Medicare Plan F is no longer sold to people new to Medicare

Medicare Plan F stopped being sold to anyone who became may be able to access for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. If you turned 65 before that date, you can still keep a Plan F you already have or switch to one. If you became may be able to access for Medicare in 2020 or later, Plan F is not an option for you.

Plan F was popular because it covered nearly all out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare left behind — copayments, coinsurance, and the Part B deductible. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) discontinued it for new enrollees because it removed the incentive to use healthcare wisely. When insurance pays for everything, people have less reason to think about whether a test or visit is necessary, which can drive up costs across the whole system.

If you are newly may be able to access for Medicare or did not enroll in Plan F before 2020, you have other Medigap plans that work similarly, though none cover quite as much. The most common replacement is Plan G, which covers everything Plan F did except the Part B deductible — a fixed amount you pay once per year before Original Medicare starts paying its share.

Key Takeaways

  • Plan F is closed to anyone who became Medicare-may be able to access on or after January 1, 2020, but people who enrolled before that date can keep their existing Plan F.
  • Plan G is the closest alternative for new enrollees, covering nearly everything Plan F did except the annual Part B deductible, which was $240 in 2024.
  • Plan N and Plan D are less expensive options that cover most major costs but require you to pay some copayments and coinsurance.
  • Your choice of Medigap plan does not affect which doctors you can see or which hospitals you can use — that is determined by Original Medicare.

Why Plan F was discontinued and when the change took effect

The change happened on January 1, 2020. Anyone who enrolled in Medicare on or after that date cannot buy Plan F. Anyone who enrolled before that date can keep their Plan F and renew it every year, and some insurance companies still sell Plan F to people who already have it.

CMS made this change because Medigap plans that cover the Part B deductible — Plan F and Plan C — were linked to higher healthcare spending. When a Medigap plan pays all your out-of-pocket costs, you have no financial reason to question whether you need a test, procedure, or specialist visit. This is called "moral hazard" in insurance terms. By removing Plan F and Plan C from the market for new enrollees, CMS hoped to slow the growth of unnecessary care and keep Medicare costs down.

The rule applies only to Medigap plans sold after January 1, 2020. If you bought Plan F before that date, you own it and can keep it. Some people who enrolled in Plan F years ago still have it today and pay their premiums every month. They are grandfathered in — the rule does not force them to switch.

Plan G: the most common Plan F replacement

If you became may be able to access for Medicare in 2020 or later and want coverage similar to Plan F, Plan G is usually the best match. It covers the same things Plan F did except for one: the Part B deductible. In 2024, that deductible was $240 per year. Once you pay it, Original Medicare covers its share of your care for the rest of the year, and Plan G covers the rest.

Plan G covers copayments and coinsurance for hospital stays, doctor visits, and other services. It also covers the Part A deductible (the amount you pay if you are admitted to the hospital) and coinsurance for skilled nursing facility care. The only significant gap is that Part B deductible at the start of each year.

Plan G premiums vary by insurance company and by where you live. Some people pay $150 to $200 per month; others pay more. When you compare Plan G to Plan F, remember that Plan F enrollees do not pay the Part B deductible either, so the premium difference between the two plans often reflects that $240 annual savings Plan G does not provide.

Other Medigap options if Plan G is too expensive

If Plan G premiums are higher than you want to pay, Plan N and Plan D are less expensive alternatives. Both require you to pay some copayments and coinsurance, but they cover the major costs that can add up quickly.

Plan N is often the cheapest option. It covers hospital costs, most doctor visit copayments, and coinsurance for hospital stays and skilled nursing facilities. You pay a copayment (usually $20) for most doctor visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits. You also pay coinsurance for some services. Plan N does not cover the Part B deductible, so you pay that $240 once per year before Original Medicare starts paying.

Plan D is similar to Plan N but covers slightly different services. It includes coverage for preventive care copayments and some additional coinsurance. Plan D premiums are usually between Plan N and Plan G, and like Plan N, it does not cover the Part B deductible.

