Quick Answer
Plan F covers the Part B deductible in addition to everything Plan G covers, making it slightly more comprehensive, but it’s closed to anyone newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. Plan G covers nearly the same benefits at a lower premium, with the Part B deductible being the only cost you pay out-of-pocket. For most people eligible today, Plan G is the only option between the two.
Medicare Supplement Plan F and Plan G are two of the most comprehensive Medigap options available, and they’re often compared side by side since their coverage is so similar. Understanding the one key difference between them, and knowing whether you’re even eligible for both, can help you choose the right coverage for 2026.
What Is Medicare Supplement Plan F?
Plan F is the most complete standardized Medigap plan ever offered, covering essentially all out-of-pocket costs left behind by Original Medicare, including the Part B deductible. However, due to changes in federal law, Medicare Supplement Plan F is no longer available to anyone who became newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. If you were already eligible before that date, you may still be able to enroll in or keep a Plan F policy.
What Is Medicare Supplement Plan G?
Medicare Supplement Plan G covers nearly everything Plan F does, with one exception: it doesn’t cover the Part B deductible. Beyond that one cost, Plan G covers Part A and B coinsurance, hospital costs, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, and foreign travel emergency care, all while letting you see any Medicare-accepting provider nationwide without referrals. Because Plan G remains open to newly eligible beneficiaries, it has become the go-to choice for people who want Plan F-level coverage but can’t access Plan F directly.
The One Real Difference
The core distinction between the two plans comes down to a single cost: the annual Medicare Part B deductible. Plan F covers this deductible in full, while Plan G does not, meaning Plan G policyholders pay this deductible out-of-pocket each year before their coverage kicks in for Part B services.
In exchange for taking on that one deductible, Plan G premiums are typically lower than Plan F premiums, often enough that the premium savings outweigh the cost of the deductible itself over the course of a year.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose Plan F if:
- You became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020
- You already have a Plan F policy and want to keep it
- You want the absolute lowest possible out-of-pocket costs, regardless of monthly premium
Choose Plan G if:
- You’re newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020 (Plan F isn’t an option)
- You want Plan F-level coverage at a lower monthly premium
- You’re comfortable paying the annual Part B deductible out-of-pocket
For most people entering Medicare today, this decision is already made for you, since Plan F simply isn’t available. That’s part of why Plan G has become the standard recommendation for comprehensive Medigap coverage in 2026.
What Neither Plan Covers
Neither Plan F nor Plan G includes prescription drug coverage, so you’ll need a separate Part D plan alongside either option. Both plans also exclude long-term care, dental, vision, and hearing aids, similar to most other Medigap policies.
How Medigap Compares to Medicare Advantage
Some people also weigh Plan F or Plan G against Medicare Advantage before deciding. Medicare Advantage plans, including HMO health insurance plans California residents can enroll in, often come with lower monthly premiums and bundled extras like dental and vision, but they typically require staying within a provider network and getting referrals for specialists. Medigap plans like F and G trade that lower premium for broader flexibility and more predictable costs, which is a meaningful difference depending on how often you see specialists or travel.
Getting Help Choosing and Comparing Rates
Because Medigap premiums vary by insurance carrier even though coverage is standardized, comparing quotes across multiple companies is one of the best ways to avoid overpaying. Working with a licensed Medicare insurance agent means you don’t have to call each carrier individually to get pricing. If you’re looking for Medicare Advantage plan brokers near me as well, to compare both Medigap and Advantage side by side, a local advisor can walk you through both paths and help you decide which fits your health needs and budget best, typically at no additional cost to you.
Conclusion
Plan F and Plan G are nearly identical in coverage, with the Part B deductible being the only real difference between them, though Plan F is no longer available to those newly eligible for Medicare. For most people choosing coverage in 2026, Plan G offers nearly the same protection at a lower premium. If you’re trying to decide between Plan F, Plan G, or Medicare Advantage altogether, the team at California Medicare Agency can compare rates across carriers and help you find the coverage that fits your needs, at no cost to you.
Top FAQs
1. What’s the main difference between Plan F and Plan G?
Plan F covers the Part B deductible; Plan G doesn’t. Otherwise, their coverage is nearly identical.
2. Can I still enroll in Plan F in 2026?
Only if you became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. Everyone newly eligible after that date can’t enroll in Plan F.
3. Is Plan G cheaper than Plan F?
Usually, yes. Lower premiums often offset the cost of paying the Part B deductible yourself.
4. How do HMO health insurance plans in California compare to Plan F or G?
HMOs usually cost less monthly but require network doctors and referrals, while Plan F and G offer nationwide access without referrals at a higher premium.
5. Should I use a Medicare insurance agent to choose between Plan F and G?
Yes – an agent can compare real quotes across carriers, since premiums vary even though coverage is standardized.
6. Where can I find Medicare Advantage plan brokers near me if I want to compare Advantage too?
A licensed local advisor who handles both Medigap and Medicare Advantage can review both paths side by side and help you weigh the trade-offs.