What requirement must a member meet to enroll in a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan while being a member of a Medicare Advantage (MA) Plan?

To enroll in a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan while being a member of a Medicare Advantage Plan, a member must be in a valid MA election or disenrollment period. This requirement is crucial because Medicare Supplement Insurance, also known as Medigap, is designed to complement Original Medicare. When a member is enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, the ability to switch to a Medigap policy is typically conditional upon the member's status regarding enrollment periods.

During a valid election period, members have the right to make changes to their Medicare coverage, which includes switching from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare and then applying for a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan. If a disenrollment period is in effect, it implies that the member is allowed to leave their Medicare Advantage Plan but has not yet built the capacity to secure a Medigap policy unless they meet specific enrollment criteria.

Understanding this context is key for members who wish to make adjustments to their Medicare coverage. In short, being in a valid election or disenrollment period provides the necessary timeframe and eligibility for them to transition from a Medicare Advantage Plan to a traditional Medicare plan with accompanying supplementary coverage.