What should a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan member do when enrolling in an MA Plan?

When a member of a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan decides to enroll in a Medicare Advantage (MA) Plan, the most appropriate action is to cancel the Medicare Supplement Insurance policy. This is because Medicare Advantage Plans typically cover the benefits that Medicare supplements provide, and maintaining both could lead to unnecessary premiums for overlapping coverage.

While it may seem convenient to maintain both plans, doing so does not provide additional advantages and can result in wasted expenses. Also, it is essential to note that Medicare Supplement Plans are designed to fill gaps in Original Medicare rather than coordinate with Medicare Advantage plans. Once enrolled in an MA Plan, the member no longer needs the supplementary coverage since the MA Plan will provide all necessary benefits.

Contacting Medicare for further assistance could be useful if members have questions, but it does not resolve the issue of maintaining the unnecessary supplement policy in the presence of an MA Plan. Similarly, changing to a lower tier or maintaining both coverage options does not align with the correct protocol for members transitioning to Medicare Advantage. Therefore, canceling the Medicare Supplement Insurance policy stands as the most sensible and fiscally responsible choice upon enrollment in an MA Plan.