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Medicare Trial Right Period

Medicare insurance can feel complex and unforgiving, and choosing the right Medicare plan can be overwhelming.  This is especially the case when you are impacted by yearly rising health insurance costs from a Medicare Supplement (or Medigap) plan, and you are unsure about making a significant change to your health insurance by switching to a Medicare Advantage plan.

The trial right period for Medicare Advantage plans brings some compassion and warmth to this situation.  It removes any pressure from worrying if you made the correct choice to switch plans.

Seniors happy looking at PC, Senior couple reviewing Medicare plan options at kitchen table with local advisor in Marion, Local Medicare agent reviewing plan documents with senior couple in Grove City office, Medicare agent discussing plan choices with senior in Columbus office meeting

What is a Trial Right Period for Medicare Advantage Plans?

A trial right period is a special trial window that allows Medicare beneficiaries to test a Medicare Advantage plan.

Have you ever signed up for a trial subscription to a magazine or for a local gym membership?  This trial period works in a very similar fashion.

The period itself is the 12-month period directly after enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time.  This person has until the very end of that 1-year window to decide if they would like to continue with Medicare Part C or switch to a Medigap plan with “guaranteed issue” rights.  

If this person would like to switch back, the conversion is considered “guaranteed issue”, meaning that the medical underwriting process that normally happens when switching to a Medicare Supplement plan is waived.

What are Guaranteed Issue Rights?

Guaranteed issue rights are protections given to Medicare beneficiaries when switching to a Medicare Supplement plan that allow for a person to:

  • Enroll in a health insurance plan without being denied for pre-existing health conditions
  • Have coverage for all pre-existing health conditions
  • Not be forced to pay more money an insurance policy because of past or present health issues


Normally, when switching from Medicare Advantage to Medicare Supplement, enrollment is dependent upon clearing medical underwriting by the insurance carrier.  These protections guarantee your ability enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan.

When do I have trial rights for Medicare Advantage?

There are two different scenarios where a 12-month trial right period exists after enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time:

  1. If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan instead of a Medicare Supplement plan during your Initial Enrollment Period
  2. After switching to a Medicare Advantage plan from a Medicare Supplement plan during any subsequent Annual Enrollment Period


If you choose to switch to a Medicare Supplement plan during your trial right period, you can enroll in any Medigap plan available in Ohio at that time by any insurance company.  If you had a Medigap plan before joining Medicare Advantage, you can only purchase that same policy from the same insurance company if it’s still offered.

You must apply for a Medicare Supplement plan no earlier than 60 days before the date your coverage will end and no later than 63 days after your coverage ends.  Your rights could extend an extra 12 months under certain conditions. 

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