If you live in Elizabeth, Newark, Jersey City, the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, or Long Island and your doctor says you should compare Medicare Supplement options, the biggest practical difference between Medicare Plan F and Plan G is simple: Plan F pays the Medicare Part B deductible, while Plan G does not. For many Medicare beneficiaries in New Jersey and New York, that one detail can change how a plan fits the household budget.
Medicare Advisors helps beneficiaries, caregivers, and families compare Medigap choices with a licensed agent who understands local ZIP code, county, provider, and carrier differences. The right plan depends on when you first became eligible for Medicare, whether your doctors accept Medicare, how often you see specialists, and whether you want predictable costs or a lower monthly premium with a small deductible. Plan availability and pricing can vary by ZIP code, county, and insurer, so it helps to review your specific area before enrolling.
Below is a clear local guide to Medicare Plan F versus Plan G for New Jersey and New York residents, including who may still qualify for Plan F, what Plan G covers, and what to verify before you choose.
What Medicare Supplement plans do
Medicare Supplement insurance, also called Medigap, works with Original Medicare. It helps pay some of the costs that Original Medicare leaves behind, such as deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments, depending on the plan letter you choose. Medigap plans do not replace Medicare. They are designed to work alongside Part A and Part B.
Many people in Bergen County, Hudson County, Union County, Middlesex County, and Essex County compare Medigap because they want access to any doctor nationwide who accepts Medicare. That can matter for people who travel, split time between New Jersey and New York, or see specialists in different systems.
One important reminder: Medigap does not include prescription drug coverage, so many beneficiaries also need a separate Part D plan if they want drug coverage. Takeaway: Medigap helps with Medicare cost-sharing, but it does not cover everything.
Medicare Plan F vs Plan G: side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Plan F | Plan G |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs | Covered | Covered |
| Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayments | Covered | Covered after deductible rules are considered |
| Part B deductible | Covered | Not covered |
| Part A hospice coinsurance or copayment | Covered | Covered |
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance | Covered | Covered |
| Part A deductible | Covered | Covered |
| Foreign travel emergency coverage | Included in the plan benefits | Included in the plan benefits |
| Monthly premium trend | Often higher, depending on carrier and area | Often lower than Plan F, depending on carrier and area |
The main difference is the Part B deductible. Plan F pays it. Plan G leaves that cost to you, but the monthly premium may be lower, depending on the insurer and your ZIP code. Takeaway: Plan G often shifts a small amount of cost from the premium to the deductible.
The key difference: Plan F pays the Part B deductible
The Medicare Part B deductible is the amount you pay before Medicare starts sharing certain outpatient and doctor visit costs. Plan F is the only standard Medigap plan that covers that deductible. Plan G covers the same core benefits as Plan F in most other ways, but you pay the Part B deductible yourself.
For some people, especially those with regular doctor visits, the choice comes down to total yearly cost rather than premium alone. A lower monthly premium on Plan G may or may not offset the deductible, depending on how often you use care and which carrier you choose in your county. A licensed agent can help you estimate that tradeoff without assuming one plan is automatically better.
Takeaway: Do not compare premium only; compare the full annual cost picture.
Who can still enroll in Plan F
Plan F is usually limited to people who became newly eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. If you first qualified for Medicare after that date, you usually cannot buy a new standard Plan F. Some beneficiaries who already have Plan F may keep it, subject to the insurer’s rules and plan terms.
This matters in places like Newark, Yonkers, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island, where family members often help compare options for a parent or spouse. Eligibility is not the same as availability. Even if a plan exists in a county, you still need to meet enrollment rules to sign up for it.
If you are not sure when you first became Medicare-eligible, review your Medicare card, your enrollment history, or speak with a licensed professional before making assumptions. Takeaway: Newer Medicare beneficiaries usually focus on Plan G instead of new Plan F enrollment.
Why many people discuss Plan G first
Plan G is often a common comparison point for people who want broad Medigap coverage and predictable expenses. It can be attractive for those who are comfortable paying the Part B deductible out of pocket in exchange for a potentially lower premium. That does not make it the right plan for everyone, but it explains why Plan G comes up often in New Jersey and New York quote requests.
