Plan G is the better choice for most Orange County residents in 2026. Both Plan F and Plan G let you see any doctor who accepts Original Medicare — including every provider at UNC Health — with zero network restrictions. The only difference is Plan F covers the $283 Part B deductible while Plan G does not. But Plan F premiums typically run $400–$800 more per year than Plan G, meaning you pay more to save $283. For your specific situation in Orange County, call Rob Simm at (828) 761-3326 — free, no obligation.

What Orange County families ask

What worries people most about choosing between Plan F and Plan G?

These are the four questions I hear most from UNC Health patients comparing Medigap plans.

Will I lose access to my UNC Health doctors if I pick the wrong plan?

No. Both Plan F and Plan G work with Original Medicare. Any doctor who accepts Medicare is in-network — including every UNC Health provider. There are no directories, no referrals, no network restrictions.

Is Plan F worth the extra premium just to avoid the $283 deductible?

Almost never. Plan F premiums in Orange County typically run $400–$800/year more than Plan G. You’re paying $400+ extra to avoid a $283 bill. That’s a net loss every year.

Can I even get Plan F if I turned 65 after 2020?

No. Plan F is only available if you became Medicare-eligible before January 1, 2020. If you turned 65 in 2020 or later, Plan G is your highest-coverage Medigap option.

What if I miss my Medigap open enrollment window?

You have 6 months after turning 65 and enrolling in Part B. Miss it, and NC insurers can deny you coverage or charge significantly more based on your health history. This window does not come back.

⚠️ Your 6-month Medigap window is a hard deadline

In North Carolina, if you miss your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, insurers can use medical underwriting to deny you Plan F or Plan G entirely — or charge dramatically higher premiums. A client who waits 2 years and develops high blood pressure could pay 40–60% more for the same plan, or be denied outright. This is the single most expensive mistake I prevent for Orange County families. Call (828) 761-3326 to confirm your window.

The difference

What’s the real difference between researching online and calling a broker?

What do you need to know?	Medicare.gov	Rob Simm — NC #10447418
Plan F vs Plan G	Lists both plans — doesn’t tell you which costs less for your zip code	I pull actual carrier quotes for Orange County and show you the math side by side
UNC Health access	Says “any doctor who accepts Medicare” — doesn’t confirm UNC specifically	I confirm UNC Health accepts Original Medicare for your specific providers
Premium comparison	Doesn’t show Medigap premiums — you have to call each carrier individually	I compare all carriers in Orange County in one call — 8+ companies, real 2026 rates
Enrollment timing	Explains the rules — doesn’t flag that your 6-month window is closing	I track your window and tell you the exact date it expires
Rate history	No historical premium data — no way to see which carriers raise rates fastest	I know which carriers in NC have the most stable rate increases over 5–10 years
Ongoing support	800 number, hold times, different agent every call	Same broker, same phone number, same answer — I pick up when you call next year

2026 Medicare numbers

What are the key Medicare costs for Orange County residents in 2026?

$202.90

Part B premium per month

2026 standard rate. Higher with IRMAA surcharge based on income above $106,000.

$283

Part B annual deductible

You pay this before Medicare covers 80% of outpatient care. This is the only difference between Plan F and Plan G.

$9,350

MA in-network out-of-pocket max

2026 cap on in-network Medicare Advantage spending. Not applicable if you choose Medigap.

$2,100

Part D out-of-pocket cap

No catastrophic Rx costs in 2026. Insulin capped at $35/month. You’ll need a standalone Part D plan with Medigap.

💡 Broker Tip — Orange County

If you’re a UNC Health patient comparing Plan F and Plan G, focus on the premium difference — not the deductible. In Orange County, most carriers price Plan G $35–$65/month less than Plan F. That’s $420–$780 saved per year, minus the $283 deductible you’ll pay once. You come out $137–$497 ahead with Plan G every single year — and the gap widens over time because Plan F premiums tend to increase faster as that risk pool shrinks.

