Medicare Supplement Specialists

Insurance companies that sell Medicare Supplement Plans are regularly changing rates. In other words, they often introduce lower rates under one of their affiliates. For example, Aetna may introduce lower rates under American Continental or Continental Life Medicare Supplement Plans. Similarly, Mutual of Omaha does the same with United World and Omaha Insurance. For this reason, it is important to stay informed on the latest news regarding Medicare Supplement Plans. You should always be looking to save money. No one wants to pay more than they have to. However, in order to change plans, most people would have to go through Medical Underwriting. That is to say, you can be denied acceptance if you have certain medical conditions.

I urge that everyone live a healthy lifestyle. You will feel better and live longer. In addition, being healthy will allow you to change Medicare Supplement Plans at any time. Therefore, you will be saving money!

Here are some important enrollment periods:

Initial Enrollment Period

You have a 7 month window to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. The period starts 3 months before your 65th birthday. It ends 3 months after your 65th birthday. During this time you can:

• Enroll in Medicare Part A and also Part B
• Enroll in a stand alone Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D)
• Elect to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan, also known as Part C

General Enrollment Period

You can also sign up for Part A and/or Part B between January 1 and March 31 each year if:

• You didn’t sign up when you were first eligible
• You’re not eligible for a Special Enrollment Period

Coverage will begin on July 1st. You may be subject to a late enrollment penalty.

Annual Enrollment Period

The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug plans. You can make changes to your coverage every year from October 15 to December 7.

• If you have Original Medicare, you can switch to a Medicare Advantage Plan or vice versa.
• You can switch Medicare Advantage Plans.
• You can join or drop a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.

Your new coverage begins on January 1.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period

Takes place every year from January 1 through March 31. You may change your Medicare Advantage plan. You can also return to Original Medicare and also enroll in a Part D Plan.

Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period

The best time to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan is when you first become eligible for Medicare Part B or when you turn 65. This is the Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment. There is a 6 month period in which insurance companies can’t turn you down for medical reasons. If you don’t sign up for a Medicare Supplement Plan during the Open Enrollment period, you may not be able to buy a Medigap Plan.

Special Enrollment Period

In certain situations, you may be able to join, switch or cancel a Medicare Advantage or a Prescription Drug plan. Some examples of Special Enrollment Periods (SEPS) are:

• Moving out of the plan’s service area. If you tell your plan before you move: You can switch starting the month before you move and two months after you move. If you tell your plan after you move: You can switch from the moment you notify your plan through the next 2 months.
• Losing health insurance or prescription drug coverage. You have 2 months after you lose your coverage to sign up for a new plan.
• If are living in a nursing home. You can change your plan once a month.
• Geting Extra Help for prescription drugs. You can change your plan once per calendar quarter during the first 9 months of the year.
• If you lose Extra help. You have a one-time opportunity to change your plan for 3 months after you are notified.
• If you have Medicaid. This SEP can be used once for each of the first 3 quarters of the year.
• You lose Medicaid. This is a one-time SEP to change your plan for 3 months once you are notified.
• You want to enroll in a 5-star Medicare Advantage Plan or Part D Plan. Your SEP to join a 5-star plan starts December 8 of the year before the plan is considered a five-star plan. It lasts through November 30th of the year the plan is considered a five-star plan. You can use this SEP to change plans once per year.

Guaranteed Issue Right

When you have Guaranteed Issue rights, insurance companies must sell you a Medigap policy, regardless of your health status. In other words, you can’t be charged a higher premium for health problems.

You may have guranteed issue right if:

• Health insurance coverage through your employer is lost. You will need a letter as proof that your coverage is being terminated.
• You have a Medicare Advantage Plan and move out of the plan’s service area.
• Or, you enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan when you first became eligible for Medicare and cancelled within 12 months. “Trial Right” is a Special Enrollment Period.

Medical Underwriting

If you apply for a Medigap policy outside of an enrollment period, the application can be denied for health reasons. Each insurance company asks health questions on the application. The questions are slightly different among the companies. Generally, insurance companies will ask questions such as:

• What medications are you currently taking?
• Have you had any recent surgeries or are any planned?
• Do you have hepititis?
• Do you have kidney failure?
• Have you had a heart attack or a stroke?

There are 4 states that have Guaranteed Issue year round. Those states are: Connecticut, Massachussetts, Maine and also New York. Insurance companies may not deny a Medigap policy due to a pre-existing condition.

If You Have Questions About Medigap Rights in your State

• Call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program.
• Call your State Insurance Department if you’re denied Medigap coverage.

Medicare Supplement Insurance Quotes

Call us to compare plans and rates. We will find you a plan with affordable rates and a highly rated insurance company. Our licensed agents will help you find the Medigap plan that’s best for you.

We are always available to to answer questions about Medigap plans. Please call us at 954-384-8647 to obtain rates, or enroll in a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan. You may also request an application. You can also email us at quotes@medicaresupplementspecialists.com and we will respond promptly to your inquiry.