People in high-use medical areas, such as Manhattan, Jersey City, and Brooklyn, often ask whether they can keep their specialists and hospitals. With Medigap, the doctor question is simpler than with many Medicare Advantage plans because Original Medicare is the primary basis for coverage. Still, you should verify that your provider accepts Medicare assignment and that any facility-related costs make sense for your budget.
Takeaway: Plan G is often discussed because it can balance broad coverage with a different premium structure.
How costs can vary by ZIP code, county, and carrier
Medigap premiums are not the same everywhere. In New Jersey and New York, rates can vary by ZIP code, county, age, tobacco use, household discounts, insurer, and underwriting rules. A plan letter is standardized, but the price is not standardized. That means Plan F from one carrier in Bergen County may cost differently than the same letter plan in Essex County or on Long Island.
Residents in Elizabeth, Plainfield, Camden, Passaic, Hackensack, and Union City should compare quotes based on their own ZIP code, not a neighbor’s. The same is true for families in Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, where community rating rules, carrier participation, and service areas can affect available choices.
Also ask whether the insurer uses attained-age, issue-age, or community-rated pricing, because that can affect how premiums change over time. Takeaway: Your ZIP code and carrier can matter as much as the plan letter.
What to verify before choosing Plan F or Plan G
- Your first Medicare eligibility date, because it affects whether you can buy Plan F.
- Your doctors and specialists, especially if you see multiple providers across New Jersey and New York.
- Your prescriptions, because Medigap does not include drug coverage and you may need Part D.
- Your pharmacy preference, since Part D formularies and preferred pharmacies can change by plan.
- Your monthly premium budget versus your expected annual out-of-pocket exposure.
- Your county and ZIP code, since plan pricing and availability are local.
- Your enrollment window, because timing can affect guaranteed issue rights and medical underwriting.
- Whether you travel often, visit family in another state, or need access to out-of-network flexibility through Original Medicare.
Takeaway: A good Medigap choice starts with doctors, drugs, budget, and timing.
Local examples of what families should check
If you are comparing Medigap in Newark or Jersey City, ask whether your primary care doctor, cardiologist, or specialist accepts Medicare and whether the practice is taking new Medicare patients. In Elizabeth or Perth Amboy, ask how often you use outpatient services and whether a lower premium with Plan G still works for your annual budget.
If you are in the Bronx, Queens, or Brooklyn, make a list of your current providers, nearby hospitals, and preferred pharmacies before you compare quotes. On Long Island and in Manhattan, many families also want to know whether snowbirds or seasonal travel will affect how easy it is to use the plan.
In every case, it is smart to verify the provider directly and confirm your prescriptions on the plan’s drug list if you are also choosing Part D. Takeaway: Local provider checks prevent surprises later.
How Medicare Plan F and G compare with other Medicare choices
Some people start with Medigap and later compare Medicare Advantage Part C. Others compare Part D, dental insurance, and vision insurance at the same time because they want a fuller coverage picture. That is a reasonable approach, especially for people who are comparing monthly premiums and looking at total household health costs.
If you want a broader overview, you can review Medicare Supplemental, Medicare Advantage Part C, Medicare Part D, Dental Insurance, and Vision Insurance. Takeaway: Compare the whole coverage picture, not just one plan letter.
Questions to ask before you enroll
- Am I eligible to enroll in Plan F, or should I focus on Plan G?
- What is the monthly premium for each option in my ZIP code?
- How much will I pay each year, including the Part B deductible if I choose Plan G?
- Are my doctors, hospitals, and specialists accepting Medicare?
- Do I need a separate Part D plan for prescriptions?
- What happens if I move from one county to another in New Jersey or New York?
- Can I switch later, and would underwriting apply?
Takeaway: The best questions are practical, local, and specific to your care.
When to speak with a licensed local Medicare agent
You should talk with a licensed agent if you are comparing Plan F and Plan G for the first time, recently moved between counties or states, are helping a parent manage coverage, or are unsure whether your current doctors and medications fit your options. A local agent can help you compare carriers, explain the tradeoff between premium and deductible, and review whether your timing matters.
