Plan F was, for decades, the most complete and most popular Medigap policy on the market, because it covered absolutely every cost that Original Medicare leaves behind. But since January 1, 2020, a federal law closed Plan F (and Plan C) to anyone who becomes eligible for Medicare after that date. This guide does not repeat the Plan G vs. Plan N comparison we cover elsewhere, but instead focuses specifically on who can still buy Plan F, how different it really is from Plan G, and how to decide between the two if you have both options available.
Who can buy Plan F today
You can only buy Plan F if you were already eligible for Medicare (usually by turning 65, or earlier due to disability) before January 1, 2020. It does not matter whether you enrolled right away or delayed enrollment because you had employer coverage: what counts is your eligibility date, not your actual enrollment date.
If you became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, Plan F simply is not available to you under any circumstances, no matter which insurer you ask. In that case, Plan G is the most complete coverage option you can access with guaranteed issue.
The one coverage difference: the Part B deductible
Plan F and Plan G cover exactly the same things, with one exception: the annual Part B deductible. Plan F pays it for you, so you have zero out-of-pocket cost for Medicare-covered medical services all year. Plan G does not cover that deductible, so you pay it yourself once, usually early in the year or at your first relevant medical appointment.
After paying that deductible under Plan G, coverage is identical to Plan F for the rest of the year: both cover Part B coinsurance at 100%, the Part B excess charge at 100%, and the Part A hospital deductible and coinsurance.
Availability, cost, benefits, and eligibility vary by person, product, contract, and insurance company, as well as by your service area. Guarantees are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Karla Arámburo is not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or the federal government.
Why Plan G often costs less overall
Plan F's monthly premium is usually noticeably higher than Plan G's, partly because the pool of people who can still buy Plan F keeps shrinking and aging, which tends to push its premiums up faster each year. When you compare Plan F's higher monthly premium against Plan G's lower premium plus the annual Part B deductible you would pay under Plan G, in most cases Plan G ends up cheaper over the full year.
This explains why many people who are still eligible for Plan F choose to enroll in Plan G anyway: the premium difference usually outweighs by a wide margin the cost of the Part B deductible that Plan G leaves uncovered.
Comparison table: Plan F vs. Plan G
| Aspect | Plan F | Plan G |
|---|---|---|
| Who can buy it? | Only if you were Medicare-eligible before January 1, 2020 | Anyone currently eligible |
| Part B deductible | Covered 100% | You pay it once per year |
| Part B coinsurance | Covered 100% | Covered 100% (after the deductible) |
| Part B excess charge | Covered 100% | Covered 100% |
| Hospitalization (Part A) | Covered 100% | Covered 100% |
| Monthly premium | Higher, and tends to rise faster | Lower |
| Best for | Those who already have it and prefer zero out-of-pocket costs | Almost everyone else; usually costs less overall |
How to decide based on your situation
If you became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, this decision is already made by law: Plan G is your near-total coverage option, and it is worth also reviewing how it compares against Plan N if you want an even lower premium.
If you were eligible before that date and either still have Plan F or are enrolling for the first time, calculate the current annual Part B deductible and compare it against the premium difference between Plan F and Plan G available in your ZIP code. If that premium difference exceeds the cost of the deductible, Plan G is almost always the better value. If you would rather never think about a deductible and value absolute cost certainty over cost savings, Plan F remains a legitimate choice as long as you remain eligible to buy it. To understand how Medigap works in general before comparing specific plans, review our general Medigap guide.
Free bilingual help deciding
I am Karla Arámburo, an independent, bilingual insurance agent licensed to serve families in Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Riverside counties. I review your exact Medicare eligibility date, your doctor-visit history, and your budget to help you decide between Plan F and Plan G — or whether Plan N is a better fit — in Spanish or English, at no cost to you. As an independent agent, I compare specific insurers available for your ZIP code, not just one plan.
You can call or text (619) 321-8733 or schedule a free consultation to review your specific situation. I also offer life insurance options that accept an ITIN. This page is general education, not individualized advice or a product recommendation.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy Plan F if I have never had Medicare before?
No, if you became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. Plan F (and Plan C) were closed to new beneficiaries starting on that date by federal law. You can only purchase it if you were already eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, even if you did not enroll right away.
How do I know if I was 'eligible before 2020' if I did not enroll until now?
What counts is the date you met Medicare's eligibility requirements (usually your 65th birthday, or earlier due to disability), not the date you enrolled. If you turned 65 before January 1, 2020, even if you delayed enrollment because you had employer coverage, you remain eligible to buy Plan F.
What is the real coverage difference between Plan F and Plan G?
The only coverage difference is the annual Part B deductible. Plan F covers it in full, so you pay absolutely nothing out of pocket for Medicare-covered services. Plan G does not cover that deductible: you pay it yourself once a year, and after that Plan G covers everything else the same way Plan F does.
If Plan F covers more, why do so many people choose Plan G?
Because, in practice, Plan G's monthly premium is usually low enough compared to Plan F's that, even after adding the annual Part B deductible, you often end up paying less overall with Plan G over the course of the year. Also, since the pool of people with Plan F keeps shrinking and aging, its premiums tend to rise faster over time.
Does the Part B deductible change every year?
Yes. Medicare sets the annual Part B deductible amount each year, and it typically rises slightly. That is the exact amount you would pay out of pocket under Plan G before coverage kicks in, and the amount Plan F absorbs for you.
Does Plan F or Plan G cover the Part B excess charge?
Both cover it at 100%. This is an important similarity between Plan F and Plan G: neither leaves you paying the extra charge some doctors bill above Medicare's approved rate. This protection is why both are considered 'near-total coverage' plans.
I already have Plan F — should I switch to Plan G?
Sometimes, but not automatically. Switching Medigap plans outside your guaranteed-issue eligibility period usually requires medical underwriting, so the insurer could deny coverage or charge more based on your current health. It is worth comparing the potential premium savings against that risk before deciding, and checking whether you qualify for any guaranteed-issue right.
Do Plan F or Plan G include drug coverage?
No. Neither Medigap plan includes prescription drug coverage. Both require you to also carry a separate Part D plan if you need that coverage.