High-Deductible Medicare Supplement Plan F

If you become eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, you will not be able to enroll in the high-deductible Plan F. You may want to consider high-deductible Plan G instead.

High deductible Plan F provides the same level of coverage as the standard Plan F with potentially lower monthly premiums. The tradeoff for these lower monthly premiums is a high deductible.

In 2024, the standardized deductible amount for high-deductible Plan F is $2,800 for the year. Once you've paid that amount, your Plan F coverage will kick in.

What is Medicare Plan F Coverage? What About High Deductible Plan F?

In terms of benefits, the high deductible Plan F option offers the same coverage as the standard Plan F version once you meet the deductible.

High-deductible Medigap Plan F provides coverage for:

• Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs
• Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment
• First three pints of blood
• Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
• Coinsurance for skilled nursing facility
• Medicare Part A deductible
• Medicare Part B deductible
• Medicare Part B excess charges
• 80 percent of foreign travel emergency costs

How Do High-Deductible Plans Affect Cost?

High-deductible Plan F may be more affordable than the standard Plan F but you may face higher out-of-pocket costs.

If you are interested in enrolling in a high-deductible Medigap Plan F, you should consider a few things. You must pay for Medicare-covered costs up to $2,800 in 2024 before your plan coverage will kick in. 

For example, if you need a blood transfusion, a traditional Medigap plan will cover the cost of the first three pints, and Medicare will cover the cost of pints four and beyond.

But if you are enrolled in the high-deductible Medigap Plan F and have not met the yearly $2,800 deductible, you will be responsible for the full cost of the three pints of blood.

Once you meet your deductible, your Medigap insurance company will begin paying the benefits offered in the plan.

Before you choose the high-deductible Plan F, you should consider how likely you are to use enough medical services to meet the yearly deductible. Then evaluate how much coverage you would need after the deductible is met.

What Does Medigap High-Deductible Plan F Cover?

As mentioned above, high-deductible Medigap Plan F will provide all of the same benefits as standard Plan F, which include:

Plan F Benefits

Medicare Plan G Pros and Cons

Explore the key advantages and drawbacks of Medicare Plan G with this concise list of pros and cons. Discover the comprehensive coverage Medicare Plan G pros and cons that you might encounter when considering this plan. Here are 5 pros and 5 cons of the plan.

How Much Does High-Deductible Plan F Cost?

High-deductible Plan F premium costs depend on a number of factors such as when you apply for the plan, the pricing model used and where you live. 

High-deductible Plan F often comes with lower monthly premiums than standard Medigap plans because it requires you to meet the deductible before any benefits kick in.

In 2023, the average monthly premium for high-deductible Plan F was around $83 per month.¹ 

How Does High-Deductible Plan F Compare to High-Deductible Plan G?

Plan G and Plan F are the only two Medigap plans to offer a high-deductible option. 

The primary difference in the benefits of these two plans is that high-deductible Plan F covers the Medicare Part B deductible, while high-deductible Plan G will not.

In 2024, the Medicare Part B deductible is $240 for the year. 

What Other Medigap Plan Options Do I Have?

You have more options that just high-deductible Plan F.

A Medigap plan comparison can help you find a comprehensive plan at a budget-friendly price. Get started right now by calling to speak with a licensed insurance agent.