Which statement about Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans is NOT true?

Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, also known as Medigap plans, provide additional coverage to help pay for costs not covered by original Medicare, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. One key characteristic of these plans is that they do not require members to coordinate care through a primary care provider. This is in contrast to many health insurance plans that emphasize the role of a primary care physician in managing patient care.

Medicare Supplement Insurance plans allow beneficiaries to see any doctor or specialist who accepts Medicare, which means members have the flexibility to seek care outside of a network without needing a referral from a primary care provider. This feature supports the idea of patient autonomy and encourages access to a wider range of healthcare services.

Other statements regarding Medicare Supplement Plans are true, as these plans are indeed regulated by state Departments of Insurance and benefit amounts do not automatically update with changes in Medicare cost-sharing; rather, the plans maintain fixed benefits defined by the coverage options. Additionally, while there are specific times when Medigap plans can be purchased, such as during a six-month Open Enrollment Period, they can also be purchased at other times, though this is subject to medical underwriting. This further emphasizes the idea that coordination through a primary care provider is not a