— Rob Simm, Licensed Medicare Broker, NC #10447418

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Rob Simm · Licensed NC Medicare Broker · NPN #10447418

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Real scenario · Orange County

What does Plan F vs Plan G actually cost over 5 years?

Chose Plan F

$3,250+

Over 5 years, Plan F’s higher premiums cost $2,000–$3,900 more than Plan G. You saved $283/year on the deductible ($1,415 total) — but overpaid by $585–$2,485 net. And Plan F premiums increase faster as the risk pool shrinks post-2020.

Chose Plan G

$585–$2,485 saved

You pay the $283 Part B deductible each year — that’s $1,415 over 5 years. But your premiums are $400–$780/year lower. Net savings: $585–$2,485 over 5 years, with the gap growing every year as Plan F rates climb.

It pays to talk to the right broker

Does it cost me anything to get help choosing between Plan F and Plan G?

It doesn’t — because I get paid by the insurance carrier to manage your plan. Most call centers get paid more to steer your business toward certain carriers based on volume and contracts. The only thing I’m optimizing for is making sure you’re covered correctly when you actually need it. That’s what keeps people coming back. And referring their neighbors.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Can I see my UNC Health doctors with both Medigap Plan F and Plan G?

Yes. Both Medigap Plan F and Plan G work with Original Medicare, which means any doctor who accepts Medicare — including all UNC Health providers — is in-network. There are no provider directories or network restrictions with Medigap plans. Call (828) 761-3326 if you want to confirm a specific provider.

What is the actual cost difference between Plan F and Plan G in Orange County NC in 2026?

Plan F typically costs $400–$800 more per year in premiums than Plan G in Orange County. The only extra benefit Plan F provides is coverage of the $283 Part B deductible. So you pay $400–$800 more to avoid paying $283 — that’s a net loss of $117–$517 per year with Plan F.

Is Medigap Plan F still available in 2026?

Plan F is only available to people who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. If you turned 65 before 2020 or qualified for Medicare due to disability before 2020, you can still enroll in Plan F. Everyone else is limited to Plan G as the highest-coverage Medigap option.

What does Medigap Plan G not cover that Plan F does?

The only difference is the Part B deductible — $283 in 2026. Plan F covers this deductible for you. Plan G requires you to pay the $283 yourself each year. Every other benefit is identical: 100% of Part B coinsurance, Part A coinsurance and hospital costs, hospice care coinsurance, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, Part B excess charges, and foreign travel emergency coverage.

When is the best time to enroll in a Medigap plan in North Carolina?

Your best window is the 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period that starts the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Part B. During this window, insurers in NC cannot deny you coverage or charge more based on health conditions. After this window closes, you may face medical underwriting and could be denied coverage. Call Rob Simm at (828) 761-3326 to confirm your enrollment window.

Related Medicare guides

Medicare Enrollment in NC – 2026 Guide Extra Help/LIS Eligibility NC 2026 Compare Medicare Advantage Plans in NC Extra Help / LIS in NC – 2026 Eligibility Guide Working Past 65 – Medicare Enrollment Special Enrollment Periods in NC Cheap Health Insurance Without Employer Coverage Free Medicare Quotes Online

Get help in nearby NC counties

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Robert Simm

Licensed Independent Medicare Broker

Helping NC families navigate Medicare since 2014. Independent — I work with all carriers and get paid the same regardless of which plan you choose. I verify provider networks with UNC Health and Duke Health directly and answer my own phone the next year when something changes.

📞 (828) 761-3326 📋 NC #10447418 🏥 AHIP Certified ⭐ 5.0 · 20+ reviews 📍 2731 Meridian Pkwy, Durham NC 27713 🕐 Mon–Fri 9am–7pm ET

Last Updated: 2026-05-04 | Reviewed By: Robert Simm, Licensed Medicare Broker, NC #10447418 | Next Review: October 2026

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for information on all of your options. GenerationHealth.me and Robert Simm are independent agents not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. This is a solicitation of insurance. A licensed agent may contact you. Information on this page is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal or financial advice. Plan availability, premiums, and benefits vary by location and carrier. © 2026 GenerationHealth.me