Everything You Need To Know
If you’re looking for the most comprehensive Medicare supplement plan coverage, look no further than Medigap Plan F. The most popular Medigap choice, Plan F covers all gaps in Medicare Parts A and B. This includes both hospital and outpatient deductibles, 80% of foreign emergency care and the 20% that Part B doesn’t cover. Providing complete coverage, Medigap Plan F means no out-of-pocket costs at the doctor’s office. Its thorough coverage allows recipients peace of mind. Learn more about this plan below, or schedule an agent call for assistance.
Free Price Report
Get a free price report to compare insurance companies and premiums for Medigap Plan F in your area. It’s important to note that coverages between companies for the same plans remain the same, but premiums can vary significantly. We make it easy to find the best rate for your preferred plan through a quick and easy survey.
Medigap Plan F Coverage
Plan F offers the most comprehensive benefits of Medicare supplement plans. Here’s a quick overview of everything Plan F does and does not cover:
| Medigap Benefits | Medigap Plans | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F | ||||||||||
| Part A coinsurance and hospital costs up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are used up | Yes | |||||||||
| Part B coinsurance or copayment | Yes | |||||||||
| Blood (first 3 pints) | Yes | |||||||||
| Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment | Yes | |||||||||
| Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance | Yes | |||||||||
| Part A deductible | Yes | |||||||||
| Part B deductible | Yes | |||||||||
| Part B | Yes | |||||||||
| Foreign travel exchange (up to plan limits) | 80% | |||||||||
| Out-of-pocket limit | N/A | |||||||||
Medigap Plan F Covers…
- Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs, hospice care coinsurance or copayment, deductible
- Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment, deductible, excess charges
- First three pints of blood used in an approved medical procedure (annually)
- Foreign travel emergency care (up to 80%)
- Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) coinsurance
- Coverage for any doctor in-network for Medicare (that’s more than 800,000 doctors nationwide)
Medigap Plan F Does NOT Cover…
- Anything that Medicare doesn’t insure to begin with
- Homeopathic treatments (e.g. acupuncture)
- Routine vision care/eyeglasses
- Routine dental care/dentures
- Foot care not related to medical conditions
- Hearing aids/routine hearing tests
- Cosmetic surgery
- Custodial care
- Prescription drugs (No Medigap plans include meds. Consider a Part D plan for your prescriptions)
Medigap Plan F+
If you’re looking for a lower monthly premium, you may consider Plan F+. This is a high-deductible option that provides the same coverage levels with lower monthly premiums. The lower premiums, however, come with higher out-of-pocket costs and no coverage availability until after the annual deductible ($2,370 in 2021) is met.
Availability Information
Note that Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin offer separate, standardized Medicare Supplement plans. Medicare Supplement Plan F isn’t available in those states.
Changes to Plan F
A law passed in 2015 states that after January 1, 2020, no Medigap policies covering the Medicare Part B deductible (i.e., Medigap plans F and C) may be sold or issued to a newly eligible Medicare beneficiary. That means people who turn 65 on December 31, 2019 will be the last group eligible to enroll in Medigap plans F and C. However, everyone eligible and enrolled in Medicare PRIOR to 1/1/2020 will still have the right to switch from Plan F or C with one carrier to another OR purchase a new Plan F or C for the first time.
Impacts of the Change
The Medicare Part B deductible, which covers general medical and outpatient care, is one of the lower-costing expenses associated with Medicare. It is $203 annually as of 2021, compared with a Medicare Part A deductible of more than seven times that amount.
If you were affected by the upcoming Medigap availability change and are still looking for the most comprehensive coverage possible, consider Medigap Plan G. It covers everything Plan F covers except for the Medicare Part B deductible. Plan G includes:
- Medicare Part A deductible, hospice care copayment or coinsurance and hospital and coinsurance costs up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are exhausted
- Medicare Part B excess charges and coinsurance or copayment
- First three pints of blood used in an approved medical procedure (annually)
- Foreign travel emergency medical care (80% up to plan limits)
- Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) coinsurance
Additional Considerations
Medigap plans provide coverage for any doctor that’s in-network for Medicare. This allows you to choose from more than 800,000 providers nationwide. Medicare supplement plans allow you to see any Medicare specialist, with no referral from a primary care doctor required. Your coverage is also guaranteed renewable, meaning it can never be canceled due to health conditions from the claims you file.
Medigap plans are standardized by the government, so you get the same benefits regardless of where and from which private insurance company you purchase your plan. When shopping for coverage, then, you’ll want to mostly consider companies’ rates and rate history increases.
The Bottom Line?
Plan F is a completely comprehensive plan to consider if you’re looking for complete coverage and were eligible before January 1, 2020. If you weren’t eligible for Medicare PRIOR to 1/1/2020 but are interested in Plan F’s coverage, consider Medigap Plan G. If you’re still unsure what plan you need, see our Medigap Plans Comparison, or schedule an agent call for assistance.
Remember, coverages for these plans are standardized across states. That means you’ll want to compare rates and rate-increase history to get the most affordable option for your health and finances. Get a free price report for your preferred plan today by completing a brief survey: