How Does Medicare Supplement Plan F Compare to Plan G?

Medigap is also referred to as Medicare supplement insurance. It can be used to help pay for healthcare costs that aren’t covered by original Medicare (parts A and B).

Medigap is made up of 10 different plans, each designated with a letter: A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N. Each plan includes a specific set of basic benefits, no matter what company sells the plan.

However, costs for each of these plans can depend on many factors including where you live and the price set by each insurance company.

Medigap Plan F is considered to be one of the most inclusive Medigap plans. Like other Medigap plans, you’ll have a monthly premium for Plan F. This amount will depend on the specific policy you’ve purchased.

Most Medigap plans don’t have a deductible. However, in addition to the normal Plan F, you also have the option of purchasing a high-deductible policy. The premiums for these plans are lower, but you’ll have to meet a deductible before coverage begins.

If you qualify to purchase Plan F, you can shop for a policy using Medicare’s search tool. This allows you to compare the different policies that are offered in your area.

Medigap Plan F covers 100 percent of the following costs:

• Part A deductible
• Part A coinsurance and copay costs
• Part B deductible
• Part B coinsurance and copays
• Part B premium
• Part B excess charges
• blood (first 3 pints)
• 80 percent of emergency care when traveling in a foreign country

The enrollment rules for Plan F changed in 2020. As of January 1, 2020, Medigap plans are no longer allowed to cover the Medicare Part B premium.

If you were enrolled in Medigap Plan F before 2020, you are able to keep your plan and benefits will be honored. However, those new to Medicare are not eligible to enroll in Plan F.

Similar to Plan F, Medigap Plan G covers a wide variety of costs; however, it does not cover your Medicare Part B deductible.

You have a monthly premium with Plan G, and what you pay can vary depending on the policy you choose. You can compare Plan G policies in your area using Medicare’s search tool.

There’s also a high-deductible option for Plan G. Again, high-deductible plans have lower premiums, but you’ll have to pay the set deductible amount before your costs are covered.

Medigap Plan G covers 100 percent of the costs listed below:

• Part A deductible
• Part A coinsurance and copays
• blood (first 3 pints)
• Part B coinsurance and copays
• Part B excess charges
• 80 percent of emergency care when traveling in a foreign country

Since Plan G does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible, anyone who is enrolled in original Medicare can purchase it. To enroll in Plan G, you must have original Medicare (parts A and B).

You can first buy Medicare supplemental policy during your Medigap initial enrollment period. This is a 6-month period that begins the month you turn age 65 and you’ve enrolled in Medicare Part B.

Some people are eligible for Medicare before age 65. However, federal law doesn’t require companies to sell Medigap policies to people under age 65.

If you’re under 65, you may not be able to purchase the specific Medigap policy that you want. In some cases, you may not be able to purchase one at all. However, some states offer Medicare SELECT, which is an alternative type of Medigap plan that’s available to people under 65 years old.

So how do these plans compare to one another? Overall, they’re very similar.

Both plans offer comparablecoverage. The main difference is that Plan F covers the Medicare Part Bdeductible while Plan G doesn’t.

Both plans also have a high-deductible option. In 2021, this deductible is set at $2,370, which must be paid before either policy begins paying for benefits.

Another big difference between Plan F and Plan G is who can enroll. Anyone enrolled in original Medicare can sign up for Plan G. This isn’t true for Plan F. Only those who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020 may enroll in Plan F.

Check out the tables below for a visual comparison of Plan F vs. Plan G.

You’ll have to pay a monthly premium for your Medigap plan. This is in addition to the monthly premium that you pay for Medicare Part B if you have Plan G.

Your monthly premium amount can depend on your specific policy, plan provider, and location. Compare Medigap policy prices in your area before deciding on one.

Below is a head-to-head cost comparison Medigap Plan F and Plan G in four example cities across the United States.

Not every area offers high-deductible options, but many do.

Medigap is supplemental insurance that helps cover costs that aren’t covered by original Medicare. Medigap Plan F and Plan G are two of the 10 different Medigap plans that you can choose from.

Plan F and Plan G are very similar overall. However, while Plan G is available to anyone new to Medicare, Plan F policies cannot be purchased by those new to Medicare after January 1, 2020.

All Medigap plans are standardized, so you’re guaranteed to receive the same basic coverage for your policy regardless of the company you purchase it from or where you live. However, monthly premiums can vary, so compare multiple policies before you buy.

Medicare plan options and costs are subject to change each year.