For sure you are wondering on how medicare supplement plans 2022 work. When you reach 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B, your six-month term begins. Some insurance companies may refuse to provide you a Medigap policy or charge you more because of your medical history.

Pre-existing conditions may prevent private Medigap insurers from covering your out-of-pocket costs for up to six months. To qualify for reimbursement, your pre-existing disease must be diagnosed or treated within six months of the commencement of your Medigap supplemental coverage.

The pre-existing condition waiting time is reduced by the number of months you had creditable coverage before enrolling in Medigap. There is no waiting time for people who have continuous coverage for six months or more. Ask a Medigap insurance representative for clarification.

Can I Get a Medigap Plan Beyond the Enrollment Period?

Most states require medical underwriting beyond the six-month open enrollment period, meaning you may be denied coverage or charged more based on your medical history. Special Medigap enrollment periods include:

  • Leaving the plan’s service area
  • Your area is no longer covered, or your plan did not meet Medicare’s criteria
  • Absence of a supplementary group or retirement plan
  • You transition to Original Medicare a year after joining a Medicare Advantage plan (this only applies the first time you join Medicare Advantage)
  • You dropped Original Medicare and a Medigap plan to join Medicare Advantage and then changed your mind within a year. It is possible to revert to your former Medigap plan. Then you may choose another Medigap plan. Medigap coverage is guaranteed-issue the first time you return within 12 months after leaving it.

Is It Possible to Change My Medigap Plan?

It’s possible to apply for a new Medigap plan during the annual Medicare open enrollment period. Open enrollment impacts Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, but not Medigap policies. After the first enrollment period, most Medigap insurers use medical underwriting to determine new plan eligibility. You may also add Part D to your Original Medicare. In most states, eligibility for Medigap coverage is dependent on your medical history.

The same goes when changing Medigap policies. Your medical history is irrelevant when switching Part D plans during open enrollment. For a separate Medigap plan, your medical history is usually taken into account.

Conclusion

Before you consider applying for any medicare supplement plans 2022, it is essential that you do your research first. These plans have different requirements and also provide different benefits. In order to be assured that you can take full advantage of a plan, you have to familiarize yourself first on how it works. The cost of the plans is also something that you have to check so you can choose the one that you can afford to pay. It is advisable that you only go for the one that you need the most to avoid spending too much. Remember that your goal for applying for a plan is to save money.