- Plan F and Plan G are nearly identical Medigap plans; the only coverage difference is that Plan F pays the annual Part B deductible ($283 in 2026) and Plan G does not.
- Plan F is CLOSED to anyone who first became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020 (a MACRA rule) — if you are newly eligible, Plan G is your most comprehensive option.
- For most people Plan G is the better value, because Plan F's extra premium typically costs more than the $283 deductible it covers, and Plan F's closed pool tends to push its premiums up faster.
- Both plans have high-deductible versions (a $2,950 deductible in 2026) with much lower premiums for healthy people who want catastrophic protection.
- Premiums vary widely by state, carrier, age, and health, so the dollar ranges here are illustrative — get personalized quotes and verify current figures at Medicare.gov.
- This is general education, not insurance advice; confirm plan availability, underwriting rules, and 2026 amounts before you enroll or switch.
The Medicare Plan F vs Plan G comparison is the most common question among Medigap shoppers, and the answer is more straightforward than most people expect. These two Medicare Supplement plans are nearly identical in coverage, differing by exactly one benefit: the Part B deductible. Yet that single difference drives meaningful variation in premiums, long-term costs, and enrollment dynamics. Whether you already hold Plan F and are weighing a switch, or you are new to Medicare and comparing your options, this guide lays out how the two stack up. It is general education, not insurance advice — always confirm current figures and plan availability at Medicare.gov before you enroll.
The One-Sentence Answer
Plan F and Plan G cover the same things, except Plan F also pays your annual Part B deductible and Plan G does not. Because of that, Plan F carries a higher premium. And critically, Plan F is closed to anyone who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, which is why Plan G has become the default comprehensive choice for today’s new enrollees. The rest of this article explains the numbers behind that answer so you can decide with confidence.
Coverage Comparison
Plan F and Plan G both cover Part A hospital coinsurance plus 365 additional lifetime reserve days, the Part A deductible ($1,736 per benefit period in 2026 — verify current), Part B coinsurance (the 20 percent of outpatient costs Original Medicare leaves you), Part B excess charges, skilled nursing facility coinsurance for days 21 through 100, the first three pints of blood, Part A hospice care coinsurance, and foreign travel emergency care up to plan limits.
The sole coverage difference: Plan F covers the annual Part B deductible ($283 in 2026). Plan G does not. With Plan F, you pay your monthly premium and generally nothing else for Medicare-approved services. With Plan G, you pay your monthly premium plus the $283 Part B deductible once per year before Part B coverage kicks in. After you meet that deductible, Plan G covers everything at 100 percent, identical to Plan F. Because these benefits are standardized by federal law and NAIC model rules, a Plan G from one insurer covers exactly the same services as a Plan G from another — only the premium and customer service differ.
The Eligibility Divide
The most significant practical difference in the Medicare Plan F vs Plan G debate is not coverage but eligibility. The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) closed Plan F — along with Plan C — to anyone who became Medicare-eligible on or after January 1, 2020. If you turned 65 after that date, or became eligible through disability after that date, Plan F is simply not available to you, and neither is any other Medigap plan that pays the Part B deductible. Plan G is the most comprehensive option you can buy.
For those who became eligible before January 2020, both plans remain available, and existing Plan F policies were not canceled. The question for this group is whether the convenience of Plan F’s near-zero out-of-pocket design is worth the premium difference, especially as Plan F premiums tend to rise faster than Plan G premiums over time. Medicare.gov confirms that eligibility for Plans C and F “depends on when you first became eligible for Medicare,” so if you are unsure of your status, check there or ask a licensed agent.
Premium Comparison (Illustrative)
Plan F premiums are consistently higher than Plan G premiums for the same insurer and rating area, because Plan F carries the extra deductible benefit. As a rough illustration, a 65-year-old might see Plan F premiums somewhere in the range of $150 to $300 per month and Plan G premiums roughly $120 to $250, with Plan F often running $30 to $60 more. These figures are illustrative only. Actual Medigap premiums vary enormously by ZIP code, carrier, age, tobacco use, gender in some states, and whether the policy uses community-rated, issue-age-rated, or attained-age-rated pricing. The only reliable way to know your cost is to get personalized quotes and compare current rates at Medicare.gov’s plan finder.
