Medicare Plan F vs. Plan G: Key Differences, Costs, and Which to Choose

Medicare Plan F and Plan G are the most comprehensive Medicare Supplement insurance plans available. For decades, Plan F was the most popular choice. However, since 2020, new Medicare beneficiaries can no longer enroll in Plan F.

This article explains the key differences between Plan F and Plan G. We will compare coverage, costs, and help you determine which plan makes sense for your situation.

What Is Medicare Plan F?

Plan F is a Medicare Supplement insurance policy. It provides comprehensive coverage for out-of-pocket costs not covered by Original Medicare Parts A and B.

Plan F covers all Medicare cost-sharing. This includes deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. It is the only Medigap plan that offers first-dollar coverage, meaning you typically pay nothing out of pocket for Medicare-covered services.

As of January 1, 2020, Plan F is no longer available to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after that date. If you were eligible for Medicare before 2020, you can still enroll in Plan F.

What Is Medicare Plan G?

Plan G is also a comprehensive Medicare Supplement insurance policy. It covers nearly all the same benefits as Plan F, with one key difference.

Plan G does not cover the Part B deductible. You pay this deductible once per calendar year before your Plan G coverage begins. After you meet the deductible, Plan G covers all other Medicare cost-sharing.

Plan G is available to all Medicare beneficiaries regardless of when they became eligible. It has become the most popular Medigap plan for new enrollees.

Coverage Comparison: Plan F vs. Plan G

The only coverage difference between Plan F and Plan G is the Part B deductible. Here is what each plan covers:

• Part A coinsurance and hospital costs
• Part B coinsurance or copayment
• Blood (first 3 pints)
• Part A hospice care coinsurance
• Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
• Part A deductible
• Part B excess charges
• Foreign travel emergency (up to plan limits)

The Part B deductible is the only difference. Plan F covers this deductible. Plan G does not. In 2026, the Part B deductible is $257.

Cost Comparison: Premiums and Out-of-Pocket Expenses

When comparing costs, you need to consider both monthly premiums and out-of-pocket expenses.

Monthly Premiums

Plan G typically has lower monthly premiums than Plan F. The difference varies by insurance company, your age, and your location. However, Plan G is usually $20 to $50 less per month.

Over a full year, this premium difference adds up. If Plan G saves you $30 per month, that is $360 per year in premium savings.

Out-of-Pocket Costs

With Plan F, you have no out-of-pocket costs for Medicare-covered services. You pay your monthly premium, but nothing else.

With Plan G, you pay the Part B deductible once per year. After that, you have no additional out-of-pocket costs for Medicare-covered services. The 2026 Part B deductible is $257.

Total Annual Cost

In most cases, Plan G has a lower total annual cost. Even after paying the Part B deductible, you often spend less with Plan G due to the lower monthly premiums.

For example, if Plan G saves you $360 per year in premiums and you pay the $257 deductible, you still save $103 per year with Plan G.

Who Can Enroll in Plan F?

Plan F is only available to people who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. This includes people who turned 65 before that date or who qualified for Medicare due to disability.

If you became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, you cannot enroll in Plan F. Plan G is the most comprehensive option available to you.

If you already have Plan F, you can keep it. The law does not require you to switch to another plan. However, you may want to compare your options as Plan F premiums may increase faster over time.

Why Plan G Is Often the Better Value

For most people, Plan G offers better value than Plan F. Here are the main reasons:

Lower Premiums

Plan G premiums are consistently lower than Plan F premiums. The monthly savings usually exceed the cost of the Part B deductible when spread over a year.

More Stable Rate Increases

Plan F is now a closed plan. No new enrollees can join unless they were eligible before 2020. This means the Plan F risk pool gets older and smaller over time.

As the pool ages, healthcare costs increase. This can lead to larger premium increases for Plan F compared to Plan G. Plan G has a larger, more balanced risk pool with new enrollees joining regularly.

Predictable Costs

While Plan G requires you to pay the Part B deductible, this amount is known in advance. You can budget for it. The deductible typically increases slowly each year in line with healthcare inflation.

Should You Switch from Plan F to Plan G?

If you currently have Plan F, you may wonder if switching to Plan G makes sense. Here are some factors to consider:

Premium Savings

Compare your current Plan F premium to Plan G premiums in your area. If you would save more than $257 per year on premiums, switching to Plan G could save you money.

Medical Underwriting

Switching from Plan F to Plan G is not a guaranteed issue right. In most states, you will need to answer health questions. If you have significant health issues, you may not qualify for Plan G or may pay higher rates.

Some states have additional protections. For example, California allows you to switch between Medigap plans with the same or lesser benefits once per year without medical underwriting.

Long-Term Rate Trends

Consider the long-term outlook. Plan F premiums are expected to increase faster than Plan G premiums. Even if the savings are small now, they may grow over time.

Other Important Considerations

High-Deductible Plan F

There is also a high-deductible version of Plan F. Like the standard Plan F, it is only available to people who were eligible for Medicare before 2020. It has much lower premiums but requires you to pay a high deductible before coverage begins.

High-deductible Plan G is available to all Medicare beneficiaries. It works similarly but is usually the better option due to lower premiums and a more stable risk pool.

Freedom to Choose Providers

Both Plan F and Plan G work with any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare. You do not need referrals. You can see specialists without prior approval. This freedom is one of the main advantages of Medigap plans.

Prescription Drug Coverage

Neither Plan F nor Plan G includes prescription drug coverage. If you need drug coverage, you must enroll in a separate Medicare Part D plan.

How to Compare Plan F and Plan G Premiums

Medigap premiums vary by insurance company, your location, your age, and other factors. To find the best rate, you should compare quotes from multiple companies.

You can use the Medicare Plan Finder tool on Medicare.gov to compare Medigap policies in your area. You can also work with a licensed insurance agent who specializes in Medicare.

Remember to compare total annual costs, not just monthly premiums. Factor in the Part B deductible when evaluating Plan G.

Final Thoughts

Plan F and Plan G are both excellent Medicare Supplement options. They provide comprehensive coverage and peace of mind.

If you are newly eligible for Medicare, Plan G is your only option for this level of coverage. For most people, it is also the better value due to lower premiums and more stable rate increases.

If you already have Plan F, you can keep it. However, it may be worth comparing Plan G rates to see if switching could save you money over time.