Medicare Supplement Plan F

Medicare Supplement Plan F remains available in 2026 to certain Medicare beneficiaries. It did not disappear in 2020. Instead, federal law changed who is eligible to purchase it.

If you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, you may still be able to buy Plan F or keep a Plan F policy you already have. People who became eligible for Medicare on or after that date generally cannot purchase Plan F and commonly consider Plan G instead.

Plan F is one of the most comprehensive standardized Medicare Supplement plans. It covers the Medicare Part B deductible as well as most of the other deductibles, coinsurance amounts and copayments left by Original Medicare.

What Does Medicare Supplement Plan F Cover?

Medicare Supplement Plan F covers the following standardized benefits:

• Medicare Part A hospital coinsurance
• Up to 365 additional hospital days after Medicare benefits are exhausted
• The Medicare Part A deductible
• Medicare Part A hospice-care coinsurance or copayments
• Skilled-nursing facility care coinsurance
• The first three pints of blood
• Medicare Part B coinsurance and copayments
• The Medicare Part B deductible
• Qualifying Medicare Part B excess charges
• Limited foreign-travel emergency coverage

Plan F is different from most Medicare Supplement plans because it covers both the Medicare Part A deductible and the Medicare Part B deductible.

After Medicare processes an approved claim, Plan F generally pays the remaining Medicare deductibles, coinsurance and copayments covered by the policy.

Is Medicare Supplement Plan F Still Available?

Yes. Medicare Supplement Plan F is still available to people who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.

Plan F was not cancelled or discontinued. The change that took effect in 2020 prevents Medicare Supplement policies sold to people newly eligible for Medicare from covering the Medicare Part B deductible.

Because Plan F covers that deductible, it cannot generally be sold to someone who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.

The important date is when you first became eligible for Medicare—not when you purchased a Medicare Supplement policy.

For example, someone who became eligible for Medicare in 2018 but continued working and delayed Medicare Part B may still be eligible to purchase Plan F later.

Availability can also depend on whether an insurance company offers Plan F in your state and whether medical underwriting applies.

Can You Keep Plan F If You Already Have It?

Yes. If you already have Medicare Supplement Plan F, you can generally keep it as long as you continue paying the premium and the insurance company continues offering the policy.

You are not required to leave Plan F because of the 2020 eligibility change.

However, keeping the policy and determining whether it remains a good value are two different questions. Existing Plan F policyholders should periodically compare their premium with the cost of Plan G and other available options.

Plan F may still provide excellent coverage, but comprehensive benefits do not automatically make it the most cost-effective plan.

How Does Medicare Supplement Plan F Work?

Plan F works alongside Original Medicare rather than replacing it.

When you receive a Medicare-covered service:

1. The healthcare provider submits the claim to Medicare.
2. Medicare determines whether the service is covered.
3. Medicare pays its portion of the approved amount.
4. The remaining claim information is generally sent electronically to the Plan F company.
5. Plan F pays the deductibles, coinsurance or copayments covered by the policy.

Because Plan F covers the Medicare Part B deductible, people with standard Plan F frequently have few medical bills for Medicare-approved services.

You must still pay your monthly Plan F premium, your Medicare Part B premium and the cost of services that Medicare does not cover.

Does Plan F Have a Doctor Network?

A standard Medicare Supplement Plan F policy does not ordinarily use a doctor or hospital network.

You can generally use Plan F with any healthcare provider nationwide who accepts Original Medicare. The provider does not need a separate contract with the insurance company issuing your Plan F policy.

A provider can still decide whether to accept new Medicare patients. Having Plan F does not require every doctor to accept you as a patient.

Medicare SELECT is an exception. A Medicare SELECT version of Plan F may require you to use certain hospitals and, in some cases, certain doctors to receive full supplemental benefits except in an emergency.

What Does Plan F Not Cover?

Plan F provides comprehensive protection against many Original Medicare cost-sharing requirements, but it does not cover everything.

