Medicare Plan F Explained: Coverage, Cost and Who Can Still Enroll

What Medicare Supplement Plan F Covers

Medicare Supplement Plan F is a federally standardized Medigap policy, which means the benefits are identical no matter which insurance company sells it. What makes Plan F unique is that it offers "first-dollar coverage" of nearly every gap left by Original Medicare. After paying your monthly premium, you typically owe nothing when you see a doctor or visit a hospital for Medicare-covered services.

Here is what standard Plan F pays for in 2026:

• Medicare Part A hospital coinsurance plus 365 extra days of hospital coverage after Medicare benefits run out
• Part A hospital deductible ($1,736 per benefit period in 2026, an increase of $60 from $1,676 in 2025)
• Part B coinsurance and copayments (the 20% Medicare does not pay for doctor visits and outpatient care)
• Part B deductible ($283 in 2026, up from $257 in 2025), the key benefit that newer plans cannot include
• Part B excess charges for providers who bill above the Medicare-approved amount
• Skilled nursing facility coinsurance ($217 per day for days 21-100 in 2026)
• First three pints of blood each year
• Hospice coinsurance and copayments
• Foreign travel emergency care (80% up to a $50,000 lifetime maximum, after a separate $250 deductible)

Because Plan F absorbs both the Part A and Part B deductibles plus all coinsurance, most policyholders never see a medical bill from a Medicare-covered service. For a side-by-side look at every Medigap option, see our best Medicare Supplement plans of 2026 review or our breakdown of what Medicare does not cover.

Why Plan F Was Closed to New Enrollees in 2020

In 2015, Congress passed the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA). As a result of MACRA, Medigap Plan C and Plan F (including the high-deductible version) are no longer available for purchase by people who become newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. The reasoning was that "first-dollar" coverage encouraged overuse of medical services, since beneficiaries had no financial reason to think twice about doctor visits.

Because Plan F (and Plan C) cover the Part B deductible, both plans were effectively closed to anyone newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.

Who can still enroll in Plan F today

You may still purchase Plan F in 2026 if all of the following apply:

1. You were first eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020 (turned 65 before that date, or became eligible earlier through disability or ESRD)
2. You are enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B
3. An insurer in your state still actively sells Plan F
4. You pass medical underwriting, if required outside a guaranteed-issue window

People who were eligible before 2020 but had not yet enrolled in Medicare Part B may also still buy Plan F when they enroll, subject to underwriting rules in their state.

Plan F Premiums in 2026: What to Expect

Premiums vary widely by carrier, ZIP code, age, gender, and tobacco status. According to national 2026 pricing analyses, standard Plan F averages around $220 to $274 per month, and the high-deductible version costs a fraction of that. Here are typical benchmarks for nonsmoking enrollees:

One 2026 Medigap cost study shows Plan F averaging $220.14 per month at age 65, $244.89 at 75, and $321.64 at 85, reflecting the attained-age pricing method used by most carriers. Some companies use issue-age or community rating, which can dampen age-based increases but may start at a higher base. Our Medicare Supplement cost guide breaks down those pricing methods in detail.

Local rate ranges for Plan F in 2026 illustrate just how much variation exists. Depending on city and carrier, monthly premiums can range from roughly $130 in low-cost Midwest markets to well over $400 in expensive coastal metros for the exact same standardized benefits. That spread is why shopping multiple carriers is non-negotiable. For state-specific guidance, see our overview of Medicare Supplement plans by state, and to review carriers together see our best Medicare Supplement plans picks.

High-Deductible Plan F (HDF)

If you want Plan F's comprehensive benefits but cannot justify the premium, the high-deductible version (HDF) is worth considering, again, only if you were eligible for Medicare before 2020.

Here is how High-Deductible Plan F works in 2026:

• You pay Medicare-covered costs (coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles) up to a $2,950 calendar-year deductible, and after you reach it the plan pays 100% of covered services for the rest of the calendar year
• The deductible resets every January 1
• Your monthly premium is dramatically lower than standard Plan F (often around $66 to $85)

CMS set the annual high-deductible amount for Plans F, G, and J at $2,950 effective January 1, 2026, based on a 2.92% increase in the CPI-U from 2024 to 2025. The same $2,950 figure also applies to High-Deductible Plan G, which is the newer-enrollee equivalent.

Plan F vs. Plan G: Which Is Better for Eligible Shoppers?

If you were eligible before 2020, you have a real choice between Plan F and Medicare Supplement Plan G. The two plans are identical in every benefit category except one: Plan F pays the Part B deductible and Plan G does not.

The $283 break-even math

The 2026 Part B deductible is $283. Spread across 12 months, that is about $23.58 per month. The rule of thumb:

• If Plan F costs more than $24/month above Plan G, choose Plan G
• If Plan F costs less than $24/month above Plan G, Plan F could come out slightly ahead

In practice, Plan F usually costs $40 to $80 more than Plan G in most markets, which means Plan G wins on total annual cost for the majority of shoppers. Plan G also benefits from being an open plan with new enrollees flowing in each year, which historically translates to more stable rate increases. If a lower premium with modest cost-sharing appeals to you, also compare Plan N coverage and costs or browse the full Medigap comparison chart.

