Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) is a useful form of insurance that can help make Medicare benefits more affordable. But some people are unable to enroll in Medicare Supplement Insurance. Here are some reasons why you may be unable to enroll in a Medicare Supplement Insurance policy.
Medicare Supplement Insurance
To be eligible for Medigap, you must be enrolled in both Parts A and B of Medicare. To join a Medigap plan, you will need to contact a private insurance company that is approved to offer them in your area. If you have a guaranteed issue right to Medigap, you can’t be denied coverage for any health-related reason.
Guaranteed Issue Rights
Guaranteed issue rights allow Medicare recipients to automatically qualify for any Medigap plan in their area, regardless of their current health status. The open enrollment period, wherein Medicare beneficiaries have a guaranteed issue right, begins as soon as you become eligible for Original Medicare. If you’re qualifying because of age, this will be as soon as you turn 65. If you’re qualifying because of a disability, your open enrollment period starts once you’ve received Social Security disability benefits for at least two years.
You can also qualify for guaranteed issue rights if your insurance coverage stops or changes, but you may have breaks in your coverage if you do. If you’re covered by employer-sponsored insurance and decide to wait to enroll in a Medigap plan, you will have a 63 day period where you get a guaranteed issue right after terminating your current insurance. Within that time, insurance companies must make all Medigap policies in your area available to you at the best possible rate, so you can’t be denied coverage.
What Can Stop You From Getting Medigap Coverage?
You can’t get Medigap coverage if you aren’t enrolled in Part B of Medicare. You may also be unable to enroll in Medigap if you have pre-existing conditions that eliminate cause you to have an unacceptable response to the underwriting that is required after the Open Enrollment Period.
People who have Medicare Advantage plans are also unable to enroll in Medigap coverage, so make sure you don’t expect to join a Medicare Advantage plan and apply for Medigap.
Dual-Eligible Plans and Medigap
If you are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, your benefits can be combined under a dual-eligible Medicare Advantage plan. These plans offer dual-eligible people a chance to receive all of their benefits in one place, but because it is a part of Medicare Advantage, you cannot combine a dual-eligible plan and Medigap benefits.
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program
The QMB program helps struggling Medicare beneficiaries afford their premiums and cost-sharing. If you are a QMB recipient, you cannot enroll in a Medigap plan. In fact, it is illegal for insurance companies to sell QMB recipients Medigap coverage.
Find Out If You Qualify for Medigap Coverage
If you’re enrolled in Original Medicare, it is unlikely that you can’t purchase a Medigap plan, but you should still check to see if there are any reasons why you would be unable to join. The insurance agents at Kannonball Insurance can help you find out if you’re eligible for Medigap. Contact us now to get started with a free consultation.
