How to flee Medicare Advantage... would this work?

Retirement
1

I’m not in Medicare yet, but I’m aware that Medicare Advantage can become like Hotel California for some - you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.

So hear me out… Maine, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts - have outlawed Medical underwriting for Advantage customers trying to get back on Medicare Supplemental.

What if someone were to establish legal residence in one of those States during Medicare open enrollment, switch out of Advantage, and then move back home? You would not even be a tax resident for those States if you don’t stay generally six months.

I can think of way worse things than watching the Fall foliage change colors in Upstate New York in the Hudson Valley in October. Being denied treatment for a complex medical challenge - now that would truly suck.

I guess though if you’re really ill, you won’t be mobile.

I don’t know — this thought just occured to me.

2

original Medicare does not require the under writing, it is the supplemental carrier that requires the under writing.

3

I understand that. The four States I named have made it illegal to require medical underwriting for Supplemental policies for people wanting to leave Advantage. I think my original post was clear.

4

Not really. Do they REQUIRE that those wanting to change to a supplement be accepted? If not, the supplement plans could reject all changing from an advantage plan.

5

“New York State law and regulation require that any insurer writing Medigap insurance must accept a Medicare enrollee’s application for coverage at any time throughout the year. Insurers may not deny the applicant a Medigap policy or make any premium rate distinctions because of health status, claims experience, medical condition or whether the applicant is receiving health care services.”