Is Medicare Plan F Still Available in 2026?

# Is Medicare Plan F Still Available in 2026?

Medicare Plan F was once the most comprehensive Medigap policy on the market — the go-to choice for people who wanted first-dollar coverage with no out-of-pocket exposure for Medicare-covered services. A federal law changed that. As of January 1, 2020, Plan F is no longer available to people who became newly eligible for Medicare on or after that date. But it hasn't disappeared entirely. Here's who can still get it and what to consider.

Why Plan F Was Restricted

The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) prohibited Medigap plans from covering the Medicare Part B deductible for anyone newly eligible for Medicare starting January 1, 2020. Congress believed that first-dollar coverage — where the beneficiary pays nothing out of pocket for Part B services — reduced price sensitivity and contributed to overuse of medical services. By requiring newly eligible beneficiaries to pay at least the Part B deductible themselves, the law aimed to make patients more cost-conscious consumers of healthcare.

Plan F covered the Part B deductible in full, which is exactly what made it attractive and exactly what disqualified it for new enrollees. Plan C was affected by the same rule and is also unavailable to those newly eligible after January 1, 2020.

Who Can Still Get Plan F in 2026

The restriction applies based on Medicare eligibility, not enrollment date. If you turned 65 before January 1, 2020, or you qualified for Medicare due to disability before that date, you are still eligible to purchase Plan F — even if you didn't enroll in it at the time and even if you're shopping for it now in 2026.

• If your 65th birthday was on or before December 31, 2019, Plan F is available to you.
• If you became eligible for Medicare due to a qualifying disability before January 1, 2020, Plan F is available to you.
• If your 65th birthday was on or after January 1, 2020, Plan F is not available to you under any circumstances.

Keep in mind that even if you're eligible, not every insurer in every state continues to sell Plan F. Availability varies by carrier and market. And outside of your Medigap Open Enrollment Period — the six-month window beginning the month you turn 65 and enroll in Part B — you'll likely face medical underwriting to get it.

Plan F vs Plan G: Is Plan F Still Worth It?

For people who are eligible and considering whether Plan F is the right choice, the honest comparison comes down to one thing: the value of having the Part B deductible covered versus the premium difference between Plan F and Plan G.

Plan G covers everything Plan F covers except the Part B deductible. Because Plan F's pool of eligible enrollees is shrinking every year — no one new can join — many analysts expect Plan F premiums to rise faster than Plan G premiums over time as the remaining enrollees age and use more care. That adverse selection concern is worth factoring into a long-term cost analysis.

• Plan F advantage: truly zero out-of-pocket costs for Medicare-covered services once you pay the monthly premium.
• Plan G consideration: you pay the Part B deductible each year, but the premium difference between the two plans may more than offset that cost depending on your carrier and market.

Neither answer is universal. The math depends on the specific premiums available in your zip code, your carrier options, and how you value simplicity versus monthly savings.

What Newly Eligible Beneficiaries Should Consider Instead

If you became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, Plan F is off the table. The closest alternative is Plan G, which covers everything Plan F covered except the Part B deductible. For many beneficiaries, Plan G delivers functionally similar coverage with only that annual deductible as the difference.

Plan N trades slightly more cost-sharing — small office-visit and ER copayments, plus no excess-charge coverage — for a lower monthly premium, making it a good fit for people who are relatively healthy and primarily want catastrophic protection.

Comparing quotes for Plan G and Plan N in your area is a useful starting point. An independent Medicare advisor can run the numbers across multiple carriers without being tied to any one of them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I turned 65 in 2018 but never enrolled in Medigap. Can I still get Plan F now? A: You may be eligible to purchase Plan F since your Medicare eligibility predates January 1, 2020, but you would likely need to go through medical underwriting unless you qualify for a guaranteed-issue right. Most guaranteed-issue windows are limited in duration, so the earlier eligibility date alone doesn't guarantee acceptance. Contact carriers or an independent advisor to understand your options.

Q: Is there a high-deductible version of Plan F? A: Yes. High-Deductible Plan F has the same benefit structure as standard Plan F but requires you to pay a higher annual deductible amount before the plan begins covering costs. Like standard Plan F, it is only available to those who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. There is also a High-Deductible Plan G available to newer enrollees, which functions similarly.

Q: If I already have Plan F, will I lose it when I turn 65 or at some other point? A: No. If you are already enrolled in Plan F, you can keep it. The 2020 rule only prevents new enrollment by people who became eligible for Medicare on or after that date. Your existing Plan F coverage is not affected.

Have questions about your Medicare options? Lynsey Brennan (FL License #G007269) offers free consultations in FL, TX, AZ, GA, NC, SC, PA, OH, TN, VA. Call (561) 735-1490 or book online.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.