Medigap Plan G has emerged as the dominant Medicare supplement choice for new Florida Medicare enrollees since Plan F was closed to new entrants in 2020. Plan G covers virtually all of the cost-sharing gaps that Original Medicare leaves open — the Part A deductible, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, Part B coinsurance, and even Part B excess charges from non-participating providers. The only gap Plan G doesn't fill is the annual Part B deductible, which is $257 in 2026. You pay that once per year out of pocket, and the plan covers everything else. For Florida retirees who want the most predictable healthcare cost structure and the freedom to see any Medicare-accepting provider in the country, Plan G is consistently the best answer — but the premium, pricing methodology, and carrier matter significantly in a state as large and competitive as Florida.
In This Guide
All Medigap plans are standardized by federal law — Plan G from any carrier covers the same benefits as Plan G from any other carrier. What varies between carriers is the premium, the pricing methodology, and customer service quality. Plan G covers:
| Benefit | Plan G Coverage |
|---|---|
| Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs (up to 365 days after Medicare benefit exhaustion) | 100% |
| Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment | 100% |
| First 3 pints of blood | 100% |
| Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment | 100% |
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance (days 21–100) | 100% |
| Medicare Part A deductible ($1,676 in 2026) | 100% |
| Medicare Part B excess charges | 100% |
| Foreign travel emergency (up to plan limits) | 80% |
| Medicare Part B annual deductible ($257 in 2026) | NOT COVERED — you pay this once per year |
The practical effect of Plan G: once you've paid the $257 Part B deductible for the year, your out-of-pocket medical costs for covered Medicare services are essentially zero for the rest of that year. There are no copays for doctor visits, no coinsurance for hospitalizations, no surprise bills from your Part A deductible if you're admitted.
Plan F covered everything Plan G covers, plus the Part B deductible. Plan F was the "gold standard" Medigap plan for decades, but Congress eliminated it for new Medicare enrollees beginning January 1, 2020. If you became eligible for Medicare before that date and enrolled in Plan F, you can keep it.
For new enrollees, Plan G is the de facto replacement. In Florida, Plan F premiums are typically $15–$30 per month higher than Plan G because the Part F risk pool is aging and no new (typically healthier) enrollees are entering it. Since the Part B deductible is only $257 per year, paying $15–$30 extra per month for Plan F means you're paying $180–$360 per year to avoid a $257 annual deductible — an economically poor trade-off. Plan G is almost universally the better financial choice for new enrollees.
Plan N is the primary cost-sharing alternative to Plan G and is popular among Florida retirees who want lower monthly premiums and are willing to accept modest cost-sharing at the point of care. The key differences:
| Feature | Plan G | Plan N |
|---|---|---|
| Part B coinsurance | 100% covered | Copays up to $20 per office visit; up to $50 per ER visit (waived if admitted) |
| Part B excess charges | Covered | NOT covered |
| Part B deductible | Not covered (you pay $257/year) | Not covered (you pay $257/year) |
| Typical FL premium difference | Higher | $15–$40/month lower than Plan G |
Plan N makes sense if you see doctors infrequently and primarily use providers that accept Medicare assignment (meaning they don't bill excess charges). Plan G makes more sense if you have chronic conditions, frequent specialist visits, or want to see any Medicare-accepting provider — including those who bill excess charges — with no out-of-pocket exposure beyond the annual Part B deductible.
Florida allows Medigap carriers to use several premium rating methods. The two most important for long-term planning are issue-age and attained-age pricing:
Your premium is set based on your age at the time you first enrolled in the policy and does not increase simply because you age. It may still rise due to medical cost inflation and claims experience, but the increases tend to be more gradual over time. Issue-age plans usually start with a higher premium than attained-age plans at the same enrollment age.
Your premium is based on your current age and increases as you grow older, typically in addition to any general cost increases. Attained-age plans often start lower in premium at 65 but can become significantly more expensive by your 70s and 80s. In Florida, where longevity is above the national average and many retirees live well into their 80s, the long-term trajectory of attained-age pricing deserves careful attention.
Plan G premiums vary by carrier, region, age, gender, and tobacco status. As a general guide for a 65-year-old non-tobacco female in Florida's major markets:
Males typically pay $10–$20 more per month at the same age. Premiums in more rural Florida counties may differ from urban markets. All carriers sell the same standardized Plan G benefit — so the decision is entirely about premium cost, pricing methodology, carrier financial stability, and customer service reputation.
During a guaranteed issue period, a carrier must sell you a Medigap policy without medical underwriting — regardless of your health history. The primary guaranteed issue periods for Plan G include:
Outside of guaranteed issue periods, Florida Medigap carriers can use medical underwriting — they may decline your application or charge higher premiums based on your health history. This is why enrolling in Plan G during your Initial Enrollment Period matters so much. It is the only time you are guaranteed access regardless of health.
Switching Medigap carriers in Florida is possible but requires medical underwriting outside of guaranteed issue periods. The process involves applying to your desired new carrier, completing their health questionnaire, and potentially having your application approved, modified, or declined based on your medical history. Common reasons to switch include finding a lower premium from a different carrier offering the same Plan G benefits, or changing from attained-age to issue-age pricing.
If you are in good health and plan to switch, compare the projected long-term premiums between your current and proposed carrier before initiating a switch. The new carrier will offer the same standardized benefits — so the financial comparison is straightforward.
Get a side-by-side Plan G premium comparison for your age and region. Talk to a licensed Florida Medicare agent at no cost, no obligation.
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What does Medigap Plan G cover in Florida?
Plan G covers: Part A coinsurance, Part B coinsurance, first 3 pints of blood, Part A hospice coinsurance, skilled nursing facility coinsurance (days 21–100), the Part A deductible ($1,676 in 2026), Part B excess charges, and 80% of foreign travel emergencies. The only gap is the annual Part B deductible ($257 in 2026), which you pay once per year.
What is the difference between Medigap Plan G and Plan N in Florida?
Plan G covers Part B excess charges and has no office visit copays. Plan N does not cover excess charges and charges copays up to $20 per office visit and up to $50 per ER visit. Plan N's premium is typically $15–$40/month lower. Plan G is better for frequent medical users; Plan N can work for healthy retirees who rarely see doctors.
What is issue-age pricing vs attained-age pricing for Medigap in Florida?
Issue-age pricing sets your premium based on your enrollment age and doesn't increase just because you get older. Attained-age pricing increases as you age in addition to general cost trends. Issue-age plans usually start higher but grow more slowly. Ask for projected premiums at ages 70, 75, and 80 when comparing policies — the starting premium is only part of the story.
Can I switch Medigap plans in Florida?
Yes, but outside guaranteed issue periods, switching requires passing medical underwriting. Carriers can decline or charge more based on your health history. Guaranteed issue rights apply during your Initial Enrollment Period (the best time), when you lose qualifying coverage, or when your MA plan terminates. If healthy, a switch to find a lower premium is often feasible.
Is Plan F still available in Florida and how does it compare to Plan G?
Plan F is closed to new Medicare enrollees who became eligible on or after January 1, 2020. If you enrolled before that, you can keep it. For new enrollees, Plan G is the equivalent — it omits only the Part B deductible ($257 in 2026). Plan G premiums are typically $15–$30/month lower than Plan F, making Plan G the economically superior choice for new enrollees.