Co-Founder, TermInsuranceBrokers.com, Goldenzweig Financial Group, Las Vegas, Nevada
Yes, you can be declined for Medigap insurance, but there's usually a company that will likely take you unless certain events occur (e.g. you're about to go in for major surgery)
When you apply for Medigap coverage outside of your initial open enrollment period when you're new to Medicare (and don't have a special enrollment period qualifying event), you can be subject to medical underwriting (answering the health questions on the application).
Each insurance company has their own health questions so you may be able to qualify for one company and not another if you have certain major medical conditions you're being treated for/have been treated for in the last few years (e.g. insulin-dependent diabetic, heart disease, cancer history, etc.).
This makes when you're new to Medicare the best time to first buy a Medigap plan. You will have a a 6-month window to buy any Medigap plan and the carrier cannot decline you for any medical issues - meaning no medical underwriting during this period.
You should work with an independent broker who can review options from many companies and make sure that the Medigap plan you purchase is offering you the benefits at the lowest possible cost. Please remember, Medigap plans are standardized, meaning that regardless of the insurance company you have the coverage through, they will ALL pay the same exact way. The only difference is the price you're paying.
I hope the information is helpful - please feel free to contact me for assistance with your Medigap insurance and if you have any other questions. Thanks very much.
Independent Agent & Medicare Supplement Specialist, reMEDIGAP, USA
Yes and no.
You cannot be turned down for Medigap Insurance if:
You are in your Open Enrollment Period -- the one-time only, 6 month period that allows you to buy any Medigap policy you want that is sold in your state (starting the first month you're covered under Medicare Part B AND you're 65 or older). During this period, an insurance company cannot deny you a Medigap policy.
Your Medicare Advantage Plan is leaving Medicare or stops giving care in your area, or you move out of your Medicare Advantage Plan area.
You have orignial Medicare and an employer, retiree, union, or COBRA coverage that is ending.
You move out of the service area for your Medicare SELECT policy.
When you were first eligible for Part A at 65, you joined a Medicare Advantage Plan or PACE program and you decide within the first year of joining to switch back to Original Medicare.
You dropped a Medigap policy to join a Medicare Advantage Plan for the first time, it's been les than a year and you want to switch back.
The Medigap insurance company that holds your policy goes bankrupt, or your coverage otherwise ends through no fault of your own.
However...
If you already have a Medigap policy and want to switch to another company, you will be required to answer health questions on the application. All insurance companies are unique with their medical underwriting guidelines; but, you must be approved in order to buy a Medigap policy.
If you have original Medicare Part A and B and are outside the Open Enrollment Period, then you will also be required to answer health questions to be approved through the medical underwriting process.
Every individual case is unique and an agent who specializes in Medicare Supplement insurance, can help you determine your ability to get Medigap insurance.
If I can be of assistance, please call me at 1-888-411-1329.
Independent Insurance Producer, Paul J Rosen Financial Services Inc., Plainview, New York
In NY, medically , YOU Can NOT be turned down for a Medicare Supplement. However, you still must be enrolled in both. Medicare Parts A and B and have no other Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage Plan. A Medicare beneficiary can only have 1 plan supplementing Medicare. If already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan and want to change back to original Medicare, one must wait for either of the following 2 time periods, 10/15 to. 12/7 or 1/1 to 2/14 of a calendar year.
You can be turned down for a Medigap Policy. If you are in your Open Enrollment Period (new to Medicare) or if you can qualify for Guarantee Issue you cannot be turned down regardless of your health. If you are not in Open Enrollment or Guarantee Issue you have to answer all health questions on the application so the insurance company can determine if you qualify medically for their Medigap Policy. If you have serious health conditions you can be turned down or you could be charged a much higher premium for the coverage because of the pre-existing health conditions.
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When you apply for Medigap coverage outside of your initial open enrollment period when you're new to Medicare (and don't have a special enrollment period qualifying event), you can be subject to medical underwriting (answering the health questions on the application).
Each insurance company has their own health questions so you may be able to qualify for one company and not another if you have certain major medical conditions you're being treated for/have been treated for in the last few years (e.g. insulin-dependent diabetic, heart disease, cancer history, etc.).
This makes when you're new to Medicare the best time to first buy a Medigap plan. You will have a a 6-month window to buy any Medigap plan and the carrier cannot decline you for any medical issues - meaning no medical underwriting during this period.
You should work with an independent broker who can review options from many companies and make sure that the Medigap plan you purchase is offering you the benefits at the lowest possible cost. Please remember, Medigap plans are standardized, meaning that regardless of the insurance company you have the coverage through, they will ALL pay the same exact way. The only difference is the price you're paying.
I hope the information is helpful - please feel free to contact me for assistance with your Medigap insurance and if you have any other questions. Thanks very much.
You cannot be turned down for Medigap Insurance if:
You are in your Open Enrollment Period -- the one-time only, 6 month period that allows you to buy any Medigap policy you want that is sold in your state (starting the first month you're covered under Medicare Part B AND you're 65 or older). During this period, an insurance company cannot deny you a Medigap policy.
Your Medicare Advantage Plan is leaving Medicare or stops giving care in your area, or you move out of your Medicare Advantage Plan area.
You have orignial Medicare and an employer, retiree, union, or COBRA coverage that is ending.
You move out of the service area for your Medicare SELECT policy.
When you were first eligible for Part A at 65, you joined a Medicare Advantage Plan or PACE program and you decide within the first year of joining to switch back to Original Medicare.
You dropped a Medigap policy to join a Medicare Advantage Plan for the first time, it's been les than a year and you want to switch back.
The Medigap insurance company that holds your policy goes bankrupt, or your coverage otherwise ends through no fault of your own.
However...
If you already have a Medigap policy and want to switch to another company, you will be required to answer health questions on the application. All insurance companies are unique with their medical underwriting guidelines; but, you must be approved in order to buy a Medigap policy.
If you have original Medicare Part A and B and are outside the Open Enrollment Period, then you will also be required to answer health questions to be approved through the medical underwriting process.
Every individual case is unique and an agent who specializes in Medicare Supplement insurance, can help you determine your ability to get Medigap insurance.
If I can be of assistance, please call me at 1-888-411-1329.