We want either F or G. F is $240 more per year than G...
Never choose Plan F if the premium is more than (Plan G + Part B deductible) unless the former employer is picking up the tab. You're just paying someone else's claims in the form of higher F premiums. He can only join F/F-HD in 2020 if he turns 65 before 2020.
We also were looking at HDF, but even though the premiums are low, the deductible is $2300, so not crazy about that. It would come in at $475 more than F or G IF you had to pay out that deductible.
The F-HD (G-HD in 2020) deductible is a little misleading. Medicare still pays 80%. You pay the remaining 20% of the low Medicare approved amount until your 20%, and Part B deductible, totals $2340 (2020). Then, the HD plan starts paying the 20%. Because Medicare reimbursement is so low, it's hard to get to $2340 in any given year unless you have multiple hospital admissions or receiving cancer treatment. There is a work-around if you were not leaving NY.
I can't speak to Via Benefits, but NY has special Medigap rules that allow residents to change Medigaps anytime without underwriting. If a person is healthy, they can start with F-HD/G-HD. If they develop a chronic disease, they can switch to Plan G and it becomes effective the first of the following month. If that episode passes, they can switch back to G-HD.
But who is to say that once people who normally would have signed up for F now go into G, that the Part B deductible and premium (and Part G premiums) won't skyrocket?
The calculation used to set the Part B premium and deductible is based on the cost to run Medicare. Choosing a Medigap impacts your cost, not the government's cost. Actually, in theory it's suppose to lower the government's cost since Plan G enrollees would think twice about making that first doctor's appointment.
Plan G premiums are expected to slowly increase as unhealthy people aging in to Medicare who would have chosen Plan F now choose Plan G. Also, the popularity of MA plans, especially among healthy people, is causing adverse selection for Medigaps (except F-HD/G-HD). Unhealthy people gravitate toward Medigaps.
At least with F you know you will not have to pay the B deductible whatever it is.
This is a common misconception. If the Part B deductible increases $30, the plan F premium increases $30/yr to cover the expense. Either way, the member is paying the Part B deductible. There is no free lunch.
New York Medigap Plans and Rates:
https://www.dfs.ny.gov/consumers/health_insurance/supplement_plans_rates