Medicare Plan F
Updated September 2026 · 2026 figures from CMS and Medicare.gov
Medicare Plan F is the most complete Medicare supplement plan: it pays all the costs Original Medicare leaves you, including the Part B deductible. But since January 1, 2020 it can only be sold to people who were eligible for Medicare before 2020.
Who can buy Plan F
- People who turned 65 before January 1, 2020
- People who qualified for Medicare earlier because of a disability, ESRD or ALS before 2020
If you already have Plan F, you can keep it. If you became eligible in 2020 or later, Plan G is the closest option.
What Plan F covers
- Part A deductible and coinsurance, plus 365 extra hospital days
- Part B deductible ($283 in 2026)
- Part B 20% coinsurance and excess charges
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- Hospice coinsurance and the first 3 pints of blood
- 80% of foreign travel emergencies, up to plan limits
With Plan F you typically pay $0 when you get Medicare-covered care.
Why Plan F was closed to new enrollees
The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) stopped Medigap plans from covering the Part B deductible for anyone newly eligible from 2020, so that everyone pays at least something toward outpatient care. That closed Plans F and C to new enrollees.
Should you keep Plan F or switch to Plan G?
Because no new people can join, Plan F pools are aging and premiums in many states have risen faster than Plan G's. Compare your Plan F premium with Plan G quotes:
- If Plan G is cheaper by more than $283 a year, switching saves money.
- Switching usually means answering health questions, unless your state has special rules or you have a guaranteed-issue right. Don't cancel Plan F until the new policy is approved.
High-deductible Plan F
Also only available to people eligible before 2020: same benefits after you pay a yearly deductible set by Medicare, with a much lower premium.
Frequently asked questions
Is Medicare Plan F being discontinued?
It's closed to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. Existing policyholders can keep it, and people eligible before 2020 can still buy it.
What is the difference between Plan F and Plan G?
Plan F also pays the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026). Otherwise the coverage is the same.
Can I buy Plan F if I turn 65 in 2026?
No. Plan G is the closest alternative.