Is Medicare Plan F going away? Yes, but it’s not going away for everyone.
Have you been hearing rumors that Medicare Supplement Plan F (also known as Medigap Plan F) is going away? It’s true, but not for all Medicare beneficiaries. Anyone who currently has Medigap Plan F (or Hi-Deductible Plan F) will be allowed to keep it. If you currently don’t have Plan F, it’s possible that you may be eligible to enroll sometime in the future.
When is medigap plan f going away?
Beginning on January 1st, 2020, Medicare Supplement plans F and C will no longer be available and sold to anyone who is newly eligible to Medicare. These changes to these plans is part of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA), also known as the .
why is plan f being discontinued?
It boils down to something called “first dollar coverage.”
First dollar coverage refers to a type of insurance policy that does not require a deductible payment when an insurable event occurs. The insurer is on the hook for that payment. Medicare Supplement Plan F covers 100% of your Part B deductible which makes it “first dollar coverage.”
The purpose of discontinuing Plan F is to make sure that all Medicare beneficiaries are responsible for some out-of-pocket expenses when they are provided healthcare services.
Plan F is costly
The theory is this: If Medigap Plan F provides coverage for all of your out-of-pocket spending, then you may be more likely to go to your doctor for any minor health issue. Every appointment will cost money that Medicare and the government will have to cover and pay.
Medicare Supplement Plan F Benefits
Every lettered Medigap plan has a specific set of benefits. In the chart below, you’ll be able to see what Medicare Supplement Plan F can cover:
| Medicare Supplement Benefits | Plan F Covers? |
|---|---|
| Medicare Part A coinsurance & hospital costs (up to additional 365 days after medicare benefits are used | Yes |
| Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment | Yes |
| Blood (first 3 pints) 3 | 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 excess charges | Yes |
| Foreign travel emergency (up to plan limits) | Yes |
Can you Keep your Medicare Supplement Plan F?
Is Plan F going away for those who have it already? No, it is not.
If you are Medicare eligible and your Part A started before January 1, 2020, then you will be able to keep your Medigap Plan F. You will not need to renew or re-enroll in your plan each year, but you must pay your Plan F premiums on time to continue coverage.
You also have the opportunity to change to another Medigap insurance company that sells Plan F in the future. This is great if another insurer sells their plan at a lower rate.
Who can keep Plan F?
What Options are available If I Can’t buy Medigap Plan F?
Don’t panic if you’re not be able to purchase a Medigap Plan F. There are some great options available such as Medicare Supplement Plan G vs Plan N.
Plan G and Plan F are almost identical in coverage. In fact many people choose to buy it even when Plan F is available.
Medicare Supplement Plan G provides beneficiaries almost the exact same benefits as Medigap Plan F.
There is one difference when comparing benefits between Plan G and Plan F. With Plan G , your Medicare Part B deductible is not covered under the plan.
Here is how it works: Once you meet and pay your deductible, Medigap Plan G works exactly the same as a Plan F. The benefits of these plans include protection from copays, coinsurance and the typical 20% gap in Medicare coverage.
Plan G Savings
With Plan G, you don’t just get similar coverage as Plan F. The cost of a Plan G are frequently less expensive than what you’ll pay for Plan F. The overall cost savings occur even when you factor in the deductible amount that you’re responsible for with Plan G.
Anyone eligible for Medigap Plan F should look into Plan G and see if it will save them money.
Here are some of the most popular plans available. This table will allow you to compare Medigap Plan F benefits with Medigap Plan N, G and D.
| Benefits | Plan F | Plan G | Plan D | Plan N |
| Part A deductible | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Part A coinsurance and hospital costs | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Part A skilled nursing facility coinsurance | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Part A hospice coinsurance and copays | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Part B deductible | 100% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Part B coinsurance and copays | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% (except some copays) |
| Part B excess charges | 100% | 100% | N/A | N/A |
| Blood (first three pints) | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| International travel | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
Medigap Plan F FAQ
Michael Quinn is an independent licensed insurance agent with a passion for helping others navigate the complex world of Medicare insurance. With over a decade of experience in the field, Michael has established himself as a trusted advisor to countless individuals seeking guidance on their healthcare coverage options.
In 2013, Michael obtained his license as an insurance agent, laying the foundation for his successful career in the industry. Prior to that, he earned his Masters Degree in Communicative Disorders from the University of Central Florida, which equipped him with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Driven by a genuine desire to make a positive impact on people's lives, Michael co-founded REMEDIGAP in 2013. It was created as a dedicated platform that aims to educate individuals about Medicare insurance. Through REMEDIGAP, Michael provides comprehensive resources and unbiased information to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their healthcare coverage.
With his extensive knowledge and expertise, Michael has been able to guide thousands of individuals towards finding the most suitable Medicare insurance plans tailored to their unique needs. His dedication to his clients' well-being, coupled with his passion for simplifying complex insurance concepts, has earned him a reputation as a compassionate and reliable advisor.
His work has appeared on many blogs and websites including, USA Today, Yahoo.com, Nerdwallet, Think Advisor, and REAL SIMPLE.
Joann Quinn is the Chief Compliance Officer and Cofounder of REMEDIGAP. She is a licensed Medicare agent in 47 states. Her main role is to provide essential resources and tools to educate eligible individuals on Medicare. Joann provides helpful Medicare education to thousands of viewers with our popular REMEDIGAP YouTube channel. With expertise in Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Part D, Joann is a highly knowledgeable and sought after Medicare insurance professional.
