Medicare Supplement Plan F
Medicare Supplement Plan F is a standardized Medigap policy with broad coverage of Original Medicare cost sharing, but it is not available to everyone. If you were newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, you cannot buy Plan F. People who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020 may still be able to buy Plan F, subject to availability and enrollment rules. [1][2]
What does Plan F cover?
Medicare’s standardized Medigap benefit chart shows that Plan F covers:
- Part A coinsurance and hospital costs for up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are used
- Part B coinsurance or copayments
- The first three pints of blood
- Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayments
- Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
- The Medicare Part A deductible
- The Medicare Part B deductible
- Medicare Part B excess charges
- 80% of foreign-travel emergency costs, up to plan limits [1]
Because Plan F covers the Part B deductible, federal law limits who can newly purchase it.
Who is eligible for Plan F?
The key date is January 1, 2020.
If you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, you may still be able to buy Plan F if an insurer offers it and you meet applicable enrollment or underwriting requirements.
If you were newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, you cannot buy Plan F. Medicare notes that people new to Medicare after that cutoff may have rights to buy Plan G instead in situations where older beneficiaries would have had guaranteed-issue rights to Plan F. [2]
Eligibility for Plan F is based on when you first became eligible for Medicare, not simply the date you decide to shop for a Medigap policy.
Can you keep Plan F if you already have it?
The 2020 eligibility restriction did not require existing Plan F policyholders to drop their coverage. If you already have Plan F, your ability to keep the policy is governed by your policy terms and applicable Medigap protections. Do not cancel an existing Medigap policy until you understand whether a replacement policy has been approved and when the new coverage will take effect. [3]
What is high-deductible Plan F?
A high-deductible version of Plan F may be offered in some states to people who are eligible for Plan F. Medicare’s 2026 standardized benefit chart lists a $2,950 high-deductible amount for 2026. The amount can change annually, so verify the current figure before making a purchase decision. [1]
Plan F vs. Plan G
Plan F and Plan G share many standardized benefits. The key difference is the Medicare Part B deductible:
- Plan F covers the Part B deductible.
- Plan G does not cover the Part B deductible. [1]
Both cover Part B excess charges and include 80% foreign-travel emergency benefits up to plan limits. Plan G is available to people who became eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020, while Plan F is not. [1][2]
When comparing Plan F and Plan G, do not look only at benefits. Compare the premium difference as well. A Plan F premium can be higher than a Plan G premium, and the value of the extra deductible coverage depends on the actual rate difference.
Does Plan F cover prescription drugs?
No. Modern Medigap policies do not include prescription drug coverage. If you use Original Medicare plus Plan F and want Medicare drug coverage, you generally need a separate Part D plan. [4]
Does Plan F cover dental, vision or hearing?
Standard Medigap does not generally cover routine dental care, routine vision care, hearing aids, eyeglasses, long-term care or private-duty nursing. Separate insurance or discount programs should not be described as part of Plan F’s standardized Medicare Supplement benefits. [4]
How much does Plan F cost?
There is no single national Plan F premium. Insurers set their own premiums, and rates vary by company, location, rating method and other permitted factors. Medicare recommends comparing the same plan letter among insurers because the benefits are standardized while premiums can differ. [5]
Because the pool of people eligible for Plan F is closed to beneficiaries newly eligible after 2019, pay particular attention to current and historical premium trends when comparing Plan F with Plan G.
Enrollment and underwriting
If you are eligible for Plan F, your ability to buy it without medical underwriting depends on your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, guaranteed-issue rights and state law.
The federal Medigap Open Enrollment Period lasts six months and starts the first month you have Part B and are age 65 or older. Outside that window, underwriting may apply unless you have a protected right. [6]
Compare Plan F before changing coverage
Wise Owl Insurance Group can help eligible beneficiaries compare Plan F with Plan G and other Medigap options available in their area.
Do not cancel existing Medigap coverage until the replacement application is approved and you understand the effective date and any underwriting requirements.
Last reviewed: 2026-09-21