Plan F Eligibility: The January 1, 2020 Rule for Who Can Buy

Whether you can buy Medigap Plan F depends on one date: if you first became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, you can still buy it, and if you already have it, you can generally keep it as long as you pay your premiums. People who can’t buy Plan F can compare alternatives such as Plan G, Plan D or a high-deductible option.

TL;DR:

• Your first Medicare eligibility date controls, even if you delayed Part B enrollment; people eligible through disability or with unusual timing should confirm state rules.
• Existing policyholders can generally keep Plan F, but premiums vary; compare quotes for the same plan yearly and check whether a new insurer can medically underwrite you.
• Plan G covers nearly everything Plan F does except the Part B deductible; compare Plan D benefits and total yearly costs, not premiums alone.
• High deductible Plans G and F have a $2,950 deductible in 2026; high deductible Plan F is available only to people eligible before 2020.
• Outside protected enrollment periods or guaranteed issue rights, insurers may use health history to decide whether to sell coverage; deadlines and state protections vary.

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Table of Contents

• Who is eligible to buy Plan F now?
• Can you keep your existing Plan F?
• How the 2020 rule works in real cases
• What to choose if you can’t buy Plan F
• When insurers must sell you a Medigap policy
• State differences and where to check
• Why a licensed broker can save you time on Plan F
• Get help checking your Plan F eligibility with Simply Insurance
• FAQ
• Sources

Who is eligible to buy Plan F now?

The test is simple, but people often apply it to the wrong date. Since January 1, 2020, Medigap plans sold to people new to Medicare cannot cover the Part B deductible. Plans C and F do cover it, so they are closed to anyone who first became eligible on or after that day.

What this means for you:

• You can buy Plan F if you were first eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, even if you never enrolled in Part B back then.
• You cannot buy Plan F if you turned 65 or otherwise became eligible on or after January 1, 2020.
• The date that counts is when you first became eligible. If you are unsure how your Part B enrollment affects your situation, confirm the rules with Medicare or your SHIP counselor.
• Your enrollment date does not reset anything. Someone eligible in 2018 who enrolls in 2026 still qualifies on the eligibility date alone.

Think of it as an eligibility-date test. If you first became eligible before January 1, 2020, you may be able to buy Plan F; if you became eligible on or after that date, you can’t buy it.

Can you keep your existing Plan F?

If you already have Plan F, check your policy terms and state rules to understand the conditions for keeping it. The 2020 rule changed who can buy the plan, not who can keep it.

Keeping it and keeping it affordable are two different questions. Premiums and how they change vary by insurer and policy. Compare current quotes before deciding whether to keep your plan. Here is a sensible yearly routine:

• Read your renewal notice and note any change to your premium.
• Request quotes for the same plan from other companies, and compare the benefits and prices.
• Ask your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counselor for free, unbiased help comparing options. SHIP materials recommend contacting your local program for personalized guidance.

Pro Tip: Before you switch to a cheaper policy, ask whether the new insurer can medically underwrite you. Outside protected enrollment periods, ask your state insurance department or SHIP counselor whether health questions could affect your application.

How the 2020 rule works in real cases

Dates get confusing at the edges, so here are the situations we see most often:

1. You turned 65 before January 1, 2020, but delayed Part B. If you were eligible before that date, you may be able to buy Plan F.
2. You became eligible through disability before January 1, 2020. Your eligibility date may allow you to buy Plan F, but check your state’s rules, especially if you are under 65.
3. You turned 65 in 2020 or later. You are new to Medicare, and Plan F is off the table regardless of your work history.
4. You have end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or unusual timing. Check your first eligibility date with Medicare or your SHIP counselor rather than assume which rules apply.

When your situation does not fit neatly, ask your SHIP counselor or your state insurance department to confirm your eligibility date in writing before you apply.

What to choose if you can’t buy Plan F

For most people in this position, the closest match is Plan G. Medicare’s plan comparison lists standardized benefits for each letter, and Plan G and Plan F have different benefits. Compare the standardized benefit chart to see how they differ, including coverage of the Part B deductible.