Here is the logic that makes Plan G attractive. The extra premium you pay for Plan F buys coverage of the $283 Part B deductible. If your Plan F premium exceeds your Plan G premium by more than about $23.58 per month ($283 divided by 12), you are paying more in extra premium than the deductible is worth. In the large majority of markets, the premium gap exceeds that breakeven point — often by a wide margin — which is why Plan G usually comes out ahead on paper. Run your own quoted numbers to confirm this holds in your area.
Long-Term Cost Trajectory
The premium gap between Plan F and Plan G is not static; it tends to widen. Because Plan F is closed to new members, its enrollment pool ages every year without being refreshed by younger, healthier enrollees. This demographic shift — an insurance concept called adverse selection — pushes up per-member claims costs and can force carriers to raise Plan F premiums faster to stay financially viable. Plan G, by contrast, keeps drawing new, generally healthier enrollees, which helps moderate its rate increases.
Consider a simplified, illustrative projection. Suppose a Plan F premium of $200 per month rises about 7 percent a year; after 10 years it would reach roughly $393 per month. A Plan G premium of $160 rising about 5 percent a year would reach roughly $261 per month over the same period. The cumulative 10-year difference in that scenario runs into the thousands of dollars. Real-world increases vary by carrier and state, and no one can predict future rate filings, so treat these as directional rather than a forecast. The general pattern — a closed block trending upward faster than an open one — is well documented, but the exact figures are not guaranteed.
High-Deductible Plan F and Plan G
Both plans also come in high-deductible (HD) versions. With an HD plan you pay a much lower monthly premium in exchange for covering more cost-sharing yourself up front. In 2026 the high-deductible amount is $2,950 — you pay Medicare-covered coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles up to that figure before the policy begins paying (verify the current amount, as it is set annually). High-Deductible Plan F is closed to people newly eligible on or after January 1, 2020, exactly like standard Plan F, while High-Deductible Plan G is available to everyone. These options suit healthy beneficiaries who want catastrophic protection at the lowest possible premium and can comfortably absorb the deductible in a bad year.
When Plan F Still Makes Sense
Plan F may still be the right choice in a narrow set of circumstances — but only if you are eligible for it in the first place. If your current Plan F premium is within roughly $20 per month of available Plan G rates, the convenience of near-zero out-of-pocket costs may justify staying put. Some beneficiaries place a high value on the psychological comfort of rarely seeing a bill for Medicare-approved services, and that preference is legitimate.
Plan F can also make sense if switching to Plan G would require medical underwriting and your health conditions might lead to a denial or a higher rated premium. In states without birthday-rule or guaranteed-issue protections for plan switches, a healthy person might switch easily, while someone with significant health history could face obstacles. In that scenario, keeping Plan F — even at a higher premium — may be the pragmatic choice. When in doubt, price the alternative before you give up a policy you already hold.
When Plan G Is the Better Value
For the majority of beneficiaries, Plan G is the financially stronger choice. If you are newly eligible for Medicare (that is, eligible on or after January 1, 2020), Plan G is your most comprehensive available option by default, since Plan F is off the table. If you are eligible for both and your Plan F premium exceeds Plan G by more than the roughly $23.58-per-month breakeven, Plan G saves you money each year, and the savings can compound as the premium gap widens over time.
Plan G is also the clearer choice for anyone prioritizing long-term premium stability. Its open, growing enrollment pool tends to moderate rate increases, and carriers actively compete for Plan G business with sharper pricing. Plan F, by contrast, is a shrinking market where competitive pressure is gradually diminishing. None of this is a guarantee for any individual policy — always compare your own quotes.
How to Switch From Plan F to Plan G
If you decide to switch, the process involves applying for a new Plan G policy from the carrier of your choice. Several states make this easier. States with birthday-rule provisions — including California, Oregon, Illinois, Idaho, Nevada, and others (the list and the exact rules change, so verify yours) — let you switch to a plan of equal or lesser benefit around your birthday without new medical underwriting. Some states offer annual guaranteed-issue windows or continuous guaranteed-issue rules. Check with your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) or state insurance department for the specifics that apply to you.
