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 & 6 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.

Charise Karjala · Answer

This answer is provided in a video format. Watch the agent's video response here: https://medicareagentshub.com/questions/can-i-switch-from-a-medicare-advantage-plan-to-a-supplemental-medigap-plan-during-the-annual-enrollment-period-without-answering-health-questions#charise-karjala

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.

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

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

Marsha Reiniers · Answer

You can make the change to a Medicare Supplement plan during AEP, however, you will most likely be health underwritten, unless you are in your ‘free trial’ look period.. Carefully review the health questions on the application and talk to a licensed agent who specializes in the Medicare market to better assess your choices.

Answered by Marsha Reiniers on May 19, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL, GA, NC, PA, SC & VA

Answered by Marsha Reiniers 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

Voss Speros · Answer

I would say Yes depending on the situation. 

Trial Right:
When you turn 65, go on a Medicare Advantage plan then change your mind before you turn 66. you can get GI for a Supplement plan.
Same goes for if you retire after 65 and Take Part B for the first time, you can 

Plan Coverage Drops:
If your Medicare advantage plan drops, is discontinued, or you move out of the plan area you can get a GI to apply for a Supplement Plan. Generally 63 day SEP window.

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.

Justin Lucas · Answer

No, you can not switch to a Medicare Supplement/Medigap Plan with out health underwriting questions unless you have a Special Election.

Edward Smith, ChFC, CRPS, AIF · Answer

Yes, but there are stipulations. If you have been enrolled for more than a year in the Medicare Advantage plan, you may have to qualify health wise by answering a few underwriting questions. If you have been enrolled in your Medicare Advantage plan less that 12 months, you can use an SEP called, the Trial Right SEP any month during that first year of MAPD enrollment. This is a once in a lifetime SEP.

Answered by Edward Smith, ChFC, CRPS, AIF on May 26, 2025

Broker Licensed in OH, GA, IN, KY & SC

Answered by Edward Smith, ChFC, CRPS, AIF 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

Steven Bleicher · Answer

Only if you are in the first year of Medicare! After age 66, medical questions are asked and if you have a health issue, you can only move to a different company's MA plan. This is known as using a “Trial Right”.

Answered by Steven Bleicher on May 29, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Steven Bleicher 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.

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.

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.

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

Cathy Barnett · Answer

You can switch but you'll most like have underwriting questions to answer for the supplemental plan.

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

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.

Bill Zeky · Answer

The simple answer most of the time is no. However, under the right circumstances, it is possible to make that change without answering the health questions.

Fred Manas · Answer

No, generally you won't be able to switch from a Medicare Advantage plan to a Supplemental/Medigap plan during the Annual Enrollment Period without answering health questions. While the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) allows you to switch between plans, it does not guarantee enrollment into a Medigap plan without underwriting. You'll likely need to answer health questions and be approved by the insurance company. 
Elaboration:
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP):
This period (October 15 - December 7) allows you to switch between Medicare Advantage plans, enroll in Original Medicare, or switch back from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare. 
Medigap Enrollment:
While you can apply for a Medigap policy during the AEP, you'll typically need to go through underwriting, which may include answering health questions. 
Guaranteed Issue Period:
The only time you can generally enroll in a Medigap policy without answering health questions is during your 6-month Guaranteed Issue Period, which starts the first month you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part B. 
Exceptions:
There are a few exceptions where you might have guaranteed issue rights, such as when you're losing coverage due to moving out of a plan's service area.

Marcie Barnes · Answer

Yes you can change coverage during Annual enrollment.

There are exceptions to avoid underwriting:

You a new to Medicare within the last 6 months.
You left or lost credible coverage elsewhere
There are other rare exceptions that can be explored at the time of enrollment.

Andrew Kramer · Answer

That depends. You can under 3 circumstances - #1 You are within 1 year of starting an Advantage plan; #2 You moved from the area of service of your Advantage plan; #3 The Advantage plan was terminated by either CMS or the company. But if you are not moving out of the service area of the Advantage plan, you are subject to health underwriting in most states. Consult your Medicare agent for info related to your state.

