Medicare
Can I be denied Medicare Supplement coverage?
Outside of your 6-month Open Enrollment Period and certain Guaranteed Issue situations, yes — insurance companies can deny you Medicare Supplement coverage or charge higher premiums based on health history. Common denial conditions: heart disease, diabetes, COPD, cancer, kidney disease. During Open Enrollment: guaranteed issue. An independent agent can identify which carriers are most likely to approve your application.
Key Points
- During Open Enrollment Period: guaranteed issue — cannot be denied
- Outside Open Enrollment: companies can deny coverage based on health
- Guaranteed Issue Rights apply in specific qualifying situations
- Common denial conditions: heart disease, diabetes, COPD, recent cancer
- Some carriers are more lenient than others on specific conditions
- An independent agent knows which carriers are most likely to approve