Medicare Supplement Plan F 2025: Coverage Details and Costs
Discover everything about Medicare Supplement Plan F in 2025, including eligibility, comprehensive coverage, costs, and why this popular Medigap plan is being phased out.
Medicare Supplement Plan F is a comprehensive Medigap insurance option designed to cover many out-of-pocket expenses that Original Medicare Parts A and B do not pay for. However, since 2020, this plan has been gradually phased out and is no longer available to new Medicare enrollees.
Original Medicare, which includes Parts A and B, is the foundation of Medicare health coverage. Approximately 25% of beneficiaries who choose Original Medicare also opt for a Medigap plan to reduce their financial burden. Medigap plans, also known as Medicare Supplement Insurance, come in 10 standardized versions, with Plan F historically offering the most extensive coverage.
Continue reading to explore the features of Plan F, its advantages and disadvantages, and why it’s being discontinued for new enrollees.
Drawbacks of Plan F
- Higher monthly premiums compared to other Medigap plans.
- Not available for individuals who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.
What Does Medigap Plan F Cover?
Plan F provides 100% coverage for several key Medicare costs, including:
- Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs up to 365 days after Medicare benefits are exhausted
- Medicare Part A deductible
- First three pints of blood
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- Medicare Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayments
- Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayments
- Medicare Part B deductible
- Medicare Part B excess charges
Additionally, Plan F covers 80% of medically necessary emergency care costs incurred while traveling outside the United States.
However, like most Medigap plans, Plan F does not cover:
- Dental services
- Vision care, including eyeglasses
- Hearing aids
- Long-term care
- Private-duty nursing
Below is a comparison table highlighting Plan F’s benefits relative to other Medigap plans:
| Benefit | A | B | C | D | F | G | K | L | M | N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A coinsurance and hospital costs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Part B coinsurance or copayment | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 50% | 75% | Yes | Yes (except some copayments) |
| Blood benefit (first 3 pints) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 50% | 75% | Yes | Yes |
| Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 50% | 75% | Yes | Yes |
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 50% | 75% | Yes | Yes |
| Part A deductible | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 50% | 75% | 50% | Yes |
| Part B deductible | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Part B excess charges | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Foreign travel emergency (up to plan limits) | No | No | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | No | No | 80% | 80% |
| Out-of-pocket limit | No | No | No | No | No | No | $7,220 | $3,610 | No | No |
Why Was Medicare Plan F Discontinued?
The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) introduced a rule prohibiting Medigap plans from covering the Medicare Part B deductible. This regulation took effect on January 1, 2020, impacting Plan F and Plan G, which previously covered this deductible.
As a result, Plan F is no longer available for purchase to individuals who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. However, those who qualified before this date may still purchase or keep Plan F policies.
What Are the Costs of Medigap Plan F in 2024?
Medigap plans are sold by private insurance companies, and premiums can vary significantly between providers, even for identical coverage.
In addition to paying Medicare Part B premiums, you will pay a monthly premium for your Medigap Plan F policy.
Insurance companies may price their plans using one of three rating methods:
- Community-rated: Everyone pays the same premium regardless of age.
- Issue-age rated: Premium is based on your age when you buy the plan and does not increase as you age.
- Attained-age rated: Premium increases as you get older, making the policy more expensive over time.
High Deductible Plan F Option
Plan F also offers a high deductible version, which features lower monthly premiums but requires you to pay a $2,870 deductible in 2025 before coverage begins. This deductible covers copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles not paid by Original Medicare. Additionally, there is a separate $250 deductible for foreign travel emergency care.
Use Medicare’s plan finder tool to compare available Medigap plans in your area and find the best option for your needs.
Tips for Choosing a Medigap Plan
- Select the right plan: Consider your health care needs and budget when choosing a Medigap plan.
- Compare policies: Review plans from different insurers to find the best coverage and price.
- Understand premiums: Know how premiums are calculated and whether they may increase over time.
- Consider high deductible options: These may save money if you expect low medical expenses.
Summary
Medicare Supplement Plan F has been one of the most comprehensive Medigap plans, covering nearly all out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare.
Since 2020, Plan F is no longer available to new Medicare enrollees, but those eligible before that date can still obtain or keep this coverage.
Because premiums vary by insurer and rating method, it is crucial to compare options carefully to find the best fit for your health care needs and budget.
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