In this blog, we will outline:

1. When you can purchase a Medigap policy without having to go through underwriting.
   
2. What is underwriting?
3. When you can change your Medigap policy if you aren't happy with it. 

If you purchase your Medigap policy when you are first eligible for Medicare, you can purchase any policy sold in your state without having to go through underwriting. This means if you have any health problems, you can purchase a Medigap policy at the same rate as a healthy person, if you purchase it within your open enrollment period. Each person’s open enrollment period will start the first day their Medicare Part B is effective and it will last for 6 months. If you decide to change your Medigap policy outside of your open enrollment period, typically you will go through underwriting. This means, if you have some health problems, the insurance companies could either deny coverage or charge you more due to certain health conditions. Keep in mind, even though Medigap policies are standardized, the health questions are not. So, just because you may not qualify for one carrier doesn’t mean that you will be turned down for another carrier. Check with our advisors to see if there is an option that fits your needs. If you are about to lose your group health coverage, you might be eligible for Guaranteed Issue, which is another way you can purchase a Medigap policy without having to go through underwriting. There are many different qualifications for a Guaranteed Issue period.

Please click here to learn more about your Medicare rights.

To compare prices of different Medigap policies and carriers available in your state, click here.