You can change your Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy anytime, but the best time to change your plan is during a guaranteed issue period.
Medicare Supplement plans don't have the same dedicated enrollment periods for changing coverage. Even though you’re allowed to change to a new plan at any time, you’ll get the best rates and can't be denied coverage if you change plans during a guaranteed issue period. If you aren't protected by a guaranteed issue period, we recommend you carefully consider the potential outcomes of changing coverage.
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Making changes without a guaranteed issue period
For most people, changing your Medigap plan will mean your application will go through the medical underwriting process. This includes reviewing your medical history and assessing risk factors. As a result, you could have to pay more for a policy or could be denied coverage for a pre-existing condition.
For example, without guaranteed issue rights, an application for Humana Medigap can be denied on the spot for conditions such as heart disease, dementia or uncontrolled diabetes.
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Making changes with a guaranteed issue period
If you change your Medigap plan during a guaranteed issue period, the insurance company won’t consider your age or medical condition. Making changes during a guaranteed issue period gives you better protection from high prices, and it gives you more freedom to select the coverage you want.
What changes to Medigap can you make?
At any time, you can switch your Medigap plan or add a supplemental plan to your Original Medicare.
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Keep in mind that Medicare Supplement plans are guaranteed renewable so you can't lose the coverage you already have. However changing or adding plans is affected by whether or not you qualify for a guaranteed issue period.
When do you qualify for a guaranteed issue period?
Some guaranteed issue periods are specified at the federal level. This includes situations like moving or a plan no longer being available. Most notably, if you switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare, you don’t automatically become eligible for protected enrollment in Medigap through a guaranteed issue.
Federally protected guaranteed issue periods:
- You lose coverage through no fault of your own such as if your Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan is no longer available or a supplemental plan through an employer or union is ending.
- You’re moving and your Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare SELECT policy is not available in your new area.
- You are in the Trial Right period that lets you switch to Original Medicare/Medigap from Medicare Advantage during your first year of enrollment.
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You have been misled by your Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan, or the plan has not followed the rules.
Some states offer expanded guaranteed issue periods to give you more options for changing your Medigap coverage. There may be a broader set of qualifying circumstances, and some states have added open enrollment for Medigap.
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State
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Guaranteed issue period for Medigap
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|---|---|
| Alabama | Federal minimum requirements |
| Alaska | Expansion of qualifying events (retiree benefit changes and more) |
| Arizona | Federal minimum requirements |
| Arkansas | Expansion of qualifying events (retiree benefit changes) |
| California | Expansion of qualifying events (loss of Medicaid eligibility, retiree benefit changes and more) |
| Colorado | Expansion of qualifying events (retiree benefit changes and more) |
| Connecticut | Continuous enrollment (available anytime during the year) |
| Delaware | Federal minimum requirements |
| District of Columbia | Federal minimum requirements |
| Florida | Expansion of qualifying events (retiree benefit changes and more) |
| Georgia | Federal minimum requirements |
| Hawaii | Federal minimum requirements |
| Idaho | Expansion of qualifying events (retiree benefit changes) |
| Illinois | Expansion of qualifying events (retiree benefit changes) |
| Indiana | Expansion of qualifying events (retiree benefit changes) |
| Iowa | Expansion of qualifying events (retiree benefit changes) |
| Kansas | Expansion of qualifying events (loss of Medicaid eligibility, retiree benefit changes and more) |
| Kentucky | Federal minimum requirements |
| Louisiana | Expansion of qualifying events (retiree benefit changes and more) |
| Maine | Expanded enrollment periods (can change between plans with the same or less benefits at any time. Plus, one-month guaranteed issue offered by each insurance company for Medigap Plan A) |
| Maryland | Federal minimum requirements |
| Massachusetts | Annual open enrollment (enroll from February 1 to March 31 for coverage beginning June 1) |
| Michigan | Federal minimum requirements |
| Minnesota | Expansion of qualifying events (retiree benefit changes) |
| Mississippi | Federal minimum requirements |
| Missouri | Expansion of qualifying events (retiree benefit changes) |
| Montana | Expansion of qualifying events (loss of Medicaid eligibility, retiree benefit changes and more) |
| Nebraska | Expansion of qualifying events (retiree benefit changes) |
| Nevada | Expansion of qualifying events (retiree benefit changes) |
| New Hampshire | Federal minimum requirements |
| New Jersey | Expansion of qualifying events (retiree benefit changes) |
| New Mexico | Expansion of qualifying events (retiree benefit changes) |
| New York | Continuous enrollment (plans available anytime during the year) |
| North Carolina | Federal minimum requirements |
| North Dakota | Federal minimum requirements |
| Ohio | Expansion of qualifying events (retiree benefit changes) |
| Oklahoma | Expansion of qualifying events (retiree benefit changes and more) |
| Oregon | Expansion of qualifying events (loss of Medicaid eligibility, retiree benefit changes and more) |
| Pennsylvania | Expansion of qualifying events (retiree benefit changes) |
| Rhode Island | Federal minimum requirements |
| South Carolina | Federal minimum requirements |
| South Dakota | Federal minimum requirements |
| Tennessee | Expansion of qualifying events (loss of Medicaid eligibility) |
| Texas | Expansion of qualifying events (loss of Medicaid eligibility, retiree benefit changes and more) |
| Utah | Expansion of qualifying events (loss of Medicaid eligibility) |
| Vermont | Expansion of qualifying events (retiree benefit changes) |
| Virginia | Expansion of qualifying events (retiree benefit changes) |
| Washington | Continuous enrollment (Medigap Plan A enrollees can switch anytime to another Plan A, and enrollees of plans B through N can switch to another letter within the same set) |
| West Virginia | Expansion of qualifying events (retiree benefit changes) |
| Wisconsin | Expansion of qualifying events (loss of Medicaid eligibility, retiree benefit changes and more) |
| Wyoming | Expansion of qualifying events (those who have postponed Medicare enrollment) |
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