Two groups care most. Some people became eligible for Medicare before 2020 and may still qualify for Plan F. Current Plan F holders wonder whether switching to Plan G could save money.
This guide covers the eligibility cutoff, the coverage difference, and the premium-versus-deductible tradeoff. Rules and rates change, so confirm current details with Medicare.gov, the insurer, or a licensed adviser.
Key Takeaways
- Plans F and G pair with Original Medicare and pay eligible deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.
- Plan F covers the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026); Plan G does not.
- Anyone first eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, generally cannot newly buy Plan F.
- Plan G wins on cost when its yearly premium savings exceed the Part B deductible.
Medigap Plan F vs. Plan G: Quick Comparison
Standard F and standard G differ in one benefit. The chart on Medicare.gov shows the rest is identical.
| Benefit | Plan F | Plan G |
|---|---|---|
| Part A coinsurance and hospital costs (up to 365 extra days) | Yes | Yes |
| Part A deductible | Yes | Yes |
| Part B coinsurance or copayments | Yes | Yes |
| Part B annual deductible | Yes | No |
| Part B excess charges | Yes | Yes |
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance | Yes | Yes |
| Hospice coinsurance or copayments | Yes | Yes |
| First 3 pints of blood | Yes | Yes |
| Foreign travel emergency | 80% | 80% |
Eligibility
Plan F is available to people who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, even if they hadn't yet enrolled, and to existing policyholders.
Plan G is open to anyone who qualifies for Medigap, subject to insurer and state availability. Verify your state's rules.
The Part B deductible
With Plan F, the policy pays the $283 annual Part B deductible. With Plan G, you pay that amount to Medicare first, and then Plan G picks up its other covered benefits.
The Part A deductible is different: $1,736 per benefit period in 2026, and both plans cover it.
Foreign travel
Both plans pay 80% of emergency care abroad after a $250 annual deductible, up to a $50,000 lifetime limit. The emergency must start within the first 60 days of a trip.
Premiums
Covering one extra benefit can mean a higher Plan F premium, but quotes vary by carrier. Use current insurer quotes, not general price claims.
What neither plan covers
Medigap generally excludes:
- Prescription drugs (policies sold after 2005)
- Routine dental and vision care
- Hearing aids and eyeglasses
- Long-term care
Evaluate Part D separately for prescriptions.
What Are Medigap Plan F and Plan G?
Medigap policies are private insurance plans that supplement Original Medicare Parts A and B. You must be enrolled in both to buy one. You can't use Medigap with Medicare Advantage.
Benefits are standardized by plan letter, so a Plan G from one insurer covers the same things as a Plan G from another. Premiums differ. Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin standardize differently.
Plan F
Plan F covers the Part B deductible on top of everything it shares with Plan G. A federal law, MACRA, barred Medigap coverage of that deductible for people newly eligible on or after January 1, 2020.
If you already have Plan F, you can keep it. Eligibility date matters, not enrollment date. Someone eligible before 2020 who delayed enrolling may still buy F, though acceptance outside a protected enrollment period isn't guaranteed.
A high-deductible Plan F also exists in some states. In 2026, you pay the first $2,950 in covered costs before it pays. It keeps the same pre-2020 restriction.
Plan G
Plan G covers nearly everything Plan F does, minus the Part B deductible. That's why new Medicare beneficiaries often look at it first. KFF reports that G covers 46% of all Medigap policyholders in 2025, versus 30% for F. Those figures cover all policyholders, not just new enrollees.
High-deductible Plan G is also offered in some states, with the same $2,950 threshold in 2026 and no pre-2020 restriction.
Plan G doesn't make care free. You still face premiums, the Part B deductible, and costs for noncovered services and drugs.
Plan F vs. Plan G: What Is Better?
How to compare total annual cost
The math is simple:
- Take the annual Plan F premium.
- Take the annual Plan G premium plus the $283 Part B deductible.
- Compare the two totals.
Example: if F costs $300 more per year than G, G still comes out about $17 cheaper after the deductible. If F costs only $200 more, F wins by about $83. The break-even point moves when rates or the deductible change.
Factors beyond the monthly premium
Benefits are standardized, but these vary:
- Rating method: community-rated, issue-age-rated, or attained-age-rated. Attained-age premiums rise as you get older.
