Can I Change My Medicare Supplement Plan During Medicare Annual Enrollment?
Medicare’s Annual Election Period creates plenty of advertising and confusion, but the rules for Medicare Supplement plans are different.
If you already have a Medicare Supplement plan and want to lower your premium, change insurance companies, or compare your current coverage, you do not have to wait for Medicare’s Annual Election Period.
Medicare Supplement plans, also called Medigap plans, do not have an annual enrollment period. You may apply to change Medicare Supplement plans at any time during the year, although medical underwriting may be required.
The short answer: You can apply to change your Medicare Supplement plan during Medicare Annual Enrollment, but Annual Enrollment does not provide an automatic right to change Medigap policies without medical underwriting.
Are you wondering whether you could qualify for a lower Medicare Supplement rate?
Call or text The DeAngelis Agency at 215-967-8828 for a personalized Medicare Supplement rate comparison.
What Is Medicare Annual Enrollment?
Medicare Annual Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7 each year. It is primarily the period when people can make changes involving Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.
This period is sometimes called Medicare Open Enrollment or the Annual Election Period. It is heavily advertised, but it should not be confused with the separate six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period available when someone is first eligible.
Medicare Supplement Plans Do Not Have an Annual Election Period
Medicare Supplement policies follow different rules from Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans. There is no once-a-year Medicare Supplement enrollment season that everyone must use.
A person with Original Medicare may submit an application for a different Medicare Supplement policy at any time. However, unless the applicant is within the initial Medigap Open Enrollment Period or has a guaranteed-issue right, the insurance company may review the applicant’s health history.
That means an application can be approved, declined, or subject to the insurance company’s underwriting rules. Eligibility can vary among companies, which is why working with an independent Medicare broker can be helpful.
Why Change Medicare Supplement Plans?
People commonly consider changing Medicare Supplement policies for several reasons:
- The monthly premium has increased.
- Another company offers the same standardized plan at a lower rate.
- They want to compare Plan G and Plan N.
- They are paying for benefits they no longer believe they need.
- They want help reviewing the financial strength and rate history of different companies.
Because Medicare Supplement benefits are standardized, a Plan N from one insurance company provides the same basic medical benefits as a Plan N from another company. Premiums, underwriting requirements, household discounts, rate history, and additional services can differ.
You can learn more about the coverage in Medicare Supplement Plan N and Medicare Supplement Plan G.
Will I Have to Answer Medical Questions?
In many situations, yes. When you apply to change Medicare Supplement plans outside your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period or a guaranteed-issue situation, the insurance company may require medical underwriting.
The questions and eligibility rules are not necessarily identical from one insurance company to another. An independent Medicare broker can compare available companies before an application is submitted.
When Can I Change Without Medical Underwriting?
You may have a guaranteed-issue right in certain circumstances. Examples can include losing particular types of coverage, an insurance company ending coverage, or exercising certain federal protections.
Guaranteed-issue situations have specific eligibility rules and deadlines. They should be reviewed individually rather than assumed.
Your initial six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period is different. It generally begins when you are age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During that period, insurance companies cannot use medical underwriting to deny your Medigap application because of your health.
Do Not Cancel Your Current Medicare Supplement Too Soon
Important: Do not cancel your existing Medicare Supplement policy merely because you have applied for another one.
Wait until the new insurance company has approved the application, confirmed the premium, and issued the replacement policy. Canceling existing coverage too early could leave you without the protection you intended to keep.
Medicare explains that someone switching Medigap policies may have a 30-day “free look” period after receiving the new policy. During that period, both premiums may need to be paid while the policyholder decides whether to keep the replacement coverage.
Can I Change From One Plan N Company to Another?
Yes, you may apply to move from one Plan N company to another. Since the core medical benefits of standardized Plan N are the same regardless of the insurance company, many people compare:
- Monthly premium
- Available household discounts
- Company financial strength
- Historical rate increases
- Underwriting eligibility
- Additional services offered by the company
The lowest advertised premium is not automatically the best long-term choice. The goal is to find a competitive rate from a company that makes sense for your circumstances.
Can I Switch Between Plan G and Plan N?
You may apply to switch from Plan G to Plan N or from Plan N to Plan G. Medical underwriting may apply unless you have an applicable open-enrollment or guaranteed-issue right.
Plan G generally offers more predictable out-of-pocket costs, while Plan N can offer a lower monthly premium in exchange for certain cost-sharing. Our detailed Plan G vs. Plan N in Pennsylvania comparison explains the differences.
Pennsylvania prohibits Medicare Part B excess charges, which removes one potential Plan N concern for services received from providers in Pennsylvania. Coverage decisions should still consider travel and services received outside the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to wait until October 15 to change my Medicare Supplement?
No. You may apply to change Medicare Supplement plans at any time during the year. Medical underwriting may apply depending on your circumstances.
Does Annual Enrollment guarantee that my Medigap application will be accepted?
No. Medicare Annual Enrollment does not create a guaranteed-issue right for changing from one Medicare Supplement policy to another.
Can I change Medicare Supplement companies but keep the same plan letter?
Yes. You may apply to change insurance companies while keeping the same standardized plan letter, such as moving from one Plan N policy to another Plan N policy.
Can I shop for a lower Medicare Supplement premium every year?
Yes. You can compare premiums every year or whenever your rate increases. Whether you can change policies will depend on underwriting or any guaranteed-issue rights available to you.
Should I cancel my existing policy before applying for a new one?
No. Keep your existing coverage until the replacement policy has been approved, issued, and reviewed.
Does Medicare Annual Enrollment affect my current Supplement policy?
Medicare Annual Enrollment does not require you to replace your current Medicare Supplement policy. A standardized Medigap policy is generally guaranteed renewable as long as premiums are paid and the policyholder has provided accurate application information.
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