Medicare Plan F vs Plan G

Comparing Medicare Plan F vs Plan G comes down to one main thing: Plan F pays the Medicare Part B deductible, while Plan G does not. In exchange, Medicare Plan G often has lower premiums, which is why many people find it the better value even after paying that deductible out of pocket.

If you want the quick answer, Plan F may appeal if you’re already enrolled and prefer the most complete coverage available to you. Plan G is often the smarter choice for newer enrollees and for anyone focused on balancing coverage with monthly cost.

Plan F is the most comprehensive Medicare supplement available to eligible enrollees. In practical terms, Plan F covers the standard gaps in Original Medicare, including Part A hospital coinsurance, Part B coinsurance or copayments, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, hospice cost-sharing, and the first three pints of blood.

It also pays the Part A deductible, Part B deductible, and Part B excess charges, which is why many people view its plan benefits as the broadest among Medigap options. For members who qualify to buy it, Plan F can mean very little day-to-day cost-sharing beyond the monthly premium.

Plan G closely mirrors Plan F, which is why it remains one of the most popular choices in the Medicare plan market. In general, this plan covers Part A hospital coinsurance, Part B coinsurance or copayments, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, hospice cost-sharing, blood, the Part A deductible, and Part B excess charges. The key difference in its plan benefits is straightforward: Plan G does not pay the Part B deductible.

Once you meet that deductible yourself, coverage works much like Plan F for many common expenses, making Plan G a strong value for people comparing premiums against out-of-pocket costs.

Here’s a simple Medicare example. Say Plan F costs $35 more per month than Plan G. Over a year, that premium difference adds up to $420. In 2027, the Medicare Part B deductible is $257. With Plan G, you would pay that deductible once, and then your supplement generally works much like Plan F for covered services.

In this case, Plan G still comes out ahead by about $163 for the year. The lesson is not that one plan always wins, but that small monthly differences can outweigh the deductible faster than many people expect.

For Plan F, “newly eligible” for Medicare has a very specific meaning. If your Medicare Part A start date, or your age-based eligibility, began on or after January 1, 2020, you generally can’t buy Plan F. That rule applies even if a carrier still sells other Medigap options in your area.

If you became eligible before that date, you may still be able to enroll in Plan F, depending on the insurer, your state, and whether you’re applying during a guaranteed-issue window or facing medical underwriting. In short, eligibility is tied to when you first qualified for Medicare, not when you decide to enroll.

For most people turning 65 or otherwise newly eligible for Medicare, Plan G is the practical place to start. Because Plan F is no longer available to most new enrollees, current comparisons among Medigap plans usually focus on monthly premium, rate stability, and how much predictable coverage you want from a Medicare supplement.

Plan G covers nearly everything Plan F once did, except the Part B deductible. In exchange, it often offers strong value and broad acceptance among providers who take Medicare. If you are shopping during your Medigap open enrollment window, this is typically your best chance to buy without medical underwriting.

If you already have Plan F, the decision is less about benefits and more about cost. This policy remains one of the most comprehensive options available, and many people keep it simply because they like the predictability: fewer out-of-pocket surprises and very broad coverage once Medicare approves the service.

The key question is whether your insurance premium still makes sense. If Plan F has become significantly more expensive than nearby alternatives, it may be worth comparing rates and running the math against Plan G. But if your premium is manageable and you value richer first-dollar coverage, staying put is a reasonable choice.

Switching from one plan to another can save money, but it is not always simple. Outside certain guaranteed-issue situations, a carrier may use medical underwriting before approving your application. That means your health history, prescriptions, or recent diagnoses can affect whether you are accepted for enrollment.

Rules and consumer protections can also vary by state, so timing locally matters. Some people have more flexibility during special windows, while others may face tighter standards. Before you switch, compare premiums, check how the new plan handles rate increases, and confirm whether your state offers any added rights beyond the basic federal rules.

In many cases, changing from one Medigap policy to another is not a guaranteed swap. Outside certain protected windows, an insurance company can ask health questions and use medical underwriting before approving your application. That means your current conditions, prescriptions, or recent care may affect whether the new policy is issued and at what rate.

Because rules and carrier practices vary, it helps to review the application with a licensed agent before you cancel anything. A careful comparison can help show whether the savings on Plan G outweigh the risk of being declined.

Guaranteed issue rights can be especially important if you want to move to a different medigap policy without health screening. These protections usually apply in specific situations, such as when you lose other coverage or qualify under a trial right, and the timing around enrollment matters. Miss the window, and you may be pushed back into underwriting.

Your state may also offer stronger consumer protections than the federal baseline, including birthday or anniversary rules that make switching easier. Before applying, confirm which rights apply where you live and which plans are available under those rules.

The biggest difference is the Medicare Part B deductible. Plan F covers it, while Plan G does not. Aside from that, the two Medigap plans offer very similar coverage for many common out-of-pocket costs left by Original Medicare.

Plan F offers more complete coverage because it pays the Part B deductible. Plan G, however, is often viewed as the better value since its monthly premium is frequently lower by more than the deductible amount. The better choice depends on premium quotes and your total yearly cost.

Many people choose Plan G because it can cost less overall. Even though you pay the Part B deductible yourself, the premium savings may be greater than that amount over a full year. That makes Plan G a popular Medicare supplement option for cost-conscious shoppers.

In most cases, Plan F is only available if you became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. People who became eligible after that date generally cannot buy Plan F, though Plan G remains widely available. Insurer and state rules may still affect availability.

For many covered services, yes. After you pay the Medicare Part B deductible, Plan G generally works much like Plan F by covering Medicare-approved coinsurance, copayments, and other standard Medigap gaps included in the plan.

Compare total annual cost, not just the monthly premium. Add up the yearly premium difference and see whether it is more or less than the Part B deductible. That simple break-even approach can help you decide which Medigap plan makes more financial sense.