Guaranteed Issue Rights: The Medicare Supplement Protections Most People Do Not Know They Have
In certain situations, Medicare Supplement insurers must sell you a policy at standard rates regardless of your health. Here are all the situations that trigger these rights.
Medicare Supplement insurance has strict underwriting rules — insurers can deny coverage or charge more for pre-existing conditions in most states. But in certain situations, you have guaranteed issue rights: the insurer must sell you a policy at standard rates, no health questions asked.
Your Initial Enrollment Period
The most important guaranteed issue period is your Initial Enrollment Period — the 6 months starting when you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part B. During this period, no insurer can deny you coverage or charge you more for pre-existing conditions. This is the best time to buy Medicare Supplement.
Losing Other Coverage
If you lose Medicare Advantage coverage (plan leaves the service area, plan is discontinued, you move out of the service area) or lose employer/union coverage, you have a 63-day guaranteed issue period to enroll in a Medicare Supplement.
Medicare Advantage Trial Right
If you are new to Medicare and try a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time, you have a 12-month trial right. If you return to Original Medicare within 12 months, you have guaranteed issue rights to buy a Medicare Supplement.
Other Guaranteed Issue Situations
Other situations that trigger guaranteed issue rights include: your Medicare Supplement insurer goes bankrupt, your insurer misled you about your coverage, or you have Medicare SELECT and move out of the service area.
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