For years, Plan F was the crown jewel of Medicare Supplements. It covers virtually every gap Original Medicare leaves — including both deductibles — so members rarely saw a bill for anything Medicare approved. That "first-dollar coverage" made it the most popular plan in the country. But two things changed the story: it closed to new enrollees, and the math stopped favoring it. Let's break down all of it.
What Plan F Covers
Plan F is the most complete Medigap plan on the shelf. When Medicare approves your care, Plan F picks up essentially everything Medicare doesn't:
- Part A deductible ($1,736 in 2026)
- Part B deductible ($283 in 2026)
- Part A hospital coinsurance + 365 extra days
- Part B coinsurance & copayments
- Part B excess charges
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- Hospice care coinsurance
- First 3 pints of blood
- Foreign travel emergency (80%, up to limits)
The Big Catch: It's Closed to Newcomers
Here's the rule that surprises people: Plan F is no longer available to anyone who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. A law called MACRA closed both Plan F and Plan C to new enrollees to phase out plans that cover the Part B deductible.
- Eligible before January 1, 2020? You can still buy Plan F (and keep it if you have it).
- Became eligible in 2020 or later? Plan F isn't an option — Plan G is your closest match.
The Plan F vs. Plan G Math (Read This Twice)
This is the part that changes minds. Plan F and Plan G are identical in every way but one: Plan F covers the Part B deductible, and Plan G doesn't. That deductible is just $283 in 2026. So the only real question is: how much extra are you paying in premium for that one $283 benefit?
Let's run an illustrative example (your real quotes will vary):
| Illustrative Example | Plan F | Plan G |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium | $180 | $140 |
| Annual premium | $2,160 | $1,680 |
| Part B deductible you pay yourself | $0 | $283 |
| Total yearly cost | $2,160 | $1,963 |
The Hidden Risk Nobody Explains: The Closed-Block Spiral
Here's the insight most articles skip — and it matters more than the deductible. Because Plan F is closed to new enrollees, no young, healthy 65-year-olds are entering the Plan F pool anymore. The only people left are aging together, and as a group they file more claims each year.
Already Have Plan F? Here's How to Think About It
If you're happily on Plan F, don't panic — you don't have to do anything. But it's worth a look:
- Compare your F premium to a G quote. If you're paying far more than the ~$283 deductible difference, switching could save you real money.
- Switching means underwriting. Moving from F to G outside a guaranteed window usually requires passing a health review — so it only works if you're in good health. See Medigap enrollment windows.
- Some states make it easy. A "birthday rule" or other state protection may let you switch without health questions. We'll check what applies where you live.
Common Questions
Is Plan F still available in 2026?
What's the difference between Plan F and Plan G?
Why are my Plan F premiums going up so fast?
Should I switch from Plan F to Plan G?
Does Plan F cover prescription drugs?
Your Next Step
Plan F is the most complete coverage ever offered — and for most people, also the one the math no longer supports. Whether you're eligible for it or already on it, here's how to make the smart call:
- Watch the video above — we run the F-vs-G comparison in plain English.
- Book a Blueprint consultation — we'll compare your options and only recommend a switch if it truly benefits you.
Your blueprint is waiting. Let's build it together.