Original Medicare (Parts A and B) is the standard health insurance that you can get when you reach 65 years or by having a qualifying disability. And while it’s a great way to get affordable care, it doesn’t cover everything you might need.
Medigap, or a Medicare Supplement Plan, helps “fill in the gaps” that Original Medicare might not cover. When you apply for a Medicare Supplement Plan, the insurance provider will need to ask you a few medical questions that may impact your policy, coverage, rate, and eligibility. Here’s what to expect with Medigap Health Underwriting.
Apply During Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period
The easiest way to get a Medicare Supplement Plan is to apply during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period — because you may be able to avoid Medigap Health Underwriting entirely.
The Open Enrollment Period is a special one-time, six-month period that starts the month you turn 65 AND are enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this window, you can buy any Medicare Supplement Plan that’s sold in your county, and insurers can’t deny you coverage or charge you more for pre-existing conditions, regardless of your current health.
Outside of this window, most applications require Medigap Health Underwriting unless you have a “Guaranteed Issue” right. Insurance companies will likely do a thorough deep dive into your health history, and your answers may impact your eligibility and cost of the coverage you can get.
What Is Medigap Health Underwriting?
Medigap Health Underwriting involves answering medical questions. When you apply for a Medicare Supplement Plan, you’ll typically fill out an application that includes several health questions about your medical history, including:
- Medical Conditions
- Medications
- Hospitalizations
- Other Health-Related Information
The insurance company will look at your answers and use them to assess your health risk, ensure you meet specific eligibility criteria, and ultimately decide if they want to offer you a policy — and at what premium. They may even request medical records from your doctors. This is the Medigap Health Underwriting Process.
Medigap Health Underwriting Guidelines
Unfortunately, there’s no way to tell which questions you’ll get asked during Medigap Health Underwriting. Each insurance company has its own underwriting guidelines, and the rules vary significantly from one provider to the next. A health condition that might lead to a denial or surcharge with one insurer might be acceptable with another.
Since there’s no way to guarantee an approval, it’s a good idea to explore multiple Medigap insurance options with different providers. Remember, a denial from one company doesn’t mean you’ll be denied by all companies.
Find Your Ideal Medigap Coverage with Health Benefits Associates
When it’s time for you to apply for Medicare, don’t forget to shop around for a Medigap plan to cover anything Original Medicare might not. If you need help choosing the right plan for your needs or getting through the Medigap Health Underwriting process, contact us at Health Benefits Associates. Our team of experienced advisors will walk you through the steps to choose the perfect plan for your needs and budget. Call us at 775-828-1216 to schedule an appointment to discuss your options.
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