Original Medicare offers quality coverage, but it leaves a lot of out-of-pocket costs on the table. On average, Medicare beneficiaries paid $5,801 out of pocket on healthcare expenses in 2017, and one out of 10 people spent more than $10,200. This is where Medicare Supplement Plan F and other Medigap plans can be beneficial. These plans pay down the expenses left behind by Part A and Part B, including deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and other out-of-pocket expenses. With the exception of Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, the federal government standardizes what is included in each lettered Medicare Supplement Plan (Plans A through N). Medicare Supplement Plan F is not only the most comprehensive plan for lowering out-of-pocket costs, it is also the most popular. According to America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), nearly 14 million people on Original Medicare were also on a Medigap plan in 2018, and more than half of them were on Plan F. Compare Medigap quotes from multiple Medicare supplement companies with a licensed Medicare representative before buying. As of January 1, 2020, Plan F became unavailable to people newly enrolled in Medicare. Plan F is still an option if you were eligible for Medicare before that date, whether based on age (65 years or older) or qualifying disability (regardless of age). Although Medicare has an annual Open Enrollment Period, there is only one Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This six-month period starts when you enroll in Medicare Part B. Signing up after that time will allow companies to increase your rates or deny you coverage based on preexisting conditions. Best Medicare Supplement Plan F Providers Best Medicare Supplement Plan F Providers How to Shop for Plan F Frequently Asked Questions Methodology Pros 24/7 nurse line High-deductible plans in most states Multiple discount programs User-friendly website and mobile apps Also offers dental, vision, and Part D drug plans Cons Rates increase based on age Rates not available without a quote Founded in 1961, Humana started as a nursing home company and began selling health insurance in the 1980s. It offers Plan F in all 47 states where traditional Medicare Supplement Plans are available. High-Deductible Plan F is available in all states except Georgia and Kentucky. To enroll in Humana Plan F, call Monday through Friday or request a telephone appointment using a simple online form on its website. You will need to include your start dates for Medicare Parts A and Part B and your desired start date for Medicare Supplement coverage. Humana requires a formal application for cost estimates and does not provide any rates over the phone. Like many other Medicare Supplement companies, its pricing is based on attained age. This means you will pay more for your plan as you age. To round out your Medicare coverage, you can also sign up for dental and vision coverage not otherwise covered by Original Medicare and consider enrollment in one of its Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, many of which are rated 4-stars and above. Not only does Humana have a user-friendly website that's full of helpful Medicare content, but it also has an online portal and a mobile app, myHumana, for easy access to claims and benefits. Other perks may include a household discount when two or more enrollees live together (5%), the 24/7 HumanaFirst Nurse Advice Line for your medical questions, a basic SilverSneakers gym membership, and discounts on healthcare items not covered by Original Medicare—including hearing aids, medical alert systems, non-prescription medications, and vision exams. Pros Household discounts New to Medicare Discount Rates do not increase based on age Also offers Part D drug plans Cons No High-Deductible Plan F Requires paid AARP membership UnitedHealth Group was founded in 1977, and its insurance arm, UnitedHealthcare, has been in partnership with AARP since 1997. Combining quality healthcare offerings with one of America's largest advocacy groups for people over 50, AARP by UnitedHealthcare Medicare Supplement Plans are highly ranked. It offers Plan F, but not High-Deductible Plan F, in all states except for Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Enrollment in Medicare Supplement Plan F requires AARP membership, which is $16 unless signing up for automatic renewal, making it $12. Membership comes with added perks, including financial planning services, shopping discounts, and more. Once you are a member, you can reach out to UnitedHealthcare to sign up for Plan F and, if you're interested, one of the company's highly-rated Medicare Part D plans for prescription drug coverage. Reach out to a representative seven days a week, or chat with an agent online at its website. The site is easy to use and provides a wealth of information about Medicare and Medicare Supplement Plans. The company did not provide a quote to us over the phone because we were not applying for a plan. AARP by UnitedHealthcare