Did You Know: Medigap Policies

The rules of AEP are for MAPD and PDP only and do not apply to Medigap. You can purchase or change your Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plan at any time of year. The only downside is that you must complete a health underwriting questionnaire to be reviewed for approval.

Guaranteed issue (GI) rights or “Medigap protections” are your rights to buy certain Medigap policies in limited situations outside of your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. In these situations, an insurance company:

• Must sell you a Medigap policy.
• Must cover all your pre‑existing health conditions.
• Can’t charge you more for a Medigap policy because of past or present health problems.

Typically a GI right lasts between 60-63 days and allows you to purchase only plan letters A, B, D, G, K, or L. You must purchase plan letters C or F (instead of D or G) if you have Part A of Original Medicare prior to 2020.

Pro-tips:

1. Some carriers allow you to downgrade your plan letter without going through the underwriting process - Capital Blue Cross and UnitedHealthcare.
2. Commissions are less for guaranteed issue applications - ask to see a commission schedule.
3. Some carriers allow you to write more plan letters than the rule states - Capital Blue Cross and UnitedHealthcare allow Plan N for GI.

Learn more: Choosing a Medigap Policy