Medicare supplemental policy (Medigap)

[redbird]

I just spent a bunch of time on the phone, and have signed up for a Medicare supplemental insurance policy for 2027. I have a confirmation number, but the phone agent told me that I should expect the enrollment packet, including membership card and payment information, only a couple of weeks before the policy goes into effect. I asked because I was wondering at what point I should worry that it had gotten lost in the mail.

I did this by phone because the phrasing on the enrollment website had me worried about whether signing up for this would somehow mess up my 2026 coverage. The agent said that it won't, but there's a Medicare rule that I have to agree that I will be cancelling my current coverage before this one starts, and having it expire on its own the day before counts.

I also have an address in case I need to send them the paperwork from Harvard Pilgrim saying that they have to let me enroll because my current plan isn't being offered next year. (This shouldn't be an issue, given that I live in Massachusetts, which lets everyone switch from Medicare Advantage to regular Medicare, even if the Advantage plan is being offered in the following year.)

Meanwhile, CVS keeps sending me email urging me to get a flu vaccine, even though I got this year's flu vaccine at CVS.

The PT has felt like more of a slog than usual today, but I did a few things, including one balance-related exercise.

Comments

[otter]

Are you following up on all that with a dish of ice cream?

[redbird]

That's not a bad idea--I'm more used to thinking in terms of buying ice cream after unpleasant or difficult medical things. Thanks for the suggestion.

[yourlibrarian]

Stressful. I am not looking forward to managing these things in a few years.

[beatrice_otter]

Congratulations on accomplishing the hard bureaucratic work.