In this video, I share valuable information about Medicare Supplement High Deductible Plan F.
✔ What is High Deductible Plan F (HDF)?
✔ How Medicare Supplement Plan F compares to Plan F.
✔ Five reasons why you may want to consider HDF.
✔ Changing from a HDF to another Medigap plan.
✔ The future of Medicare Supplement HDF and rates.
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5 Reasons to Consider Medicare Supplement High Deductible Plan F
Still not sure about Medicare Supplement High Deductible Plan F? Leave a comment and let me know.
What is the history of F-HD premiums year over year? Guessing the premiums don’t go up like say with Plan G wich became guaranteed issue? So now Plan N and F-HD look good?
How do the rates compare with Part N? Can you use a MSA with this high deductible plan?
@Martin Jimenez Most policies use Age-Adjusted pricing methodology which means they go up just because you are a year older each year. Typically it is about 5% and 5% of a very low premium is, well very little. I would think that because of the $2300 deductible (which also increases a little each year), companies would NOT have a HUGE unfavorable claim experience compared to F or G. What worries me about G is it is no longer “protected” from having many more customers with pre-existing conditions enroll in G. Even if you have a Special Enrollment Period, G was not one of the plans you could buy without underwriting.
I don’t know how much time you put into one of these “10 min” videos, but it sure is well worth it for us. Thank you, Joann
Just when I begin to mull over a question while watching one of your videos, you answer my question a few minutes later on. Well done.
@Look4Good Thanks for watching!
Hi, Joann! You seem much more enthusiastic about the high deductible Plan F than Medicare Advantage.
Hi Joy, you’re correct. If I had to choose between the two, I’d lean towards the High Deductible Plan F.
Jill, Are you concerned about recommending any Plan F to a client since I understand it is being discontinued. That means Plan F plan premiums could soar with no cap on premiums and if the client develops a medical condition could not change to another plan, even within the same company. Am I missing something on going into any kind of a Plan F at this time.
Hi Jack…You aren’t missing anything. All of your concerns are accurate. However, as I noted in the video, there are Medicare Beneficiaries who don’t want to pay for Medigap coverage. They figure they’ll wait until they need it…which is a big mistake. HDF offers protection for a very good price. Of course, I always make sure that anyone considering HDF understands the possibility of future increases related to the change in 2020. Even then, many people are still interested in pursing HDF. Especially in Florida where Medigap rates are very high.
REMEDIGAP do you think after 2020 insurance companies might see F-HD along side with G-HD and not significantly raise premiums to the F-HD? I am watching YouTubers insurance brokers and it seems there will be a G-HD in 2020. I live in Florida and my F-HD premium is great (very low).
Hi Joann! I know you have made videos on Plan F, G, N but curious why there’s no video on Medigap Plan C?? It looks like C and N are almost identical.
Thanks for the inquiry. Medigap Plan C is closely related to Plan F. The only difference is Plan C doesn’t cover Part B Excess Charges. Since both Plan F and Plan C are first dollar coverage plans, they’re phasing out in 2020 for new enrollees. Currently, Plan C isn’t competitive in price and also not offered by all insurance companies. So, it’s not very appealing.
I live in Florida where Medigap premiums are very expensive, my wife’s plan G is $187. I will be 65 in May 2019 and I’m leaning toward the plan F HD, premium cost of $55. The broker I’m talking to has a company that will lock in my premiums as long as I’m with the company. I have the means to pay a high deductible if needed. My issue is paying $190 now and much more down the road. Thank you for the info.
Have you found an agent to help you yet? I too will be turning 65 in may. Ive listened to many videos and read a lot over the last 4 weeks. Im trying to educate myself so I know whats available and best choice for myself.
A couple of comments, Joann. First, as to HDF and even “regular” F, those who are grandfathered in (and remain) will be an aging population which, of course, means increasing ills and ails, likely chronic. This, in turn, will mean higher costs (premium and deductible) for the subscribers. Then, if/when these people change plans, they can only go “downward” to another plan. Of course, that’s also true of any of us who change plans. We can only go “lower,” not to a “higher” plan. I’m sorry I don’t have better terminology. Also, please correct me if I’m wrong
Diane…Yes, as mentioned in the video, the mix of policyholders will change for HDF starting in 2020. For some people, it’s worth the “risk” because the premium is much lower than other Medigap plans. As for changing plans, in most states, you have to be medically underwritten to get a new plan. However, if you’re in a state (CA, OR, MO) that allows plan changes because of a “birthday” or “anniversary” rule, you can change to a plan with equal or lesser benefits. Bottom line with HDF (and any Medigap plan) is that it needs to be the right fit for your situation. Thanks for your input.
excellent and thorough presentation!