- Household and other discounts
- Rate history and likely future increases
- Whether the insurer offers the plan in your state
- Customer service and claims handling
A low starting premium doesn't reveal the rating method. Ask before you buy. Virginia's State Corporation Commission offers an official annual premium comparison tool, though results do not guarantee an offer.
Switching from Plan F to Plan G
Outside a protected enrollment window, insurers may use medical underwriting, charge more, or decline you. Protections to know:
- Open enrollment: a one-time six-month window starting when you're 65 or older and enrolled in Part B.
- Guaranteed-issue rights: for events such as an insurer's bankruptcy or coverage ending through no fault of yours, often with a 63-day deadline.
- State birthday rules: these vary. Virginia's 60-day window requires the same benefits, so F-to-G is not automatic. West Virginia, California, and Oregon allow same-or-lesser benefits in some cases.
Medicare provides a 30-day free-look period on a new policy. Don't cancel Plan F until the new policy is approved, the effective date is confirmed, and you know whether you could return to the old one.
Situational guidance
- Choose Plan F if you're eligible, want first-dollar coverage, and the premium gap is smaller than the Part B deductible.
- Choose Plan G if you're new to Medicare, or an eligible F holder, and you want a lower premium you can pair with the deductible.
Both calls depend on your personal quotes.
Practical decision checklist
Before applying, confirm:
- Your Medicare eligibility date
- Your current Medigap policy
- State rules and guaranteed-issue rights
- Underwriting requirements
- Current premiums and rate history
- Your prescription drug coverage needs
Muneris Benefits helps people transitioning to Medicare compare Medicare supplement options and understand coverage, cost, and enrollment considerations. You can request personalized guidance, with no promise of a particular plan or savings.
Real-World Examples and Cost Scenarios
Maine's Bureau of Insurance publishes actual rates. These are Maine examples for non-smokers, not Virginia prices or national averages:
| Insurer | Standard F (annual) | Standard G (annual) | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Health (an Aetna company) | $4,592 | $4,361 | $231 |
| Insurance Company of North America | $4,281 | $3,790 | $491 |
The $283 Part B deductible is the benefit difference. Compare each premium gap to that amount:
- First row: the $231 gap is less than $283, so F costs less overall
- Second row: the $491 gap exceeds $283, so G comes out roughly $208 cheaper
Maine's regulator notes that in some cases F's premium exceeds G's by more than the extra benefit.
Actual rates vary by carrier, location, age, tobacco status, rating method, and underwriting.
The takeaway: compare total annual cost and switching protections, not the plan letter. Muneris Benefits can help you run that comparison. Call (888) 686-3741 to request Medicare supplement guidance.
Conclusion
Plan F adds Part B deductible coverage but is closed to many newer beneficiaries. Plan G offers nearly the same protection with a different cost structure.
Before you choose or replace coverage, take these steps:
- Verify your Medicare eligibility date
- Compare current premiums against the Part B deductible
- Review your switching rights
- Confirm what each plan excludes
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Medigap Plan G cost per month?
Premiums vary by insurer, location, age, rating method, tobacco status, and eligibility. Get current quotes rather than relying on a universal price.
Which is better, Medigap Plan F or Plan G?
Plan F covers the Part B deductible; Plan G generally doesn't. The better choice depends on eligibility, premiums, budget, and comfort with out-of-pocket costs.
Is Medigap Plan F worth keeping?
Compare your Plan F premium with a Plan G quote plus the $283 deductible. Also weigh underwriting risk before switching.
Is Medigap Plan G worth having?
For many beneficiaries, it offers broad, predictable protection. Account for the Part B deductible, premiums, exclusions, and future rate increases.
Why is Medigap Plan F being phased out?
Federal law bars Medigap policies sold to newly eligible beneficiaries from covering the Part B deductible. So most people first eligible on or after January 1, 2020, can't buy Plan F.
Which is cheaper, Medigap Plan G or Plan N?
Plan N often has a lower premium but involves copayments of up to $20 for some office visits and $50 for certain ER visits, plus no coverage of the Part B deductible or excess charges. Compare total expected costs using current quotes.
