What is a requirement for members of a Medicare Advantage Plan to enroll in a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan?

Members of a Medicare Advantage Plan cannot also have a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan because the two types of coverage are designed to function independently of each other. Medicare Advantage Plans, also known as Part C, encompass the benefits of Original Medicare (Parts A and B) along with additional coverage, often including prescription drug coverage, and they are provided through private insurance companies.

A Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan, or Medigap, is specifically designed to fill in the gaps of Original Medicare coverage (Parts A and B), helping to pay for out-of-pocket costs such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Since a Medicare Advantage Plan offers similar benefits and protections, enrolling in a Medigap plan while having a Medicare Advantage Plan is redundant and not permitted. This clear distinction establishes that the two plans do not work together, affirming that individuals must choose one coverage avenue or the other.

The other answer options suggest requirements that are not aligned with the fundamental principles of how these two types of plans operate, reinforcing the rationale for the correct choice.