Your main options:

• Plan G: nearly everything Plan F covered, minus the Part B deductible. It is the usual first stop for new enrollees.
• Plan D: another plan open to new enrollees, with a different mix of covered benefits than G. Compare the benefit chart line by line.
• High-deductible Plan G: lower premiums in exchange for paying a set amount before the plan pays. We break down the details in our guide to high deductible Plan G costs and rules.
• High-deductible Plan F: available only to people who were not new to Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, according to CMS guidance.

CMS lists the 2026 deductible for the high-deductible plans at $2,950, which you pay before the plan begins covering costs.

Compare expected yearly spending, not premiums alone. Add your premiums to the Part B deductible and the care you realistically expect to use, then see which plan comes out lower.

When insurers must sell you a Medigap policy

Outside a few protected windows, insurers can use your health history to decide whether to sell you a policy. Two kinds of windows take that power away:

• Medigap open enrollment: a protected period tied to being 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. Check Medicare.gov or contact SHIP to confirm when it applies and what protections it provides.
• Guaranteed-issue rights: protections that may apply after you lose certain coverage. Triggers and deadlines depend on the circumstances, so check the CMS program memorandum and get help promptly.
• What to keep: employer letters, termination notices and proof-of-coverage dates. Insurers can ask for them.

Pro Tip: Check the official deadline for your situation as soon as possible, since the relevant date can depend on the circumstances. Apply promptly to avoid paperwork delays.

To see how these periods fit together, read our Medicare enrollment periods explainer. A partner’s special enrollment period checklist also covers what triggers these rights and which documents to gather.

State differences and where to check

Most states follow the standardized lettered plans, but Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin standardize Medigap differently, and plan names and availability there may not match what you read nationally. Many states also add protections beyond the federal minimum, such as extra guaranteed-issue situations.

Verify what applies to you:

1. Find your local SHIP through the locator on Medicare.gov and ask about state-specific enrollment rules.
2. Review the Medigap pages on Medicare.gov for the benefit charts.
3. Contact your state insurance department to confirm which companies sell which plans in your state.

Why a licensed broker can save you time on Plan F

Eligibility questions look simple until your own dates and paperwork are in front of you. This is where an independent broker earns their keep. As licensed brokers in Colorado, we help you confirm your first eligibility date, line up the documents that prove a guaranteed-issue right, and read your state’s rules correctly.

We can help you compare Medigap options and consider costs beyond the monthly premium. We can also help with enrollment and answer questions afterward. Compare your options again when your circumstances or premiums change. Our view is plain: a comparison is only useful when someone checks that you qualify for what is being compared. A no-cost consultation is a reasonable way to find out where you stand before you commit to anything.

— Zach

Get help checking your Plan F eligibility with Simply Insurance

If you are unsure whether Plan F is open to you, we can help you check. Our brokers can help you check your eligibility date, compare available Medigap plans, and understand enrollment options. Ask what support is available after enrollment.

Ask us whether there is a cost for a consultation and how we are compensated if you enroll. Start with our Medicare Planning page or browse our Medigap plans, then call us or send the contact form and we will take it from there.

This article is general information, not a substitute for advice from a qualified financial advisor. Consult a qualified financial professional about your own circumstances before acting on anything here.

FAQ

Who qualifies for Medicare Plan F?

You qualify if you first became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. People who became eligible on or after that date cannot buy Plan F, per Medicare’s Medigap guide.

Is Plan F still available?

Yes, but only to people who were eligible before 2020. If you already have it, you can generally keep it as long as you keep paying your premium.

Is it a good idea to keep Medicare Plan F?

It may be worth keeping if its coverage suits your needs and the cost works for you. Compare it with available alternatives and check your policy terms. Premiums can rise yearly, so compare quotes for the same plan and against Plan G each year.

What is the high-deductible option?

It trades a lower premium for a deductible you pay first. The 2026 amount is $2,950 for the high-deductible plans, and high-deductible Plan F is open only to people who were not new to Medicare in 2020 or later.

Sources

• Medicare Supplement Insurance
• Compare Medigap Plan Benefits | Medicare
• PROGRAM MEMORANDUM
• Medigaps :: State Health Insurance Assistance Programs %

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• 2026: U.S. Catastrophic Plans Gain HSA Access and Wider Eligibility
• High Deductible Plan G: 2026 Costs and Coverage Rules
• Colorado Seniors: Get a Broker to Check Your 2026 Part D Deductible