For decades, Medicare Plan F stood as the gold standard of Medicare Supplement insurance, covering every single gap in Original Medicare without exception. That changed on January 1, 2020, when a federal law closed Plan F to new Medicare beneficiaries. Yet millions of seniors still hold Plan F policies, and understanding how this plan works remains essential whether you are evaluating your existing coverage or helping a family member navigate their options. Treat the dollar figures below as current-year estimates that change annually and vary by state – always verify the latest amounts and rules with a licensed insurer or Medicare.gov.
Important – eligibility: Medicare Plan F (including High-Deductible Plan F) is closed to anyone who first became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. If you became eligible before that date – by turning 65 or by qualifying through disability – you can still buy Plan F or keep the policy you already have. If you became eligible on or after January 1, 2020, you cannot buy Plan F; Plan G is the closest available alternative. Confirm your own eligibility with a licensed insurer or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) before making any decision.
What Medicare Plan F Covers
Plan F provides the most complete coverage of any Medigap policy. It pays for Part A hospital coinsurance and an additional 365 lifetime reserve days, the Part A deductible ($1,736 in 2026), Part B coinsurance (the 20 percent coinsurance on outpatient services), the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), Part B excess charges (amounts billed above Medicare’s approved rate), skilled nursing facility coinsurance for days 21 through 100 ($217 per day in 2026), the first three pints of blood, and foreign travel emergency care (up to plan limits).
With Medicare Plan F, your out-of-pocket costs for Medicare-approved services are effectively zero beyond your monthly premium. No copays, no deductibles, no coinsurance for covered services. This is why Plan F earned its reputation as the “Cadillac” of Medigap plans. For beneficiaries who want absolute financial predictability, nothing else in the Medigap lineup matches it.
Who Can Still Buy Plan F
The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) of 2015 prohibited the sale of Medigap plans that cover the Part B deductible to anyone newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. This affects both Plan F and Plan C. If you turned 65 before January 1, 2020, or became eligible for Medicare due to disability before that date, you can still purchase Plan F – and if you already hold a Plan F policy, you can keep it for as long as you continue paying premiums and the carrier offers it.
If you became Medicare-eligible on or after that cutoff, Plan G is the closest alternative. Plan G covers everything Plan F does except the annual Part B deductible ($283 in 2026); it still covers Part B excess charges and every other Medigap benefit. The practical financial difference is small – the deductible itself – but the eligibility distinction is absolute.
How Much Plan F Costs in 2026
Monthly premiums for Plan F typically range from roughly $150 to $300 or more for a 65-year-old, depending on location, age, gender, tobacco use, and the carrier’s pricing model (community-rated, issue-age, or attained-age). In lower-cost states like Iowa, Nebraska, or Arkansas, you may find rates near the low end. In metropolitan areas of Florida, New York, or California, premiums regularly exceed $250 per month. Because rates are set by each carrier and approved at the state level, the only reliable way to know your price is to request quotes for your ZIP code.
An important cost dynamic affects Plan F specifically: because the enrollment pool is closed to new members, the average age and health risk of Plan F policyholders increases every year. This demographic pressure, sometimes described as a “closed-block” or “death spiral” effect in insurance terminology, tends to drive faster premium growth compared to plans with open enrollment. Data from NAIC and state insurance filings suggest Plan F premiums have been increasing on the order of 5 to 10 percent annually in many markets, generally outpacing Plan G increases. Trends vary by carrier and state, so verify your own renewal history.
Plan F vs. Plan G: The Critical Comparison
The question nearly every Plan F policyholder should ask is whether switching to Plan G makes financial sense. The math is straightforward. If your Plan F premium exceeds what you would pay for Plan G by more than $283 per year (the value of the 2026 Part B deductible that Plan F covers and Plan G does not), switching would leave you ahead even after paying that deductible yourself.
For example, if your current Plan F premium is $220 per month and a comparable Plan G from the same or a similarly rated carrier costs $170 per month, the $50 monthly savings equals $600 per year. Subtract the $283 Part B deductible you would now pay under Plan G, and your net savings is about $317 annually. Over a decade, that adds up to roughly $3,000 or more in savings with no meaningful reduction in coverage – and the gap often widens as closed-block Plan F rates climb faster than Plan G rates.
The caveat is medical underwriting. If you are switching outside of a guaranteed-issue period, the new Plan G carrier can evaluate your health history and could decline you or charge more. Some states, however, allow “birthday rule” or annual open-enrollment switches, or guarantee the right to move to a plan of equal or lesser value without underwriting. Timing matters: your one-time Medigap Open Enrollment Period (the six months starting when you are 65 and enrolled in Part B) and any guaranteed-issue events give you the strongest protections. Check with your state insurance department, a licensed broker, or SHIP before you apply.