Answered by Andrew Kramer on May 21, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL

Answered by Andrew Kramer Medicare Insurance Agent

Jerry Cohen · Answer

Under most circumstances ( residence for one ) you cannot go from a Medicare Advantage plan tto Supplement plan without answering medical questions. Some states only allow you to buy certain supplement plans with guaranteed-issue rights outside your Initial Enrollment Period if you want to make this switch. Medigap carriers do not have to accept your application unless you have a qualifying election period or live in a state with additional Medigap guaranteed issue (GI) periods. This means there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to switch.

Answered by Jerry Cohen on May 14, 2025

Broker Licensed in NY

Answered by Jerry Cohen Medicare Insurance Agent

Larry Pereiro · Answer

Typically no. However, if you are in your initial enrollment period (just turned 65) and decided to change after enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make that change.

Mary Salmon · Answer

To switch from an Advantage plan to a Medigap plan without having to answer health questions requires the beneficiary to be within your Medigap Open Enrollment Period (the 6 months after enrolling in Medicare). After this period, one additional way to switch on a guaranteed issue basis is if you lose your Advantage plan by moving out of your plan's service area or losing Employer Group Coverage. Otherwise, health questions will most likely be required to determine eligibility.

Answered by Mary Salmon on May 29, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX & OK

Answered by Mary Salmon Medicare Insurance Agent

Gary Haft · Answer

The only way you can do that is if you have been on a Medicare Advantage Plan for 12 months or less and this includes all Medicare Advantage Plans combined for those twelve (12) months. Once you hit the 13th month, you can no longer move from a Medicare Advantage Plan to a Medicare Supplement without answering the Medical Questions.

Answered by Gary Haft on June 2, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL, AL, DC & 9 other states

Answered by Gary Haft Medicare Insurance Agent

Nicolas Johnson · Answer

The only way you can qualify for a Medicare supplement with no health questions is if you’re in a guaranteed issue period Or open enrollment. If you apply during AEP and are not eligible for either of these criteria, you will have to go through full underwriting.

Answered by Nicolas Johnson on May 28, 2025

Agent Licensed in WI & IA

Answered by Nicolas Johnson Medicare Insurance Agent

Alaina Hunt · Answer

Yes, you can switch Medicare Advantage plans during the Annual Enrollment Period without health questions, but switching from Medicare Advantage to a Medigap (Supplement) plan usually means you’ll have to answer health questions. This is because Medigap plans often check your health before accepting you, unless you have special rights that let you switch without questions.

So, if you want to move from Medicare Advantage to Medigap, it’s a good idea to get advice first to understand what to expect.”

Joseph Smith · Answer

The short answer is no. In a normal situation, you would have to answer health questions to switch to a Medicare Supplement. In special situations such as involuntary loss of coverage with a Medicare Advantage Plan, you would be able to go into select Medicare Supplemental plans with no health questions.

Answered by Joseph Smith on May 27, 2025

Agent Licensed in SC, MD & NC

Answered by Joseph Smith Medicare Insurance Agent

Richard Kozlowski · Answer

It depends on the state you live in.

Caretta Carrington · Answer

No, switching from a MAPD plan to a Medigap plan during the AEP does automatically qualify you for guaranteed issue enrollment without being underwritten. You may switch to Original Medicare without answering underwriting questions but not a Medigap plan.

Answered by Caretta Carrington on May 26, 2025

Broker Licensed in GA, FL, IL & MS, OH, SC & VA

Answered by Caretta Carrington Medicare Insurance Agent

Jeffrey Stoll · Answer

No, UNLESS you are within the initial 12 month period of being enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan for your FIRST time. In other word, ONLY if you are still in the first 12 months of being in a Medicare Advantage plan.

Answered by Jeffrey Stoll on April 24, 2025

Broker Licensed in IN, FL, IL, KY, ND & UT

Answered by Jeffrey Stoll Medicare Insurance Agent

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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