What type of plan change does not qualify as a "like" plan change?

The situation where switching from a Medicare Advantage plan to a Medicare Supplement plan does not qualify as a "like" plan change is accurate because these two types of plans serve fundamentally different purposes and are governed by different regulations.

A Medicare Advantage plan is a type of health insurance plan that is an alternative to Original Medicare and typically includes a combination of health services. Conversely, a Medicare Supplement plan, also known as Medigap, is designed to fill the gaps in coverage that Original Medicare does not cover, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. The significant difference in the nature and structure of these plans means that they cannot be considered "like" plans, as they do not provide similar coverage types or administration.

In contrast, switching between various Medicare Advantage plans or moving from one prescription drug plan (PDP) to another involves plans that fundamentally operate on the same platform. These changes generally retain the overall framework and coverage categories, allowing them to qualify as "like" changes. Enrolling in a new health maintenance organization (HMO) plan also falls under the same category since it remains within the Medicare Advantage structure.

Thus, the distinction between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans is critical in determining eligibility for plan changes, confirming that