The trade-off with Plans N and D is that you pay more out of pocket when you use healthcare, but your monthly premium is lower. If you are healthy and do not see doctors often, a lower-premium plan might save you money overall. If you have chronic conditions and see specialists regularly, a higher-premium plan like Plan G might cost less in the long run.

How to switch from Plan F if you already have it

If you enrolled in Plan F before January 1, 2020, you can keep it as long as you pay your premiums. You do not have to switch. However, if your Plan F premiums have risen significantly, you may want to explore other options.

You can switch to a different Medigap plan during the annual open enrollment period (October 15 to December 7 each year) or if you have a may have access to life event — such as moving to a new state, losing employer coverage, or your insurance company stopping that plan in your area. When you switch, your new plan may require medical underwriting, meaning the insurance company can ask about your health history and charge you more or deny you coverage based on pre-existing conditions. This is one reason people who have Plan F often keep it: switching away may be difficult later.

If you want to explore switching, contact insurance companies directly or work with a licensed insurance broker who represents multiple companies. They can show you side-by-side comparisons of premiums and coverage for plans available in your area.

Plan F for people who were already on Medicare before 2020

If you enrolled in Medicare before January 1, 2020, you have the right to keep Plan F or switch to any other Medigap plan. Some insurance companies still sell Plan F to people who already have it, though not to brand-new Medicare enrollees. This means you can renew your existing Plan F every year, and in some cases, you can switch to Plan F if you had a different Medigap plan before.

The rules for switching are complex and depend on your state and your insurance company. If you enrolled in Medicare before 2020 and want to switch to Plan F, contact your state's health insurance counselor or your state's insurance commissioner's office. They can tell you whether Plan F is available to you and what the process is.

What does not change when you switch Medigap plans

Your choice of Medigap plan does not affect which doctors you can see, which hospitals you can use, or how Original Medicare works. All Medigap plans work with Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B), not with Medicare Advantage. You can see any doctor who accepts Medicare, and you can go to any hospital that accepts Medicare. Your Medigap plan straightforward pays the costs that Original Medicare does not.

If you are on a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), you cannot buy a Medigap plan at all. Medigap and Medicare Advantage are separate paths, and you have to choose one or the other. If you want to switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare and buy a Medigap plan, you have limited windows to do so without medical underwriting — usually within 12 months of first enrolling in Medicare or within 63 days of leaving Medicare Advantage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still buy Plan F if I am already on Medicare?

It depends on when you enrolled. If you became may be able to access for Medicare before January 1, 2020, some insurance companies will still sell you Plan F. If you became may be able to access in 2020 or later, Plan F is not sold to new enrollees. Contact insurance companies in your state or a licensed broker to find out what is available to you.

Is Plan G really the same as Plan F?

Plan G covers almost everything Plan F does, except it does not pay the Part B deductible (the annual amount you pay before Original Medicare starts covering its share). In 2024, that deductible was $240. Once you pay it, Plan G covers the rest of your out-of-pocket costs the same way Plan F does.

What if I cannot afford Plan G premiums?

Plan N and Plan D are less expensive options. They require you to pay some copayments and coinsurance when you use healthcare, but your monthly premium is lower. Compare the total cost — premiums plus expected out-of-pocket costs — to see which plan makes sense for your situation.

Will switching Medigap plans affect my doctors or hospitals?

No. All Medigap plans work with Original Medicare, and your choice of Medigap plan does not change which doctors or hospitals you can use. You can see any doctor who accepts Medicare and go to any hospital that accepts Medicare, regardless of which Medigap plan you have.

What happens if my Plan F insurance company stops selling it?

If your insurance company stops offering Plan F, they must give you notice and let you switch to another plan they offer without medical underwriting. You can also switch to a Plan F offered by a different insurance company, though that company may require medical underwriting. Contact your state's insurance commissioner's office for help if your company stops offering Plan F.