What is Medicare Supplement Plan F?

Updated on December 16th, 2021

Reviewed by Diane Omdahl

We aim to help you make informed healthcare decisions. While this post may contain links to lead generation forms, this won’t influence our writing. We follow strict editorial standards to give you the most accurate and unbiased information.

What You Need to Know

You can sign up for Medicare Supplement Plan F if you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.

If you aren’t eligible for Plan F, consider Plan G or N as alternatives.

If you choose Plan F, you will usually only pay the premium and little else.

Medicare Supplement Plan F is the most comprehensive private insurance policy available to go with Medicare Part A and Part B. It pays the out-of-pocket costs associated with Parts A and B — including deductibles and the 20% coinsurance after the Part B deductible, and more. 

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In addition to covering your out-of-pocket costs, Plan F travels well. As long as you see a provider in the United States who accepts Medicare, you will be covered. This is a nice benefit for “snow birds” or people who like to travel.

However, because of a change in the law back in 2015, people who first become eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020, can no longer buy a Medicare Supplement Plan F.

What Does Plan F Cover?

Plan F is a Medicare Supplement plan, also known as a Medigap policy, that is offered by private insurance companies. It pays Medicare costs for you in exchange for a monthly premium. Plan F will pay the following benefits (costs are for 2022 and generally increase each year on January 1):

  • Medicare Part A hospital inpatient costs:
    • $1,556 per benefit period.
    • Deductible for days 1-60 — $0 coinsurance per benefit period.
    • Coinsurance for days 61-90 — $389 per day of each benefit period.
    • Days 91 and beyond — $778 coinsurance for each “lifetime reserve day.”
    • Up to an additional 365 days beyond lifetime reserve days.
  • First three pints of blood — Medicare pays for the fourth and beyond.
  • $194.50 for days 21-100 of a skilled nursing facility stay, after a three-day hospital stay (Part A pays for the first 20 days)
  • Medicare Part B annual deductible — $233.
  • Medicare Part B 20% coinsurance for doctor services, outpatient therapy and durable medical equipment.
  • 20% of medically necessary emergency foreign travel care.
  • Medicare Part B excess charges — up to 15% of additional doctor’s charges.

This is not an exhaustive list, so be sure to review plan documents and Summary of Benefits to understand all of the coverage you have available under Plan F.

No Drug Coverage

Medigap policies don’t cover your prescriptions.

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Considering a Medicare Plan?

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Considering a Medicare Plan?

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Considering a Medicare Plan?

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How Much Does Plan F Cost?

Many private insurance companies will compete for your business by offering different prices. Depending on where you live, you can expect to pay from $231 to $649 per month.1 Keep in mind though that, in most cases, you will pay the premium and little else for medical services. That means that by choosing a monthly premium that fits your budget, you should not have to worry about large, unexpected medical bills.

Plan F also comes in a “high deductible” option. In exchange for a lower monthly premium, you pay an up-front deductible for medical care. In 2021, the deductible is set at $2,370 and premiums range from $44 to $91 based on a search through medicare.gov for a 65-year-old woman in New York or Seattle who does not use tobacco.

Who Can Enroll in Plan F?

Any Medicare beneficiary who was Medicare-eligible prior to January 1, 2020, can enroll in Plan F. If you are within the first six months of having enrolled in Medicare Part B, you are able to enroll in Plan F under the guarantee issue period.

If your 6-month period has ended and you don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) you can apply to enroll in Plan F by completing an application that asks about your health history. The insurance company can decline your application and/or request medical records to determine whether it will accept you. 

What Are Alternatives to Plan F?

If you are not eligible for Plan F, you could consider Plan G or Plan N as options.

Plan G

Plan G offers similar coverage to Plan F with the exception of the Medicare Part B deductible.

In 2021, you can expect to pay the first $203 in medical or doctor services, then the plan will pay after that. Plan G covers the Medicare Part A deductible and coinsurance days for inpatient hospital stays beyond 60 days. It will also cover the 20% coinsurance after the Part B deductible and the excess charges amount. Plan G comes in a high-deductible option, similar to Plan F, with lower premiums.

Considering a Medicare Plan?

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Considering a Medicare Plan?

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Plan N

Plan N is another option that has broad coverage. You can expect to pay the Medicare Part B deductible and the excess charges with Plan N, as well as copayments for doctors’ visits and emergency room visits. The plan will pay other covered services like the Part A deductible and daily coinsurance costs as well as the Part B 20% coinsurance.

It is important to remember that Medicare Supplement or Medigap policies do not cover your prescriptions. You will want to look at a Medicare Part D plan to go along with your Medicare Supplement or Medigap policy to offset the potentially high costs of medications.

Next Steps

In the end, although Medicare Plan F is no longer available for people turning 65, there are options. And you are still able to purchase comprehensive coverage to keep your out-of-pocket costs controlled. Seek the advice of a Medicare specialist in your area to get the best information on plan options.



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  1. Find a Medigap Policy that Works for You.” medicare.gov, search for plans in New York, N.Y. and Seattle, Wash. for a 65-year-old woman who does not use tobacco.  Accessed on November 22, 2021.