Medicare Supplement Plan F is a Medigap plan that helps pay for out-of-pocket costs that Medicare Part A and B do not cover. That said, as of 2020, Medicare is phasing out Plan F
Medicare has several options, or parts, to enroll in to obtain health insurance coverage. The traditional option is Original Medicare (parts A and B).
About
Each Medigap plan offers different benefits, and Plan F is usually the most comprehensive. Keep reading to learn more about Medigap Plan F, its features, whether it may be a good fit for you, and why it’s being phased out.
Plam F cons
- Coverage can be costly, with high monthly premiums.
- Plan F is being phased out, so if you become eligible for Medicare on January 1, 2020, or later, you will not be eligible to buy this plan.
Medigap Plan F offers many benefits. These include 100% coverage of the following:
- Medicare Part A coinsurance
- Medicare Part A deductible
- first three pints of blood
- skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- Medicare Part A hospice care coinsurance or copays
- Medicare Part B coinsurance or copays
- Medicare Part B deductible
- Medicare Part B excess charges
Plan F also covers 80% of the cost of medically necessary care while you’re traveling in a foreign country.
Like other Medicare supplement plans, Plan F typically doesn’t cover:
- dental care
- vision care, including eyeglasses
- hearing aids
- long-term care
- private nursing
Here’s how Medigap plan F compares to other Medigap plans:
| A | B | C | D | F | G | K | L | M | N | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A coinsurance and hospital costs up to 365 days after Medicare benefits are used | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Part B coinsurance or copayment | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | 50% | 75% | yes | yes (except for copayments for some office and emergency room visits) |
| Blood benefit (first 3 pints) | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | 50% | 75% | yes | yes |
| Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | 50% | 75% | yes | yes |
| Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | 50% | 75% | yes | yes |
| Part A deductible | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | 50% | 75% | 50% | yes |
| Part B deductible | no | no | yes | no | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
| Part B excess charge | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Foreign travel emergency (up to those specified in the plan’s limits) | no | no | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | no | no | 80% | 80% |
| Out-of-pocket limit | no | no | no | no | no | no | $7,220 | $3,610 | no | no |
One of the rules enacted by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) is that Medigap plans are no longer allowed to cover the Medicare Part B deductible.
This new rule, which went into effect on January 1, 2020, affects plans F and G. As of January 2020, Plan F is no longer an option for Medicare enrollees.
If you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, but didn’t enroll, you may still be able to buy a Plan F policy.
Private companies offer Medicare supplement plans. The cost of a plan, even for the same benefits, can vary greatly by company.
You’ll have to pay a monthly premium with a Medicare supplement plan. This is in addition to the premiums you pay for other parts of Medicare, such as Medicare Part B or Part D.
An insurance provider can set their Medicare supplement plan premiums in three different ways:
- Community rated: Everyone who has the policy is charged the same amount regardless of their age.
- Issue-age rated: The premium is determined by how old you are when you buy the policy. Premiums are lower for younger buyers and higher for older buyers, but they don’t increase as you age.
- Attained-age rated: The premium increases as you get older. Your policy will become more expensive as you age.
High deductible plan F
Medicare Supplement Plan F also has a high deductible option. While monthly premiums for this option may be lower, you must pay a deductible before Plan F begins paying for benefits. For 2025, this deductible is set at 2,870.
This includes copays, coinsurance, and deductibles that Original Medicare does not cover. There’s also a separate deductible of $250 for medical expenses during foreign travel.
You can explore Medicare’s plan finder tool to see what Medigap plans are available in your area.
Tips for shopping for a Medigap planFollow the tips below while shopping for a Medicare supplement plan:
- Pick a plan: You can choose from several Medicare supplement plans. The extent of coverage can vary by plan. Review your health-related needs to decide on one that’s right for you.
- Compare policies: Once you’ve decided on a plan, compare the policies offered by different companies, as costs can vary. Medicare’s website has a helpful tool to compare policies offered in your area.
- Consider premiums: Providers can set their premiums in different ways. Some premiums are the same for everyone, while others may increase based on your age.
- Remember high deductible options: Some plans have a high deductible option. These plans often have lower premiums and may be a good choice for someone who doesn’t expect a lot of medical expenses.
Plan F is a form of Medicare supplement insurance, also called Medigap. It can help pay for out-of-pocket expenses associated with Original Medicare.
Out of all Medicare supplement plans, Plan F offers some of the most extensive coverage.
Starting in 2020, people new to Medicare cannot buy Plan F. But if you already have Plan F, you can keep it. If you were eligible for Medicare before 2020 but haven’t yet enrolled, you may still be able to buy Plan F.
All Medicare supplement plans have a monthly premium. The amount can vary by policy, as companies can set their premiums in various ways. It’s important to compare different Medicare supplement policies before choosing one.