Medigap Plan F vs. Medigap Plan G

Medigap Plan F and Plan G both offer coverage for many of the 9 Medicare costs that can be covered by a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan. The main difference is that Plan F covers the Medicare Part B deductible. Plan G does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible.

Article Quick Navigation Links

• What Does Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan F and Plan G Cover?
• What are the differences between Plan F and Plan G?
• What Do Medicare Supplement Plan F and Plan G cost?
• How do you decide between Medicare Supplement Plan F vs. Plan G?
• What’s Happening To Plan F in 2020?
• Frequently Asked Questions: What is Medicare Plan G?
• Compare Rates for Medigap Plan G & Plan F

What Does Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan F and Plan G Cover?

Medicare Part A (Medicare Hospital Insurance) Deductible

Beneficiaries have to meet a $1,364 deductible for each benefit period in 2020 before Medicare Part A begins to pay its share of health care costs. Both Medigap Plan F and Plan G both cover the Medicare Part A deductible, no matter how many benefit periods you have in one year.

Part a Coinsurance & Hospital Costs

After meeting the Medicare Part A deductible, you must pay a coinsurance fee of $341 per day (in 2020) for days 61-90 of inpatient hospital care. The coinsurance is $682 per day for a  stay that’s longer than 90 days. After that point, it’s out of pocket. Medigap Plan F and Plan G both cover all of these Medicare Part A coinsurance costs.

Part B Coinsurance & Copayments

After Part B recipients hit the Medicare Part B annual deductible ($185 in 2020), Medicare expects a 20% coinsurance fee for all covered services. Medigap Plan F and Plan G both cover all Part B coinsurance or copayment costs.

Part a Hospice Care Coinsurance

Part A beneficiaries in hospice care may face copayments for prescription drugs, along with a 5% coinsurance fee for inpatient respite care. Medigap Plan F and Plan G both cover any Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayments.

Skilled Nursing Facility Coinsurance

Extensive stays in a skilled nursing facility require a copayment of $170.50 per day for days 21-100 of a visit in 2020 after meeting the Part A deductible. After day 100 of a stay in a skilled nursing facility, Medicare requires you to pay all costs. Medigap Plan F and Plan G both cover these Part A hospice care coinsurance costs.

Part B Excess Charges

If you a health care provider that does not accept Medicare, you may be subject to an excess charge of up to 15% of the Medicare-approved cost for any services or products covered by Medicare Part B. Medigap Plan F and Plan G both cover Part B excess charges.

First Three Pints of Blood

Original Medicare does not cover the first 3 pints of blood that are needed for a blood transfusion. Plan F and Plan G both cover the costs of the first 3 pints of blood.

What are the differences between Plan F and Plan G?

In 2016, 55% of all Medicare Supplement Insurance beneficiaries were enrolled in Medigap Plan F, making it the most popular supplement plan in the market. Plan G was the second most popular, though it only was used by 10% of all Medigap enrollees.

There are three differences found in the Medicare Supplement Plan F vs. Plan G:

• The price of Medicare Supplement Plan F vs. Plan G
• Availability of Medicare Supplement Plan F vs. Plan G
• The coverage of the Medicare Part B deductible, only available with Medicare Supplement Plan F

What Do Medicare Supplement Plan F and Plan G cost?

Medicare Supplement Plan F and Plan G are sold by private insurance companies, which means the cost will vary by company. While plans offering more coverage generally cost more than plans with less coverage, Medicare Supplement Plan F may cost more than Plan G.

Plan availability

The type of Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan F and G may not be available in every region. For example, some can purchase Plan F but not Plan G, while others may be able to buy Plan G but not Plan F.

As of 2016, 84% of insurance companies who sell Medicare Supplement Insurance offered Medigap Plan F, while only 57% sold Medigap Plan G. If insurance companies sell Medicare Supplement Insurance, by law they must offer Plan A. If they choose to sell any other plans, they must offer either Plan C or Plan F.

How do you decide between Medicare Supplement Plan F vs. Plan G?

Your monthly Medigap premium depends on many circumstances such as your current health, age, gender, and the company you choose for your Medicare Supplement Insurance. While Plan F is more costly, many choose Plan F because it offers full coverage. For example, if you spend a lot of money on your Medicare Part B deductible, having it covered by a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan is important for you. But, if it’s not critical for you to have your Part B deductible covered, or if Plan F options are more expensive per month than Plan G, you can save money by option for Plan G and pay your Part B deductible out of pocket.

Another important note is that there’s a high-deductible Plan F option that offers a lower monthly premium, but recipients must meet the $2,300 (in 2020) annual deductible before the plan kicks in to cover any costs.

If Medicare Supplement G is cheaper than Plan F in your area, then it makes sense to be covered by Plan G. While you’ll pay the Part B deductible once per calendar year, the annual savings in premiums can compensate for that amount by several hundred dollars.

In order to fully understand your options and which plan would best fit your lifestyle, speaking with a licensed Insurance agent is incredibly helpful. Call 1-844-236-0228 to speak with someone today!

What’s Happening To Plan F in 2020?

As of 2020, any new Medicare beneficiaries will not be allowed to obtain Medigap Plan F due to a new Federal Law which prohibits any Medicare Supplement Plan from covering the Medicare Part B deductible. Those who are already enrolled in Plan F (prior to 2020) can continue with their coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions: What is Medicare Plan G?

Does Medicare Supplement Plan G cover dental?

No, Medicare and Medigap plans do not cover routine dental care maitenance and appointments.

Does Medicare Plan G cover chiropractic services?

By now you know that as a beneficiary of Medicare Supplement Plan G, you are paying Medicare Part B annual deductible out of pocket. After that deductible has been met, Plan G will pay the 20% coinsurance. This, combined with Medicare will allow you to visit the chiropractor for any medically necessary work at no charge.

Does Medicare Plan G cover international travel?

According to Medicare.gov, if you have Medigap Plan C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, M or N you will be covered for:

• International travel emergency care during the first 60 days of your trip, and if Medicare doesn’t cover the care
• 80% of the billed charges for specific urgent emergency care outside the United States after you meet a yearly $250 deductible
• A lifetime limit of $50,000 international travel emergency coverage with Medigap policies

Does Medicare Supplement Plan G cover Silver Sneakers?

Most carriers are no longer offering Silver Sneakers with any type of Medicare Supplemental Coverage. United Healthcare was the last carrier offering it, and they have even started phasing it out as many were no longer using the plan.  

Does Medicare Plan G Cover Prescriptions?

While Medicare Plan G will cover the coinsurance on any Part B medications administered in a clinical setting such as chemo, autoimmune disease injections, it does not include any prescriptions of outpatients.

Which is the best option between Plan F & G?

This is one of the most asked questions of the Medicare 2020 insurance agents. In the end, it comes down to your health and lifestyle. As stated above, Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan F covers the Medicare Part B deductible, but Medicare Plan G does not. If that deductible isn’t something you need, Plan G is most likely your best option as the money saved with its coverage can offset the difference of your Part B deductible.

Compare Rates for Medigap Plan G & Plan F

Now that you’re equipped with knowledge behind choosing between Medigap Plan F or Plan G, it’s time to talk with a licensed insurance agent representing only the top and most reputable insurance companies to assist you in finding the right Medicare supplemental plan. Our services are free and available with no obligation to purchase. Whether you are just beginning your enrollment journey or shopping Medigap plans at any time of the year, the next step is to contact one of our expert agents today at 1-844-236-0228.