The Easy Ways to Switch To a Medicare Supplement Plan

[@divakiss02]

I been watching a lot video lately because i will be 65 in octubre, and i get more, and more confused 😮 but one thing for sure you are the best that explained everything about medicare, and supplements plan, 👏👏👏

[@Theretirementnerds]

It can be a lot! Appreciate your kind words. An agent will make it all much less complicated because they can narrow the options based on where you live 🙂

[@slomo1716]

One of the BEST explanations I've heard to date on the "SUPPLEMENT" insurance programs. Thank you!

[@Theretirementnerds]

This means a lot! Thank you so much!

[@Shortie5-1]

I started my advantage Plan in August 2023 when I turned 65. I’m in the trial stage and I can switch to supplement plan anytime within a year. Right? I don’t have to wait for Oct 15? Also, that’s past August?

[@Theretirementnerds]

Correct. Anytime within 12 months of you going with the Advantage plan 🙂

[@dmjh932]

We're taking the trial option this coming year. My wife started with a supplement plan "G" in 2015. We're moving her to a PPO UNH plan in 2024 because we'll save $200 a month and have nothing to lose. If her health changes and we want to go back to her old supplement. We can at anytime during the 12 months. Here's what is interesting. She takes numerous maintenance drugs. The Advantage Drug Plan will save her more than $500 out of pocket this next calendar year over her usual Part D. Everyone should do this at least once.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience!!

[@sharonsanderson4514]

Thank you this information was very informative I am in a hole right now spinning around I qualify for both low income Medicaid and I'm on disability Medicare I've worked my years so I put in for that. But not quite retirement yet but clothes I hate to say And there's a lot of things going on in the government and healthcare and healthcare companies as well especially in United healthcare

[@sharonsanderson4514]

May I ask which one that that you have chosen and and why I need help.

[@dmjh932]

@@sharonsanderson4514 I would only chose United Health Care (PPO) advantage plan. They're the biggest and if you have to go anywhere in this country for health care. You'll find it's accepted by almost every doctor and hospital .

[@eduardooramaeddie4006]

Hello 👋 thank you for the Medicare information, great updates 👍 Eddie thank you

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you Eddie!

[@youtube-guy601]

Suppose I work until I'm 65 years 7 months, I retire, I sign up for Part B, and along with either MA or Supplement. Then months or years later, suppose I terminate Part B (along with MA or Supplement) either because I decide to go back to work and am covered by an employers plan or take the employer coverage offered through my spouse's employer plan (where employers have > 20 employees). Q1) When I then later quit my job or decide to leave my spouse's employers plan, and sign up for Part B again, am I allowed to sign up for a Supplement at that point with no Medical Underwriting or surcharges? Q2) How difficult is it to terminate Part B? Fantastic video presented in calm professional manner. Much appreciated!

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you for watching! 1) Yes, you are. 2) Not difficult. It's a form you would submit to the Social Security Administration :) Does that help?

[@butopiatoo]

This is very helpful summary. I'm on a MA plan right now and have been happy with it, but I'm getting antsy being worried about how it is going to work when I really need it and if the cost savings of MA premiums and "benefits" over G + D premiums in a year get washed away if I have something that forces me to pay the MA plan max OOP in a given year. Knowing that there is an Open Enrolment period from Jan thru Mar where I could make this switch rather than having to do it before Dec 7 gives me some breathing room. Still don't know how I make this decision, but at least have some additional time. Thanks for clarifying.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you for watching!

[@leonardpereira7031]

Thank you! Now that AEP is wrapping up, as an agent here, I know that there are SEPs DSNP SNP etc that allow switching MA Plans. You are so through in how you cover this - will you please do a video on the myriad of options to switch during OEP and SEP year-round. I think that if someone has not applied for Medicaid Dual, I can submit an application, and if they get approved, I can change them to a D-SNP year round - your help is greatly appreaciated. Most people (including my company owners) talk too fast and don't have a methodical way of explaining this. Even if you have an old video, that would help tremendously. Thank you. In sincere appreciation

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you Leonard! We don't have a video on those (yet) but definitely something we can put in the list to put together. Always looking for ideas :)

[@vi9753]

In NY can you simply apply for a Medigap plan while you're on an Advantage plan and wait to see if your application is accepted?

[@Theretirementnerds]

Yes, that is correct. 🙂

[@eduardooramaeddie4006]

Great Information 👍if I was on a advantage plan,,

[@Theretirementnerds]

Seems like you're in a good setup :) No need to switch

[@brendahunter9134]

Thanks for keeping us informed. 🙂

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you for watching Brenda! 🙏

[@tomm7505]

Thanks again, Erik.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you!!

