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Get Part G which is the same as Part F but does not cover the $183.00 Part B deductible. If you do a cost comparison, G is usually cheaper than F even when you add in the deductible.
Medicare has "Parts" (A, B, C, D) - Medigaps have "Plans"
Plan F is being discontinued because Congress doesn't like the first dollar coverage of Plan F - believing people are more apt to run to the doctor when it doesn't "cost" them anything. Those who already have Plan F should be grandfathered - based on what has happened with other discontinued Medigaps (like J).
The only difference between Medigap Plans F & G is Plan G does not pay the Part B deductible - which today is $183 - whereas Plan F does pay that deductible. Difference in premiums for Plan F v. Plan G can often exceed $183/yr. - depending on carrier. My sister says a premium differential greater than the actual deductible is fine with her because she never sees a bill and likes it that way.
Concern with discontinuance of Plan F is the closed risk pool. Over time, again depending on carrier, Plan F may be become more expensive more quickly due to an older and sicker book of business. If I had an F and my carrier offered me a G, I would switch to that in the hope that the deductible and open book of business might tend to mitigate premium increases.
WTH should congress care? These are private insurance companies offering private coverage right.
Because the structure of health insurance plans very much affects the total cost of healthcare, something that congress should be concerned with. Private insurance has no motive to reduce the overall cost of health care because insurance is largely a conduit for payments - by channeling the money through them they get to skim some off the top.
But also, Medigap plans, like plan F, depend on Medicare to work. Anybody who is on Medigap must be on Medicare and Medicare is largely paid for by US taxpayers. So Congress does not want insurers creating plans that will then put additional burdens on Medicare itself.
I just looked things up. Apparently both Plan F and Plan C are being discontinued. These plans are ones that pay the deductible and so cost the insurer the most, I guess.
I just looked things up. Apparently both Plan F and Plan C are being discontinued. These plans are ones that pay the deductible and so cost the insurer the most, I guess.
The insurance companies are not the drivers for closure of Plans C and F. The premiums for the plans compensate the insurer for that tiny deductible.
As 2x4 says, the govt pays Medicare benefits and the govt is dictating this change. My sister does run to the doctor any and everything. I doubt, in her case, the $183 deductible, would be a deterrent - but for many people it would.
I didn't say who the ultimate insurer was - it doesn't matter who it is - it became too expensive to be continued. It's not a political statement, just a fact.
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Medicare has "Parts" (A, B, C, D) - Medigaps have "Plans"
