i understand that once you qualify for medicare, you have options. one is to purchase a supplemental plan and?

The Medicare website explains supplemental plans including HMO options (Medicare Advantage).

Your question is rather mixed up. Are you on Medicare now? You want to change your HMO? You are permitted to change health plan providers once a year during open enrollment which I think is in November. You can purchase a supplemental plan from any company who offers it. I dont know how you switch Medicare supplemental insurance companies since that is a private. I imagine it depends on whether you have a contract with the Supplementary insurance company for a specific time period. Look on the social security or medicare website or request the book from Medicare.

I can tell you what my experience was. I am a on Medicare and I have bought a supplemental insurance through Aetna. It is my second. When I first got on Medicare, I chose a BC/BS plan. I changed to Aetna (for no particular reason), I had to do so during their open enrollment period.

As far as I know, you can change as a different supplemental insurer as many times as you like as long as the new company accepts you.

I origirsnally opted for a PPO plan, but Aetna no longer offers PPO's in my area of the country (SE PA). Look over the different plans offered by the different insurers. The most expensive plan is not always the one you need. I ended up paying 1/4th of what I was paying for my PPO and 1/2 of the most expensive HMO offered. Even with the copays, I still save money.

I am on Disability SS which is not dependent on need, but on entitlement due to a work injury. I will revert to SS when I turn 65.

God bless.

Call various insurers and they will be happy to send you information.

God bless.