Medicare Supplement Eligibility and Enrollment (2024)

FAQs

Can you enroll in Medicare supplement plans at any time? ›

Medicare Supplement insurance doesn't have restrictions on enrollment periods the way other Medicare coverage does. As long as you're enrolled in Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, you can apply for a Medicare Supplement insurance plan anytime.

To be eligible for Medicare Supplement plans, you must already have Medicare Part A and Part B. There may be state residency requirements for Medicare Supplement plan eligibility as well. As a Medigap member, you cannot have a Medicare Advantage plan.

The 6-month period to apply for a Medigap policy starts on the date you receive notice that your health benefits will end. If you do not receive advance notice, the 6-month period starts the date the benefits end or the date of your first denied claim.

Can you be denied access to a Medicare Supplement insurance policy (also called Medigap)? That depends on your circ*mstances, where you live, if you are replacing certain coverage, and whether you're currently within your Medicare Open Enrollment period.

You can sign up for Part A any time after you turn 65. Your Part A coverage starts 6 months back from when you sign up or when you apply for benefits from Social Security (or the Railroad Retirement Board). Coverage can't start earlier than the month you turned 65.

In some cases, the Medigap insurance company can refuse to cover your out of pocket costs for these pre‑existing health problems for up to 6 months. This is called a “pre‑existing condition waiting period.” After 6 months, the Medigap policy will cover the pre‑existing condition.

However, Medigap policies typically do not cover expenses like long-term care, vision or dental care, hearing aids, eyeglasses, and private-duty nursing.

Here are some reasons you may be turned down from a Medicare Supplement insurance plan or pay a higher premium: You have Medicare but you're under 65. You're 65 but haven't enrolled in Medicare Part B. You have a health problem and your Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period has ended.

Who is Eligible for Medicare? You are eligible for Medicare if you are a citizen of the United States or have been a legal resident for at least 5 years and: You are age 65 or older and you or your spouse has worked for at least 10 years (or 40 quarters) in Medicare-covered employment.

With Medicare Supplement Plan F, you get the most complete coverage available. And because Plan F also covers costs in excess of Medicare-approved amounts, you may have no out-of-pocket costs for hospital and doctor's office care.

What are the top 5 medicare supplement plans? ›

💬 From our Nerds: What are the top five Medicare supplement plans? "Based on NerdWallet's 2024 Medigap rubric, I picked five best Medicare Supplement Insurance companies for 2024: AARP/UnitedHealthcare, Mutual of Omaha, State Farm, Anthem and Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Medicare Renewal Periods

In most cases, Medicare re-enrollment is automatic so you only have to enroll in Medicare once. After you're enrolled in Medicare, your coverage will continue unless you decide to make changes. Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans, Part D plans and Medigap plans all automatically renew.

If you have a higher income, you'll pay an additional premium amount for Medicare Part B and Medicare prescription drug coverage. We call the additional amount the “income-related monthly adjustment amount.” Here's how it works: Part B helps pay for your doctors' services and outpatient care.

Generally, when you buy a Medigap policy you must have Medicare Part A and Part B. You will have to pay the monthly Medicare Part B premium. In addition, you will have to pay a premium to the Medigap insurance company. As long as you pay your premium, your Medigap policy is guaranteed renewable.

It depends on your state.

If you have ESRD or a disability, you may not be able to buy the Medigap policy you want, or any Medigap policy, until you turn 65. Federal law doesn't require companies to sell Medigap policies to people under 65.

Your answer

You can change how you get your coverage during the Medicare Open Enrollment Period each year, or at other times if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

This is the "General Enrollment Period," and there is typically a life-long penalty if you sign up during this time. If you have not filed during the other periods, you can still sign up between January 1 and March 31 each year. Your coverage begins the month after you sign up.

You can buy a Medigap policy once you sign up for Medicare.

This is the 6-month period that starts the first day of the month you're 65 or older and signed up for Part B. After this period, your options to buy a Medigap policy may be limited and the policy may cost more.

By and large, Plan F is the most popular Medicare Supplement plan due to its coverage of more out-of-pocket Medicare costs than any other Medigap plan type.