@CRTSR
On the Silver Sneakers website -'sorry, I thought that was the place where you were looking but remember this is a special benefit not covered by law so it could come and go with plans - yes, it would be best if it were in the contract. And good luck with that - it seems to be more of a selling tool.
Medicare issues rules as to when people can switch plans without going through Medical underwriting. They are called Guaranteed issue rights and are described on this page of the Medicare website.
Medicare.gov - Guaranteed Issue Rights
Medicare describes switching Medigap policies here
Medicare.gov -'Switching Medigap policies
Medigap policies are private insurance Supplemental policies - people who choose traditional Medicare don't have to have one - it is not required, in fact, a lot of people do not have them. Since they are a supplemental plan, all Medicare stipulates is what benefits are covered and how by the various plans and when one can get a supplemental plan without medical underwriting as governed by the Guaranteed issue rules.
Since these are private insurance plans, the insurers can set their own prices for each of the plans and determine medical underwriting. They can set their prices in a variety of ways. The insurance companies, unless you have guaranteed issue rights, can even deny you coverage for a Medigap plan.
Medicare.gov - Cost of Medigap policies
It is good that you are weighing your options, we all need to do that occasionally.
Sorry that Medicare isn't all that you expected it to be -
It's Always Something . . . . Roseanna Roseannadanna
