Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment - *hint: it may NOT be when you think!*

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Medicare Supplement Insurance is private insurance purchased to supplement Original Medicare’s benefits. Original Medicare - made up of Medicare Parts A and B, helps to cover doctor and hospital charges, but it doesn’t cover them at 100%. Medicare Supplement Insurance fills in the “gaps” (that’s why it’s also referred to as Medigap insurance) and it pays the coinsurance and deductibles that Original Medicare doesn’t pay.
Typically Medigap plans are medically underwritten. This means that the insurance can ask you a series of health questions to see if you qualify. If you are sick or have chronic health issues, you could be denied coverage.
In certain states there is no medical underwriting and Medicare Supplement plans are guaranteed issue all year long ( NY, ME, WA and CT ), but in most areas, you will need to pass through medical underwriting to obtain a Medicare Supplement Plan unless you are in your Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment period, OR you fall into certain “guarantee issue” situations.
One of the most common misconceptions I hear is that folks think they can always change their Medicare Supplement Plan, or get a new Medicare Supplement plan once per year during the “medicare open enrollment”. This is usually not the case. The annual Medicare Election Period (often referred to as the Medicare "open enrollment" period), only applied to your Part D Rx plan, OR your Medicare Advantage Plan.
When it comes to Medicare Supplement insurance, most people get ONE open enrollment Period - that is, one time window when they can pick any Medigap plan they want, with any insurance company, and they’re guaranteed to be issued the policy at the preferred rate. This Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period happens when you first turn 65 and/OR you first enroll in Medicare Part B, and lasts up to 6 months after your Part B effective date.
This is generally the one time that you can pick any Medicare Supplement plan you want with no medical underwriting.
If you are on Medicare Part B BEFORE age 65 due to disability, you get a NEW Medigap open enrollment period when you turn 65!
Anytime outside of this window, you are typically going to have to answer a series of health questions and be ‘healthy’ enough to qualify to switch you plan. If you are in poor health, the insurance company could simply deny your coverage for that Medigap plan.
This is why it’s so import to be aware of and take advantage of this limited Medicare Supplement open enrollment window - because once it closes, you will have to go through medical underwriting to change your Medicare Supplement plan in the future. As you approach turning 65, or you approach adding Medicare Part B for the first time, you want to do your homework - make sure you are pick the right Medigap plan for your needs, with the right insurance company. Insurance companies all offer standardized Medicare Supplement Plans, meaning the plans are always exactly the same no matter which company you go with, but the rates can vary quite a but from one company to another. Additionally, certain insurance companies have much higher average annual rate increases than others. I can help you shop around and make sure that you are maximizing your savings as you pick a plan during your open enrollment window. Of course, I would be happy to help provide a free no obligation quote for Medicare Supplement Plans in your area. Please give me a call at 888-465-9728, or email [e-mail]. My service is 100% free of charge.
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[@simanojomian3535]

Hi thanks for informative information just I need to know for enrolment supplement insurance should I wait to receive my Medicare cart for part A and B first? Thanks

[@AbtInsuranceAgency]

In most cases you can enroll before you get your card! Call us - 888-465-9728

[@mvalbiro8860]

Stephanie, you’ve been incredibly helpful. Thank you so much for getting back to me. I’m newly 65 and have to say I know (just about) everything thanks to you!! 😊

[@Music4ev]

Thank you for breaking things down and making everything so much easier to understand! Very useful information!

[@AbtInsuranceAgency]

I'm so glad you found it helpful!

[@TheLookingOne]

Hey Stephanie ! If you enroll in a supplemental plan during the open window, but then go off Part B because you enrolled in a new employer's Part B creditable group health plan, and THEN leave that employment and restart Part B -- do you then have another supplemental open enrollment window without medical underwriting? Whew !?

[@AbtInsuranceAgency]

Generally, YES - the insurance company looks at your most recent effective date for Part B based on our experience.

[@TheLookingOne]

Thank you Stephanie @@AbtInsuranceAgency

[@NKKK19]

If one choose high ded plan G, and goes to a specialist who charges $1500 for the visit, would the full $1500 have to come out of their pocket since the $2400 deductible hasn’t been met?

[@MJM1309]

My Medicare has plan A and B start date Sep 01 2016. I left work with disability May of 2014. I rec SS Disability paid me the max in SS at age 58. I had an advantage plan from 2014 til Dec 2020. Than I went to UHC AARP Supplemental Plan G which started Jan 01 2021. In 2022. I let it ride without changing away from UHC AARP Plan G. Was this a smart move or should I switch away from AARP UHC and go with another? Do I have to go to an underwriter and answer medical questions, or can I switch freely during open enrollment without answering medical questions. I live in Indiana. Please help thank you with any advice you can offer.

[@AbtInsuranceAgency]

Plan G is a hood choice for many people. At this point you would have to pass through medical underwriting to change your Medigap plan. If you are interested in shopping options or learning more about the underwriting criteria, let us know - 888-465-9728.

[@nicolebrennon6907]

Hey Stephine, Let me say I love your easy explanations of medicare. I have been thinking of becoming a health insurance agent, I wanted to know where did you receive your training? And is there any math involved other than giving quotes, too pass my health insurance licensing exam? ( I TRULY SUCK AT MATH)

[@9929kingfish]

How soon can you sign up prior to 65 or part B? Can it be done earlier with a start date when turning 65 or when part b effective?

[@AbtInsuranceAgency]

Yes, you can enroll in advance! Many carriers allow you to enroll up to 6 months before you turn 65. Your effective date will be the first day of your birth month or of your Part B effective date.

[@geopwd]

I want to compare prices, like you said, and then enroll in a Medigap plan at 65 during my one time open enrollment period but can't find a way to do it. Every website I go to gives me price ranges for each company. When I get more specific pricing it's only a handful of companies. If they can't ask medical questions why the shifty tactics. I spent a lot of time on this. I suspect it's because they aren't using medical question info directly but if I go by Independence Blue Crosses application form's fine print they are getting my "medical and non-medical information" via other sources. So they won't deny me or ask me direct questions but they have the answers and price the policy accordingly. It all appears to be a big deception.

[@AbtInsuranceAgency]

George Collier it is very challenging to find a comprehensive list of Medigap rates online. Even the government website doesn’t always have accurate information on Medigap rates. The best bet is to consult a truly independent broker that will show you all of the available plans and prices and then let you know (based on carrier stability and rate increase history) which carriers are some of the better ones to consider. I’d be happy to help with this. 888-465-9728 or email [e-mail]

[@lorettajohnson7529]

How can I become a medicare specialist? I am currently a licensed insurance broker

[@jimfeaster4837]

Uhc screws seniors Beware Reviews on google Ripoff

[@AbtInsuranceAgency]

Jim, I see you've been leaving comments on several of my videos, do you believe that I work for UHC or are you simply trying to warn other seniors about your specific experience? I hope you find the assistance you need to get set up on the best Medicare Plan for your needs! Please feel free to contact me with questions at any time.