What Is Medicare Part F? Coverage, Eligibility & Whether It's Still Available

One of the most generous Medigap supplement plans ever, and as of January 1, 2020, no longer available to new Medicare beneficiaries. Individuals that were qualified to purchase Medicare prior to that date can still purchase it. All the other crowd is instead directed towards Plan G, which has almost the same coverage at a cheaper monthly premium. The two plans are different by only one aspect, which is the Part B annual deductible of 257 in 2026.

This guide explains what Part F of Medicare is, who can still enroll, what it costs and why Plan G is now the best choice. The sources of information are the Medicare.gov, CMS, NAIC, and KFF. 

What is Medicare Part F (Plan F)?

Part F of Medicare? It is a Medigap (Medicare supplement) plan that covers virtually all gaps created by Original Medicare. After enrollment, beneficiaries are not charged any deductibles, no copays and no coinsurgery on Medicare-covered services. The plan takes care of all but the monthly premium itself.

Two crucial clarifications in advance. First, "Part F" and "Plan F" refer to the same product. The official paperwork of Medicare refers to Plan F. Most recipients refer to it as Part F due to the Parts A, B, C, D format of original Medicare. Both are used to refer to the same Medigap supplement. To break down to the plan level, which is more detailed, please refer to our specifically dedicated Medicare Plan F guide.

Second, the Medigap plans (Plans F) are supplements to the Original Medicare. They don't replace it. You continue to pay your Part B insurance, and the Medigap plan pays your portion of the expenses not paid by Medicare.

Medicare Part F coverage: what's included

Medicare Part F coverage is the most comprehensive Medigap option ever standardized. The plan covers:

• Part A hospital coinsurance and 365 additional hospital days after Medicare benefits end

• Part B coinsurance (the 20% you'd otherwise owe after the deductible)

• Blood transfusion costs (first 3 pints)

• Hospice care coinsurance

• Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance (days 21 through 100)

• Part A deductible ($1,684 per benefit period in 2026)

• Part B deductible ($257 in 2026)

• Part B excess charges (when providers charge above Medicare's approved amount)

• Foreign travel emergency care (80%, up to plan limits)

The Part A and Part B deductibles plus excess charges are what set Plan F apart from every other Medigap plan. With Plan F, your only routine Medicare cost is the Part B premium ($185.00 in 2026). Everything else is covered.

Why Medicare Part F is no longer available to new enrollees

Plan F is no longer accepting new Medicare beneficiaries as of January 1, 2020. It was closed through a federal law of 2015, known as the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA), that prevented Medigap plans to cover the Part B deductible of newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries.

The rationale was very simple. CBO research and conclusions given by the federal policy makers concluded that the first-dollar coverage plans such as Plan F encouraged unnecessary doctor visits since the beneficiaries of the plan were not required to pay out of their pocket. It was hoped that making people pay the rather small Part B deductible would help prevent the excessive use of services that would not meaningfully harm access.

The closure is limited to the Medicare beneficiaries who began to eligible on or after January 1, 2020. Individuals who are eligible prior to that date can continue to purchase or retain Plan F. 

Is Medicare Part F still available? Eligibility rules in 2026

Medicare Part F eligibility in 2026 has two paths:

Path 1: You were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. You can buy Plan F at any time, subject to the carrier's underwriting rules. If you were 65 or older, or qualified for Medicare due to disability, before that date, you remain eligible.

Path 2: You currently have Plan F. If you enrolled before the deadline, you can keep your plan. You can also switch carriers or buy Plan F from a new insurer if you pass medical underwriting in your state.

If neither path applies, Plan F is closed to you. The closest equivalent is Plan G, which covers everything Plan F does except the Part B deductible.

Medicare Part F cost in 2026

Medicare Part F cost varies significantly by state, age, and tobacco use. Typical 2026 monthly premiums for someone age 65:

High-Deductible Plan F is a less-known variant where you pay a lower monthly premium in exchange for a $2,870 annual deductible (2026 amount, indexed annually). It's similar to High-Deductible Plan G in structure.

Standard Plan F costs more than Plan N or Plan G because it covers the Part B deductible. The premium difference, however, is usually larger than the deductible itself, which is why most people now choose Plan G.

Plan F vs Plan G: the comparison most people miss

For someone who can still buy Plan F, the question is whether to choose Plan F or Plan G. Both cover almost identical benefits. The differences:

Plan F covers the $257 Part B deductible. Plan G doesn't. That's the only functional difference. The premium gap between Plan F and Plan G is often $30 to $80 per month, or $360 to $960 per year. The Part B deductible is $257.

The math: Plan G saves you $100 to $700 per year in most cases, even though you have to pay the deductible yourself. This is why Medicare brokers steer eligible beneficiaries toward Plan G unless their specific premium quotes flip the calculation.

For a deeper Plan F vs Plan G comparison, see our Medicare Plan F guide.

Should you keep Plan F if you already have it?

If you already have Plan F, the question of whether to keep it depends on your specific premium and how it's increased over time. Closed Medigap plans like Plan F can experience faster premium increases than open plans because the risk pool ages without new young enrollees joining.

Reasons to keep Plan F:

• Premium remains competitive against Plan G in your area

• You value zero out-of-pocket cost on every visit

• You'd fail medical underwriting to switch plans

Reasons to consider switching to Plan G:

• Premium has risen significantly faster than Plan G in your state

• You can pass medical underwriting (most states require it for Medigap switches)

• The annual savings exceed the $257 Part B deductible

Talk to a Medicare broker before switching. In some states, you have guaranteed issue rights that let you switch without medical underwriting in specific circumstances.