Low premium is attractive and like free market healthcare innovations…Medicare is going bankrupt, see many doctors opting out of third party insurance completely in the future. People need? to have skin in the game and pay for all medical expenses that are not “catastrophic” which is how much for most Americans? 5k? 10k? 100k? Scary how broke some people are…don’t have $2,300 cash on hand for medical expenses?
You need show number you talking about same thing over and over need se number on yeh board
Thanks for your input; however, I’m unclear on what “number” you’re referencing.
Do I pay 2300$ high deductible before I can use my insurance? Or would I pay a certain percentage of the dr office visit (just for office visits) Hospitals are 50$ deductible Per part b? Where can this plan get overly expensive compared to N or G? Thanks
Great questions! You are responsible for the co-insurance not paid by Medicare (generally 20%); which is applied towards the Part B deductible. Once you satisfy the $2300, the HDF plan pays for all Medicare-approved services for the remainder of the calendar year. This plan has the potential to get expensive if you have a major medical event that carries over into subsequent years. We’d have to crunch the numbers in your area to see what the tipping point is compared to Plan G or Plan N premiums. Feel free to reach out if you’d like me to do the research. email: [email protected]
You would pay the Part B deductible $185 after which, you would only pay 20% of “Medicare-approved rates” (this is the huge driver for savings) for Part B (ie office visits, labs, xrays etc). If hospitalized, you would be responsible for the Part A deductible. All your out-of-pocket costs would be totaled and the next dollar after you have paid $2300 would be paid by your HD-F plan.
Good video and describes exactly what I am considering. I have a quote for $38 and change for an F-HD in MS. The quote for G is around $106/mo so not bad either. But I have always been a HD kind of person and have looked at insurance as protecting me in a catastrophic situation. My current individual health plan is a $10k ded one and I have had it for 12 years. So a $2300 ded seems like a gold plan coming from what I have had. Ha. Even if I come down with a chronic problem and I have to pay $2300 year after year, my overall out of pocket cost($2300+premiums) will still be less than what I have been paying for my current premiums alone. Still have a few more weeks to decide as I turn 65 in July but I’m leaning towards F-HD.
@REMEDIGAP I ended up going with G. Cost more but less to keep up with on out of pocket cost. Overall my premiums will be half the price of my current BCBS plan with much better coverage so I’m happy. Thanks for responding.
@REMEDIGAP Will Marty be able to buy an HD-F since he will be over 65 in 2020? Or will F and HD-F be unavailable to those who do not have Plan F or HD-F in 2019? Thanks Joanne
@lynda young HDF is available to anyone who is Medicare-eligible before January 2020. So, in Marty’s case, he qualifies for HDF or Plan F after 2020; he doesn’t have to purchase it in 2019. I hope that helps. Please let me know if I can provide clarification.
REMEDIGAP Perfect, thank you so much.
Great video.. Are there insurance companies that will actually lock in your premium for HD F?? Is it determined by what state you live in?? I am leaning towards the HD F, but as some here have mentioned am concerned about future premium increases…
Thanks for reaching out with your questions. There are insurance companies that will offer a 12-month premium rate lock for all of their Medigap plans (including HDF). Rate locks are not specific to your state; they’re specific to the insurance company. With HDF phasing out in 2020, it won’t be available to new Medicare beneficiaries; which will change the mix of policyholders. These changes can have an impact on rate increases. However, the HDF claim experience is good for the insurance company since the policyholder pays the first $2,300; which we hope will in turn benefit the policyholder with long term stable rate adjustments.
Like others, I like your “one subject” videos. Very comprehensive. I am noticing HDF premiums are usually not published with the other plan premiums. Do HDF plans provide less profit for companies, and, lower commissions for agents?
Hi Randy…yes, HDF commissions are much lower for agents. As for the insurance companies, HDF may require a bit more management (on their end) compared to other Medigap plans. Thanks for watching. I appreciate the positive feedback.