What Are the Differences Between the Medicare Supplement Plans — and Should You Switch from Plan F to Plan G?
If you have Original Medicare and want help covering the out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare doesn’t pay — such as deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments — you probably already have Medicare Supplement Insurance, also called Med Supp and Medigap
coverage.
These plans are sold by private insurance companies but are standardized by the federal government. That means Plan G from one insurer provides the exact same basic benefits as Plan G from another, even though premiums can vary.
How Medicare Supplement Plans Work
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) covers most medically necessary hospital and doctor services, but not everything. You’re responsible for:
• The
Part A hospital deductible, $1,632 per benefit period in 2025
• The Part B annual deductible, $257 in 2025
• 20 percent coinsurance for most doctor visits and outpatient services
• No out-of-pocket maximum — meaning your share could add up quickly if you have ongoing health issues
A Medicare Supplement plan helps pay these costs. You keep your same doctors and hospitals that accept Medicare, and Medicare still
pays its share first. The Medigap plan then pays its share according to the plan you choose.
The 10 Standardized Medicare Supplement Plans (A–N) — and What Happened to the Missing Letters
Today there are 10 standardized Medigap plans, labeled A through N, each offering a different mix of benefits, but some letters are missing. Earlier versions of Medigap included Plans E, H, I, and J, which were eliminated in 2010 under the
Medicare Modernization Act to simplify choices. Later, Plans C and F were closed to new enrollees beginning January 1, 2020, under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA).
If you already had one of these discontinued plans — or were eligible for Medicare before 2020 — you can keep it indefinitely, and in some states even return to it if you previously dropped it or were previously eligible
even if not enrolled in it.
Here’s what remains available today:
• Plan A – Basic benefits: Part A coinsurance, hospital costs, Part B coinsurance, and three pints of blood.
• Plan B – Adds coverage for the Part A deductible.
• Plan C – Like Plan B but includes the Part B deductible and foreign-travel emergencies (closed to new enrollees).
• Plan D – Similar to Plan C but without the Part B deductible.
•
Plan F – Once the most comprehensive; covers every gap, including both Part A and B deductibles (closed to new enrollees but grandfathered).
• Plan G – Identical to Plan F except it does not cover the Part B deductible ($257 in 2025).
• Plan K – Covers 50 percent of most benefits, with an annual out-of-pocket cap ($7,060 in 2025).
• Plan L – Covers 75 percent of most benefits, with a lower cap ($3,530
in 2025).
• Plan M – Covers 50 percent of the Part A deductible and includes foreign-travel coverage.
• Plan N – Similar to G but with small copays ($20 for office visits, $50 for ER visits that don’t lead to admission).
Why You Might Want to Switch from Plan F to Plan G
Plan F has long been considered the “Rolls Royce” of Medicare Supplement plans because it covered everything, leaving beneficiaries with zero out-of-pocket costs
for Medicare-approved services. But since it closed to new members in 2020, that group is aging — and premiums are rising.
Meanwhile, Plan G remains open, attracting younger and healthier enrollees, which helps stabilize premiums. And Plan G is the "Bentley" of Med Supp plans (still one of the best, but possibly not quite as good on its face as Plan F), given it is the same as Plan F once you pay the $257 Part B deductible. Please note the projected annual
deductible for Medicare Part B in 2026 is $288, up from $257 in 2025. However, this is a projection — the official 2026 deductible has not yet been finalized by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
According to a Medicare-insurance expert I work with regularly:
• Lower premiums: Plan G often saves $1,000–$1,500 per year per person, even after paying the Part B deductible.
• Same coverage after
deductible: Once you pay the $257 Part B deductible, Plan G covers all the same services as Plan F.
• Healthier risk pool: New, younger members keep rate increases moderate.
• Plan F’s “closed-club” problem: With no new enrollees, average age — and claims — rise faster.
• Better long-term value: The savings compound; within a few years, Plan G usually wins financially.
How to Compare Costs
Premiums vary widely
by age, location, and insurer. On average in 2025:
• Plan F: $160–$220 per month (grandfathered)
• Plan G: $120–$180 per month for a 65-year-old
• Plan N: $100–$150 per month
Because benefits are standardized, the real differences among insurers are price and service. You can compare options using Medicare.gov’s Medigap tool.
Switching
Rules in Virginia, Maryland, and DC
Each state handles Medigap switching a little differently:
• Virginia: As of July 1, 2025, Virginia residents have benefitted from a Medigap Birthday Rule -- see our recent article on this topic. This
gives you a 60-day window each year, starting on your birthday, to switch to another Medigap plan with the equal or lesser benefits offered in Virginia without medical underwriting. Your insurer must notify you before your window opens. This new rule makes it easier for Virginia policyholders to change plans — for example, moving from Plan F to Plan G or from Plan G to Plan N — without worrying about health-based denials.
•
Maryland: Maryland has a birthday-rule since 2023, giving you 30 days starting on your birthday to switch to a Medigap plan with equal or lesser benefits, without underwriting.
• District of Columbia: DC follows federal rules. You can apply for a new Medigap plan at any time, but underwriting generally applies unless you have a guaranteed-issue right
(e.g., you lost other coverage or moved out of your plan’s service area).
Should You Switch?
Switching from Plan F to Plan G can make sense if your premiums have risen sharply and you’re in good health. But every situation is unique — the best choice depends on your age, health, and your state’s switching rules.
Because these rules differ in each jurisdiction, it’s always best to check with a licensed Medicare insurance consultant who understands your state’s switching options and all the differences between all the different Med Supp before making any change.
The Bottom Line
Plan F used to be the best, and may still be for some people — but as premiums rise, Plan G is often the smarter financial choice. If you can save hundreds of dollars per
year while keeping the same coverage (after a small deductible), it’s worth exploring.
And as always, if you need help understanding how your Medicare choices affect your estate, retirement, or long-term-care planning, the Farr Law Firm is here to help you build a plan that protects both your health and your wealth.
