Do I always have to go through medical underwriting to purchase or change my Medicare Supplement?
Not necessarily, but rules vary by state and sometimes by insurance carrier. You have the right to purchase a Medigap Supplement within 6 months of turning 65 or your Part B effective date (if you are 65 & older) – that one is pretty standard. This is called your initial or open enrollment period. Some states mandate that if you are under age 65 but are newly Medicare eligible due to disability, you must be allowed to purchase a Medigap Supplement, although there are variations on premium restrictions and ESRD qualifications. So, if that's you and you live in one of these 36 states you may be in luck… Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Montana, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Vermont, Wisconsin, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, and Rhode Island.
Other Guaranteed Issue Rights
There may be other guaranteed issue rights as well such as involuntarily loss of creditable coverage or a voluntary termination of creditable coverage such as when you choose to leave your retiree group medical plan. If you move to a new area and your current plan terminates your coverage or if you are in a plan and the plan leaves your market and leaves you without coverage, you may have a guaranteed issue right. If you lose Medicaid benefits or if your Medicare Advantage plan terminates a contract with one of your current medical providers, you may qualify to make a change. In fact, there are 13 states that provide guaranteed issue protections outside of your initial/open enrollment period or federally mandated reasons. These states may offer year-round enrollment or may have certain times of the year where you can switch Medigap insurance carriers, such as your policy anniversary or birth month without medical underwriting. If you live in one of these states, you may have rights you are unaware of… California, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington. And remember, there could be more guaranteed issue rights that are not federally, or state mandated but may be offered instead by an insurance carrier.
The Benefits of Medigap Supplements
Purchasing a Medigap Supplement may be a huge gift as it may offer you the ability to see providers throughout the U.S. that don't work with Medicare Advantage plans, and it may lower your out-of-pocket medical costs. The ability to change insurance carriers may lower your premiums for your Medigap Supplement allowing you to have more money in your pocket to enjoy your retirement.
Since the packaging of these gifts differs from state to state, an advisor should help you explore these options fully before leaving any current plan you are on. Don't hesitate to reach out to a qualified Medicare advisor to discuss these or any other retirement planning questions you have.
By American Retirement Advisors
American Retirement Advisors helps retirees and pre-retirees navigate Medicare, estate planning, and retirement income — so you can enjoy the retirement you've earned.
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Easy Eddie's Take
Let's take a look at this together. What explained here is really important because many people think they're stuck with high premiums forever once they get a Medicare Supplement. The truth is, those guaranteed issue periods she mentioned can save you hundreds of dollars a year. For 2026, the average Medicare Supplement Plan G premium varies widely by state and carrier, sometimes by $100 or more per month for the exact same coverage.
Here's the good news: if you're in one of those 13 states with extra protections, you might be able to switch to a lower-cost carrier without answering health questions. Most people are surprised when they learn that California, for example, allows you to switch Medicare Supplement carriers once per year during your birthday month. In Connecticut, you can do it year-round. Think of it this way – these state rules are designed to keep you from being trapped by high premiums just because you got older or developed health conditions.
One question that comes up all the time is whether Medicare Supplement Plan G or Plan N is better for your situation. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services standardizes these plans, so Plan G from Company A covers exactly the same things as Plan G from Company B. The difference is the price. A little research during your guaranteed issue periods can make a big difference in your monthly budget.