is unique in that it prices its plans according to a community-based model in the majority of states it services. Regardless of your age or gender, you will pay the same community rate—your monthly premium will not increase based on your age. UnitedHealthcare offers several discounts, so be sure to ask for available discounts when you sign up to save even more on Plan F. Pros 24/7 nurse line Highest household discounts (up to 14%) Also offers dental, vision, and Part D drug plans Rates available online Cons Cannot enroll online Rates increase based on age Founded in 1853 as a life insurance company, Aetna entered the healthcare market in 1899. Now a subsidiary of CVS Health Corporation, these two reputable companies work together to bring you a well-rounded healthcare experience. Aetna offers Plan F in 35 states, excluding Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Washington, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. High-Deductible Plan F is also available in 35 states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada,New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Wyoming. Enrolling in Medicare Supplement Plan F is easy, and if you also need to sign up for a Medicare Part D plan for the prescription drug plan, it offers many that rate four stars or higher on the Medicare 5-Star Rating System. To enroll, you must reach out to a representative by phone. Its rate for Plan F was the lowest we found, starting at $142 per month for a 66-year-old man. Rates may vary based on age, preexisting medical conditions, and where you live. Although you cannot enroll in Plan F online, Aetna's website and its Aetna HealthSM mobile app are primed with useful information. While companies rarely list their rates online, Aetna does. Select your state on the home page and open View Medicare Supplement State Insurance Plans. On the next page, again Select Your State and open the Review Outline of Coverage PDF that appears. This document lists detailed information for all Medicare Supplement Plans based on age, gender, and ZIP code. Rates are based on an attained-age model, so your pricing increases as you get older. Aetna has a 24/7 Medicare Nurse Line to address your health questions. The company also stands out for its generous household discount programs. In many states, you can save on your monthly premiums if you live with someone who is also enrolled in one of its Medicare Supplement Plans. Since Original Medicare does not cover them, you may also be interested in enrolling in dental, hearing, and vision coverage. Pros 24/7 nurse line Household discounts New to Medicare Discount User-friendly website Also offers dental, hearing, vision, and Part D plans Cons Few states with High-Deductible Plan F Rates increase based on age Founded in 1929, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) was the first insurance company to manage Medicare claims in 1966. BCBS is the umbrella company for Anthem, CareFirst, Highmark, and The Regence Group. Altogether, BCBS offers Plan F in 43 states, excluding Alabama, Arkansas, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. High-Deductible Plan F is available in 14 states: Alaska, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and West Virginia. Because several independent companies work under the BCBS name, there is no go-to contact number to call to enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan F. When you enter your ZIP code on its website, BCBS directs you to the appropriate company in your state. What makes BCBS stand out is its breadth of insurance options. Not only does it offer Plan F, but it also offers dental, hearing, and vision coverage, in addition to 4- to 5-Star Medicare Part D prescription drug plans that can maximize your coverage options under Original Medicare. Like most companies, its pricing for Medigap is based on an attained-age model in which rates increase based on your age. BCBS members have access to a 24/7 nursing hotline. Depending on your state, a wide variety of discount programs are also available. Blue California, for one, offers a New to Medicare discount ($25 per month your first year), a household discount when two or more enrollees live together (7%), an automatic bank payment discount ($3 per month), and discounts for enrolling in a dental plan at the same time ($3 per month). Be sure to ask about available discounts in your state. Pros 24/7 nurse line Household discounts (up to 7%) User-friendly website and mobile apps Also offers Part D plans Cons Rates increase based on age Rates not available without a quote Founded in 1792 as an insurance company, Cigna ventured into health care in 1912 and remains a leader in the industry. It offers Plan F in 46 states, excluding Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, and Wisconsin, and offers High-Deductible Plan F in 30 states, excluding the aforementioned states as well as Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming. To request a quote or enroll in Cigna Plan F, call the company or fill out