In states without these protections, you will typically need to pass medical underwriting to buy a new Medigap policy. Common conditions that can complicate underwriting include diabetes, heart disease, COPD, a recent cancer history, and certain neurological conditions. If you are in good health, underwriting is usually straightforward, and the switch can be completed in a matter of weeks.
Coordinate the effective dates so your Plan G begins the day your Plan F ends, and do not cancel your existing policy until the new one is approved and in force. Most carriers handle this transition smoothly. An independent insurance agent familiar with your state’s regulations can manage the process and help ensure there is no coverage gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Plan G really better than Plan F?
Financially, in the majority of cases, yes. You typically save more in reduced premium than you spend on the $283 Part B deductible, and Plan G’s open, growing enrollment pool tends to keep its long-term rate increases more moderate. The main scenarios where Plan F might be preferable are when the premium difference is very small or when medical underwriting would prevent you from obtaining Plan G. Get quotes for both before deciding.
Can I still buy Plan F in 2026?
Only if you first became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. MACRA closed Plan F (and Plan C) to anyone newly eligible on or after that date. If you are newly eligible, Plan G is the most comprehensive Medigap plan you can purchase. Verify your eligibility at Medicare.gov if you are unsure.
Can I switch from Plan G back to Plan F?
Only if you became Medicare-eligible before January 1, 2020, and the switch is treated as a new application — meaning medical underwriting would apply in most states. Because Plan F costs more than Plan G for effectively the same coverage, switching from G to F rarely makes financial sense.
Do Plan F and Plan G cover the same doctors?
Yes. Both work alongside Original Medicare, which lets you see any doctor or hospital in the country that accepts Medicare. There are no network restrictions with either plan, and provider access is identical regardless of which plan letter you hold or which company issues your policy.
What about High-Deductible Plan F and Plan G?
Both plans offer high-deductible versions with a $2,950 deductible in 2026 before benefits begin (verify current). Premiums are significantly lower. High-Deductible Plan F is closed to new enrollees just like standard Plan F, while High-Deductible Plan G is available to everyone. These options suit healthy beneficiaries who want catastrophic protection at the lowest premium.
Making the Right Choice
The Medicare Plan F vs Plan G comparison consistently favors Plan G on financial merit for most people. The $283 annual deductible is a modest expense compared with the premium savings, and Plan G’s more favorable long-term cost trajectory makes it the better fit for the majority of beneficiaries. If you currently hold Plan F, review your premium, compare it against current Plan G quotes, and check whether your state allows switching without medical underwriting. If you are newly enrolling, Plan G is the natural starting point because Plan F is closed to you. For more context, explore our complete Medigap plans guide, our Medigap vs Medicare Advantage comparison, and our healthcare costs resource — and confirm every 2026 figure at Medicare.gov before you enroll.
Plan F and Plan G are nearly identical Medigap plans; the only coverage difference is that Plan F pays the annual Part B deductible ($283 in 2026) and Plan G does not. Plan F is closed to anyone who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, so if you are newly eligible, Plan G is your most comprehensive option. For most people Plan G is the better value because its extra-vs-Plan-F math and steadier long-term premiums usually win out. The dollar figures here are illustrative and the 2026 amounts should be verified — this is general education, not insurance advice, so get personalized quotes and confirm current details at Medicare.gov before enrolling or switching.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Medicare costs (2026 Part B deductible $283, Part A deductible $1,736 per benefit period, standard Part B premium $202.90)
- Medicare.gov — Medigap “Compare plan benefits” (2026 high-deductible Plan F/G amount $2,950; Plan C & F eligibility depends on when you first became eligible for Medicare)
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) — Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) provision closing Plans C and F to people newly eligible on or after January 1, 2020
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) — model regulation standardizing Medigap benefits, and state variation in Medigap rating and guaranteed-issue/birthday-rule protections