Total Coverage: Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan F

• by Christian Worstell
• March 25, 2021
• Reviewed by John Krahnert

Of the 10 Medicare Supplement Insurance plans (Medigap) that are available in most states, Plan F is the most popular plan and offers the most benefits. In fact, 53 percent of all Medigap beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan F.¹

Let’s take a closer look at the benefits offered by Medigap Plan F, how it compares to other Medicare Supplement Insurance plans and how you can apply for Plan F.

To get help finding a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan F that may be offered in your area, you can compare your options today at MedicareSupplement.com.

An agent can help you compare plans and find the plan that’s a good fit for your unique health care needs.

Medicare Supplement Plan F benefits

Medicare Supplement Insurance plans can offer coverage for varying combinations of up to nine defined areas. Medigap Plan F is the only Medigap plan to offer coverage for each potential Medigap benefit.

Here is a look at how Plan F compares to other Medigap plans, as well as a detailed description of each benefit Plan F can offer.

Part A coinsurance

If you are admitted to the hospital for inpatient care, you will first need to satisfy your Medicare Part A deductible in each benefit period before your Medicare coverage kicks in. Part A helps cover inpatient care costs.

Once you meet the Part A deductible in 2021, you will be responsible for a Part A coinsurance payment of $372 per day for days 61-90 of a hospital stay in each benefit period, and $742 per day beyond that.

Every Medicare Supplement Insurance plan, including Plan F, covers the Part A coinsurance in full.

Part B coinsurance

After meeting your annual Part B deductible (Part B covers costs of doctor’s appointments, medical equipment, supplies and some other costs), your Part B coverage will typically require you to pay a 20 percent coinsurance for the remainder of your costs until the end of the year.

Every Medicare Supplement Insurance plan offers at least some coverage for the Medicare Part B coinsurance, and Medigap Plan F is one of eight plans to offer full coverage.

Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayments

While in hospice care, you may be charged copayments for administered drugs and respite care.

Every Medicare Supplement Insurance plan offers at least some coverage for Part A hospice care coinsurance and copayments, and Medigap Plan F is one of eight plans to offer full coverage.

Coinsurance for skilled nursing facilities

While staying at a skilled nursing facility, you will be required to make coinsurance payments of $185.50 per day in 2021 for days 21-100 of your stay, and you will be responsible for all costs thereafter.

Eight Medicare Supplement Insurance plans offer at least some coverage for skilled nursing facility coinsurance, and Medigap Plan F is one of only six plans to offer full coverage.

Part A deductible

Part A of Medicare requires a deductible of $1,484 for each benefit period in 2021. You can potentially face more than one benefit period in a calendar year.

Nine Medicare Supplement Insurance plans provide coverage for the Part A deductible, and Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan F is one of six plans to cover it in full.

Part B deductible

Part B of Medicare requires beneficiaries to meet an annual deductible of $203 in 2021.

Only two Medicare Supplement Insurance plans provide any coverage for the Part B deductible. Medigap Plan F covers it in full.

Part B excess charges

If a health care provider does not accept Medicare assignment, they are allowed to charge up to 15 percent more than the Medicare-approved amount for their products or services.

Plan F offers full coverage for these Part B excess charges and is one of just two plans to offer any such coverage at all.

First three pints of blood

During a blood transfusion, Medicare does not cover the cost of the first three pints of blood.

All 10 Medicare Supplement Insurance plans provide at least some coverage for the first three pints of blood, and Medigap Plan F is one of eight plans to offer full coverage.

Foreign travel emergency care

Medicare only provides coverage for emergency care received outside of the U.S. under limited circumstances.

Six Medicare Supplement Insurance plans, including Plan F, offer 80 percent coverage of qualified foreign travel emergency care.

Plan F in review

Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan F is the only Medigap plan to offer coverage in all nine benefit areas, and it’s the only plan to offer full coverage in eight areas.

Plan F also offers a high-deductible version, which requires members to meet a $2,370 annual deductible in 2021 before the plan’s coverage may begin. By paying a higher deductible, beneficiaries of the plan may pay a lower monthly premium.

If you became eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020, you will not be able to enroll in the high-deductible Plan F. However, if you already had Medicare before that date, you can still enroll in Plan F if it’s available in your area.

Enroll in Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan F

Medicare Supplement Insurance is sold by private insurance companies, so the cost and availability of Plan F may differ from one area to the next. However, the basic benefits of Medigap Plan F remain the same, no matter where you live.

To learn more and to get started enrolling in Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan F, compare your plan options at MedicareSupplement.com today!

¹ AHIP. State of Medigap. (June 2020). Retrieved from www.ahip.org/wp-content/uploads/IB_State_of_Medigap-2020.pdf.

About the author

Christian Worstell is a licensed insurance agent and a Senior Staff Writer for MedicareAdvantage.com. He is passionate about helping people navigate the complexities of Medicare and understand their coverage options.

His work has been featured in outlets such as Vox, MSN, and The Washington Post, and he is a frequent contributor to health care and finance blogs.

Christian is a graduate of Shippensburg University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He currently lives in Raleigh, NC.

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