Another insurer may offer the same standardized plan letter — or another suitable Medigap option — at a different premium. But switching may require health questions, so check your options before canceling anything.
Helping Medicare clients since 2003 — one-on-one guidance, not a call center.
The Medigap Premium & Switch Review Checks
Licensed Medicare Agents
Helping clients compare Medigap since 2003.
No Call-Center Pressure
No rushed decision. No obligation to switch.
Keep Your Policy While You Check
Checking your options does not cancel anything.
Rates Vary by Company
Same plan letter, different premiums.
What This Means for You
Your benefits may not have changed, but your premium did. Your policy can remain active as long as you continue meeting its requirements, including paying the new premium.
You generally have three choices: keep your current policy and pay the new premium, apply for similar coverage from another insurance company, or review whether a different Medicare coverage strategy makes sense. For many people, the safest starting point is simply finding out whether another Medicare Supplement company may offer a suitable option — you do not have to cancel your plan to check, and you do not have to commit to switching.
The Medigap Premium & Switch Review
You don't need to understand every Medicare rule before asking for help. Have your plan letter and current premium handy if you know them — that's it.
We look at the plan you have, the new premium, and the relevant Medicare Supplement options offered by the insurers we represent.
We help determine whether health questions, timing, or state protections may affect your ability to change companies.
You keep your current policy in place unless and until another policy is approved and ready to begin.
Checking does not cancel or change your current policy.
At a Glance
| Your concern | The answer |
|---|---|
| Can I check without canceling? | Yes |
| Is switching guaranteed? | No |
| Could the same plan cost differently elsewhere? | Yes |
| May health questions apply? | Yes |
| What should I do first? | Compare while keeping your policy |
Understanding the Increase
That is one of the most common and reasonable questions people ask after a Medigap rate increase. Your premium can rise for several reasons, even when your plan's benefits stay exactly the same.
Insurance companies generally use one of three pricing methods. Community-rated: people with the same policy may pay the same base premium regardless of age, although the premium can still rise for other reasons. Issue-age-rated: your original premium is based partly on your age when you bought the policy — it does not rise simply because you have another birthday, but it can increase for other reasons. Attained-age-rated: your premium is based partly on your current age, so it may rise as you get older. The pricing method used for your policy depends on the insurance company and policy — knowing whether your coverage is community-rated, issue-age-rated, or attained-age-rated can help explain how its premium may change over time.
An insurance company may also raise premiums because medical costs and claims across a larger group of policyholders have increased. That does not necessarily mean you personally used too much healthcare or did anything wrong.
Medicare Supplement insurance is regulated by the states, and the rules and review process differ by location. A rate increase may be allowed under those rules. But that does not automatically mean your current policy is still the best available value for you.
Understanding why the increase happened will not lower the bill by itself. But it helps you compare your options without feeling pressured into the wrong move.
Can I Get the Same Plan From Another Company?
In most states, a standard Plan G from one company generally provides the same basic medical benefits as a standard Plan G from another company — but premiums, discounts, and future rate history are not standardized. Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin follow different state-specific rules. It is not guaranteed that another company will approve your application or offer a lower premium — that's why we compare the whole situation, not just the lowest number on a quote.
Pick a time that works — most rate reviews take 20–30 minutes.
Before You Apply
You may. Outside certain protected situations, a new insurance company may use medical underwriting — health questions used to decide whether to approve your application. Your ability to change companies may depend on your health history, your state and ZIP code, your current plan and how long you've had it, the new company's underwriting rules, and whether a federal or state protection applies.
Some situations give you stronger rights to buy another policy without being rejected. Your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period is one type of protection; certain life events may create separate guaranteed-issue rights. These are not the same thing, and your state may provide additional opportunities beyond the federal rules. We will check whether one of those situations applies to you — you do not need to determine which rule applies on your own.
You don't have to become a Medicare expert to make a good decision here. That's what the review is for.
Lehigh Partners Senior Benefits has helped Medicare clients since 2003. You work with a licensed advisor — not a call-center script — who explains what you have now, compares what may be available, points out the risks before you change anything, and recommends keeping your current policy when that's the better answer.
"We help people understand what they're buying and why — not just push them toward the easiest option."
— David Scallion, Founder
Client Reviews
What real clients say about comparing options with our help.
“Dave helped me understand Medicare part B, C, & D, plus all the various supplement plans. He presented me with various scenarios that even projected monthly and annual costs. Dave was patient answering all my questions and even assisted in some of the application process.”
Robert Haffner Google review“Dave was very helpful in finding me the best product to meet my needs at the lowest cost. Very efficient, thoughtful and available.”
Susan Peck Google review“David is very knowledgeable about the plans available and is an expert on Medicare — always ready to answer questions and clarify information.”
Bob Bromiley Google reviewIf You Decide to Switch
The order matters.
Keep paying the premium on the coverage you already have while the new application is being reviewed.
Submitting an application does not mean it has been approved. Wait until the new insurer confirms approval and an effective date.
Coordinate cancellation carefully after the new policy has been approved and its effective date confirmed.
Do not cancel your current policy just to see whether another company will accept you. If the new application is declined, your existing policy should remain in place as long as you kept it active and continued paying the required premium.
Before You Decide
Not necessarily. When you compare the same standardized plan letter, the basic medical benefits are generally the same. However, the premium, discounts, service, pricing method, and future rate history may differ.
Your current policy is not automatically canceled because another insurer declines your application. That is why you keep your present coverage active while checking other options.
Generally, no. Medicare Supplement policies are not tied to the October 15 through December 7 Annual Enrollment Period the way Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are — you may apply at other times of the year.
Not before you understand what you may be giving up. Dropping your policy without suitable replacement coverage could leave you responsible for more costs under Original Medicare, and it may be harder to obtain another Medicare Supplement policy later.
You may be able to switch. You may find another company offers the same plan letter at a more suitable premium. You may also discover your present policy remains the best choice available. Your health, timing, location, and available protections can affect your future options — reviewing the increase now lets you decide while your existing policy is still safely in place.
Checking your options does not cancel or change your current policy. No separate consultation fee. No obligation to switch.
And if keeping your current Medicare Supplement policy is the right decision, we will tell you.
Common Questions
Disclosure
Lehigh Partners Senior Benefits is a licensed insurance agency and is not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. We do not offer every plan available in your area. We represent selected insurance organizations and products in the areas we serve. Contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE for information about all available options. Plan availability, premiums, underwriting requirements, guaranteed-issue rights, and state protections vary. This page provides general educational information and is not a substitute for advice based on your individual circumstances. Submitting a review request does not guarantee eligibility, approval, savings, or the availability of a lower-premium policy.
