Medicare Supplement Plan F: Coverage, Costs, Pros & Cons

Medicare Supplement Plan F, also called Medigap Plan F, is the most comprehensive standardized supplemental plan for Medicare beneficiaries. It covers every Medicare-approved out-of-pocket cost, leaving you with no cost-sharing when you use covered services. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) standardizes Plan F benefits, so coverage is identical regardless of which private insurer sells the policy. 

Plan F is closed to new enrollees. You can buy it only if you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, under rules set by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015. People already enrolled in Plan F keep their coverage and can renew it each year without restrictions.

Plan F covers all nine standardized Medicare cost-sharing gaps, the only Medigap plan that eliminates every out-of-pocket cost on Medicare-approved services. CMS standardizes these benefits nationally, so a Plan F policy from Aetna or Cigna carries identical coverage to any other insurer.

Plan F covers Medicare-approved costs but does not extend to services Original Medicare excludes entirely. Prescription drugs, dental care, vision, hearing aids and long-term care fall outside both Original Medicare and every Medigap plan, including Plan F. You'll need a separate Medicare Part D plan for prescription drug coverage. 

• Prescription drugs: Plan F does not include drug coverage. A separate Medicare Part D plan is required.
• Dental care: Routine dental services, including cleanings and fillings, are not covered by any Medigap plan.
• Vision services: Eye exams, prescription glasses and contact lenses are not covered under Plan F.
• Hearing aids: Hearing aids and related fittings fall outside Original Medicare and all Medigap coverage.
• Long-term care: Custodial nursing home or in-home care is not covered by Plan F or any Medicare Supplement plan.

Plan F provides the most complete Medigap coverage available, but it costs more per month than any other standardized plan. For current enrollees who use Medicare services regularly, the higher premium often offsets out-of-pocket costs. Those shopping for a new plan should weigh full cost coverage against the lower premiums of Plan G or Plan N, since Plan F is no longer available to new Medicare enrollees.

Plan F premiums vary by pricing style, age and insurer, so how much you pay for Medicare Supplement coverage depends heavily on which of the three rating methods your insurer uses. Attained Age Pricing starts lower but rises annually as you get older. Issue Age locks in a rate based on your enrollment age. Community Pricing charges the same amount regardless of age. 

Standard Plan F averages $241 to $401 per month in 2026, per MoneyGeek's analysis. High Deductible Plan F averages $62 to $100 per month, with a $2,950 deductible before coverage begins.

*MoneyGeek's 2026 analysis of High Deductible Medicare Supplement Plan F premiums. You pay all Medicare-approved costs up to $2,950 before coverage begins.

Plan F, Plan G and Plan N are the three most comprehensive Medicare Supplement plans, but they differ on two key points: what they cover and who can buy them. Plan F is the only option that covers both the Part B deductible and Part B excess charges in full. Plan G covers everything Plan F does except the Part B deductible. Plan N covers less than either, requiring copays for doctor and emergency room visits and offering no excess charge protection. Only Plan F carries an eligibility restriction tied to your Medicare start date.

If you're already enrolled in Plan F, you hold coverage that no new Medicare enrollee can buy. Plan F pays the 2026 Part B deductible of $283 and covers Part B excess charges in full, two cost-sharing gaps that Plan G and Plan N don't fully close. Health care use often increases with age, making complete coverage more cost-effective over time. Switching plans outside your guaranteed-issue window also carries real financial risk.

If you became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, Plan F is not available to you. Plan G is the closest alternative, covering everything Plan F does except the 2026 Part B deductible of $283. You still have several options depending on how much cost predictability you want. Review the best Medicare Supplement plans for 2026 as you compare your choices, and enroll during your open enrollment window to lock in guaranteed-issue rights. 

1. Consider Plan G. Plan G covers everything Plan F does except the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026, per CMS). It's open to all new Medicare enrollees and is the most popular Medigap plan for beneficiaries who became eligible on or after January 1, 2020. Per MoneyGeek's 2026 analysis, it offers the best value for most new enrollees.
2. Consider High Deductible Plan G. High Deductible Plan G carries the same benefits as standard Plan G but with lower monthly premiums. You pay all Medicare-approved costs up to the annual deductible before coverage begins. This works well if your health care use is low and you want to reduce your monthly premium.
3. Consider Plan N. Plan N charges lower premiums than Plan G but requires copays: up to $20 for doctor visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that don't result in hospital admission. Plan N does not cover Part B excess charges, so it's best suited to people whose doctors accept Medicare assignment.
4. Review Medicare Advantage. Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare Parts A and B entirely and often bundles prescription drug, dental and vision coverage in one plan. Network restrictions apply, unlike Medigap plans. It's an all-in-one option for those who prefer managed care over a standalone supplement policy.
5. Enroll during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This six-month window begins when you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part B. During this period, insurers cannot deny you a Medigap policy or charge more based on your health history. Waiting means losing guaranteed-issue rights and opening yourself to underwriting.

Plan F covers every Medicare-approved out-of-pocket cost, including the 2026 Part B deductible of $283 and Part B excess charges. It's closed to enrollees who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. Current Plan F holders should stay enrolled, as switching outside open enrollment means potential re-underwriting. Plan G is the closest alternative for new enrollees who want near-complete cost-sharing protection.

We've answered the most frequently asked questions about Medicare Supplement Plan F's eligibility, costs and how it compares to Plan G and Plan N: