How Much Does Medigap Plan F Cost? | Real Rates Guide

Looking at prices for this supplement can feel messy. Carriers file different rates by age, location, and tobacco use. States set their own rules. On top of that, Plan F closed to people new to Medicare in 2020, so the pool is aging, which tends to pull rates up. This guide turns that swirl into a simple playbook so you can gauge a fair bill before you shop.

Medigap Plan F Monthly Price: What To Expect

There is no single nationwide sticker price. Still, patterns show up across states and carriers. Many enrollees see quotes in the $150–$300 per month range for the standard version. Some pay less, some pay far more. The high-deductible variant trades a much lower premium—often near $40–$70 per month—for a sizable yearly deductible before benefits kick in. Those bands shift by state and age, but they frame the market well enough for first-pass budgeting.

What Drives A Higher Or Lower Bill

Six levers affect what you pay. Carriers price by rating method, age band, ZIP code, tobacco status, plan type (standard vs. high-deductible), and discounts. The first table breaks these levers down and shows smart actions you can take.

Factor	How It Changes Price	What You Can Do
Rating Method	Community-rated stays flatter across ages; issue-age locks the starting age; attained-age tends to rise as you get older.	Ask each carrier how it rates, not just the first-year premium.
Age	Older bands often cost more, especially with attained-age pricing.	Lock coverage during your six-month Medigap window to avoid underwriting later.
ZIP Code	Urban counties and high-cost states often show higher base rates.	Compare several carriers in your county; the spread can be wide.
Tobacco Use	Smoker rates can run notably higher.	Check non-tobacco rates if you qualify; some carriers offer looks-back.
Plan Type	High-deductible F cuts the monthly bill but adds a large annual deductible before benefits pay.	Run the math on expected care and the yearly deductible.
Household Discounts	Some carriers shave 5–12% when two people in one home enroll.	Ask about spousal or household discounts during quotes.

Who Can Still Buy This Coverage

New Medicare enrollees can’t buy this plan. People who became eligible before 2020 still can in most states. If you already have it, you can keep it. If you qualified before 2020 but delayed Part B and are just now enrolling, you may still find it for sale. That status shapes pricing because fewer new, younger members enter the pool.

How Carriers Set Prices—And Why It Matters

Carriers use three common methods. Community-rated spreads the same base rate across ages. Issue-age pegs the price to the age you were when you first bought, so starting younger helps. Attained-age ties the bill to your current age, which means step-ups as you move through brackets. States can favor one method, and a single state often hosts all three across different carriers. Understanding the method tells you if a “cheap” first-year quote will stay tame or jump later.

Where The Deductible Fits In

There are two flavors. The standard version has no plan deductible; it picks up the approved Medicare gaps, including the Part B deductible, which is why fans call it “first-dollar” style coverage. The high-deductible variant flips the script: you pay Medicare-covered costs until you reach a set figure each calendar year, then the plan pays. That deductible changes each year and applies across covered services.

Real-World Ranges You’ll See

To ground your expectations, think in simple bands. A 70-year-old nonsmoker in a mid-priced county might see the standard version quoted around $180–$260 a month, while high-deductible quotes can land near $45–$65. A 75-year-old in a high-cost state can see standard quotes over $300, and smoker rates can climb higher. These aren’t offers, only guardrails drawn from public rate filings and national surveys; your exact bill depends on your record and your county.

Cost Worksheet: Build Your Own Estimate

Grab last year’s care pattern and sketch two cases—standard and high-deductible—so you can match a premium to your risk. The steps below keep it simple and avoid surprises.

Step 1: List The Predictable Bills

Write down the monthly premium quotes for both versions. Add your Part B premium and any Part D plan you carry. These are the fixed bills you will pay whether you see the doctor or not.