Top-Rated Carriers Offering Plan F in 2026

Plan F benefits are identical across companies, so the smart move is to compare carriers on price, financial strength, customer service, and rate-increase history. NerdWallet's 2026 rankings name State Farm as best overall Medigap company and AARP/UnitedHealthcare as best for plan availability, with Mutual of Omaha, HealthSpring (formerly Cigna), Aetna, Humana, and Blue Cross Blue Shield also consistently rated as strong nationwide options.

Cigna Medicare Supplement policies continue to operate under the HealthSpring brand under HCSC ownership in 2026, following HCSC's March 2025 acquisition of Cigna's Medicare business. Benefits, networks, and pricing structures remain the same, only the name on your ID card changes.

For an honest look at how AARP-branded plans stack up, see our AARP Medicare Supplement review. You can also see our full carrier rankings in our best Medicare Supplement plans breakdown. If a network-based option interests you, we cover Medicare SELECT plans as a lower-cost Medigap alternative.

Should Existing Plan F Holders Switch to Plan G?

This is the most important question for anyone already enrolled. The honest answer: probably yes, but only after running the numbers and checking your state's switching rules.

Why Plan F rates rise faster than Plan G rates

Plan F is a closed block of business. Insurers can no longer add younger, healthier 65-year-olds to the Plan F risk pool, so the pool steadily ages and grows sicker. That mathematical reality drives larger and more volatile premium increases compared to Plan G, which keeps refreshing with new enrollees. In early 2026 filings with state insurance commissioners from Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, Mutual of Omaha, and UnitedHealthcare, rate increases for Plan G policies ranged from just over 12% to more than 26% in the first quarter, according to Nebraska-based consulting firm Telos Actuarial. Industry data shows Plan F rate increases running similarly to Plan G, averaging around 12.9% for 2025 renewals, and closed-block Plan F policies typically see steeper increases in older pools because the risk pool cannot refresh with new members.

The switching math

Run this simple calculation:

1. Current Plan F annual cost = (monthly Plan F premium) × 12
2. Plan G annual cost = (monthly Plan G premium × 12) + $283 Part B deductible

If your Plan F annual total exceeds Plan G's total, switching saves money. Most policyholders find Plan G wins by $300 to $1,000+ per year.

The catch: medical underwriting

Outside your initial 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, most states allow insurers to medically underwrite applicants who want to switch plans. If you have significant health issues, you could be denied or charged more. A growing number of states now offer protections:

• Indiana legislation went into effect January 1, 2026, creating a birthday rule window, though the rule limits switches to another insurer's version of the same plan letter
• Delaware's new birthday rule, effective January 1, 2026, provides a 60-day window (30 days before and 30 days after the birthday) to switch to same or lesser benefits with any carrier
• West Virginia enacted legislation creating a birthday-rule window for policies effective or renewed starting June 1, 2026, limited to the person's existing insurer or an affiliated insurer offering equal or lesser benefits, and only for members with 24+ months of continuous coverage
• Other 2026 birthday-rule states include California, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming
• Missouri uses an anniversary rule tied to your policy date
• Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, and Washington offer year-round or annual guaranteed-issue switching
• New Mexico passed birthday-rule legislation in 2026 with an effective date of January 1, 2027, allowing Medigap enrollees to switch coverage each year without risking denial over pre-existing conditions

If you live in one of these states, switching is largely risk-free. Elsewhere, weigh the underwriting risk against the savings. Our guide on switching from Medicare Advantage to Medigap walks through the underwriting process in more detail, and our Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage comparison can help if you are rethinking your overall Medicare structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Medicare Plan F still available in 2026?

Yes, Plan F is still sold by most major Medigap carriers in 2026, but only to people who were first eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. If you were already enrolled in Plan F before that date, you can keep it indefinitely as long as you pay the premium. New beneficiaries who became Medicare-eligible in 2020 or later cannot purchase Plan F under any circumstances.

Is Plan F worth the higher premium compared to Plan G?

For most people, Plan G offers better value because the premium difference usually exceeds the $283 annual Part B deductible. The rule of thumb in 2026 is that if Plan F costs more than $24 per month above Plan G, switching to Plan G saves money. Plan F also faces steady rate increases because its risk pool is closed to new enrollees, which makes Plan G even more attractive over the long term.

What does High-Deductible Plan F cost in 2026?

High-Deductible Plan F (HDF) carries a $2,950 calendar-year deductible in 2026, after which the plan pays 100% of Medicare-covered benefits. Average monthly premiums are roughly $66 at age 65 and $85 at age 75, far less than standard Plan F. HDF is best suited for healthy enrollees who rarely use medical care and want catastrophic-style protection at a low monthly cost.

Can I switch from Plan F to Plan G without medical underwriting?

It depends on your state. Most states require medical underwriting if you switch outside your initial 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which means insurers can decline you or charge higher rates. However, 15 birthday-rule states (including 2026 additions Delaware, Indiana, and West Virginia), Missouri's anniversary rule, and year-round states like Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, and Washington offer guaranteed-issue paths. Check with your state insurance department or a licensed agent to confirm your specific rights.

Why are Plan F premiums rising faster than other Medigap plans?

Plan F is a closed block of business, meaning no new beneficiaries have been added to the risk pool since January 1, 2020. As current Plan F policyholders age and file more claims, the pool gets older and sicker without an influx of younger, healthier enrollees to balance out costs. This dynamic typically produces larger annual rate increases on Plan F than on open plans like Plan G or Plan N, which continue to refresh with new members each year.