Supplemental Plans
Advantage Plans
Rx Plans
Supplemental Plans
Rx Plans
Want to Switch From an Advantage Plan to a Supplemental + Rx Plan?
Get Our Help by Following These Two Easy Steps:
Step 1
Take Pre-Underwriting Quiz
You will likely need to pass medical underwriting to get a supplemental plan. Take our quiz to see if you pass. If you can say “No” to all these questions, you’ll be able to schedule an appointment with our team.
Note: NY, MA, CT, ME, & VT generally do not require underwriting.
Step 2
Schedule an Appointment
Review our booking process below so you can schedule an enrollment appointment with our team. We will review different Supplemental Plan options, complete the underwriting form, and submit the application for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click on a question below and the answer to the question will show.
What is the difference between Medicare Advantage and Medigap?
Medicare Advantage (Part C) is an all-in-one alternative to Original Medicare, often including additional benefits like prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and hearing services. Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans, on the other hand, work with Original Medicare to cover out-of-pocket costs such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles, but they do not include extra benefits like prescription drug coverage.
When can I switch from Medicare Advantage to Medigap?
You can generally switch from a Medicare Advantage plan to a Medigap plan during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31) or during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which runs from October 15 to December 7. To switch, you will need to disenroll from your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare, then apply for a Medigap plan.
Will I need medical underwriting to switch to a Medigap plan?
In most cases, yes. If you are outside of a guaranteed issue period, you will likely need to go through medical underwriting when applying for a Medigap plan. This means the insurance company can assess your health and may charge higher premiums or deny coverage based on your health status.
Why would I switch from Medicare Advantage to Medigap?
People often switch to Medigap if they prefer:
- Predictable costs: Medigap covers many of the out-of-pocket expenses that you would otherwise pay with Medicare Advantage.
- Flexibility: Medigap doesn’t require you to stay within a provider network, allowing you to see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare.
- No Pre-Authorizations:.
- More coverage for serious health issues: Medigap plans provide more comprehensive coverage for costly healthcare services, which can be beneficial if you develop serious health issues.
What is the process for switching from a Medicare Advantage plan to a Supplemental (Medigap) plan?
First, unless you live in New York or Connecticut, you’ll likely need to medically qualify. Start by answering the health questions provided. If you can answer “No” to this basic set of health questions on this page, schedule an appointment with our team. We will work with you to compare Medigap options and help you apply. Once you’re accepted into a Medigap plan, we will assist you with applying for a separate prescription drug plan (Part D). Submitting the Part D application will automatically disenroll you from your Medicare Advantage plan at the end of the year, and your new Medigap and prescription drug coverage will begin on January 1st.
Will my Medicare Advantage plan automatically disenroll me if I apply for Medigap?
No, however since you will get a new Rx plan, this will automatically disenroll you from your Medicare Advantage plan. Be sure that your new Medigap plan is approved before submitting an Rx plan is applied for to avoid any issues.
Can I switch from Medicare Advantage to Medigap during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?
Yes. During the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31), if you’re already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch back to Original Medicare and then apply for a Medigap plan. However, unless you qualify for guaranteed issue rights, medical underwriting will still apply when applying for Medigap.
How does prescription drug coverage work if I switch to Medigap?
Medigap plans do not include prescription drug coverage. If you switch to Medigap, you will need to enroll in a separate Part D prescription drug plan to ensure your medications are covered. You can enroll in a Part D plan during the same period when you switch to Medigap. We will assist you with this when we assist you with the Medigap application.
Are there penalties for switching from Medicare Advantage to Medigap?
There are no direct penalties for switching plans. However, if you delay enrolling in a Part D prescription drug plan after switching to Medigap, you may face a late enrollment penalty for Part D coverage.
Can I switch back to Medicare Advantage if I’m unhappy with Medigap?
Yes, during the following Annual Enrollment Period (Oct 15 – Dec 7), with Advantage plan coverage beginning January 1st.
What’s the difference in cost between Medicare Advantage and Medigap?
Medicare Advantage plans often have lower monthly premiums but may come with higher out-of-pocket costs for services like doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescriptions. Medigap plans tend to have higher monthly premiums but cover most or all out-of-pocket costs, giving you more predictable expenses. With Medigap, you will also need a separate Part D plan for prescription drugs, which adds to the cost.
Are Medigap plans more widely accepted than Medicare Advantage plans?
Yes, Medigap plans offer more flexibility because they work with any provider that accepts Medicare. Unlike Medicare Advantage, Medigap plans do not have network restrictions, so you can see any doctor or visit any hospital that accepts Medicare across the country.
Do Medigap plans require referrals or pre-authorizations like Medicare Advantage?
No, Medigap plans do not require referrals or pre-authorizations. As long as the service is covered by Original Medicare, Medigap will cover its portion of the cost. This can offer more flexibility and quicker access to care compared to Medicare Advantage plans, which often require pre-authorization.
What should I consider before switching from Medicare Advantage to Medigap?
Before switching, consider the following:
- Medical underwriting: You may need to go through medical underwriting to get approved for a Medigap plan, and your premiums could be higher based on your health.
- Separate drug plan: You will need to enroll in a Part D plan for prescription drug coverage since Medigap does not include it.
- Loss of extra benefits: Medigap does not cover services like dental, vision, or hearing, so you may lose access to these benefits if switching from Medicare Advantage.
How do I compare Medigap plans when switching from Medicare Advantage?
When switching to Medigap, compare plans based on:
- Premiums: How much are the monthly premiums?
- Plan G vs. N: Does the plan cover the gaps in Medicare that are most important to you (deductibles, copays, excess charges etc.)?
- Schedule a time to speak with our team to compare your options.
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