Medicare Supplement Guaranteed Issue

Medicare supplement plan guaranteed issue? How can that be? The best time for you to apply for a Medicare supplement plan in Georgia is when it is GUARANTEED ISSUE. During your GUARANTEED ISSUE period Medigap carriers cannot reject your application or charge a higher rate due to pre-existing medical conditions.

Here is a summary of your GUARANTEED ISSUE rights.

MEDICARE Supplement Guaranteed Issue Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)

During your initial enrollment period you have a 7 month window of opportunity to purchase a Medicare supplement plan without providing evidence of insurability. Starting 3 months before your Medicare Part B effective date, the month your Part B is effective, and 3 months following your start date you can enroll in any Medicare supplement plan on a guaranteed issue basis.

MEDICARE Special Election Period (SEP)

You have a special election period for Part B if you are covered under an employer group plan through your job or your spouse’s work. This includes retiree coverage, COBRA or a union plan that continues beyond age 65.

MEDICARE Guaranteed Issue Trial Enrollment Period

If you enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan when you first became eligible for Medicare and within the first year of joining you decide to switch to original Medicare you may enroll in a Medicare supplement plan on a guaranteed issue basis. You have the same trial rights if you left Medicare and a Medigap plan to join an Advantage plan and want to switch back to original Medicare and a Medicare supplement plan during your first 12 months.

Disabled and Receiving Social Security Disability and Medicare

When you have been disabled under Social Security rules and have received Medicare for 24 months you can apply for a Medicare supplement plan on a guaranteed issue basis. This option is available to you even if you have not yet reaced age 65.

Leaving a Medicare Advantage Plan

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan and you move out of the service area you may enroll in original Medicare and a Medigap plan plan on a guaranteed issue basis. Similarly, if your Advantage plan withdraws from offering coverage in your area, or goes out of business, you may purchase a Medicare supplement plan without answering health questions.

Your Medigap Plan is Bankrupt

If you have original Medicare and your Medigap plan goes out of business and you lose your coverage you have a guaranteed right to purchase a new Medicare supplement plan without going through underwriting.

Your Advantage Coverage was Misrepresented

If your Medicare Advantage carrier or their representative misled you about your coverage or told you things about your plan that is not true, you may drop that plan and return to original Medicare and a Medicare supplement plan on a guaranteed issue basis.

You may encounter other situations where you can apply for a Medicare supplement plan on a guaranteed issue basis but these are the primary reasons.

Georgia Medicare Plans has affordable Medicare supplement plans to fit almost every need and budget.