Can I Change Medicare Supplement Plans Anytime?

In most cases, you can’t change Medicare Supplement plans at any time. There are only a handful of situations where you can switch Medigap plans, and you must meet certain eligibility requirements to do so. Some states also have unique laws around switching plans.

You might want to change your Medigap plan for a few reasons. For example, if your plan doesn’t provide enough coverage or it’s too expensive, choosing a different plan might be a better option to meet your needs.

Can I Switch Medicare Supplement Plans?

It’s possible to switch Medigap insurance plans, but it depends on the timing and your situation. 

Under federal Medicare law, you receive only one guaranteed issue Medigap open enrollment period in your lifetime. This six-month Medigap open enrollment period begins the month you turn 65 or when you enroll in Medicare Part B.

During the Medigap open enrollment period, you can purchase any Medigap plan offered in your state. Premiums are usually lower, and insurance companies can’t deny you coverage because of your health. 

If you switch plans outside your Medigap open enrollment period, insurance companies can charge higher premiums based on your past or current medical history. Insurers can deny you coverage if you’re in poor health or impose a waiting period before your pre-existing conditions will be covered. 

“The biggest risk of changing to a different Medigap plan outside open enrollment is that you must answer health underwriting questions,” said Wilson Coffman, president of Coffman Retirement Group.

However, there are a few situations where you can switch Medigap plans after your open enrollment period ends.

Your State Has a Medigap Birthday Rule

Some states have a Medigap birthday rule, which allows you to switch plans and/or insurance companies around the time of your birthday without medical underwriting. 

Depending on the state, you can switch to a different plan within 30 to 60 days of your birthday each year. But in most states, you can only switch to a plan with equal or lesser benefits than your current one.

You Are Within the Medicare “Trial Period”

If you purchase a Medicare Advantage Plan, you have a 12-month “trial period.” You can cancel your Medicare Advantage plan and enroll in Original Medicare during this time. After you make the switch, you can purchase a Medigap plan.  

These are two situations that make you eligible for a “trial right” to purchase Medigap:

• You got a Medicare Advantage plan when you were first eligible at age 65, and after the first year, you want to switch to Original Medicare.
• You had Original Medicare and a Medigap plan. Then, you dropped it to join a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time. Within the first year of the Medicare Advantage plan, you want to switch back to Original Medicare.

Enrolling in a Medigap plan with a trial right means you can’t be denied coverage because of your health or charged more for your plan.

You Are Within the 30-Day Free Look Period

Every Medigap plan has a 30-day free look period. During this time, you can switch to a different Medicare Supplement plan and get a full refund. However, you must pay the first month’s premium for the old plan before switching to a new one.

You Have a Guaranteed Issue Right to Switch Plans

You might qualify for a Special Medigap Enrollment period if you have a guaranteed issue right. During this 63-day period, insurers can’t deny you a Medigap plan; they must cover your pre-existing health conditions. Insurance carriers also can’t increase the cost of Medigap insurance because of your current or past health history.

Here are a few of the situations where you can switch Medigap plans with a guaranteed issue right:

• You lose Medigap coverage through no fault of your own, such as the insurance company going bankrupt.
• You move out of the Medicare or Medigap plan network.
• Your Original Medicare plan or employer-sponsored health insurance plan pays after Medicare, and the plan is ending.

State Rules About Changing Medicare Supplement Plans

Some states have specific regulations around Medigap guaranteed issue rights that go above and beyond what is required at the federal level. In the 12 states below, extended Medigap guaranteed issue rights can make it easier to purchase a plan outside of your Medigap open enrollment period.

How to Switch Medicare Supplement Plans

The first step in changing Medicare Supplement plans is determining eligibility. In addition, determine whether or not you can apply without medical underwriting. 

Then, you can apply for a new policy. If you qualify for a new plan because of a guaranteed issue right, you will need to submit documentation proving that you are eligible. After you are approved, you can notify your old insurance carrier and request to cancel your policy.

Can I Switch Medicare Supplement Plan Providers?

You can only change Medicare Supplement insurance companies in specific instances according to federal law. Here are some of the situations where you may be able to choose a new insurance company:

• The insurance company went bankrupt: If the insurance company that underwrites your Medigap policy goes bankrupt, you can switch to a different provider.
• You’re moving to a new state: You can switch Medigap providers if you move to a new state where your old insurance company doesn’t underwrite plans.
• Your insurer misled you: If you cancel your Medigap plan because your insurance company misled you or didn’t follow the rules, you can choose a plan from a different provider.

The Bottom Line

You typically can’t switch Medicare Supplement Insurance plans at any time. You can only switch during specific periods, such as during a trial period, a 30-day free look period, or when you have a guaranteed issue right to change Medigap plans. Before you switch, it’s essential to consider the potential risks, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions that may not be covered under a new Medigap plan.