Plan F vs Plan G: What Actually Changed in 2020
Plan F and Plan G are identical except for one line item: the Part B deductible. Since January 1, 2020, Plan F is closed to anyone newly eligible for Medicare — which turned the G-vs-F question into a one-dollar-difference decision for new enrollees and a non-decision for pre-2020 eligibles who already hold F.
| Dimension | Plan F | Plan G |
|---|---|---|
| Available to new Medicare eligibles | No — closed since 1/1/2020 | Yes — the default choice |
| Part B deductible ($257 in 2025) | Covered by the plan | You pay it yourself |
| Part B excess charges | Covered | Covered |
| Everything else (A/B coinsurance, SNF, foreign travel) | Identical | Identical |
| Price for pre-2020 eligibles | Usually $20–35/month more than G | Cheaper — the deductible costs less than the premium gap |
Why existing Plan F holders should not panic
The 2020 closure is not a cancellation. If you were eligible for Medicare before 2020 and hold Plan F, you keep it for life — carriers cannot re-underwrite or terminate it for the closure reason. The only practical question is arithmetic: with the Part B deductible around $257 a year, switching from F to G saves the premium gap (typically $240–420/year) but loses deductible coverage worth $257. On most carrier books that trade still favors F — barely — which is why inertia is a rational strategy here.
The one scenario where F holders should re-shop
Plan F books have older, sicker risk pools, so their rate increases run hotter than G books — often 2–4 percentage points per year more. In states with a birthday rule or guaranteed-issue switching rights, a healthy F holder in year eight of a compounding F book can usually beat their premium by moving to G. Outside those states, the switch requires passing underwriting, so run the numbers before applying.
FAQ
I became Medicare-eligible in 2019 but never bought Plan F. Can I still get it?
Yes. The MACRA eligibility date is what matters, not purchase date. If you were eligible before 1/1/2020, carriers in most states will still sell you F.
Is Plan G cheaper than F for the same carrier?
Almost always. The premium gap exceeds the $257 deductible in most rate tables, which is exactly why G replaced F as the default.
Do F and G have the same network?
There is no network — Medigap plans work with any provider that accepts Medicare, so switching letters never changes your doctor access.
Related reading: Plan F full file · Plan G full file · CA birthday rule · All Medigap plans