Medigap Open Enrollment Period
Learn the benefits of buying a Medicare Supplement plan during the Medigap Open Enrollment Period.
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People turning 65 get a one-time opportunity to buy a Medicare Supplement plan without medical underwriting. During this six-month enrollment period, you can buy a Medigap plan.
By enrolling during the Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you get the following benefits:
Generally, you get better prices and more Medigap plan choices.
The supplement insurance company cannot use medical underwriting and cannot deny your Medigap coverage due to pre-existing health issues.
You can avoid waiting periods for pre-existing conditions.
Medigap Enrollment FAQs
Who is Eligible for a Medicare Supplement Plan?
When is Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period?
Your Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Open Enrollment Period starts the first month you have Medicare Part B and you are age 65 or older. However, you can shop for a Medigap plan with a licensed agent at Senior Healthcare Direct as soon as you get your Medicare card. Then we can help you find the right plan and lock-in the monthly premium rate before your 65th birthday. Call 1-833-463-3262 or get a quote.
Do I Have Guaranteed Rights?
You may have guaranteed issue rights after your Medicare Supplement enrollment period. If you do, the insurance company must:
Sell you a Medigap policy.
Cover all your pre-existing health conditions.
Can’t charge you more for past or present health issues.
Can I Buy a Medicare Supplement Anytime?
After your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you may not be able to buy a Medigap policy or it may cost you more. If you don’t have guaranteed issue right and you are outside the enrollment period, the following conditions apply:
The insurance company can deny you a policy because you don’t meet their medical underwriting requirements.
You may have fewer Medigap policies available to you.
The price you pay for a policy may be higher.
Medigap Guaranteed Issue Rights
You may have the right to buy a Medigap policy under the following conditions:
Your Medicare Advantage (MA) plan leaves Medicare or stops providing care in your area or you move out of the plan’s service area. Then you must apply for Medigap 60 days before your MA plan ends or no later than 63 days after your MA plan ends.
Your employer group health plan that pays after Medicare is ending. Then you have no more than 63 days after the latest:
You joined MA plan when first eligible and decide to return to Original Medicare within the first year. You must apply 60 days before coverage ends or no more than 63 days after your MA coverage ends.
You dropped a Medigap plan to join an MA plan for the first time. Then within a year, you want to switch back to a Medicare Supplement. You must apply 60 days before your coverage ends or no more than 63 days after your MA plan ends.
The Medicare Supplement insurance company goes bankrupt and you lose coverage, or ends through no fault of your own. You must apply no later than 63 days after your current Medigap plan ends.
The MA or Medigap plan failed to follow the rules or misled you. Then you must apply no more than 63 days after your coverage ends.
Call Senior Healthcare Direct at 1-833-463-3262 to speak with a licensed agent about buying a Medigap policy or get a quote.
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