It is important to know about protected times to buy a Medigap so you can time your enrollment wisely. Here we talk about federally protected times to purchase a Medigap.

Be aware that this information only pertains to protections that apply nationwide. Some states have other protections that give their residents additional opportunities to enroll in a Medigap. Be sure to call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) or State Department of Insurance to ask about state-specific Medigap rights.

Open enrollment period

Generally, the best time to enroll in a Medigap policy is during your open enrollment period. Under federal law, you have a six-month open enrollment period that begins the month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B.

During your open enrollment period, Medigap companies must sell you a policy at the best available rate regardless of your health status, and they cannot deny you coverage. The best available rate may depend on a number of factors, including your age, gender, whether you smoke, your marital status, and where you live. To ensure that you are getting the best available rate, you may want to check with your SHIP. If you purchase a Medigap during your open enrollment period, policies are limited in their ability to exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions, meaning conditions you had before you enrolled.

Guaranteed issue right

If you miss your open enrollment period, you can also buy a Medigap when you have a guaranteed issue right. If you are age 65 or older, you have a guaranteed issue right within 63 days of when you lose or end certain kinds of health coverage.

When you have a guaranteed issue right, companies must sell you a Medigap policy at the best available rate, regardless of your health status, and cannot deny you coverage. The best available rate may depend on a number of factors, including your age, gender, whether you smoke, your marital status, and where you live. A guaranteed issue right also prevents companies from imposing a waiting period for coverage of pre-existing conditions. Check with your SHIP to help ensure that you are getting the best available rate for your Medigap.

You may have a guaranteed issue right if:

• You, through no fault of your own, lost a group health plan (GHP) that covered your Medicare cost-sharing (meaning it paid secondary to Medicare)
• You joined a Medicare Advantage Plan when you first became eligible for Medicare and disenrolled within 12 months
• Or, your previous Medigap policy, Medicare Advantage Plan, or PACE program ends its coverage or commits fraud

Note: If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, Medicare SELECT policy, or PACE program and you move out of the plan’s service area, you also have the right to buy a Medigap policy.

Be sure to keep a copy of any letters, notices, postmarked envelopes, and claim denials in case you need proof that you lost or ended health coverage. Medigap insurers may require these documents before they sell you a policy.

Buying a Medigap outside protected enrollment periods

You may run into problems if you try to buy a Medigap policy outside a protected enrollment period. For instance, companies can refuse to sell you one or impose certain medical requirements. If a company does agree to sell you a policy, you may need to pay a higher monthly premium and be subject to a six-month waiting period before the Medigap will cover pre-existing conditions. Be sure to contact Medigap insurers in your state to learn if they will sell you a Medigap policy outside protected enrollment periods.

Cancelling a Medigap policy

You have the right to review a new Medigap policy for the first 30 days. You can cancel it within that time for a full refund if it does not meet your needs.

After the first 30 days, you can cancel your policy at any time. However, be careful when cancelling. Depending upon where you live, you may not be able to buy another policy, or companies may charge you more because of your health.