According to AARP, Medicare Supplement Plan F provides the most coverage, and as a result, it's the most popular plan among those eligible for Medicare. But with recent changes, Plan F is no longer available to everyone as of January 1, 2020.
Summary: Medicare Supplement Plan F is the most comprehensive of the standardized Medicare Supplement plans available in most states. These plans are being phased out, starting in 2021.
Is Medicare Plan F Being Discontinued? No, Medicare Plan F is not being discontinued, but it is no longer an option for those who are new to Medicare. The 2015 Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) prevented Medicare Supplement plans (F and C, specifically) from providing coverage for Part B deductibles.
Why was Medigap Plan F discontinued? Per MACRA, first-dollar coverage plans will no longer be available to new beneficiaries. This is due to an effort by Congress to curb medical overspending and provide adequate wages for doctors. If you currently have Plan F or are not newly eligible, you can still enroll.
Plan F is still available for people who were eligible for Medicare before January 1st, 2020. However, anyone who became eligible for Medicare on or after Jan 1, 2020 can no longer enroll in Plan F.
Who Can Enroll in Plan F? Any Medicare beneficiary who was Medicare-eligible prior to January 1, 2020, can enroll in Plan F. If you are within the first six months of having enrolled in Medicare Part B, you are able to enroll in Plan F under the guarantee issue period.
Popular Plan F Replacements Include Medicare Supplement Plan G and Plan N. There are no explicit replacements for Plan F – you'll have to choose from a number of existing Medicare Supplement plans. Fortunately, most Medicare Supplement plans are very similar.
If you enrolled in Plan F before 2020, you will be “grandfathered” into the plan. This gives you the choice to keep the plan past 2020.
Can't I just move from a Medigap Plan F to a Plan G with the same insurance plan? Yes, you can. However, it usually still requires answering health questions on an application before they will approve the switch.
Medicare Supplement Plan F does not cover prescription drugs. By law, Medicare Supplement plans do not cover prescription drug costs. Medicare beneficiaries who want prescription drug coverage typically have two options: Enroll in a Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plan that includes prescription drug coverage.
Medicare Supplement Plan F is off the market for those newly eligible for Medicare Part A and Part B as of January 1, 2020 and thereafter. Medicare Supplement Plan F is still available to those who buy it before that date.
Medicare Plan F covers all of the gaps in Original Medicare. It is considered to be the “Cadillac” coverage among the available Medicare supplements today. Plan F gives you first-dollar coverage for all Medicare-approved services.
As of January 1, 2020, Medigap plans sold to people new to Medicare can no longer cover the Part B deductible. Because of this, Plans C and F are no longer available to people new to Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.
Will Plan F Rates Go Up in 2022
On average over the past five years, Plan F rate increases have been between 3% and 6%. Ask your agent what the rate increase history is for the carriers with which you are considering enrollment. You'll want to research carrier reviews before making a choice.
Remember, all Plan F policies offer the exact same benefits. This is true no matter where you buy the plan. Different insurance companies may charge different premiums, deductibles, copayments or coinsurance for it, but they can't change its coverage.
Medicare Supplement Plan G is almost identical to Plan F, except for the Part B deductible. ... Ultimately, Plan G has the same benefits as the Plan F, except for coverage for the Part B deductible ($233 for 2022). Once you pay the Part B deductible, the coverage is the same for both plans.
Medicare Supplement Deductibles by Plan
Medigap Plan F and Plan G have high-deductible options that include an annual deductible of $2,490 in 2022. Plan members must meet this deductible before the plan begins to cover any of Medicare out-of-pocket expenses.
Insurance companies are currently pricing Medigap Plan G $30 to $60 less each month than Medigap F. Most times you can save $500 or more a year in lower premiums on Plan G. Yes, you still have to pay $233 if you go to the doctor for a non preventive visit on plan G but when you save over $500, it is worth it.
Plan F is considered first-dollar coverage. This is because it will pay for all of your cost-sharing. All you have to pay is the monthly premium. This makes your medical expenses predictable knowing you'll pay zero out of pocket when you use your benefits.
Like other health insurance policies, premiums for Plan F are tax-deductible. However, new enrollees who become eligible after January 2020 will be unable to purchase a Plan F policy.
Medicare Supplement Plan F: The Premium-Only Plan
Medicare Supplement Plan F is the most comprehensive Medigap plan available. It leaves you with 100% coverage after Medicare pays its portion. Medigap Plan F covers the Medicare Part A and Part B deductible and the Medicare Part B 20% coinsurance.
What is the difference between modernized Plan F and Plan F Extra? Both plans offer the same core benefits. The difference between Plan Fs is the addition of services. Unlike the modernized Plan F, the plan covers routine eye and hearing exams.
Plan F will cover your Part A coinsurance and hospital costs for an additional 365 days (1 year) after your Medicare benefits have been used up.
The only difference in coverage between the Supplement Plan F and Plan C is that Medicare Plan C does not include Medicare excess charge coverage. Some insurance companies decide to promote Supplement Plan C and others decide to promote Plan F--they are so similar, they are basically interchangeable.