Comparing plans
Choosing Between Medigap Plan F & Medigap Plan A
by Christian Worstell | Published October 17, 2023 | Reviewed by John Krahnert
Medigap Plan F and Medigap Plan A are both designed to cover some of Original Medicare's out-of-pocket costs. However, Medigap Plan F provides a more comprehensive set of benefits than Medigap Plan A does. Refer to the chart below to see how the two plans compare.
Important: Plan F and Plan C are not available to beneficiaries who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.
Scroll to the right to continue reading the chart
Medicare Supplement Benefits
Part A coinsurance and hospital coverage
Part B coinsurance or copayment
Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
First 3 pints of blood
Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
Part A deductible
Part B deductible
Part B excess charges
Foreign travel emergency
| Medicare Supplement Benefits | A | B | C* | D | F1* | G1 | K2 | L3 | M | N4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A coinsurance and hospital coverage | ||||||||||
| Part B coinsurance or copayment | 50% | 75% | ||||||||
| Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment | 50% | 75% | ||||||||
| First 3 pints of blood | 50% | 75% | ||||||||
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance | 50% | 75% | ||||||||
| Part A deductible | 50% | 75% | 50% | |||||||
| Part B deductible | ||||||||||
| Part B excess charges | ||||||||||
| Foreign travel emergency | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
* Plan F and Plan C are not available to Medicare beneficiaries who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. If you became eligible for Medicare before 2020, you may still be able to enroll in Plan F or Plan C as long as they are available in your area.
+ Read morePlan A Coverage
Medigap Plan A is the most basic of the 10 standardized plans. It includes coverage only for the four basic benefits that all Medigap plans must require. Still, Plan A can still offer considerable savings.
An extended hospitalization can get expensive with Medicare Part A. Medigap Plan A covers your hospital coinsurance costs completely for an additional 365 days once your Part A benefits are used up.
Plan A also covers your Part B coinsurance, which is 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for medical services. If you make frequent trips to the doctor, these costs can add up, too.
Plan A also offers coverage for Part A hospice care and for the first three pints of blood if you need a transfusion.
Compare Medigap plans in your area.
Find a planOr call now to speak with a licensed insurance agent:
1-800-995-4219
Plan F Coverage
Medigap Plan F is the most popular form of Medigap insurance. It is the only plan that covers all nine benefit areas. In addition to the four basic benefits, it offers all five additional benefits, including:
- Medicare Part A deductible
- Medicare Part B deductible
- Medicare Part B excess charges
- Skilled nursing care
- Foreign travel emergency care
If you travel abroad, see a provider who doesn't accept Medicare assignment, or simply want to eliminate most out-of-pocket costs, Plan F may be a good fit. Keep in mind while Medigap Plan F offers the most comprehensive coverage, it may be more expensive than others plans.*
*It's important to note that Medigap premium costs can vary greatly by location.
Other Medigap Plans
Each of the 10 standardized Medigap plans available in most states* are designed to help those with Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) pay for up to nine out-of-pocket expenses they may encounter.
No matter which Medigap plan you enroll in, you are guaranteed to have at least partial coverage for the following:
- Part A hospital care coinsurance and hospital costs
- Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
- Part B coinsurance or copayment
- First 3 pints of blood
There are five additional benefits that may or may not be covered – either partially or in full — by each of the plans.
*Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin have different Medigap plan options.
Find Medigap Plans Near You
When deciding between Medigap Plan F vs. Plan A, you may find it helpful to discuss your options with a licensed insurance agent. They can help you decide which plan is right for your needs, and they can help you decide the best time to enroll in a policy.
Call 1-800-995-4219 today to compare free Medigap plan quotes and to learn more about your coverage options.
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Sources:
Medicare: https://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/costs-at-a-glance/costs-at-glance.html
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