Can you switch to Plan G without underwriting?

Asked by: Gay Wilderman  |  Last update: April 24, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (28 votes)

There are a few companies in a few states that are allowing their members to switch from F to G without health review, but most still require Medical Underwriting to switch.

Can you switch between Medigap plans without underwriting?

People can change from Medigap plan to Medigap plan with no underwriting, but people with Medicare advantage cannot go to Medigap without underwriting at their birthday. The only option dad has is to literally move outside of his service area - then he can get medigap with no UW.

Does Plan G require underwriting?

There is only underwriting if you initially sign up for Medicare Advantage and then after your trial period want to switch to a supplement plan such as Plan G. If you initially sign up for Plan G there is no underwriting in Year 2 or any other year to stay on it.

Is it possible to get a Medicare Advantage plan without medical underwriting?

No, there is no underwriting for Medicare Advantage.

How to 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.

Can I change Medicare Supplement plans ANYTIME? Yes, but there's a CATCH!

27 related questions found

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.

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 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.

Why are hospitals refusing Medicare Advantage plans?

Among the most commonly cited reasons are excessive prior authorization denial rates and slow payments from insurers. In 2023, Becker's began reporting on hospitals and health systems nationwide that dropped some or all of their Medicare Advantage contracts.

What is the term for a Medicare Supplement plan that does not require underwriting?

Guaranteed issue rights for Medicare Supplement insurance (Medigap plans) allow you to purchase a Medigap policy or switch plans without medical underwriting. These Medigap protections apply to specific situations when an insurance company cannot deny you Medigap coverage.

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.

Can I be turned down for a Medigap plan?

Outside of your Medigap Open Enrollment Period: You may have to pay more for a policy. Fewer policy options may be available to you. The insurance company is allowed to deny you a policy if you don't meet their medical underwriting requirements.

How long does the general underwriting process take?

Underwriting can take anywhere from a couple days to a few weeks, depending in part on the complexity of a mortgage applicant's financial situation and how thorough applicants are in submitting requested documents.

Is there a penalty for switching from Medicare Advantage to Medigap?

While there's no penalty for switching from Medicare Advantage to Medigap, you may face higher Medigap premiums due to preexisting conditions if you enroll outside of the initial enrollment period. You could also face a penalty if you add Part D coverage.

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 is the best supplemental insurance for Medicare?

The best Medicare supplement plan providers
  • Best for extra plan benefits: Humana.
  • Best for straightforward coverage: State Farm.
  • Best for extensive medical care coverage: AARP by UnitedHealthcare.
  • Best for a range of Medigap plans: Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Why are seniors losing Medicare Advantage plans?

Medicare vs Privatized Medicare Advantage

Beneficiaries are tossed aside because they live in an unprofitable market for their insurer or because they are actually using the insurance they signed up for to access services.

Which health insurance denies the most claims?

According to the analysis, AvMed and UnitedHealthcare tied for the highest denial rate, with both companies denying about a third of in-network claims for plans sold on the Marketplace in 2023, respectively.

Which company has the best Medicare Advantage plan?

Best Medicare Advantage Plans for 2025
  • Best Overall, Best for Low Costs: Cigna.
  • Also Great for Low Costs: Alignment Health.
  • Best for Nationwide Coverage: Aetna.
  • Best for Patient Experience, Best for Drug Coverage: Kaiser Permanente.
  • Best for Special Needs Plans: Humana.

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.

Can I switch from Plan F to Plan G without underwriting?

There are a few companies in a few states that are allowing their members to switch from F to G without health review, but most still require Medical Underwriting to switch. Give us a call and we can see if your current plan will let you downgrade from F to G without medical underwriting.

What is the downside to Medigap?

What are the disadvantages of a Medigap plan? 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.

Can you be turned down for Medigap insurance?

After that open enrollment period, if you want to buy a Medigap plan, you can be denied coverage based on a pre-existing condition or face a pre-existing condition exclusion period.

What is the 2 2 2 rule in Medicare?

Introduced in the Fiscal Year 2014 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) Final Rule, the two-midnight rule specifies that Medicare will pay for inpatient hospital admissions when a physician reasonably expects the patient's care to require a stay that crosses two midnights, and the medical record supports this ...

Does everyone have to pay $170 a month for Medicare?

Most people pay no premiums for Part A. For Medicare Part B in 2025, most beneficiaries will pay $185 per month. Certain factors may require you to pay more or less than the standard Medicare Part B premium in 2025.