Can I switch Medigap plans without underwriting?
Asked by: Prof. Marcos Jacobi | Last update: September 24, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (49 votes)
How can we avoid Medigap underwriting?
You can enroll in a Medigap plan without going through medical underwriting (in other words, without having to answer any medical questions) if you enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan when you first became eligible for Medicare at age 65 and then decided a Medicare Advantage plan was not for you.
How difficult is it to change Medigap plans?
California, Idaho, Illinois, Nevada, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Oregon, have the Medigap Birthday Rule. If you are currently enrolled in a Medigap plan, you can change to a different Medigap plan each year around your birth month with no medical questions asked using a state-specific birthday rule.
Can I switch from a high deductible plan G to a plan G without underwriting?
If it's the latter... You need to realize that, in most state at least, you won't be able to just switch from a high deductible Plan G to a regular Plan G. Not without medical underwriting anyway. And you could very well be denied due to simply being sick by then.
Is it possible to get a medicare supplement plan without underwriting?
You can buy any Medigap policy sold in your state. An insurance company can't use medical underwriting to decide whether to accept your application - they can't deny you coverage due to pre-existing health problems.
Can I change Medicare Supplement plans ANYTIME? Yes, but there's a CATCH!
Does Medigap require medical underwriting?
Yes, a person can change Medigap policies without medical underwriting if they are within the 6-month Medigap open enrollment period. They can also do so if they are eligible under a specific situation or guaranteed issue right. However, in many cases, a person will need to go through medical underwriting.
Can Medigap deny preexisting conditions?
Under current federal law, insurance companies that sell Medigap policies may refuse to sell a policy to an applicant with certain medical conditions, or who has had certain medical procedures or used specific prescription drugs, outside of open enrollment or a guaranteed issue period.
Can I switch from Medicare Advantage to Medigap without underwriting?
It depends on the timing. You have a guaranteed issue right to buy any Medigap policy sold in your state if you signed up for Medicare Advantage and want to switch to Original Medicare in the first year of coverage. After the one-year trial period, you can be subject to medical underwriting and denials.
What are the top 5 Medicare Supplement plans?
💬 From our Nerds: What are the top five Medicare supplement plans? "Based on NerdWallet's Medigap rubric, I picked five best Medicare Supplement Insurance companies for 2025: AARP/UnitedHealthcare, Mutual of Omaha, State Farm, Anthem and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
What is the waiting period for preexisting conditions with Medicare?
Do Medicare Supplement insurance plans cover preexisting conditions? Yes. However, a Medigap insurance company can refuse to cover pre‑existing conditions for up to 6 months after enrollment. This is called a “pre‑existing condition waiting period.” After 6 months, the Medigap policy will cover those conditions.
What are some reasons someone would want to switch to a different Medigap policy?
- You're paying for benefits you don't need.
- You need more benefits.
- You want to change insurance companies.
- You want a policy that costs less.
Is Medigap being phased out?
For example, Medigap plans C and F will no longer be available to new Medicare recipients after January 1st, 2020.
What is the downside to Medigap plans?
There are a couple of cons to consider before choosing a Medigap plan: Premiums: Medigap premiums can be pricey. Coverage: Medicare Supplement plans don't cover everything, so you'd still have to pay out of pocket for things like dental care, vision care and long-term care.
Which states have guaranteed issues for Medigap?
State laws can provide further protections, but only four states— Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, and New York—require either continuous or annual guaranteed issue protections for Medigap for all beneficiaries in traditional Medicare ages 65 and older, regardless of their medical history.
Can you cancel a Medigap policy at any time?
If your health care needs change and you no longer wish to keep your current Medicare Supplement insurance policy, you can cancel it at any time. There is no disenrollment period and there are no penalties for canceling. Also, canceling your Medigap policy does not affect your Original Medicare benefits in any way.
What is the 6 month rule for Medicare?
You can sign up for Part A any time after you turn 65. Your Part A coverage starts 6 months back from when you sign up or when you apply for benefits from Social Security (or the Railroad Retirement Board). Coverage can't start earlier than the month you turned 65.
Which Medigap plan do most people choose?
There are 10 different types of Medigap policies (labeled A through N), each having a different, standardized set of benefits (Appendix Table 3). Plan G is the most popular Medigap policy, accounting for 39% of all policyholders, or nearly 5.3 million people, in 2023 (Figure 3).
What plan G does not cover?
High deductible plan G does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible. However, high deductible F and G count your payment of the Medicare Part B deductible toward meeting the plan deductible. 2Plans K and L pay 100% of covered services for the rest of the calendar year once you meet the out-of-pocket yearly limit.
Why is a plan G better than an advantage plan?
Medigap Plan G offers more comprehensive benefits than the Medicare Advantage plan and is more widely available. It also provides more freedom for enrollees. For example, a Medigap Plan G enrollee can visit a specialist without a referral.
Does Medigap require underwriting?
If you are age 65 or older and get Part B when you first sign up for Medicare, you can join a Medigap plan without medical underwriting during your one-time, 6-month Medigap open enrollment period.
Why are people leaving Medicare Advantage plans?
Key takeaways: People leave Medicare Advantage plans because out-of-pocket costs vary between plans, network restrictions can cause frustration, prior authorization requests can delay care, and it can be difficult to use the additional benefits they provide.
Can I be denied Medigap coverage?
If you have or had health problems, you may not be able to buy the Medigap plan of your choice unless you are in open enrollment or a guarantee-issue period. It is important to understand these times because they allow you to get a Medigap plan when a company might otherwise refuse to sell you one (due to your health).
What pre-existing conditions are not covered?
Is there health insurance for pre-existing conditions? Choosing a health plan is no longer based on the concept of a pre-existing condition. A health insurer cannot deny you coverage or raise rates for plans if you have a medical condition at the time of enrollment.
Is there a medicare supplement that covers everything?
With Medicare Supplement Plan F, you get the most complete coverage available. And because Plan F also covers costs in excess of Medicare-approved amounts, you may have no out-of-pocket costs for hospital and doctor's office care.