Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period

The Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period (OEP) is a key window of time when you have the most freedom and protection to choose a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plan.

Whether you’re newly eligible for Medicare or transitioning from employer coverage, this six-month period offers a one-time chance to get the coverage you need without worrying about health questions, higher premiums, or being denied altogether.

Let’s talk about the details of this period so you can make the most of it.

What Is the Medigap Open Enrollment Period?

The Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period is a six-month window that begins the first day of the month you’re both 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B.

During this time, you can buy any Medigap plan available in your area without answering health questions or undergoing medical underwriting.

That means you can’t be turned down or charged more because of your health.

This period is your best opportunity to get a Medicare Supplement plan with the most options and the best rates. After it ends, insurance companies can require medical underwriting, meaning they can deny you coverage or charge higher premiums if you have certain health conditions.

So if you wait until after your Open Enrollment Period to apply, you may face:

• Higher premiums
• Coverage denials
• Limited plan choices

Important to note: If you delayed Part B enrollment due to employer coverage, your six-month Medigap OEP starts when your Part B goes active, not at age 65, but when your coverage begins.

What About People Under 65?

In some states, people under 65 who qualify for Medicare due to a disability may have limited access to Medigap plans. Federal law does not require insurers to offer Medigap to those under 65, but many states have rules that provide a separate open enrollment window for disabled beneficiaries.

Coverage options and pricing for under-65 applicants vary widely by state, and premiums may be significantly higher than for those 65 and older.

To avoid these challenges, it’s best to apply during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period when coverage is guaranteed regardless of your health status.

What Happens After That Six-Month Period?

After Open Enrollment, you can still apply for a Medigap plan at any time, but it’s important to understand that medical underwriting may come into play.

This means insurers have the right to review your health history before approving your application.

Depending on their assessment, they could deny your application, charge you a higher premium due to pre-existing conditions, or limit the plan options available to you.

What Questions Are Asked With Medical Underwriting?

When applying for a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan outside of your Open Enrollment Period, many insurers require medical underwriting. You’ll need to answer health-related questions to determine your eligibility and premium.

While the exact questions vary by company, here are the types of questions you can generally expect:

#1. Current health conditions	You’ll be asked if you have (or have recently had) serious conditions like cancer, heart disease, COPD, diabetes with complications, Alzheimer’s, kidney disease, or any other chronic or progressive illnesses.
#2. Recent hospitalizations or surgeries	Insurers typically want to know if you’ve been hospitalized, had surgery, or been advised to have surgery in the past 2 years.
#3. Prescription medications	They’ll review your medication list to assess ongoing treatment and potentially match medications to underlying conditions.
#4. Tobacco or nicotine use	Most applications ask if you’ve used tobacco or nicotine products in the past 12 months, which may impact your rate.
#5. Mobility and daily functioning	Some forms ask if you need help with basic tasks like bathing, dressing, or walking, which is often a red flag for insurers.
#6. Height and weight	There may be height and weight charts that help insurers determine your risk level and eligibility based on BMI.
#7. Recent diagnoses or tests	Questions may cover recent testing or evaluations (like MRIs, CT scans, or biopsies) that haven’t yet been diagnosed or treated.

Are There Any Situations Where You Can Still Get Medigap Without Underwriting?

Yes – in certain situations, called “guaranteed issue rights“.

Medigap guaranteed issue rights are special protections that allow you to buy a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan without being denied or charged more due to health conditions.

These rights override the usual medical underwriting rules, which normally apply if you’re applying outside your Medigap Open Enrollment Period.

These are less common, but they include scenarios like:

• Losing other coverage, such as employer-sponsored retirement plans
• Your Medicare Advantage plan is leaving your area or discontinuing coverage
• You’re switching from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare within the first 12 months of joining (called the “trial right”)

In these special cases, insurance companies must sell you a Medigap plan, regardless of your health.

What Should You Do If You Missed Your Enrollment Window?

If your Medigap Open Enrollment Period has passed, and you’re considering applying for coverage:

1. Talk to a licensed insurance agent. They can help assess your eligibility and guide you to insurers that may offer more lenient underwriting.
2. Don’t assume you’ll be declined. Some people, even with moderate health issues, can still get approved.
3. Apply sooner rather than later. Health changes over time, so the earlier you apply, the better your chances.

If you find yourself in this position and get rejected by a company you apply to, contact a licensed insurance agent to learn about different private insurance companies and plan options that might work for you.

