If you’ve ever tried to read what a Medicare Supplement plan covers and walked away more confused than when you started, you’re not alone. The letters, the percentages, the fine print — it feels designed to make your eyes glaze over. Here’s the thing most explanations skip: a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan doesn’t pay for […]
Author: muse
Medicare Supplement vs. Medicare Advantage: What’s the Difference?
Why the Medicare Supplement vs. Medicare Advantage Choice Matters Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) leaves you with real out-of-pocket costs: the Part A hospital deductible, the Part B annual deductible, and generally 20% coinsurance on Part B services with no annual cap. Both Medicare Supplement (Medigap) and Medicare Advantage (Part C) exist to […]
Annual Enrollment Period 2026: October 15 – December 7 Key Dates for Medicare Beneficiaries
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) — October 15 through December 7, 2026 — is the one time each year when most Medicare beneficiaries can change their Medicare Advantage or prescription drug coverage for the coming year. Whether you are happy with your current plan or shopping for something better, this window deserves your attention. […]
When Can You Switch Medicare Supplement Plans?
Maybe your premium just went up. Maybe you found the same plan letter for less somewhere else. Or maybe your needs have simply changed. Whatever the reason, a common question comes up: when can you switch Medicare Supplement plans? The short answer is that you can apply to switch at any time — but whether […]
Medicare Advantage Plan Exits: What Happens If Your Plan Is Discontinued in 2026
Every fall, Medicare Advantage carriers announce which plans they will discontinue for the coming year. If your plan is on that list for 2026, you will get a letter — and you will have decisions to make. The good news: a discontinued plan does not leave you without coverage, and in some cases it may […]
What Is Guaranteed Issue for Medicare Supplement?
If you have heard that you can be turned down for a Medicare Supplement plan because of your health, you may also have heard about an important exception: Guaranteed Issue rights (often called "GI rights"). In certain situations, federal law gives you the right to buy a Medigap policy without answering health questions — and […]
Why Did My Medicare Supplement Rate Go Up?
Opening a letter that says your Medicare Supplement premium is going up is never fun — especially when nothing about your own health has changed. If you just got a rate increase notice, you are not alone: Medigap premiums rise for millions of policyholders every year. Here is why it happens, how the pricing works, […]