Missed Out on Plan F? Medicare Plan G Might be Right for You
If you’ve been in search of a Medicare Supplement Plan, or if you’re currently enrolled in Medicare Plan F, you might be hearing quite a bit about Medicare Plan G lately. Why? Well unfortunately, Medicare Supplement Plan F, which was long considered one of the best supplement plans, is no longer being offered to new Medicare enrollees.
But the good news is that if you currently have Plan F and are happy with your choice, nothing will change for you.
You can also still switch to Plan F if
- you enrolled in Medicare on or before December 31, 2019,
- Medicare Plan F is available in your geographic area, and
- you meet the eligibility requirements.
But what if you enrolled in Medicare after 2019? Well, that’s where Medicare Plan G enters the picture! Here’s a quick overview of the differences between Plan F and Plan G.
What’s the difference between Medicare Plan G and Plan F?
Medicare Plan G and Plan F are comprehensive plans that cover the majority of fees for hospital visits and doctors appointments. For the most part, Plan G offers the same benefits as Plan F did—with one major difference.
That difference is small, but important. While Plan F paid your deductibles for both Part A and Part B, Plan G only covers your Part A deductible. Neither plan puts a limit on the amount of out-of-pocket charges they cover.
That being said, Plan G has much to offer, including a lower premium in many cases. So let’s take a closer look at Medicare Plan G!
What is covered by Plan G?
Plan G is similar to Plan F and covers your
- Part A coinsurance and hospital costs,
- Part B coinsurance or copayment,
- the first three pints of blood drawn,
- Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment,
- skilled nursing facility care coinsurance,
- Part A deductible,
- Part B excess charges,
- up to 80% of medical emergency costs during foreign travel with
- no out-of-pocket limit.
Again, Plan G offers almost the same coverage as Plan F did. The major difference between the two is that Plan F would pay your Medicare Part B deductible whereas Plan G does not. This might seem like a real downside to Plan G! But let’s take a look at Plan F and Plan G’s respective premium values before you get discouraged.
How much does Plan G cost?
In general, the premium for Plan F was significantly higher than for Plan G. In 2021, Plan G cost between $167 and $215 per month for the average senior. That’s $15-$30 less per month than Plan F and $180-$420 less per year.
So while Plan F could be seen as more robust, the monthly cost was also higher. Plan G may cost you more in terms of potential deductibles, but you’ll likely pay less overall for the annual policy premium.
So if you’re not able to purchase Plan F, don’t despair. Plan G does provide most of the same benefits while also coming in at a more affordable premium. For more on Medicare Plan G, call us at 877.255.6273.
image credit: shutterstock/Krakenimages.com
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