Standard Plan F does not ordinarily cover:

• Your monthly Plan F premium
• Your Medicare Part B premium
• Outpatient prescription drugs
• Routine dental care
• Routine vision care or eyeglasses
• Hearing aids
• Long-term custodial care
• Private-duty nursing
• Services that Original Medicare does not cover
• Private-contract charges from providers who have opted out of Medicare

A newly purchased Plan F policy does not include outpatient prescription drug coverage. Most people with Original Medicare and Plan F obtain that coverage through a separate Medicare Part D plan.

Does Plan F Cover Medicare Part B Excess Charges?

Yes. Medicare Supplement Plan F covers qualifying Medicare Part B excess charges.

An excess charge may occur when a non-participating Medicare provider does not accept Medicare assignment for a covered service. Where legally permitted, the provider may charge more than the Medicare-approved amount, subject to Medicare’s limiting-charge rules.

A non-participating provider is not the same as a provider who has opted out of Medicare.

A provider who opts out may ask you to sign a private contract agreeing to pay for services yourself. Medicare generally does not pay that private-contract bill, and Plan F does not make the charge eligible for coverage.

How Do Excess Charges Affect Plan F in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania prohibits healthcare practitioners from billing Medicare beneficiaries above the Medicare-approved amount for covered care received within Pennsylvania.

Therefore, Plan F’s excess-charge benefit generally is not needed for Medicare-covered services received in Pennsylvania. The protection may still be useful when a Pennsylvania resident receives care in another state where excess charges are permitted.

Most providers nationwide accept Medicare assignment, so excess charges are considerably less common than many people believe.

Medicare Supplement Plan F vs Plan G

Plan F and Plan G provide nearly identical standardized medical benefits.

The principal difference is:

• Plan F covers the annual Medicare Part B deductible.
• Plan G does not cover the annual Medicare Part B deductible.

The Medicare Part B deductible is $283 in 2026.

Once a Plan G policyholder satisfies that deductible, standard Plan G generally provides the same coverage as Plan F for the remainder of the Medicare-approved expenses covered by the policies.

This makes the annual premium difference extremely important.

If Plan F costs substantially more per year than Plan G, paying the higher premium simply to have the insurance company cover a $283 deductible may not provide better overall value.

Someone considering a change must also account for medical underwriting, company rate history and the risk of being unable to return to the existing policy.

Should You Switch From Plan F to Plan G?

You should not switch automatically simply because Plan G has a lower premium.

First compare:

• Your current annual Plan F premium
• The available Plan G premium
• The $283 Medicare Part B deductible
• Household discounts
• Policy or application fees
• Company rate history
• Medical underwriting requirements
• The effective date of the replacement coverage

Suppose Plan G saves $600 per year in premiums. After subtracting the $283 Part B deductible, the potential first-year savings would still be approximately $317.

If Plan G saves only $150 per year, Plan F could provide the better overall value because its additional premium is less than the deductible it covers.

Never cancel an existing Plan F policy merely because you submitted a Plan G application. Keep your present coverage until the new policy has been approved and you have confirmed its premium and effective date.

Can You Switch Plan F Companies?

If you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, you may be able to apply for Plan F through another insurance company.

However, changing companies after your Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period often requires medical underwriting.

The new company may review your health history, prescriptions, pending procedures and recent medical treatment. Your application could be approved or declined.

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period from October 15 through December 7 does not give everyone a new opportunity to switch Medicare Supplement policies without underwriting.

What Is High-Deductible Plan F?

High-deductible Plan F offers the same categories of standardized benefits as regular Plan F, but the policy does not begin paying those benefits until you meet a separate annual deductible.

The high-deductible amount is $2,950 in 2026.

Before meeting that amount, Original Medicare continues paying its share of approved expenses, but you are responsible for the deductibles, coinsurance and copayments that Plan F would ordinarily cover.

After you satisfy the high deductible, the policy begins paying like standard Plan F for the remainder of the calendar year.

High-deductible Plan F commonly has a much lower monthly premium than standard Plan F, but it creates considerably more upfront financial responsibility.

Eligibility restrictions still apply. It is generally available only to people who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.

How Much Does Medicare Supplement Plan F Cost?

There is no single Plan F premium.

