Does enrollment in a Medicare Supplement plan automatically disenroll a beneficiary from a Medicare Advantage Plan?

Enrollment in a Medicare Supplement plan does not automatically disenroll a beneficiary from a Medicare Advantage Plan. Medicare Supplement plans, or Medigap plans, are designed to work alongside Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to cover certain costs not paid by Medicare, such as deductibles and copayments. On the other hand, Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative way to receive Medicare benefits and often include additional coverage, such as vision and dental.

When a beneficiary enrolls in a Medicare Supplement plan, they are essentially trying to enhance their coverage with additional benefits concerning Original Medicare rather than a Medicare Advantage Plan. Since beneficiaries can only be enrolled in one Medicare health insurance plan at a time, if someone switches from Medicare Advantage to a Medicare Supplement plan, they will have to disenroll from the Medicare Advantage plan. However, simply enrolling in a Medicare Supplement plan does not trigger an automatic disenrollment from a Medicare Advantage plan. Enrollment actions are deliberate, and beneficiaries must actively choose to switch plans.

Understanding this distinction is critical for beneficiaries to make informed decisions about their healthcare coverage options. It highlights the importance of reviewing one's healthcare needs and the specifics of available plans before making any changes.