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Understanding Medigap Plans F and G: What These Policies Cover

Medigap, also called Medicaid Supplement Insurance, is a type of private insurance that works alongside Original Medicare (Parts A and B). It helps pay for costs that Medicare itself doesn't cover—things like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Plans F and G have been two of the most popular Medigap options for many people on Medicare, though their availability has changed over time.

Plan F covers nearly all out-of-pocket costs under Original Medicare. This includes the Part B deductible (which was $240 in 2024), Part A coinsurance, copayments for hospital stays that extend beyond 60 days, and skilled nursing facility coinsurance. Plan F also covers excess charges, which are amounts doctors can bill above Medicare's approved amount. Because Plan F offers such broad coverage, it has historically attracted many people who want predictable, low out-of-pocket expenses.

Plan G is similar to Plan F but has one key difference: it does not cover the Part B deductible. This means people with Plan G pay that deductible themselves before Plan G starts covering other costs. However, Plan G typically costs less per month than Plan F. According to Medicare data, monthly Plan G premiums average $80 to $150 depending on your location and insurance company, while Plan F premiums often run $150 to $250 or higher.

Both plans cover 100% of:

• Hospital coinsurance for days 61–90 of a hospital stay
• Hospital coinsurance for days 91 and beyond (up to a lifetime reserve)
• Skilled nursing facility coinsurance after Medicare coverage ends
• Doctor visit copayments and coinsurance
• Emergency room copayments
• Blood transfusion costs
• Part A hospice care coinsurance

Plan F is no longer sold to people who first became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, due to a federal rule change. Plan G is open to everyone on Original Medicare. This is important context when comparing these two plans—your age and when you became Medicare-eligible affects whether Plan F is even an option for you. If you became eligible for Medicare before 2020, you may still be able to purchase Plan F from some insurance companies, though options may be limited as fewer insurers offer it to new customers.

Practical Takeaway: Before comparing these plans, check when you became Medicare-eligible. This determines which plans are available to you. Understanding what each plan covers versus what you still pay out-of-pocket helps you estimate your total healthcare costs for the year.

How Plan F and Plan G Premiums Compare Across States and Insurers

Premium costs for Medigap plans vary dramatically by state, county, and insurance company. The same Plan G offered by two different insurers in the same zip code can have monthly premiums that differ by $50 or more. This variation happens because each insurance company sets its own rates based on local claims experience, operating costs, and business strategy.

According to a 2023 analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation, the national average monthly premium for Plan G ranged from about $80 in some rural areas to over $180 in high-cost urban markets. Plan F premiums, where available, typically run 20% to 50% higher than Plan G. For example, in California, Plan G premiums might average $110 to $140, while Plan F averages $160 to $200. In Florida, both plans tend to cost more—Plan G might average $130 to $160, and Plan F might average $180 to $240.

Several factors influence premium pricing:

• Age: Premiums increase as you age. A 65-year-old might pay $95 per month for Plan G, while an 80-year-old pays $180 for the same plan.
• Geographic location: High-cost states like Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York have higher Medigap premiums overall. States like Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska typically have lower premiums.
• Insurer: National carriers like AARP/UnitedHealth, Anthem, and Humana often offer competitive pricing, but regional companies sometimes have lower rates.
• When you enroll: Enrolling during your initial Medigap open enrollment window (the 6 months after you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part B) may result in lower premiums from some insurers.
• Inflation and claims trends: Insurance companies adjust rates annually based on medical inflation and claims paid out. A company that pays out many claims raises rates; one with low claims may raise rates more slowly.

Some insurance companies use "attained age" rating, meaning premiums increase each year you age. Others use "issue age" rating, where your premium is set based on your age when you first buy the plan, and then increases apply to all policyholders equally—not tied to your personal aging. A few insurers use "community rating," where everyone in a geographic area pays the same premium regardless of age. These rating methods produce very different total costs over time.

Shopping across multiple insurers in your area can save you thousands of dollars over several years. For instance, if Plan G costs $100 with Insurer A but $130 with Insurer B, that $30 monthly difference equals $360 per year or $3,600 over a decade. A comparison guide shows these premium ranges side by side so you can see what different companies charge in your region.

Practical Takeaway: Don't assume the first quote you receive is the best rate. Obtain quotes from at least three to five insurers in your area. Premium differences of $30 to $50 per month between companies are common and worth investigating. Your location and age at enrollment significantly affect what you'll pay.

Key Differences in Coverage: Plan F vs. Plan G in Detail

While Plans F and G are often mentioned together, the coverage differences between them matter when you're calculating out-of-pocket costs. The single largest difference is the Part B deductible, but other distinctions exist that affect different types of healthcare needs.

The Part B deductible is the amount you must pay out of pocket each year before Medicare Part B starts covering doctor visits, outpatient care, and other services. In 2024, this deductible is $240. Plan F covers this deductible; Plan G does not. This means with Plan F, you pay nothing for the Part B deductible. With Plan G, you pay the full $240 yourself in the year you meet it. For many people, this happens early in the calendar year with the first doctor visit or lab test.

Beyond the Part B deductible, both plans cover:

• Doctor visit coinsurance (the 20% that Medicare doesn't pay)
• Outpatient surgery coinsurance
• Physical therapy and other therapy coinsurance
• Hospital coinsurance for extended stays
• Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance

Neither Plan F nor Plan G covers:

• Routine dental, hearing, or vision care
• Long-term care or custodial care in a nursing home
• Prescription drugs (you need Medicare Part D for this)
• Care obtained outside the United States (though Plan F and G do cover limited emergency care abroad)
• Routine foot care, routine eye exams for glasses, or hearing aids

Both plans include foreign emergency care coverage. If you travel outside the U.S. and need emergency care, Plan F and Plan G each cover 80% of the costs (after you meet a $250 deductible), up to a $50,000 lifetime maximum. This is important for people who travel internationally or spend winters in other countries.

The monthly premium difference between Plan F and Plan G varies by location and company, but Plan G typically costs $