Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans

The Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period is a one-time, six-month period that begins the first month a person is both 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. It does not repeat every year.

During the open enrollment period, beneficiaries are guaranteed the ability to buy any of these plans from any company that sells them.  Companies cannot deny coverage or charge more for current or past health problems. 

The insurance company may impose a pre-existing condition waiting period, but it cannot be longer than six months. This would include any health condition diagnosed or treated six months prior to the Medicare supplement application. If a person has prior creditable coverage.

If you do not apply for a Medicare supplement policy within your Open Enrollment Period, you may lose the right to a Medicare supplement policy without regard to your health. 

You can apply for a Medicare supplement policy outside of your Open Enrollment Period.  However, insurance companies can use medical underwriting to decide whether or not to accept your application. 

Medicare supplemental insurance federal regulations do not guarantee eligibility to individuals under age 65 who are eligible for Medicare due to disability.  However, North Carolina legislatively mandates eligibility to individuals eligible for Medicare due to disability.

North Carolina G.S. 58-54-45 guarantees that individuals under the age of 65 who qualify for Medicare are eligible to purchase a Medigap policy A, D, or G effective January 1, 2020. 

Premiums may be higher for Medicare disability beneficiaries than for Medicare beneficiaries 65 or older.

When a Medicare disabled beneficiary turns 65 years old, they will have a new six-month open enrollment period and be able to purchase any of the standardized Medicare supplement insurance.

You will not be auto enrolled into a Medicare supplement policy and must make application directly with the insurance company.  You will need to contact the insurance company that sells the specific policy that you wish to purchase, or you may contact an agent who sells the specific policy you want.  We recommend that you apply at least 30 days before you want the policy to start.  If you do not have thirty days, apply as soon as possible. 

Supplement premiums are paid directly to the insurance company and are not deducted from your Social Security payments.

• Decide which plan you want. Compare the benefits each plan helps pay for and choose a plan that covers what you need.
• Pick your policy.  Price is the only difference between policies with the same letter sold by different companies. 
• Contact the company or a licensed insurance agent to get a quote.  Prices can change at any time based on when you buy, your health conditions, and more.