For people in New Jersey and New York, local help can be especially useful because plan availability and pricing vary by area. Medicare Advisors Insurance Group LLC does not offer every plan available in every area, so comparing options carefully is important. You can also contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or SHIP for a full review of available choices. Takeaway: Local guidance helps, but you should still compare all available options.
How Medicare Advisors helps families in NJ and NY
Medicare Advisors Insurance Group LLC / MedicareABC helps Medicare beneficiaries, caregivers, and families compare Medicare Advantage Part C, Medicare Part D, Medicare Supplement / Medigap, dental insurance, vision insurance, individual health insurance, life insurance, and funeral / final expense insurance. The agency works with people across New Jersey and New York, including Elizabeth, Newark, Jersey City, Plainfield, Perth Amboy, Union City, Passaic, Hackensack, Camden, Bergen County, Hudson County, Union County, Middlesex County, Essex County, Yonkers, the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island, and Long Island.
If you want help comparing Plan F and Plan G, a licensed agent can review your doctors, prescriptions, and local plan options without pushing a one-size-fits-all answer. Owner Henry Beltran leads a team focused on clear, practical support for Medicare shoppers and their families. Takeaway: Local Medicare help is most useful when your doctors, drugs, and ZIP code all matter.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between Medicare Plan F and Plan G?
Plan F covers the Medicare Part B deductible. Plan G does not cover that deductible, but it includes many of the same other Medigap benefits. The right choice often depends on your premium, your expected medical use, and your eligibility date.
Who is eligible for Medicare Plan F in New Jersey and New York?
In general, new enrollees who became eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020 cannot buy standard Plan F. Some people who already had Plan F may keep it. Eligibility should be verified before applying.
Does Plan G cover the Medicare Part B deductible?
No. That deductible is one of the main differences between the two plans. If you choose Plan G, you usually pay the Part B deductible yourself before Medicare starts sharing certain outpatient costs.
Can I keep my doctor with Plan F or Plan G?
With Medigap, you usually can see any doctor in the United States who accepts Medicare. Still, you should verify that your doctor accepts Medicare and ask whether they are taking new Medicare patients.
Does Medigap cover prescription drugs?
No. Standard Medigap plans do not include prescription drug coverage. If you need drug coverage, compare a separate Medicare Part D plan.
Can I switch from Plan F to Plan G later?
Sometimes, but switching may involve underwriting depending on your situation and the insurer’s rules. It is best to review the timing before you make a change.
Are Plan F and Plan G the same in every county and ZIP code?
The benefits for each plan letter are standardized, but premiums, carrier availability, and pricing can vary by county, ZIP code, age, and insurer. That is why local comparisons matter in New Jersey and New York.
How can Medicare Advisors help me compare Plan F and Plan G locally?
A licensed Medicare Advisors agent can review your Medicare eligibility, local carriers, doctors, and prescription needs, then help you compare options in your ZIP code. The agency can be reached at +1 (877) 255-0284 or info@mymedicareadvisors.com.
CTA
If you want help comparing Medicare Supplement Plan F and Plan G in New Jersey or New York, speak with a licensed Medicare Advisors agent at +1 (877) 255-0284 or email info@mymedicareadvisors.com. You can also start here: Contact Medicare Advisors or Find Agents.
Medicare Advisors Insurance Group LLC is a licensed insurance agency and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. We do not offer every plan available in every area; plan availability, benefits, networks, formularies, premiums, and eligibility vary by ZIP code, county, carrier, and enrollment period. You can also compare options through Medicare.gov, Medicare Plan Compare, New Jersey SHIP, or New York HIICAP.
Read more
For official Medicare information, review Medicare Supplement Insurance Medigap, Compare Medigap Plan Benefits, and Medicare Part D Drug Coverage.
Talk with a licensed Medicare Advisors agent
Call +1 (877) 255-0284 or email info@mymedicareadvisors.com to compare Medicare options in New Jersey and New York with a licensed agent.
