Question about Medicare Supplemental and "Open Enrollment"

[ellenrr]

I have AARP/UHC supplemental Plan F. Fantastic plan, I haven't paid for any medical expense for over 10 years.
The premium is $350/month before the next increase, which is coming soon.
I just came back from visiting with a SHIP counselor-- (person trained in helping with medicare and insurance.)
I wanted to look into changing plans to have a lower premium [this premium is killing me! I am a very low-income person], and co-pays.. I am healthy at age 78 and do not have a lot of doctor visits, so I wanted to see which would be better.
The SHIP counselor told me that I can't switch plans until Open Enrollment in October!
I am devastated. I was already thinking about what I would do with the extra income a lower premium would give me.

My question-- Is this correct? Because I also have been talking to a UHC agent who tells me I can switch today and have a new policy in a week.
Both cannot be right.
Obviously I have to call the insurance company to get a definitive answer, or look it up -- but these two prospects I find very daunting, so I thought I would ask here first, and go from there.

Thank you for any info...

[CousinIT]

1. AFAIK you can only change during open enrollment.

But others here may have different information!

That premium is pricey! I hope you can get a straight answer!

[eallen]

2. Plan F is no longer sold

You're paying a high premium, but getting real insurance, good for virtually all providers throughout the US, without pre-approvals, which will be valuable if you encounter a large medical issue. Most counselors and sales people for Medicare will steer you to a Medicare Advantage plan. Which will lower your premium. But beware what you're getting. Those counselors and sales people won't be around in five years or seven years, when some large issue arises. Do you get some cancer, and want to go to M D Anderson because it has the right specialists for it? Your new plan might cover only doctors in your area who are "in network."

[snowybirdie]

5. We have plan F

Excellent coverage but rate rises annually as you age. Stuck because can't find anything cheaper and don't want Advantage. But considering the cost of Medical care, we keep it. Otherwise we'd be wiped out

[Lonestarblue]

3. Before you switch, do a comparison of total costs. A lower premium is not always less costly.

I too have UHC plan F, which is no longer available to new enrollees. If you switch to a different insurer, you will need to choose a less generous plan. If you stay with UHC but choose a plan with a lower premium, your savings might be eaten up with copays and more expenses for routine tests. I had surgery last year, with many x-rays and tests beforehand and paid zero. I don't know what I would have paid under a different plan, but it would not have been zero. I'm also in my 70s and healthy, but the possibility of serious illness gets more likely, and potentially costly, every year.

Medicare has a useful online tool that allows you to compare costs of different plans in your area.
https://www.medicare.gov/medigap-supplemental-insurance-plans/#/m/?year=2026&lang=en

Also be wary of switching to an Advantage plan. Those plans require prior approval from the insurance company, which often rejects treatment. UHC Advantage plans are notorious for rejecting coverage of needed medical treatment.

[lostincalifornia]

4. If you can't afford it then you don't have much choice, but they don't offer

F anymore. While it is the most expensive, there are virtually no deductibles, and you have ultimate flexibility where you can go.

Once you leave supplemental F you can’t go back.

The most affordable plans will be the advantage plans, but you will be limited where you can go with an advantage plan, and you should insure the doctors you want take an advantage plan before you sign up.

As others pointed out you can’t switch until open enrollment or unless one of the special conditions allowed occur. I can’t recall exactly what those are.

https://www.kff.org/faqs/medicare-open-enrollment-faqs/general-enrollment-information/can-i-change-my-medicare-coverage-outside-of-the-medicare-open-enrollment-period/

[Ritabert]

6. I switched to plan N for about $200 per month

I have to pay a co-pay of $20 per doctor visit and $50 for an ER visit if not admitted to the hospital. I think you're stuck until October though. That's when they let current enrollees switch plans. Call Medicare and check.

[Auggie]

7. In California you can switch plans on your birthday month. It's called the birthday rule.

But really take the time to compare plans. Plan F doesn't have a deductible. Other plans do. A deductible could wipe out any savings you get from switching. Once you change it's almost impossible to go back.