Enrollment
Trial Right
Quick answer
A Trial Right is a special protection that lets certain first-time Medicare Advantage enrollees return to Original Medicare within 12 months and buy a Medigap policy on a guaranteed-issue basis.
Plain-English definition
Trial rights exist for people who enrolled in MA when first eligible for Medicare or who dropped Medigap to try MA for the first time.
Why it matters
It reduces the risk of trying Medicare Advantage.
A simple example
You joined an MA plan at 65 and dislike it. Within 12 months you can go back to Original Medicare + a guaranteed-issue Medigap policy.
Common mistakes & misconceptions
Related terms
Guaranteed Issue
Guaranteed issue is your right to buy certain Medigap policies without medical underwriting, so insurers can't deny you or charge more due to pre-existing conditions.
Medigap
Medigap — also called Medicare Supplement insurance — is a private policy that pays some of the out-of-pocket costs Original Medicare leaves behind, like the Part B 20% coinsurance and Part A hospital deductible.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Medicare Advantage, also called Part C, is a way to receive your Medicare benefits through a private insurance plan approved by Medicare. Plans bundle Part A and Part B, usually include Part D drug coverage, and often add dental, vision, and hearing.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the trial right?+
12 months from the MA effective date.
Sources & references
📚 Where this information comes from
- Medicare.gov — official U.S. government site for people with Medicare ↗Primary source for benefits, enrollment periods, and plan comparison.
- CMS.gov — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ↗Federal rulemaking, program updates, and official guidance.
- Social Security Administration — Medicare enrollment & premiums ↗Enrollment, premium withholding, and IRMAA determinations.
When you're ready, compare plans on your own terms
See Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, or walk the course with a licensed agent whenever you'd like a second set of eyes.
We help compare Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, and we don't offer every plan available in your area.
Medicare Caddies is an independent insurance agency. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the U.S. government, the federal Medicare program, or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). We help compare Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, and we don't offer every plan available in your area.