Ways To Get Accepted Into Medigap
There are actually multiple paths, but they can be subtle.
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Medigap Open Enrollment, the most obvious. Your Medigap coverage can begin on any date that starts with the date on your Part B card plus the next 5 months (for a total of 6 months). The carrier must accept you at the best possible price, with no underwriting questions.
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Special Enrollment Period. It immediately gets more complicated. The CMS has a long list of situations where you must be accepted by the Medigap carrier. This needs to be handled with care, there are Special Enrollment Periods that apply only to Medicare Advantage (like moving), and not Medigap.
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State-specific rules. There are certain states (NY, MA) that have unrestricted access to Medigap, year-around (MA has a different form of Medigap, be careful).
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Carrier Guaranteed Acceptance. Certain carriers may extend the federal rules to allow you to be accepted into Medigap via less-restrictive underwriting, or adding extra options on top of the Special Enrollment Periods. This is very subtle, the carriers do not have the obligation to offer or continue these different paths.
This video explains:
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