Step 2: Add The Likely Care You’ll Use

Look at your last 12 months. Office visits, imaging, outpatient surgery, skilled nursing—whatever fits your life. With the standard version, your share for approved services is near zero after Medicare pays its part. With the high-deductible version, you stack those Medicare-covered bills until you hit the annual deductible; after that, the plan pays according to its rules.

Step 3: Stress-Test Two Scenarios

Build a light-care year and a heavy-care year. In the light year, the high-deductible option often wins by a wide margin. In a year with a hospital stay or a series of outpatient treatments, the standard version can pull ahead. Write both totals so you see the swing.

Step 4: Check Rate Patterns

Ask each carrier to show its last five years of rate action in your state. A low first year paired with steep annual jumps can upset a neat budget. A steady series of small moves may suit you better. Pick the path that fits your nerves and your wallet.

Common Scenarios And What People Pay

The ranges below are not quotes. They mirror public filings and national surveys and help set expectations before you compare live offers.

Profile	Standard F: Typical Range	High-Deductible F: Typical Range
Age 68, nonsmoker, mid-priced county	$160–$230/mo	$40–$60/mo
Age 72, nonsmoker, high-cost state	$220–$320/mo	$50–$80/mo
Age 75, smoker, urban ZIP	$280–$380/mo	$60–$90/mo
Age 70, household discount	$170–$250/mo	$45–$70/mo

How Eligibility And Timing Shape Your Rate

Timing matters. Your one-time six-month window starts when you are 65 or older and signed up for Part B. During that window, carriers must sell you any Medigap on the shelf at the best rate they offer, with no medical questions. Outside that window, most states allow medical underwriting. Health history can then raise your quote or block a switch. A few states add extra protections; many do not.

Switching From Another Option

Moving from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare with a supplement can be tricky mid-year. Some people have a trial right that lets them buy certain Medigaps if they change their mind in the first year. Past that, you may need a qualifying event or a state rule to switch without underwriting. If you plan to switch plans inside the Medigap family, the same underwriting rules often apply once your first window closes.

Ways To Trim The Premium Without Losing Sleep

You can lower the bill without cutting care quality. Start with these moves and stack the savings that apply.

Pick The Right Version

If your yearly care is light, the high-deductible option can save hundreds across a year even after a few visits. If you manage chronic conditions or expect surgery, the standard version can keep bills steady and low once care starts.

Shop Three To Five Carriers

Rates vary widely within the same county. One carrier can sit 20–30% above a rival for the same benefits. A short comparison often pays off for years.

Ask About Discounts

Many brands offer household or automatic-payment discounts. A small cut each month compounds across years.

See If A Medicare SELECT Variant Fits

Some states host a network-based version that uses the same benefits chart but lowers the rate in exchange for hospital networks. If your go-to hospital is in the network, this can be a clean win.

Facts And Figures To Anchor Your Decision

• The high-deductible version uses a calendar-year deductible that adjusts annually; check the current figure before you pick a plan.
• States handle pricing rules and consumer rights differently, so protections in one state may not exist in another.
• Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin use different Medigap designs, so naming and benefits differ in those states.

How To Compare Quotes The Smart Way

Line up three things on one page: the rating method, today’s premium, and a five-year view of projected premiums. Add any household discount and the high-deductible math if you’re testing that route. Circle the option that stays calm in both a light-care year and a heavy-care year.

Where To Verify The Rules

Check the official Medigap benefits chart and state notes on Medicare.gov. Look at the current deductible for the high-deductible version and any footnotes tied to your state. For a deeper look at how carriers set prices—community, issue-age, or attained-age—read the KFF explainer on Medigap premiums and rating methods.

Bottom Line Rate Ranges

If you qualified before 2020, you can still buy this coverage in many states. Many see standard quotes in the $150–$300 range, with higher bills in older bands or high-cost states. The high-deductible variant often lands near $40–$70 per month but asks you to cover a large annual deductible first. Use the worksheets above to test both paths against your own care pattern, then pick the route that keeps your yearly spend steady.