What is the impact of enrolling in a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan on a Medicare Advantage Plan?

Enrolling in a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan, often referred to as Medigap, has specific implications for individuals enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (MA) Plan. The key point to understand is that Medicare Supplement plans are designed to work alongside Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) and not with Medicare Advantage plans.

When a member chooses to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan, they cannot simultaneously maintain their Medicare Advantage coverage. This is because Medicare Advantage plans are considered an alternative to Original Medicare; therefore, obtaining a Medigap policy would conflict with having an MA plan. Consequently, upon enrolling in a Medicare Supplement plan, the member must exit the Medicare Advantage plan they are currently on.

This is foundational to understanding the relationship between these types of insurance, ensuring that individuals are aware of the distinct rules governing each option and the necessity of choosing one over the other to ensure proper coverage.