Changing AARP Medicare Supplement Plans provided by UHC

[jw95979142]

Hey all.
I had a question. I'm on an old AARP Medicare Supplement Plan (C) through UHC that I signed up for in 2007. I'm thinking about changing to the current Plan G - also under UHC. The biggest difference seems to be that I will owe the Medicare Plan B deductible AND I will lose my wellness benefits. 

Does UHC in 2024 require underwriting when changing plans? I did have breast cancer in 2021 and I have kidney disease. I'm skittish about changing because I want to LOWER my premium, not raise or or lose the insurance all together.

Any advice? Thanks

[GailL1]

@jw95979142 

State law would be the 1st check in this matter.  Several States have extended Guaranteed Issue Rights and several others have set up specific times that a person can change Medigap plans (usually to the same or lesser plan - which your move as described would be).

Let me know your state, if you cannot find it via a search to your state’s dept of insurance details on Medigap plans, and I will be able to look it up for you.

In all other states, underwriting will probably be required by the insurer - under underwriting, they have the ability to deny you new coverage of a Medigap plan, offer it to you at a higher price, and/or, if allowed in your state, the ability to not cover any pre-existing condition for a specific amount of time - like 6-months.  

Yes, insurers do have a lot of leeway in how they handle underwriting because it is their risk.  For cancer there is a specific amount of time they like for you to be cancer free.  But kidney disease could very well put you out of the running unless your state’s law gives you more GI or special Medigap rights..

I came back to edit and add this link - kind of technical but it does cover the various state’s Medigap options and I believe it is up to date.

KFF.org - 10/18/2024 - Medigap May Be Elusive for Medicare Beneficiaries with Pre-Existing Condition...