Can I switch from a Medicare Advantage plan to a Supplemental/Medigap plan during the Annual Enrollment Period without answering health questions?

Question

Nicole Creamer · Accepted Answer

The short answer is no. However, there are always exceptions such as a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to make a change or within your 12-month trial right period, or you are involuntarily terminated from your Medicare Advantage plan due to moving out of the plan service area, gaining eligibility due to age (turning 65), to name a few. In these cases, I want to discuss the change and ensure we cover all available SEP options.

Answered by Nicole Creamer on March 20, 2025

Broker Licensed in NE, AZ, CO & 5 other states

Answered by Nicole Creamer Medicare Insurance Agent

Larry Dalton · Answer

You can be exempt from answering health questions only during your initial enrollment (IEP)or some other Special Enrollment Period (SEP). This is why there is a saying: "You can always go from supplemental/Medigap to the Medicare Advantage plan under most circumstances, but you cannot always go the other direction."  There are two paths to travel in the Medicare system. 
 Again, a trustworthy agent can explain this in detail.

Christopher Boyd · Answer

State regulations vary and State Insurance Commissioners are discussing this very issue currently in 2025. In some cases, due to illnesses or medications, a senior may never be able to return to a Medicare Supplement which requires Underwriting and some companies may require a physical exam at time of application. In most cases, the "Turning 65" or "leaving an MAPD/MA after 12 months of enrollment" may be the only time a senior with chronic illness or prescriptions will have guaranteed issue Medicare Supplement enrollment entitlement.

Answered by Christopher Boyd on March 4, 2025

Agent Licensed in IN, KY, MI, OH, PA & TN

Answered by Christopher Boyd Medicare Insurance Agent

Bill Green · Answer

That’s a common question, and the answer is—it depends. During the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct 15–Dec 7), you can leave a Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare, and you can apply for a Medigap (Supplement) plan. However, in most states, Medigap insurance companies are allowed to ask health questions and can deny coverage if you're not in a guaranteed issue window. The good news is that different companies have different underwriting guidelines—some may be more lenient with certain health conditions than others. That’s where working with a knowledgeable agent really makes a difference—we know which carriers are more likely to accept specific health issues and can help you navigate the process. So while switching is possible, having expert guidance can increase your chances of getting the coverage you want.

Answered by Bill Green on March 26, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL, AL, AZ & 19 other states

Answered by Bill Green Medicare Insurance Agent

Thomas Ashton · Answer

If you are within 6 months of turning 65. If you have a guarantee issued supplement policy, or if you were on a Medicare Advantage policy less than a year and switching back to a supplement.

Kelsey Hentzen · Answer

This is a great question! If you are in your first 12 months of your Medicare Part A effective date, you can switch from a Medicare Supplement to a Medicare Advantage and vise versa for those initial 12 months. After the 12 months, you may try and switch to a Medicare Supplement during Annual Open Enrollment, however, you may have to health qualify. Keep in mind, as you age, the monthly premiums may also increase. Its best to try and make a decision in those first 12 months. Additionally, there are other qualifying events for moving to a Medicare Supplement plan, such as moving out of the service plan area.

Answered by Kelsey Hentzen on March 28, 2025

Broker Licensed in KS & MO

Answered by Kelsey Hentzen Medicare Insurance Agent

John Billetdoux · Answer

If you are attempting to make this move during the Annual Enrollment Period, you will STILL HAVE TO ANSWER HEALTH QUESTIONS….and if you do not answer them to the carrier’s liking, they will decline you.

Answered by John Billetdoux on February 11, 2025

Broker Licensed in NJ, DE, FL, NC, PA & SC

Answered by John Billetdoux Medicare Insurance Agent

Timothy Brown · Answer

It depends on the situation. Here are a few scenarios:

1) If the current Medicare Advantage plan exits the market and will not be renewing for the new year, it will create a Guarantee Issue enrollment for a Medicare Supplement for the next year.

2) If you move out of the service area of your existing Medicare Advantage plan i.e. from one state to another, this will also create a Guarantee Issue enrollment  into a Medicare Supplement. This scenario is not solely based upon the Annual Enrollment Period but rather the time of the move.

Lea Ayres · Answer

Yes, you can switch from a Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare and subsequently enroll in a Supplemental/Medigap plan during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) without needing to answer health questions, as long as you disenroll from the Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare within the first 12 months of your Advantage plan enrollment

Answered by Lea Ayres on March 12, 2025

Broker Licensed in PA, CT, MD & 8 other states

Answered by Lea Ayres Medicare Insurance Agent

Comfort Olude · Answer

Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), this is also referred to as the " Open Enrollment" occurs from October 15th through December 7. This is the period that you can switch from a Medicare Advantage, return to the Original Medicare and enroll in a supplemental/Medigap plan.

Answered by Comfort Olude on March 27, 2025

Broker Licensed in CA, FL, GA & 9 other states

Answered by Comfort Olude Medicare Insurance Agent

Joseph Peck · Answer

You can if it's your first time on an advantage plan and in your first 12 months, or if you are in your initial enrollment period, just turning 65.

Cody Brown · Answer

No, you can not enroll in a medigap plan with no underwriting during the annual enrollment period. You can enroll any time of year, but you will always be subject to underwriting unless you qualify for a guarantee issue right.

Answered by Cody Brown on March 28, 2025

Agent Licensed in MO, AR, AZ & 5 other states

Answered by Cody Brown Medicare Insurance Agent

Michele Vina · Answer

No, if you have been on an Advantage plan for more than one year you will have to pass medical questions to be insured by a Medigap company.

Brian Krantz · Answer

It depends on your state. In most states, you’ll have to answer health questions to switch to a Medigap plan — AEP doesn’t guarantee acceptance. Always check your state’s rules first.

Barbara Barnes, CMIP® · Answer

Maybe. How long did you have a Medicare Advantage plan?  

If you are still in your first year of Medicare Advantage coverage and you previously had a Medicare Supplement plan that you dropped to join the Medicare Advantage plan, you may exercise your 'Trial Right' Special Enrollment Period to return to your Medicare Supplement plan with no medical questions.  If that plan is no longer available, you may choose another Medicare Supplement insurance company and enroll without Medical Underwriting, within certain guidelines.

If you enrolled directly into a Medicare Advantage plan during your Initial Enrollment Period and are leaving that plan within the first 12-months of coverage, you may also choose to return to Original Medicare and enroll with a Medicare Supplement plan without Medical Underwriting, again, subject to certain guidelines.

This process can be a bit tricky because you must first drop the Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare before you may enroll for a Medicare Supplement plan, and this can take some time.  The Annual Enrollment Period is from October 15 - December 7 each year, and it is a very busy time of year for Social Security and Medicare, as most Medicare beneficiaries need to review and make changes to their plans during that time of year.  It is possible that you could leave your Medicare Advantage plan and go back to Original Medicare only to have your Special Enrollment denied by the insurance company and find yourself without a Supplement plan while also outside of the Annual Enrollment Period, so also unable to re-enroll in your Medicare Advantage plan.  If you want to do this, be prepared to start the process in October to allow enough time for the disenrollment and re-enrollment.  You do not want to wait until the end of November or beginning of December to start this process.

Can I switch from a Medicare Advantage plan to a Supplemental/Medigap plan during the Annual Enrollment Period without answering health questions?

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Can I switch from a Medicare Advantage plan to a Supplemental/Medigap plan during the Annual Enrollment Period without answering health questions?

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