Major Medicare Supplement Changes for 2026: What You Need to Know About Plan N and Switching Plans

Starting in April 2026, important updates are taking effect for certain Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans offered through AARP® Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans insured by UnitedHealthcare® Insurance Company (UHIC).

These changes could impact your ability to enroll in Plan N or switch between plans without answering health questions. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s changing and how it may affect you.

Plan N Restrictions in Guaranteed Issue Situations

Beginning April 9, 2026, Plan N will no longer be available in many Guaranteed Issue (GI) situations in most states.

What does this mean?

Guaranteed Issue rights allow you to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan without medical underwriting (no health questions). However, under the new rules:

• Plan N will no longer be an option in many of these situations

• You may need to choose a different plan instead

When does this apply?

This change impacts individuals who qualify for Guaranteed Issue due to situations such as:

• Losing employer or group coverage

• Leaving a Medicare Advantage or other Medicare plan

• Moving out of a plan’s service area

• Losing coverage due to plan termination or issues

States NOT affected

These changes do NOT apply in the following states:

• California

• Connecticut

• Maine

• Massachusetts

• Minnesota

• New York

• Oregon

• Wisconsin

New Underwriting Rules for Switching Plans

Starting April 29, 2026, many current policyholders will face new requirements when switching plans.

What’s changing?

If you already have a Medicare Supplement plan through UHIC and want to switch:

• You may need to submit a new application

• You may need to answer health questions

• You may go through medical underwriting

This means approval is no longer guaranteed in many cases.

Who is affected?

This applies to most states, with some exceptions (including states like New York, Massachusetts, and others where consumer protections differ).

Important Exceptions

Some plan changes will still NOT require underwriting, including:

• Switching to Plan A, K, or L (in most cases)

• Certain High-Deductible Plan G changes in Florida

• Moving from a Medicare Select plan to a similar or lower coverage plan

Key Dates to Know

• April 9, 2026 → Plan N GI restrictions begin

• April 29, 2026 → Underwriting required for many plan changes

Applications signed or submitted around these dates may still fall under the new rules depending on timing.

What This Means for You

These changes are designed to help stabilize Medicare Supplement plans long-term, but they may reduce flexibility for consumers.

You should consider:

• Reviewing your current coverage now

• Understanding your future ability to switch plans

• Taking advantage of Guaranteed Issue rights while available

Need Help Navigating These Changes?

Medicare rules can be complex, especially when changes like this occur. If you’re unsure how this impacts you, it’s best to speak with a licensed Medicare advisor who can walk you through your options.

👉 Find a local Medicare expert or schedule a consultation today