Medicare Supplement Plan F: What It Covers and Who Can Still Buy It

Source: Medicare.gov: Compare Medigap plan benefits

This guide explains what Plan F covers, why most people new to Medicare can't buy it, and how it compares with Plan G. We don't show prices or recommend a plan.

What does Medigap Plan F cover?

Plan F benefits are standardized by law, so they're the same with every company that sells it. Plan F pays 100% of these costs after Original Medicare pays its share (Medicare.gov):

• Part A coinsurance and hospital costs, up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are used
• The Part A deductible
• Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
• Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
• The first 3 pints of blood
• Part B coinsurance or copayment
• The Part B deductible
• Part B excess charges
• 80% of foreign travel emergency care, up to plan limits

A doctor who doesn't accept Medicare assignment can charge more than the Medicare-approved amount. For doctors' services, it can't be more than 15% above the Medicare-approved amount. Plan F pays this excess charge. See Medicare Part B excess charges.

Plan F doesn't cover your monthly Part B premium, prescription drugs (that's Part D), routine dental, vision or hearing care, or long-term care. If you need hospice care, Original Medicare covers it; Plan F pays the hospice coinsurance.

With most Medigap policies, you can see any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that takes Medicare. Medicare SELECT policies are the exception: they use a network.

Who can buy Medigap Plan F?

Plans C and F aren't available to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. If you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, you may still be able to buy Plan C or Plan F (Medicare.gov).

Since January 1, 2020, Medigap plans sold to people new to Medicare aren't allowed to cover the Part B deductible. That's why Plans C and F aren't available to them. CMS counts you as "new to Medicare" if you turned 65 on or after January 1, 2020, or first became eligible for Medicare because of a disability or ESRD on or after January 1, 2020 (CMS: F, G & J Deductible Announcements).

• Turned 65 before January 1, 2020? You were eligible before 2020, even if you didn't sign up then.
• Got Medicare before 65 because of a disability, ALS or ESRD before 2020? You were eligible before 2020.
• Already have Plan F? You can keep it.

Your Medicare card shows your Part A and Part B start dates. See Medicare eligibility.

Check your dates

Enter your birth month and year (and your Part A start date if you got Medicare before 65) to see whether you were eligible before 2020. This is an example estimate, not a decision about your eligibility.

Plan F vs Plan G

Plan G has the same benefits as Plan F except one: Plan G doesn't pay the Part B deductible. Plan G is available to anyone who can buy a Medigap policy, including people new to Medicare (Medicare.gov).

Source: Medicare.gov: Compare Medigap plan benefits

See Medicare Supplement Plan G, Plan G vs Plan N and the full Medicare Supplement plans comparison chart.

High-deductible Plan F

Plan F also has a high-deductible option. Like regular Plan F, it's only available to people who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. You pay for Medicare-covered costs (coinsurance, copayments and deductibles) up to the deductible before the policy pays anything. The deductible is $2,950 in 2026 and $3,050 in 2027 (CMS). Plan G has a high-deductible option too, and it's available to people new to Medicare; see high-deductible Plan G.

How to check whether you can buy Plan F

Timing matters

You can apply for a Medigap policy at any time, but timing matters. Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period starts the first month you're 65 or older and enrolled in Part B, and it lasts 6 months. During it, a company can't turn you down or charge more because of your health, though it may make you wait up to 6 months to cover a pre-existing condition (Medicare.gov). Outside it, insurers may ask health questions, charge more or turn you down. See Medigap Open Enrollment Period, Medicare enrollment dates and turning 65 in Utah.

For the Utah picture, see Medicare Supplement plans in Utah and What is Medigap?.

Considering Medicare Advantage instead?

Medigap adds to Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage is a different path, and Medigap can't be used with a Medicare Advantage plan. Compare the two coverage styles in Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement, or use our Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage comparison tool. Medicare Advantage changes happen during Open Enrollment and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, which are separate from your Medigap window.

How our team helps

We're Boo Insurance Services, a licensed independent Medicare agency in Draper, licensed since 2014. We've helped 1,000+ Utahns with Medicare and have 170+ 5-Star Google Reviews. We meet by phone or video anywhere in Utah and walk through the plan letters you can buy. You won't pay us a fee. Insurance companies pay us when you enroll, and that doesn't change your plan's benefits, coverage or premium. If we talk about Medicare Advantage or drug plans, Medicare rules require a short Scope of Appointment form first. You decide, with no obligation.

Frequently asked questions

What does Medicare Supplement Plan F cover?

Plan F pays Part A coinsurance and hospital costs, the Part A and Part B deductibles, Part B coinsurance, Part B excess charges, skilled nursing coinsurance, hospice coinsurance and the first 3 pints of blood at 100%, and 80% of foreign travel emergency care up to plan limits.

Can I still buy Medigap Plan F?

Plans C and F aren't available to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. If you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, you may still be able to buy Plan C or Plan F.

Why was Plan F discontinued for new enrollees?

Since January 1, 2020, Medigap plans sold to people new to Medicare aren't allowed to cover the Part B deductible. Plans C and F cover it, so they aren't sold to people new to Medicare.

I turned 65 in 2019 but didn't sign up. Can I buy Plan F?

CMS counts you as new to Medicare if you turned 65, or first became eligible for Medicare because of a disability or ESRD, on or after January 1, 2020. If you turned 65 before then, you were eligible before 2020, so you may still be able to buy Plan C or Plan F.

Can I keep Plan F if I already have it?

Yes. If you already have Plan F, you can keep it.

What's the difference between Plan F and Plan G?

Plan G has the same benefits as Plan F except that it doesn't pay the Part B deductible. Plan G is available to anyone who can buy a Medigap policy, including people new to Medicare.

Is Plan F the same with every company?

Yes. Plan F benefits are standardized by law, so they're the same with every company that sells it. Premiums and customer service can differ.

When should I apply for a Medigap plan?

You can apply for a Medigap policy at any time, but timing matters. Your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period starts the first month you're 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During it, a company can't turn you down or charge more because of your health, though it may make you wait up to 6 months to cover a pre-existing condition. Outside it, insurers may ask health questions, charge more or turn you down.

Serving Utah residents. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 9 organizations which offer 58 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

Sources

• Medicare.gov, Compare Medigap plan benefits
• Medicare.gov, When can I buy Medigap?
• CMS, Choosing a Medigap Policy
• CMS, F, G & J Deductible Announcements

Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. Fores Boo, licensed independent Medicare agent, NPN 17255694, Boo Insurance Services, 61 W 13490 S Ste 201, Draper, UT 84020.

Last updated: October 21, 2026.