-pocket limit and does not cover Medicare Part A and Part B monthly premiums. However, it covers 100% of the Part A and Part B deductibles, unlike other Medigap plan options. There is also a high-deductible Plan F option, which requires beneficiaries to pay all out-of-pocket expenses up to the deductible amount of $2,870 in 2025. This option typically has lower monthly premiums.
It is important to note that Plan F availability may vary by location, and insurance companies are not required to offer all Medigap plan types. Eligible individuals can purchase Plan F from private health insurance companies, such as Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, and Kaiser Permanente. To find out which plans are offered in a specific area, individuals can use Medicare's search tool by entering their ZIP code and selecting their county.
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Plan F alternatives
Medicare Supplement Plan F, also known as Medigap F, is the most popular Medigap plan in the United States. It covers the most "gaps" left by Medicare but is also the most expensive.
If you are newly eligible for Medicare, you cannot sign up for Plan F, but there are alternative Medigap plans available. Here are some of the best alternatives:
- Medicare Supplement Plan G: This is the best option for people who are no longer eligible for Plan F. It features almost the exact same benefits as Plan F, with one main difference: it doesn't cover the Part B deductible. Plan G is expected to be the most chosen supplement plan over the next couple of years.
- Medicare Supplement Plan N: This can be a solid alternative to Plan F and is typically less expensive than Plan G. Like Plan G, it doesn't cover the Part B deductible. However, it also doesn't cover the excess charges related to Part B, which occur when a doctor charges more than a Medicare-approved amount.
- High Deductible Plan F: This plan has a deductible of $2,870, but covers all the same benefits as Plan F at a fraction of the cost.
- Medicare Advantage MA plans: If you are willing to accept a smaller doctor network, MA plans can be an affordable alternative to Plan F, with a total out-of-pocket maximum of $9,350.
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Plan F availability
Medicare Supplement Plan F is a comprehensive supplemental insurance plan that helps cover out-of-pocket expenses not paid by Original Medicare, providing extensive coverage for medical services and reducing or eliminating deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. It is one of the 10 Medicare Supplement plans available in most states.
Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan F is also known as Medigap, and is private health insurance designed to help cover the gaps in costs that Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does not fully pay. Medigap plans are sold by private insurance companies, which are not required to offer all 10 of the Medigap plan types offered in most states.
Plan F is widely available as a required plan for private companies offering coverage. However, Plan F is not available to individuals new to Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. This change applies to Medicare Supplement insurance plans that cover the Medicare Part B annual deductible (Plan F and Plan C). If you qualified for Medicare before January 1, 2020, you may still be able to buy Plan F. If you already had Plan F before this date, you can generally keep it.
Plan F is unavailable in Massachusetts and Wisconsin, which have their own Medigap plan types. A Minnesota-specific Plan F version is available if you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. Two types of Plan F are available, which differ primarily in availability and costs. A high-deductible Plan F option is available, which requires beneficiaries to pay all out-of-pocket expenses up to the deductible amount before the plan begins to pay for Medicare-covered costs.
The premium for Medicare Supplement Plan F is typically higher compared to other supplement plans due to its comprehensive coverage. Premium rates can differ between insurance companies offering the same plan. Plan F premiums depend on various factors, including location, age, gender, and tobacco use.
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Frequently asked questions
Plan F is a Medigap plan that helps cover the costs of Original Medicare, such as deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
Plan F is no longer available to individuals new to Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. If you qualified for Medicare before January 1, 2020, you may still be able to buy Plan F.
Plan F covers Part A coinsurance and hospital costs up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are used up, and Part B excess charges. It also covers 100% of the costs of Part B services, except for some copayments for office and emergency room visits.
The monthly premium for Plan F depends on various factors, including where you live, your age, gender, and tobacco use. People who are eligible for Plan F enrollment can expect to pay a monthly premium between $120 and $400, with the average hovering around $230.
Plan F was designed to cover most charges that are not covered by Original Medicare. It fills in some of the coverage gaps in Medicare Part A and Part B.
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