The Safest Option: Buy a Medigap Policy When You’re First Eligible

Medicare offers extensive choices and can be quite confusing. During your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you can choose any Medigap insurance coverage available in your area regardless of your health status or pre-existing health problems.

This is generally the best time to enroll since you can avoid medical underwriting and higher rates if you have any pre-existing health conditions.

New Medicare beneficiaries must begin by researching the various aspects of Medicare.

It is advisable to locate and consult with a licensed insurance agent who can help you find the best possible insurance coverage for your needs and budget.

Can You Switch Medigap Plans Outside the OEP?

You can apply to change your Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan at any time during the year – there’s no set enrollment season like with Medicare Advantage or Part D.

However, insurers can require medical underwriting if you’re outside your original six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period or don’t qualify for a special situation.

The best time to switch plans is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period or if you qualify for guaranteed issue rights, such as leaving a Medicare Advantage plan within your first 12 months, losing other coverage, or moving out of a plan’s service area. In those cases, insurers must accept your application without health screening.

If you want to change plans but don’t qualify for a guaranteed issue period, you can still apply – just know approval isn’t guaranteed.

Applying for the new plan and getting approved before canceling your current one is smart. Some states also have rules that make switching easier, so it helps to speak with a licensed Medicare agent to understand your options.

Real-Life Scenarios

Here are a few real-life scenarios that help explain how the Medigap Open Enrollment Period (OEP) works – and why timing and personal circumstances matter so much.

Turning 65 and Retiring at the Same Time Scenario: Linda will turn 65 in July and retire at the end of June. She will enroll in Medicare Part A and B effective July 1, which means her Medigap Open Enrollment Period begins July 1 and lasts through December 31. Why it matters: Linda has six months to enroll in any Medigap plan without answering health questions, regardless of her past or current health conditions. This is her one-time opportunity to get guaranteed coverage.

Delaying Medicare Due to Employer Coverage Scenario: John turns 65 in March but keeps working and stays on his employer’s health insurance. He delays enrolling in Medicare Part B until he retires at age 67 in October. Why it matters: John’s six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period doesn’t begin until October 1, when his Part B becomes active. Even though he’s 67, he still gets a six-month window with guaranteed issue rights.

Enrolled in Medicare Advantage, Then Changed Her Mind Scenario: Rachel enrolls in a Medicare Advantage plan at age 65 but decides after 6 months that she doesn’t like the provider network and wants to return to Original Medicare and get a Medigap plan. Why it matters: Rachel qualifies for a “trial right,” which gives her guaranteed issue rights to buy a Medigap plan without underwriting if she applies within 12 months of joining the Advantage plan. This acts like a second chance at Medigap enrollment.

Moved to a New State With Different Rules Scenario: Tom turned 65 in Arizona and enrolled in a Medigap plan during the Open Enrollment Period. Two years later, he moved to Connecticut, a state that offers year-round Medigap enrollment with guaranteed coverage. Why it matters: Even though his federal OEP has passed, Tom may now have the state-level right to switch plans or carriers in Connecticut without underwriting, which isn’t the case in most states.

These scenarios show how retirement timing, health changes, and even your zip code can influence your Medigap options. Planning ahead helps ensure you get the coverage you want, when you need it most.

Bottom Line

The Medigap Open Enrollment Period is your one-time golden opportunity to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan without medical underwriting, health questions, or the risk of being denied.

It starts when you’re 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B, and lasts six months. Whether retiring at 65 or delaying Part B due to employer coverage, this is the easiest and most affordable time to get guaranteed coverage.

Once this window closes, getting a plan can become more complicated and expensive, especially if you have health conditions that insurers use to decide whether to accept your application.

While you can technically apply for or change a Medigap plan anytime, most people lose those no-questions-asked protections after their open enrollment ends. That’s why planning and enrolling during your OEP is so important, if possible.

And if you’ve already missed it, don’t panic – there are still options, especially if you qualify for guaranteed issue rights after losing other coverage or leaving a Medicare Advantage plan.

The safest bet is to work with a licensed agent who understands the rules and plans and how to help you get the coverage you need without unnecessary stress or surprises.

Frequently Asked Questions

Article Resources:

• When Can I Apply for a Medicare Supplement Plan?
• When Does Medicare Coverage Start?
• Can I Be Denied Medigap Coverage?
• How Do I Enroll in a Medigap Plan?
• When Can I Change Medigap Plans?
• CMS Medicare Services