Dear Toni: I understand that I am not able to change to a Medicare Advantage plan and have to wait until the enrollment time in the fall. I have a Medicare supplement Plan F that renewed in March for $422 a month and am searching on medicare.gov for a Medicare Advantage plan that covers my doctors. My friends tell me a Medicare Advantage plan would be less costly than the Medicare supplement that I am enrolled in.
I am a 76-year-old female in fairly good health. I’m concerned that if I change to a Medicare Advantage plan in the fall and find out next year that the plan was not a good choice for me, I won’t be able to return to a Medicare supplement. Sandra, San Antonio
Dear Sandra: Spring is not the right time to be searching for a Medicare Advantage plan that you can enroll in during Medicare’s open enrollment period.
The new Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans are released for viewing on Medicare.gov on Oct. 1, with enrollment running from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 and coverage beginning Jan. 1. The new MAPD plan will begin Jan. 1, 2027.
The Advantage plans for 2027 will differ from what you have looked at recently on Medicare.gov.
But there’s good news about leaving your Medicare supplement. You will have a 12-month trial period when you are able to re-enroll in your current Plan F and disenroll from the Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan you’ve chosen if you are dissatisfied.
Since you are concerned about your $422 monthly premium for Plan F, consider changing your Medicare supplement now to a less expensive plan. Supplement plans G or N have lower premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs than your current Plan F, which has a zero out-of-pocket cost.
You will have to answer medical underwriting questions to qualify. Then you will know if changing to a Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan is the right option for you.
Last week, I had a client contact me because his supplemental Plan F had increased by $60 to over $450. A switch to Plan G will save him over $220 a month on his premium.
Here’s what to know about Plans G and N:
— Plan G offers lower premiums and the same Medicare benefits as Plan F except the Part B deductible is not covered and will be paid for by the Medicare beneficiary. The Part B deductible for 2026 is $283, which is Plan G’s out-of-pocket.
— Plan N generally has a lower premium than Plan G with higher out-of-pocket costs. There is a $20 copay for a doctor’s visit and a $50 copay for the emergency room. The Part B deductible is also not covered, and the Part B “excess charges” are not paid for by the insurance company (which Plan G covers).
If switching to a Medicare Advantage plan, it’s critical to make sure first that all of your doctors accept that coverage.
Toni King is an author and columnist on Medicare and health insurance issues. If you have a Medicare question, email info@tonisays.com or call 832-519-8664.
