Aetna Medicare Supplement Plan F

For seniors looking for maximum coverage and minimal out-of-pocket surprises, Aetna Medicare Supplement Plan F stands out as one of the most comprehensive Medigap options. Also called Aetna Medigap Plan F is designed to fill almost every “gap” left by Original Medicare (Parts A and B), covering most deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.

Plan F has been popular because it offers what is often referred to as “first-dollar coverage,” meaning that after paying your monthly premium, you generally won’t pay anything at the point of care for Medicare-approved services.

Eligibility and Enrollment

Medicare rules have changed eligibility for Plan F:

Plan F is only available to those who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.
If you qualified for Medicare after this date, you cannot enroll in Plan F, but you can consider alternatives like Plan G or Plan N.
To maintain your Plan F coverage, you must remain enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B and continue paying your Part B premium.

What Does Aetna Plan F Cover?

Aetna’s Plan F offers the most robust coverage among standardized Medigap plans. It covers 100% of the following:

Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs for up to 365 days after Original Medicare benefits are exhausted.
Medicare Part A deductible (which can be substantial each year).
Medicare Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayments.
Medicare Part B coinsurance and copayments for doctor visits and outpatient care.
Medicare Part B deductible (a unique benefit to Plan F).
Medicare Part B excess charges (additional charges from providers who do not accept Medicare assignment, up to 15% more than the Medicare-approved amount).
The first three pints of blood were used in a medical procedure.
Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance.

Additionally, Plan F covers 80% of approved foreign travel emergency care expenses, up to plan limits.

Prescription Drug Coverage

Like all Medigap plans, Aetna Plan F does not include outpatient prescription drug coverage. Beneficiaries who need this protection must enroll in a separate Medicare Part D plan to cover medications taken at home.

Premiums and Pricing

Because of its extensive coverage, Plan F is usually the most expensive Medigap option.

Typical premium ranges for Aetna Plan F are about $180 to $300 or more per month, depending on factors such as:

Your age and gender.
Whether or not you use tobacco.
Where you live (ZIP code).
The pricing method Aetna uses in your state.

Aetna and other insurers use three pricing methods that affect your premiums:

Attained-age rated: Premiums are based on your current age and increase as you age.
Issue-age rated: Premiums are based on your age when you first enroll and do not rise due to aging (though they can increase due to inflation or other adjustments).
Community-rated: Everyone pays the same premium regardless of age.

Understanding which method applies in your area is crucial to anticipating long-term costs.

Rate Stability with Aetna

Aetna’s large national base of Medigap policyholders allows it to spread risk across more enrollees, which can help control premium increases over time. Additionally, Aetna has a strong track record of relatively predictable rate changes, which many retirees find reassuring when budgeting for health expenses during retirement.

Aetna’s Reputation and Service

Aetna is a trusted name in health insurance with more than 160 years of experience and consistently strong financial ratings. The company is known for:

Financial strength and stability, ensuring they can reliably pay claims.
High levels of customer service, including access to Medicare-dedicated support teams and helpful online member tools.
Simple, efficient claims processing and clear communication.

Comparing Aetna Plan F and Plan G

Choosing between Aetna Medicare Supplement Plan F and Plan G is one of the most common decisions for Medicare beneficiaries who want broad, predictable coverage. While these two plans are very similar in many ways, critical differences can have a meaningful impact on your costs and peace of mind.

Key Difference: Part B Deductible

The only benefit difference between Plan F and Plan G is that Plan F covers the Medicare Part B deductible, while Plan G does not.

In 2025, the Part B deductible is $257.
With Plan F, this deductible is paid for you, meaning you have no out-of-pocket expenses for Medicare-approved services after paying your premium.
With Plan G, you must pay this deductible out of pocket before your plan begins covering Part B coinsurance and copayments.

Cost Implications

Although the Part B deductible might seem small, it significantly impacts premiums.

Plan F premiums are generally higher because they cover everything — including the deductible — resulting in a true “first-dollar coverage” experience.
Plan G premiums are usually lower since you are responsible for that small deductible.

For example:

Let’s say Aetna Plan F costs $250 per month.
Aetna Plan G might cost $215 per month, saving you $35 monthly, or $420 yearly.

If the annual Part B deductible is $257, Plan G enrollees may still be ahead overall in total costs, depending on the premium difference and rate trends.

Predictability vs. Savings

Plan F is often chosen by those who value total predictability and simplicity. After paying your monthly premium, you generally do not receive any additional bills for Medicare-approved services. This can be especially comforting for beneficiaries who want to avoid surprises and do not want to keep track of small medical bills.

Plan G, on the other hand, appeals to those willing to handle a small out-of-pocket expense (the Part B deductible) in exchange for lower monthly premiums and potentially lower total annual costs. For beneficiaries in good health, who may only visit the doctor a few times a year, Plan G can represent substantial savings.

Eligibility Considerations

It’s also important to remember:

Plan F is no longer available to beneficiaries who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. Only those eligible before this date can enroll in Plan F.
Plan G is available to all Medicare beneficiaries, regardless of when they became eligible.

This makes Plan G the most comprehensive Medigap plan available to newer beneficiaries.

Rate Stability and Future Premium Trends

Historically, Plan G has seen slower premium increases than Plan F in many states. This is partly because Plan F enrollees have no cost-sharing, which can lead to higher utilization and, over time, higher claims costs, translating into steeper rate increases.

Plan G enrollees still have to pay the Part B deductible, so they share a small portion of their healthcare costs, which can help control utilization and keep premiums more stable.

Practical Example

Consider Emma, a 70-year-old retiree in Maryland:

She is evaluating Aetna Plan F at $250 monthly, or $3,000 annually.
Aetna Plan G is available to her at $215 monthly, or $2,580 annually.

If Emma chooses Plan G, she must pay the $257 Part B deductible out of pocket.

Total estimated annual cost with Plan G: $2,580 + $240 = $2,820.
Total estimated annual cost with Plan F: $3,000.

In this scenario, Emma saves about $180 per year with Plan G. Additionally, she might enjoy more gradual, smaller premium increases over the years.

Summary: Which is Right for You?

Feature	Aetna Plan F	Aetna Plan G
Part B deductible coverage	Covered	Not covered
Monthly premium	Higher	Lower
Out-of-pocket expenses	Virtually none (after premium)	Small (Part B deductible only)
Eligibility	Only for beneficiaries eligible before 2020	Available to all beneficiaries
Predictability	Maximum	High, but requires paying deductible first
Long-term rate trends	Typically higher increases	Historically more stable

Advantages of Choosing Aetna Plan F

Covers virtually all out-of-pocket costs for Medicare-approved services.
No surprise bills for Medicare Part B deductible or excess charges.
Freedom to see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare nationwide.
Strong financial foundation and reputation for excellent service.
Option for a high-deductible variant to suit different budget preferences.

Final Thoughts

Aetna Medicare Supplement Plan F is the most comprehensive Medigap plan available, designed for those who prioritize maximum coverage and cost predictability. While it comes with higher premiums, many seniors value the security of knowing they will have minimal or no unexpected medical expenses.

Aetna’s broad coverage, financial stability, and strong customer service make it a top choice for eligible Medicare beneficiaries looking for peace of mind.