Can I suspend my Medigap policy instead of cancelling it if I go back on an employer plan or qualify for Medicaid?
Answered by 6 licensed agents
If you qualify for Medicaid:
- How long: You can suspend your Medigap policy for up to 24 months.
- When to ask: Contact your insurance company within 90 days of becoming eligible for Medicaid.
- What you pay: You don't pay Medigap premiums while it's suspended.
- Getting it back: If you lose Medicaid within those 24 months, ask for reinstatement within 90 days. Your coverage comes back with no health questions and no waiting period for pre-existing conditions.
If you go back on an employer plan:
- Who qualifies: This only applies if you're under 65 and on Medicare because of a disability, and you get coverage through your own or your spouse's current employer.
- How long: In that case, you can suspend your Medigap for as long as you have the employer coverage.
- Getting it back: When the employer coverage ends, you have 90 days to ask for reinstatement.
If you're 65 or older and going back to an employer plan, federal law doesn't give you the right to suspend. Your choices are to keep paying for the Medigap or to cancel it. Before you cancel, ask about your options for getting coverage back later. When employer coverage ends, you may have a guaranteed-issue right to buy certain Medigap plans without health questions, but not every plan is included. Anything outside those rights could require medical underwriting.
Whatever your situation, call your insurance company before you stop paying. Get the suspension or cancellation in writing so you don't lose coverage you might want back.
Answered by Caroline Johnson on October 1, 2026
Agent Licensed in TX
If you become eligible for Medicaid, federal law allows you to request suspension of a Medigap policy for up to 24 months. If you lose Medicaid during that period, you can generally have the Medigap coverage reinstated if you notify the insurance company within the required time.
There is also a suspension protection for certain people who originally qualified for Medigap because of a disability and later become covered under an employer or union group health plan. In that situation, the Medigap policy can generally be suspended while the group coverage is in place, with a right to have it reinstated if the group coverage later ends and the proper notice is given.
The important part is not to simply cancel the Medigap policy first. Once a Medigap policy is cancelled, you may not have a guaranteed right to get it back later. Medicare specifically warns that dropping Medigap can make it difficult or impossible to obtain the same coverage again.
Before making the change, contact your Medigap insurance company and confirm whether your situation qualifies for a suspension, what notice they require, and what the reinstatement rules will be.
Answered by Jeremy Harkins on October 1, 2026
Broker Licensed in TN, AR, CA & 5 other states
If you receive Medicaid, the federal government does provide the option to suspend a medigap for up to 24 months. If you lose Medicaid within those 24 month, you must notify the medigap carrier within 90 days of losing your benefits to reinstate the medigap policy.
Answered by Mark Bilgere on October 2, 2026
Broker Licensed in TX, AR, IN & LA, MN, NE & OK
Answered by Dru Bailey on October 3, 2026
Agent Licensed in FL, AL, GA, SC, TN & WV
Answered by Cherilyn Ginn on October 5, 2026
Broker Licensed in TX & AZ
Answered by Kristin Hanson on October 5, 2026
Agent Licensed in AZ, CA, CO & 5 other states
Tags: Coverage Medicare Supplement
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