Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period: When Does It Start and How Long Does It Last?

When does the Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period start?

Your federal Medigap Open Enrollment Period starts in the first month that you meet both conditions:

• You are 65 or older.
• You are enrolled in Medicare Part B.

Medigap is another name for Medicare Supplement Insurance. These policies are sold by private insurance companies and are designed to help pay some out-of-pocket costs in Original Medicare.

How long does the Medigap Open Enrollment Period last?

The federal Medigap Open Enrollment Period lasts for 6 months. Medicare.gov describes it as a one-time enrollment period. It does not repeat every year.

For example, if your Part B coverage begins in the month you are already 65 or older, your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period begins that same month.

What rights do you have during this period?

During your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you can generally buy any Medigap policy sold by an insurance company in your state. The company cannot refuse to sell you a Medigap policy it offers because of health problems, and it cannot charge you more based on your health status.

Medicare notes that coverage can generally start right away, although a waiting period may apply for costs related to a pre-existing condition in some cases if allowed under the rules.

Is this the same as Medicare Open Enrollment?

No. The Medigap Open Enrollment Period is different from the annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period.

The annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period is mainly for changing Medicare Advantage and Medicare drug coverage. The Medigap Open Enrollment Period is tied to when you are 65 or older and enrolled in Part B, and it generally happens only once under federal rules.

What if you delay Part B because you have employer coverage?

If you are 65 or older and delay Part B because you have employer or union coverage based on current employment, your Medigap Open Enrollment Period generally starts when you later sign up for Part B.

Medicare.gov says that after you sign up for Part B, you have 6 months to buy a Medigap policy, even if you sign up for Part B while you still have employer coverage.

What happens after the 6-month period ends?

After your Medigap Open Enrollment Period ends, your options may be more limited. Insurance companies generally do not have to sell you a Medigap policy unless you have a Medigap protection called a guaranteed issue right or another right under state law.

If you apply outside your open enrollment period without a guaranteed issue right, an insurance company may be allowed to use medical underwriting, which means it may review your health information before deciding whether to offer coverage or what price to charge.

What if you have Medicare before age 65?

If you are under 65 and have Medicare because of disability or End-Stage Renal Disease, federal law generally does not require insurance companies to sell you a Medigap policy. Some states provide additional Medigap rights for people under 65.

If you already have Part B before turning 65, Medicare.gov says you will still get a Medigap Open Enrollment Period when you turn 65. Check your State Insurance Department for state-specific rules.

Official Sources