[@mylinhnguyen4922]

I am living in Honolulu, Hawaii. Do you have any insurance agent recommend ? Thank you so much for your time & your information.

[@Theretirementnerds]

My email is [e-mail] I have a partner licensed and familiar with Hawaii 🙂

[@larryowens7023]

Another excellent video! And thank you for the referral to a licensed agent/broker in my state of WA. She's been great in helping me navigate the move from Advantage to Medicare + Supplement.

[@Theretirementnerds]

This makes me so happy! Thank you for sharing this!!

[@larryowens7023]

@@TheretirementnerdsSounds like Plan N isn't really worth the extra cost compared to Plan G. The copays for "some" doctor or ER visits would not reach the level of the increased cost of the N plan. The big question in my mind would be about those "rare" excess charges from non-participating doctors who don't accept assignment. I've read elsewhere that "most" or "many" of those doctors will drop the excess if you don't have Plan N. And, although the "legal limit is 15% over assigned cost, that it's actually about 9.25%. If so, even less reason to pay (in my state) and extra $600/year in premiums for N over G unless I knew I had a high cost non-participating provider. Am I on the right track? When would it be beneficial to shell out the extra amount for N over G?

[@Theretirementnerds]

Typically, Plan N is less expensive than Plan G. Maybe I'm reading your comments incorrectly, but it seems like you're saying Plan N is more expensive for the plans you're comparing? Sounds like you're on the right track, but your agent will have more specific details around the providers there in the area and general tendencies. In our area, we've seen some complaints around the excess charges, but that doesn't mean it's as common in other areas. Hope that helps!

[@larryowens7023]

@@Theretirementnerds Thanks again. I probably didn't phrase it right because, YES, Plan N is more expensive. My point was that in looking at what you get for the extra cost of N over G it "seems" it might not be worth it. I'll be taking it up with my new agent as well, but wanted to hear your take on it. My agent can tell me what her clients (and network) have to say about excess charges in my area.

[@Theretirementnerds]

@@larryowens7023 sorry, KZbin makes it super hard for me to find comments within comments :) Yeah, Plan G has more coverage than Plan N, so if you can get Plan G for less than Plan N, it can make sense. Plan G may (and that's a maybe, not a for sure) have more aggressive rate increases over time for a few reasons, but that's something that your agent there will know much better based on historical experience of the plans in that area. So, unless there's something weird going on, if G is less, sounds like a good plan.

[@joycemccloy]

In North Carolina, Blue Cross has a blue to blue guaranteed issue. No underwriting. So if you had their Medicare Advantage for a few years but wanted a supplemental you could. None of the other insurance companies in NC allow this.

[@davidfolts5893]

Knowledge empowers, thanks for the knowledge power, 90 Days From Retirement!

[@Theretirementnerds]

You are the best, David!

[@davidfolts5893]

@@Theretirementnerds Thank you very kindly!

[@marianelamatheus9936]

I am in Georgia and just turned 65 and I am starting in an advantage plan special needs due to chronic condition. Can I still classify for Advantage Trail Right 1 and switch before a year to a Supplemental without underwriting?

[@Theretirementnerds]

Correct. You have your trial rights, as long as this isn't a Medicaid thing (low income). Those on Medicaid can't get supplement plans. But it sounds like yours isn't a D-SNP, just a SNP, and you have your trial right. Hope that helps!

[@Lolato-2]

My husband and I switched to advantage from supplemtal this Jan 2024. He had plan F & I had Plan G. If we want to switch back to supplemental next year, can he still get Plan F?

[@Theretirementnerds]

Yes, he'll go back to the same insurance company he had his supplement plan with and, if they still offer that plan, get the Plan F back. Same for you, but with Plan G.

[@cathiek8028]

Thank you for another helpful video! Do you already have a video describing what an insurance company actually does when they do medical underwriting (the process)? How detailed is it? I've been told that some companies look at 5 years of your medical records! What happens to the info afterwords? I'm asking because I would like to change my Plan G provider in the next few months. Thankfully, I don't have any serious pre-conditions, but the whole thing is a kind of scary as far as privacy concerns.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you for watching! We don't that goes into that level of detail because the questions are all specific to the insurance company. They will be similar, but they area all different. Most are quite detailed (4-5 pages of questions). It is mostly yes/no information and, if yes, filling out the dates something happened. And with the look back period (3 yrs, 5 yrs, etc.) that's company dependent. Each insurance company will need to have secure data storage and comply with HIPAA laws surrounding your personal and medical information.