the form on its website that requires basic personal information, including your start dates of Medicare Parts A and B. Plans vary based on your age, gender, medical conditions, and address. The plans are based on an attained-age model in most states it services. Under this format, prices increase regularly based on your age. Cigna has several plans to meet your needs if you are also looking for a Medicare Part D plan to round out your Medicare coverage. Cigna’s website stands out for its user-friendly interface, with easy-to-understand graphics providing clear information about Medicare and its plan offerings. It also offers the myCigna Mobile app to track your benefits, claims, and account balances. Its Cigna Wellbeing App encourages healthy living with lifestyle trackers, wellness tools, and telehealth options. As a bonus for signing up, you have access to a 24-hour Health Information Line where you can speak to a nurse about any concerns you have. Cost-wise, Cigna is competitive. In all states except for Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, and Vermont, it offers further savings with a 7% household discount on monthly premiums when two or more enrollees live together. In Washington, the discount only applies to spouses. Pros High-Deductible Plan F in most states Household discounts (up to 12%) Also offers dental and Part D plans Cons Rates increase based on age Founded in 1909, Mutual of Omaha offers a wide range of products from accident and life insurance to financial planning. As one of the first carriers to service Medicare in 1966, it has also built a solid reputation for high-quality Medicare products in all states where traditional Medicare Supplement Plans are available. If you are looking for High-Deductible Plan F, this company offers it in most states except for Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Mississippi, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wyoming. With options for Medicare Part D plans and dental insurance, you may find it convenient to have all your healthcare needs met by a single company. Reach out to an agent by phone for quote details, or complete an online form with your name, date of birth and phone number, and a licensed insurance agent will call you to discuss what Medicare Supplement plan best suits your needs. As with other carriers,keep in mind that its Medigap plans use attained-age pricing in most states. As you get older, your rates will increase. The company offers one of the highest household discount rates in the country. With a 7% or 12% savings on your monthly premiums, its discount is unique in that it does not require other people to be enrolled in Mutual of Omaha plans. It simply requires you to live with a spouse or someone 60 years or older. Decide what kind of Medicare best suits your needs, Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) or Medicare Advantage (Part C). You can do this when you sign up for Medicare or during the Medicare Open Enrollment period (October 15–December 7). You are not eligible for a Medicare Supplement plan when you enroll in Medicare Advantage. These plans are not offered to new Medicare beneficiaries in 2020. If you were eligible for Medicare based on a qualifying disability or your 65th birthday was before January 1, 2020, you may be eligible for Plan F. Choose the plan that makes the most sense for you financially. Regular Plan F will offer higher monthly premiums but will begin to pay toward out-of-pocket costs right away. High-Deductible Plan F, on the other hand, offers lower monthly premiums but requires you to pay an annual deductible, set at $2,490 for 2022, before it will pay toward out-of-pocket costs. Medicare makes this easy by its Medigap Find a Plan database. Enter your ZIP code for a list of available plans in your area and select View Policies on the right of the screen for a list of companies offering Plan F or High-Deductible Plan F. To narrow the pricing window, there is an option to enter age, gender, and tobacco use on the Main Search page. Medigap plans are nuanced when it comes to pricing. For example, not everyone understands that there is only one Medigap Enrollment Period in your lifetime, not an annual one like other Medicare plans. Signing up late can cause your rates to go up based on preexisting conditions. Your state health insurance assistance program or state insurance department can help you with issues like this. You can also ask your broker for details. You may receive marketing mail about Medicare Supplement Plans, especially during Medicare Open Enrollment. The Medigap Find a Plan site on Medicare.gov also gives phone numbers and direct website links for each Medigap plan in your state. Reach out to the insurance company of your choice for a quote. In fact, considering reaching out to multiple companies to get the best rate. There is no option to sign up through the Medicare site directly. Congress passed the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) in 2015. One part of the law aimed to reduce access