Author: Daniel Petkevich

06-08-2020

How "returns" work in the Medicare world.

When you buy a package on Amazon, you get thirty days to return it, but what happens if you don't like your Medigap (Medicare Supplement) or Medicare Advantage policy?

Medigap (Medicare Supplement)

There are two opportunities to enroll in Medigap without any pre-existing conditions affecting your premium:

• During the six months after your 65th birthday and enrollment in Part B

• For 63 days after you lose employer health insurance coverage

During these periods you can enroll and unenroll in as many Medigap policies as you like. Once these periods pass, Medigap plan carriers can generally screen you, raise your premium, or delay coverage based on any pre-existing conditions you have. In California, however, you have a a 30 day window after your birthday to switch to a Medigap plan that offers equal or fewer benefits than your current one without disclosing any pre-existing conditions.

If you want to switch from a Medigap plan to a Medicare Advantage plan, you can do so between October 15th and December 7th every year.

Medicare Advantage

If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan when you turn 65, you may switch to a Medigap plan for any reason during the first year.

If you want to swap your current Medicare Advantage plan for another one, you can change Medicare Advantage plans between October 15th and December 7th and between January 1st and March 31st every year.