Can I keep my Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) policy if I join a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO)?

In most cases, if you drop your Medigap Policy, you may not be able to get it back. However, if this is the first time you've joined a Medicare Advantage Plan, other Medicare plan, or bought a Medicare SELECT policy (a Medigap policy that requires you to use specific hospitals and, in some cases, specific doctors to get your full insurance benefits), you may have special Medigap protections that give you a right to get your old Medigap policy back or buy a new one if you choose to leave your Medicare Advantage Plan or other Medicare plan within the first year. In either case, the Medigap policy can't include prescription drug coverage. You may also be able to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) if you leave your Medicare Advantage Plan the first year. Check with your State Health Insurance Assistance Program to see if your state offers other rights to buy Medigap policies. See Other Important Medicare Contacts for their telephone number.

For more information on Medigap policies and protections, visit www.medicare.gov on the web and view the booklet "Choosing a Medigap Policy: A Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare" or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

(Primary Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services - Medicare and You Handbook. This content may have been enhanced by Q1Group LLC to include further examples, explanations, and links.)