What happens when enrolling in a Medicare Supplement plan?

Enrolling in a Medicare Supplement plan, often referred to as Medigap, does not impact a member's existing enrollment in a Medicare Advantage Plan (MAP). This means that a person can maintain their coverage under both plans if they choose to do so, as Medigap is designed to supplement Original Medicare rather than provide benefits under an MAP.

When someone enrolls in a Medicare Supplement plan, they typically do this with the intention of covering out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare may not cover, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. However, since Medigap policies cannot be used in conjunction with Medicare Advantage plans, members who wish to have a Medigap policy must first disenroll from their MAP. Therefore, option D highlights that the act of enrolling in a Medicare Supplement plan does not affect the member's enrollment in an MAP immediately, but it is essential to note that they cannot have both at the same time without disenrollment from one.

This understanding reinforces the importance of evaluating health coverage options carefully, as the benefits and limitations of each type of plan can significantly impact an individual's healthcare costs and choices.