If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO) that offers prescription drug coverage, you will get all your health care coverage and prescription drug coverage from that plan. In most cases, you can only join a Medicare Advantage Plan from November 15–December 31 each year. If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you won’t need your Medigap policy because the Medigap policy can’t pay any copayments or deductibles under your Medicare Advantage Plan. If you decide to drop your Medigap policy when you join the Medicare Advantage Plan, you can’t get your Medigap drug coverage back later. In some cases, you may have certain rights to buy a Medigap policy without prescription drug coverage if your coverage through a Medicare Advantage Plan ends, or you decide to leave the plan during your first year of enrollment.
