Medigap Plan F vs. Plan G: What Is the Difference?
Plan F and Plan G are the two most comprehensive Medicare Supplement plans, and they are identical except for one thing: Plan F covers the annual Part B deductible and Plan G does not. The bigger deciding factor is eligibility — Plan F is only available to people who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. For everyone new to Medicare, Plan G is the most comprehensive plan you can buy.
If you are choosing a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy, Plan F and Plan G rise to the top for people who want the fewest out-of-pocket surprises. They share almost every benefit, which makes the comparison refreshingly simple.
The deciding questions are when you became eligible for Medicare and whether paying one annual deductible yourself is worth a lower monthly premium. This guide walks through both.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Plan F | Plan G |
|---|---|---|
| Availability for new enrollees | Not available (eligible before Jan 1, 2020 only) | Available to everyone new to Medicare Winner |
| Part A deductible | Covered | Covered |
| Part B deductible | Covered Winner | You pay it (once per year) |
| Part B coinsurance (the 20%) | Covered | Covered |
| Part B excess charges | Covered | Covered |
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance | Covered | Covered |
| Foreign travel emergency | Covered (80%, to plan limits) | Covered (80%, to plan limits) |
| Monthly premium | Higher | Lower Winner |
| Typical total annual cost | Often higher despite covering the deductible | Often lower overall Winner |
| Standardized by federal law | Yes | Yes |
The one benefit difference
Medigap plans are standardized by the federal government, so a Plan F is a Plan F and a Plan G is a Plan G no matter which insurer sells it. The only difference between the two lettered plans is the annual Part B deductible: Plan F pays it for you, and with Plan G you pay that one deductible yourself each year before the plan picks up the rest.
After that single deductible, Plan G works exactly like Plan F. It covers the Part A deductible, the 20% Part B coinsurance, Part B excess charges, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, and foreign travel emergency care, just like Plan F.
Why Plan F is no longer available to most people
Federal law (MACRA) closed Plan F and other deductible-covering plans to anyone who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. If you were eligible before that date, you can still buy or keep Plan F. If you became eligible in 2020 or later, Plan F is not an option, and Plan G is the most comprehensive plan available to you.
This matters for pricing too. Because the Plan F pool no longer takes in younger, healthier enrollees, its premiums can rise faster over time than Plan G premiums.
Which usually costs less
Plan F has a higher monthly premium because it covers the Part B deductible. Plan G has a lower premium, but you are responsible for that deductible once a year. In practice, the annual premium savings on Plan G frequently exceed the cost of the deductible, so Plan G is often the lower-cost choice over a full year.
Premiums vary by insurer, your age, your location, and the rating method the company uses, so the right move is to compare actual quotes for both plans side by side rather than assume.
Which Option Is Right for You?
Best for
Plan F may be right if you:
- Were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020
- Already have Plan F at a competitive premium
- Want zero out-of-pocket cost on Medicare-covered services, including the Part B deductible
- Prefer never to think about a deductible
Best for
Plan G may be right if you:
- Are new to Medicare (Plan F is not available to you)
- Want the lowest premium among comprehensive Medigap plans
- Do not mind paying one Part B deductible per year
- Want the most popular comprehensive plan for new enrollees
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still buy Medicare Supplement Plan F?
Only if you were first eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. Federal law closed Plan F to people who became eligible in 2020 or later. If you are new to Medicare, Plan G is the most comprehensive plan you can buy and is the closest equivalent.
What is the only difference between Plan F and Plan G?
Plan G covers everything Plan F covers except the annual Part B deductible. With Plan G you pay that one deductible yourself each year, and after that the two plans are identical.
Is Plan G cheaper than Plan F?
Usually, yes, when you add it all up. Plan G has a lower monthly premium, and the premium savings over a year often exceed the Part B deductible you pay yourself, so Plan G is frequently the lower total cost. Always compare actual quotes, since premiums vary by insurer and location.
Compare Real Plan F and Plan G Quotes
We'll pull side-by-side premiums for your age and ZIP code so you can see which supplement actually costs less — at no charge.