If you have a Medigap plan to supplement your Original Medicare you may at some point want to switch to another Medigap plan, but can you do it? Maybe.
Why Switch Your Medigap Plan?
You may want to switch your Medigap plan if:
- You need less benefits than your current plan has
- Need more benefits than your current plan has
- Want to work with a different insurance company
- Want a less expensive plan
Can You Switch Medigap Plans?
If one of the above is true for you you still may not be able to switch Medigap plans because after your Medigap initial enrollment period Federal law does not require that Medigap plans guarantee that you can receive enrollment without medical underwriting (your health records and a questionnaire) or can switch. Some states like California have a Medigap birthday rule where you can switch plans each year during your birth month. Here are a few cases in which you switch in every state without medical records:
- Your Medigap plan’s provider or agent made misleading claims
- Your Medigap plan went bankrupt
- You switched to a new Medigap plan but don’t like it within the first 30 days
If You Are Able to Switch Medigap Policies
If you are able to switch your Medigap plan CMS suggests that you keep your old policy while you have your new policy for the first 30 days; this is called the “free look period.” During this time you will pay both policy’s premiums.
For further questions about switching your Medigap plan call the number above or contact Senior65.com.