When you opt for Original Medicare, you’ll likely want to buy a private Medicare Supplement plan to help cover all your doctor and hospital bills. However, you may later discover that another Medigap plan may better meet your healthcare and budget needs than your existing plan.

Let’s examine whether you can change Medicare supplement plans and why switching Medigap plans could either benefit or harm you. 

Can you change Medicare Supplement plans? 

You can change Medicare Supplement plans anytime, but there are important things to know about when you can switch and what some consequences may be. For example, if you try switching Medicare Supplement plans, the insurer may be able to deny or delay coverage due to a pre-existing condition. And even if you don’t have a pre-existing condition, many insurers will require a health exam or perform some form of medical underwriting that could result in a higher premium. 

Can you change Medicare Supplement plans with pre-existing conditions? 

When you enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan during the Open Enrollment Period, you can get a policy even with a pre-existing condition because insurers cannot underwrite you for this factor. But if you decide to change from one Medigap policy to another, you can be denied. Or, if you are accepted, you might have to wait to receive care coverage for your pre-existing condition. This waiting period can last up to six months before your insurer will cover care for your pre-existing conditions.

Despite potentially having to pay for out-of-pocket costs, many people do consider switching Medicare Supplement plans if another Medigap policy will provide better coverage for their condition in the long term. 

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Can you change Medicare Supplement plans without underwriting? 

Many people become eligible for Medicare and already have a pre-existing condition. They may worry that they will be denied coverage, but the law ensures that people can get Original Medicare when they become eligible. In addition, they can also purchase a Medicare Supplement plan without underwriting during the Open Enrollment Period (OEP). People can also buy or change a Medigap plan without underwriting during particular circumstances, known as guaranteed issue rights. But you cannot be guaranteed the right to change Medicare Supplement plans without underwriting during any other time. 

When can I change my Medicare Supplement plan? 

You can change your Medicare Supplement plan anytime, but in most cases, there is no guarantee that an insurer will offer you a new plan. If you are offered a new Medigap policy, the insurer can charge higher premiums, delay pre-existing condition coverage, or limit the types of plans you can choose from. Nevertheless, people may still elect to switch Medigap plans, especially if their current policy does not provide the coverage they need for a specific condition. 

There are two times when a person can change Medicare Supplement plans most easily. The first opportunity most people have to move from one Medigap plan to another is during the Open Enrollment Period. Sorting through the features of each Medigap policy to find the best combination of benefits can be a complicated process. As a result, some people take advantage of the Free Look Period. 

What is Medicare’s Free Look Period? 

If you enroll in a Medigap plan during the Open Enrollment Period but think another plan might work better for you, you can try both during a Free Look Period. During this time, you will actually hold two policies—the one you already had and the one you are interested in switching to.  

This Free Look Period lasts 30 days, and you will have to pay the premium for both Medigap policies. At the end of the period, you’ll choose which policy you prefer. If you stay with the old policy, the new policy will reimburse you for the premium you paid. But if you stick with the new policy, the insurer will not reimburse you. But you will have had coverage for any care you received. 

What Are Guaranteed Issue Rights?  

The first opportunity for most people to change their Medigap plan is during the OEP. But some people may also qualify for the option to switch Medicare Supplement plans based on guaranteed issue rights. Guaranteed issue rights are a specific set of circumstances that allow someone to change policies without underwriting, coverage delay, or denial. These circumstances are: 

  • You have a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C), and the insurer or plan will no longer offer coverage in your area or is leaving Medicare. 
  • Your Medigap insurer cancels your plan, and it isn’t your fault, or the insurer goes bankrupt. 
  • You have Original Medicare already, and your employer, union, or group insurance will end. 
  • You have Original Medicare and a Medicare SELECT plan, but you moved out of the plan’s service area. 
  • You had Medigap and switched to Medicare Advantage, but you want to switch back to Medigap. This guaranteed issue right only qualifies if this is your first time switching back and you make the switch back within a year. 
  • You dropped your Medicare Supplement plan because the insurer misled you or did not follow the rules. 
  • You chose to join a Medicare Advantage or Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) when you first became eligible for Medicare but decided to switch to Original Medicare within your first year of joining. 

How to change Medicare Supplement plans? 

You’ll need to call the new insurance company if you want to switch Medicare Supplement plans. There will be an application process for the new Medigap policy. You may have to answer health questions depending on when you are switching Medigap plans and where you live. You should not cancel your existing policy yet! Keep your current Medicare Supplement policy until you get approval for the new Medigap plan to ensure you have no gaps in care coverage. Then, you can call your previous policy’s insurer to find out how to cancel your coverage.  

The process of changing Medigap plans can feel confusing. Hella Health is here to help! Check out these frequently asked questions, or try our Medicare Coach full of resources and guidance.  

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FAQs 

Can I change Medicare Supplement plans anytime? 

Yes, you can change your Medigap plan anytime, even mid-year. People who want to change from one Medigap plan to another do not have to wait for the Annual Enrollment Period. However, insurers may be able to deny you. They may also be able to delay coverage for any pre-existing conditions for up to six months or charge you higher premiums.  

What happens when changing Medicare Supplement plans when moving? 

If you move, you can keep your Medigap policy. However, many people decide to change Medicare Supplement plans when they move. If your financial situation changes, another Medigap plan may fit your budget better. In addition, you may be moving for other reasons, such as your health or a pre-existing condition, and want to switch your Medigap plan as a result. But keep in mind that if you switch to a new policy, you may have to wait for coverage or pay higher premiums. 

Can you change Medigap plans each year? 

You can change Medigap plans each year. In fact, you can change as often as you want. However, trying to change Medigap plans frequently is risky. Unless guaranteed issue rights cover you, Medicare Supplement plan insurers could deny your application or delay coverage. And many people end up paying higher premiums.  

I have an older Medigap policy. Should I change it? 

Medigap policies have changed over the years, and you might have an older policy. You do not have to switch your policy, but sometimes people decide to change it for specific reasons. Medigap policies issued before 1992 may have higher premiums, so switching to a policy that offers you lower premiums might be possible. And Medigap policies issued before 2010 might provide different coverage.  

A newer Medicare Supplement plan might have better benefits for your situation. But it is essential to evaluate the old and potential new policies carefully. Once you change from your old policy, you cannot change back to it—you are leaving the old policy for good. 

Questions about Medicare?

Shoot us an email at medicare@hihella.com.