High-Deductible Plan F
A lesser-known option is the High-Deductible Plan F, which carries the same benefits as standard Plan F but requires you to pay a calendar-year deductible before the plan begins paying. That deductible is set annually by CMS (it was $2,870 in 2025; verify the current-year amount). Monthly premiums for High-Deductible Plan F are significantly lower, often a small fraction of standard Plan F. This option appeals to healthy beneficiaries who want catastrophic protection at minimal premium cost.
Like standard Plan F, the high-deductible version is closed to new Medicare beneficiaries who became eligible on or after January 1, 2020. The high-deductible variant of Plan G is available to newer enrollees and functions similarly, again with the difference being the Part B deductible.
Is Plan F Still Worth Keeping?
If you currently hold a Medicare Plan F policy, the answer depends entirely on how your premium compares to available Plan G rates. There is no coverage advantage to Plan F beyond the $283 Part B deductible it absorbs. If your Plan F premium is within about $24 per month of a Plan G rate from a strong carrier (roughly the monthly value of that deductible), the convenience of zero out-of-pocket costs may justify staying. If the gap is larger than that, the financial case for switching grows stronger every year.
Also consider your insurer’s track record on premium increases. If your carrier has been raising Plan F rates by 8 to 10 percent annually, that trend is likely to continue or accelerate as the pool shrinks. Moving to a Plan G with a carrier known for moderate, consistent rate increases could save you thousands over your remaining retirement years – but only run the switch through underwriting if you are confident you would qualify, or if you have a guaranteed-issue right.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from Plan F to Plan G without medical underwriting?
It depends on your state and your timing. Several states have “birthday rule” provisions that let you switch to a plan of equal or lesser value within a window around your birthday without medical underwriting, and some allow annual switches or open enrollment. Outside of a guaranteed-issue period, the new carrier can underwrite your application. Contact your state insurance department, a licensed broker, or SHIP, or review our healthcare policy guide for context.
What happens to my Plan F if my insurance company leaves my area?
If your insurer exits your market, you typically receive a guaranteed-issue right to purchase another Medigap plan. CMS rules generally require that you be notified in advance and given the opportunity to enroll in a comparable plan from another carrier without medical underwriting. This protection helps ensure you are not left without coverage – confirm the specifics of your guaranteed-issue rights when you receive the notice.
Does Plan F cover prescription drugs?
No. No Medigap plan sold today covers prescription drugs. You need a standalone Medicare Part D plan for drug coverage. If you are concerned about prescription costs, explore programs like Medicare Extra Help, which helps limited-income beneficiaries with Part D expenses.
Is Plan F available in every state?
Plan F is available for eligible enrollees in most states plus the District of Columbia. Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin have their own standardized Medigap plan structures and do not use the federal letter designations. Residents of those states should consult their state insurance department or SHIP for equivalent options.
I became eligible for Medicare in 2021 – can I buy Plan F?
No. Because you first became eligible on or after January 1, 2020, Plan F and Plan C are closed to you. Plan G is the closest alternative and covers everything Plan F does except the annual Part B deductible. High-Deductible Plan G is also available if you want a lower premium with catastrophic-style protection.
Final Considerations for Plan F Holders
Medicare Plan F remains an excellent policy for those who hold it, but its closed enrollment status makes long-term premium sustainability a legitimate concern. Review your premium annually, compare it against Plan G rates from multiple carriers, and do not assume loyalty to your current insurer guarantees the best deal. The coverage difference between F and G is a single deductible ($283 in 2026), and the premium difference can easily exceed that amount. Before switching, confirm your eligibility, underwriting exposure, and any guaranteed-issue rights with a licensed insurer or SHIP. For a complete overview of all your options, explore our Medigap plans guide and our analysis of healthcare costs in retirement.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not insurance, financial, or medical advice. Medigap benefits, premiums, deductibles, and switching rules are set by federal law, individual carriers, and state regulators, and they change every year and vary by location. Dollar figures such as the 2026 Part A deductible ($1,736), Part B deductible ($283), and skilled nursing coinsurance ($217/day) are estimates that should be confirmed against current CMS and Medicare.gov figures. Always verify current benefits, rates, and eligibility with a licensed insurance agent, Medicare.gov, or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) before making coverage decisions.
Sources
- Medicare.gov – Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) basics and how to compare plan benefits
- Medicare.gov / CMS – 2026 Medicare Part A and Part B premiums and deductibles
- MACRA of 2015 – closure of Medigap plans covering the Part B deductible to those newly eligible on/after January 1, 2020
- NAIC and state insurance department Medigap rate filings
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) – free Medicare counseling