when can i change my medigap plan

What You lot Need to Know Before You Change Your Medigap Programme

Nov 22, 2022
Reviewed by John Krahnert

You tin change your Medigap program any time, but you may have to get through medical underwriting unless you take a guaranteed issue right, depending on what state you live in. Learn nigh switching Medigap plans with the assistance of a licensed insurance amanuensis.

You tin can modify your Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plan anytime, but there are a few things you should know before y'all do then.

You can enroll in a Medigap plan during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. If you apply for or change Medigap plans outside of your Medigap OEP, y'all may have to go through medical underwriting unless you authorize for a Medicare guaranteed issue right, depending on what state you alive in.

Can I alter Medigap plans during open enrollment?

One of the best times to enroll in a Medigap plan is during your Medigap Open up Enrollment Period, which is a 6-month period that starts when you lot are at least 65 years former and enrolled in Medicare Part B.

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This is not to exist confused with the Medicare Almanac Enrollment Menses (AEP), which runs from October 15 to December 7 every year.

During the Medicare AEP, you lot tin enroll in, change, or drop your Medicare Part D prescription drug program or your Medicare Reward (Function C) program.

AEP does not apply specifically to Medicare Supplement Insurance plans.

Learn more virtually the different Medicare enrollment periods and how they can affect your coverage.

What is the six month Medigap Open Enrollment Menstruation?

During your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, y'all can sign up for or change Medigap plans without going through medical underwriting. This means that insurance companies cannot deny you coverage or charge you more for a policy based on your health or pre-existing conditions.

If your Medigap Open Enrollment Period has passed, you lot may withal be able to apply for or modify your Medigap program without medical underwriting if y'all qualify for a Medigap guaranteed issue right.

What is a guaranteed issue correct?

There are certain situations in which y'all can change Medigap plans or purchase a new Medigap program without existence bailiwick to medical underwriting. These situations are called guaranteed upshot rights.

You may authorize for a Medigap guaranteed issue right any time of year if you fit one of the following descriptions:

You currently take a Medicare Reward plan that is leaving Medicare or ending coverage in your area.
You have a Medicare Advantage plan, and you are moving out of the program'due south service area.
You have Medicare Part A and Part B (Original Medicare), and you need to supercede an employer wellness program that volition soon be discontinued.
You have Original Medicare and a Medicare SELECT policy, and you movement out of the policy's service expanse.
Y'all joined a Medicare Advantage programme or a Program of Spread-out Treat the Elderly (Footstep) when you were showtime eligible for Medicare Part A at 65, and within the starting time year of joining yous want to switch to Original Medicare.
You dropped a Medigap policy to bring together a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time, and within the starting time yr of joining you want to switch back to Medigap.
Your Medigap insurance visitor goes bankrupt or ends your policy through no fault of your ain.
You lot leave a Medicare Advantage plan or Medigap policy because the company misled yous or did not follow federal Medicare rules.

Visit MedicareSupplement.com to observe out if you authorize for a guaranteed issue correct and compare Medigap plans in your expanse.

Switching Plans Outside of Your Medigap Open up Enrollment Period Without a Guaranteed Issue Right

If you don't qualify for a guaranteed result right and want to switch your Medigap plan outside of your initial Medigap Open Enrollment Period, your application may include medical underwriting.

If you have pre-existing conditions or health conditions that accept adult afterward yous purchased your current Medigap policy, your new plan could have college premiums than your current plan. Or the insurance carrier who sells the new plan you desire could deny you coverage.

Consult with a licensed insurance agent to discuss your options.

What is a Medicare Supplement free expect period?

When you lot switch from one Medigap plan to another, you may be given 30 days to decide if you wish to keep your new plan. This is chosen a Medigap free await period.

If you change Medigap plans, don't abolish your original Medigap plan until y'all've decided to keep your new plan. You'll have to pay the premiums for both plans for ane calendar month, simply if you want to modify back to your original Medigap plan, you will withal be able to practise so.

How tin I switch exercise a different Medigap policy?

Changing Medigap plans can be simple with the assistance of a licensed insurance agent.

You can visit MedicareSupplement.com and request to speak to a licensed agent. If you know which Medigap program you lot want, the agent can guide you through the application procedure. If you are unsure virtually which Medigap programme you lot want, an agent can help you review the available options in your area.
If you're accepted into a new Medigap plan and wish to keep it (and if you're currently enrolled in a different Medigap plan), contact the company who issued your original Medigap plan and cancel it in writing. Your insurance company cannot abolish the plan for you. Again, a licensed insurance agent can aid you with this.

Remember that if you lot move to another country, you are immune to keep your existing Medigap policy, even if that plan is not sold in your new state. However, your new state may offer a different selection of Medigap plans with costs that may exist more benign to you.

If you lot movement, contact a licensed insurance agent to learn most the programme options available in your new location.

Learn virtually Medicare Supplement plans available where you live.

Speak with a licensed insurance agent

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Christian

Well-nigh the author

Christian Worstell is a licensed insurance agent and a Senior Staff Writer for MedicareAdvantage.com. He is passionate near helping people navigate the complexities of Medicare and understand their coverage options.

His piece of work has been featured in outlets such as Vocalism, MSN, and The Washington Mail, and he is a frequent contributor to health care and finance blogs.

Christian is a graduate of Shippensburg University with a bachelor's degree in journalism. He currently lives in Raleigh, NC.

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