Your rate may depend on:

• Insurance company
• Age
• ZIP code
• Tobacco status
• Household-discount eligibility
• Pricing method
• Application or policy fees
• Payment method
• When you apply

Every standard Plan F policy provides the same standardized medical benefits, but premiums can vary significantly among insurance companies.

Because fewer newly eligible beneficiaries can enter Plan F, its policyholder population may gradually become older. That does not guarantee a specific rate increase, but it makes reviewing the policy’s cost and rate history especially important.

What Should You Compare Between Plan F Companies?

When comparing Plan F companies, review:

• Current monthly premium
• Household discounts
• Application and policy fees
• Historical rate increases
• Pricing method
• Financial strength
• Customer service
• Billing reliability
• Medical underwriting requirements
• The total first-year cost

The insurance company does not determine which Medicare-participating doctors you can use with a standard Plan F policy.

The cheapest introductory premium is not always the best long-term choice. A company’s rate history and administrative service also matter.

Who Should Consider Medicare Supplement Plan F?

Plan F may be worth considering if you:

• Were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020
• Want comprehensive standardized Medigap coverage
• Prefer predictable medical expenses
• Want the Medicare Part B deductible covered
• Already have Plan F at a competitive premium
• Can obtain Plan F for a reasonable cost compared with Plan G

Plan F may be less attractive if:

• Its premium is substantially higher than Plan G
• The annual premium difference exceeds the Part B deductible
• You are comfortable paying the Part B deductible yourself
• You would need to pass medical underwriting to change policies
• Your primary objective is lowering monthly premiums

How Can an Independent Medicare Broker Help?

An independent Medicare broker can help determine whether you remain eligible for Plan F and compare it with available Plan G and Plan N policies.

A broker can help you:

• Compare premiums from multiple companies
• Calculate the complete annual cost
• Review household discounts
• Compare Plan F with Plan G
• Explain medical underwriting
• Review high-deductible Plan F
• Coordinate replacement-policy effective dates
• Avoid cancelling existing coverage prematurely

There is generally no additional fee to the consumer for using an independent Medicare broker.

The Bottom Line

Medicare Supplement Plan F remains available to people who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. Current Plan F policyholders can generally keep their coverage, and eligible beneficiaries may still be able to purchase a policy.

Plan F provides extremely comprehensive coverage, including the Medicare Part B deductible. However, its premium should always be compared with Plan G.

If Plan F’s additional annual premium is greater than the deductible it covers, Plan G may provide the better overall value. If the premium difference is small, Plan F may still be an excellent choice.

The right decision depends on your eligibility, current premium, available replacement rates and ability to pass medical underwriting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was Medicare Supplement Plan F discontinued?

No. Plan F was not discontinued. It generally cannot be sold to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, but eligible beneficiaries may still be able to purchase it.

Can I keep Plan F if I already have it?

Yes. You can generally keep your existing Plan F policy as long as you continue paying the premium.

Who can still buy Plan F?

People who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, may still be able to purchase Plan F, depending on company availability and underwriting requirements.

What is the primary difference between Plan F and Plan G?

Plan F covers the annual Medicare Part B deductible. Plan G does not. Their other standardized medical benefits are generally the same.

Does Plan F include prescription drug coverage?

No. A newly purchased Plan F policy does not include outpatient prescription drug coverage. That coverage is available separately through Medicare Part D.

Can Plan F be used anywhere in the United States?

A standard Plan F policy can generally be used nationwide with doctors and hospitals that accept Original Medicare.

Does Plan F cover dental, vision or hearing care?

Plan F does not ordinarily cover routine dental care, routine vision care, eyeglasses or hearing aids.

Can I switch from Plan F to Plan G?

You may apply for Plan G, but medical underwriting may apply outside a protected enrollment period. Do not cancel Plan F until the new coverage has been approved and confirmed.

What is the 2026 high-deductible Plan F amount?

The high-deductible Plan F amount is $2,950 in 2026.

Related Medicare Topics

• Medicare Supplement Plan G
• Medicare Supplement Plan N
• Plan G vs Plan N: Which Medicare Supplement Is Better?
• What Is a Medicare Supplement?
• When Can I Switch My Medicare Supplement Plan?

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