to Medicare Supplement Plans that covered the Part B deductible. Those plans, Plan C and Plan F, are no longer available to new beneficiaries, but you can still sign up for them if you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. Medicare Supplement Plans F and G are very similar. The one difference is that Plan G does not cover the Part B deductible. Otherwise, they each pay toward the following: Best Medicare Supplement Plan G Providers Before Medicare Part D took effect in 2006, certain Medicare Supplement Plans (Plans H, I, and J) offered prescription drug coverage. However, after January 1, 2006, companies were no longer allowed to sell these plans to new beneficiaries. People who had been on them previously were allowed to keep their plans as long as they did not sign up for Part D coverage. That does not mean that people cannot get prescription drug coverage with the Medigap plans available today. Medicare Supplement Plan F (and all plans that cover Part B coinsurance/copayments) pays toward prescription medications that are covered under Medicare Part B. Any medications under Medicare Part D, however, will not be covered. The following summary reviews Plan F costs across four regions of the United States. Based on cost summaries from Medicare’s Medigap Find a Plan database, Part F ranges from $97 to $990 per month. Keep in mind this is only a sampling of data. Costs could be higher or lower where you live, depending on your age, gender, and when you first sign up for Medigap. Every Supplement Plan F covers the same items, but not every plan is equal. You also need to consider a company's reputation, pricing structure, website friendliness, and other perks. To find the top Medicare Supplement carriers, we reviewed all companies in the Medigap Find a Plan database that offered Plan F and High-Deductible Plan F. Only those that serviced 40 or more states were considered. Each company was ranked based on its website's quality and ease of use, price transparency, whether prices were based on age, and the types of plan available (regular vs. high-deductible). We also highlighted any discounts or perks offered by these companies. For pricing comparisons, we called each company to request a quote for a healthy, non-smoking 66-year-old male living in Lansing, Michigan. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048) 24 hours a day/7 days a week to get information on all of your options. MULTIPLAN_HCIDOTDASH01_2023 Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. AARP Public Policy Institute. Medicare beneficiaries' out-of-pocket spending for health care. U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Medicare: how to compare Medigap policies. America’s Health Insurance Plans. State of Medigap: Trends in enrollment and demographics - 2020. U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Switching Medicap policies. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Fact sheet – 2021 Part C and D Star Ratings. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. F, G & J Deductible Announcements. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. MACRA. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Find a Medigap policy that works for you.The 6 Best Medicare Supplement Plan F Providers
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Best Overall : Humana
Best Discounts for People New to Medicare : AARP by UnitedHealthcare
Best for Cost and Overall Price Transparency : Aetna
Best for Discounts : Blue Cross Blue Shield
Best for User Experience : Cigna
Best for High-Deductible Plan F : Mutual of Omaha
How to Shop and Compare the Best Medicare Supplement Plan F
Step 1: Choose Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan
Step 2: Find Out If You Are Eligible for Medicare Supplement Plan F
Step 3: Decide Between a Regular Plan F and High-Deductible Plan F
Step 4: Find an Available Medicare Supplement Plan F in Your State
Step 5: Get Help From a Medicare Specialist
Step 6: Sign Up for Medicare Supplement Plan F
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I Still Eligible for Medicare Supplement Plan F?
What Is the Difference Between Medicare Supplement Plans F and G?
Does Medicare Plan F Cover My Prescriptions?
How Much Should I Expect to Pay for Medicare Plan F?
Methodology
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See Also
Medicare Supplement Plan FAetna Medicare Supplement Plan FAetna Medicare Supplement PlansMedicare Plan F: What Is It And How Does It Work?:fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/AARP-b58ab6ea428f46568eb66cd36c2e4d02.jpg "The 6 Best Medicare Supplement Plan F Providers (2)")
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See Also
Medicare Supplement Plan F:fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Cigna-e9454d55a6964f17bd0e7d658cb768ae.jpg "The 6 Best Medicare Supplement Plan F Providers (5)")
:fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Mutual_of_Omaha-854e01d49f3e43a6ba1e5567bf207b9d.jpg "The 6 Best Medicare Supplement Plan F Providers (6)")