[@toreckman8899]

Great presentation!!!! We live in the same state. 😉

[@Theretirementnerds]

Oh how cool! It's my favorite :)

[@vi9753]

Is it a mistake to apply for a supplemental plan while currently on an advantage plan that I've been on for years? I live in NY.

[@Theretirementnerds]

New York is its own animal. If the Advantage plan is working and you don't have any health issues, not sure about a switch. NY supplement plans are some of the highest in the country. If you have high cost health issues right now and your Advantage plan isn't working, may be worth a look.

[@vi9753]

@@Theretirementnerds thank you for your reply. I agree, the premiums in NY are ridiculous. This question was for a person with failing health, who is trying to get ahead of any possible high medical expenses. If accepted on a Supplemental plan, how soon afterwards should they apply for a drug plan?

[@alexdavid24425]

How much plan G and N premium cost in Oregon?

[@Theretirementnerds]

Hi Alex, I'm not personally licensed there, but happy to connect you with my partner who is. My email is [e-mail] With the holiday weekend, we'll respond as fast as we can!

[@butette]

I went the Trial Right GI when I became eligible for Medicare and signed up with a Medicare Advantage plan thinking that I can switch to any Medigap plan within 12 months. It turns out in my state (and possibly many other states) plan G is essentially the only GI plan that I can switch to. So if I don't like plan G and want to switch to a different plan instead (like plan N) I would have to go through medical underwriting. I think this is something that agent needs to be clear with their customer when they discuss this option so there is no surprise.

[@Squddle]

On the Plan N, will the co-pay amount ever raise above $20 each time it is used?

[@Theretirementnerds]

There are no absolutes here, but we wouldn't plan on it going higher.

[@jdenino6022]

My husband signed up for his union plan with Medicare Advantage for January 1,2024 waiting for the insurance card to come. I warned him about MA plans… how long does he have to be on a MA plan which is issued by his union in nyc to a supplemental plan in NJ? Because I am worried about this! He turns 65 at the end of Jan. Does he have a year from Jan 1, 2024? The drug plan is freestanding. He can keep it according to his union. They said on the phone.

[@Theretirementnerds]

January 1st would be the "effective date" or start date of his plan, so that's when the clock starts. All plans are effective the 1st of a month, so if any change is made, they'll always put the 1st day of whatever month he chooses to have it go effective. Given his birthday is in January, they still put the effective date as the 1st. Hope that helps!

[@jdenino6022]

@@Theretirementnerdsso there is no medical underwriting if he chooses to switch for one year from January 1, 2024? And no higher premiums? Thanks for your answer.

[@Theretirementnerds]

@@jdenino6022 sorry! KZbin makes it a little tough for me to find comments within comments, so I apologize for the delay here. Retiree plans, which it sound like your husband has access to, are considered group-sponsored plans, so when he leaves that plan, he will be allowed the “loss of group coverage” Special Election Period. That means he can move to any Medicare Supplement plan any time he leaves that union plan. It’s an official Medicare Special Enrollment Period. This is just one of the benefits of a group-sponsored retiree plan. Even though you're worried about the Advantage aspect of the plan (which you probably shouldn’t be, because the employer plans work differently than regular Advantage plans) there could be other things he’s walking away from if he leaves the Union coverage. Make sure to get the details and understand that part of it. There could be premium subsidies, IRA money, or other types of insurance coverage that he could be leaving if he were to drop the Union plan, so it’s really important that you understand everything that is coming to you from the Union. Also, many employers won’t allow the retiree back again once they leave, and sometimes (often) the grass is not greener somewhere else 😉 Hope that helps!

[@jbarrett8292]

I’m 65 and wish to retire at 66. Am I mistaken to believe I could try a Medicare advantage plan for 6 months then switch by 6 months later to original Medicare with no underwriting?

[@Theretirementnerds]

If it falls within the timelines we cover in the video, yes. Meaning, you went on an Advantage plan during your initial enrollment period. If you're 65 right now, and not on Medicare, sounds like you may be outside that window.

[@marymazzoni2079]

So I’m turning 65 next year I’m a breast cancer thriver so does that mean I won’t be approved for a supplement plan

[@Theretirementnerds]

Hi Mary, If you go during your initial enrollment period, which it sounds like you will at 65, you are guaranteed issue a supplement. You don't have to go through underwriting, they cannot deny you, and they cannot charge you extra. If you're wanting a supplement, you can get one.