
Think Poor Health Will Stop You From Getting Medicare Supplement Insurance? Think Again.
Insurance companies can’t refuse you coverage for having cancer or being on an expensive chemo-treatment. They can’t deny you a policy for having diabetes or (Burger King-induced) sky-scraping cholesterol or any other pre-existing condition for that matter. These companies are federally mandated to grant you coverage as long as you enroll within the Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period. This is good news for you!
The Open Enrollment Period
The Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period is a 6-month window beginning the day you both turn 65 and are enrolled in Part B of Medicare. During this time frame, you have all the privileges of someone who doesn’t have poor health, including:
- Access to all 11 Supplement plans (A, B, C, D, F, HDF, G, K, L, M, and N)
- No premium hikes due to health conditions
- No medical underwriting
You’ve Got Another Shot.
And then there’s guaranteed issue. Although this is based on very specific circumstances (such as coming off of employer insurance or your current plan discontinuing service), it still offers many people with pre-existing conditions another shot at getting on a plan. It is important to note, though, that some plans may not be available under guaranteed issue. It isn’t an all-access pass like the Open Enrollment Period, but it does give you the assurance to know you will not be denied.
It’s Not the End of the World!
But don’t sweat if you are no longer within the Open Enrollment Period. This definitely does not mean you won’t be able to get Medicare Supplement Insurance. It just means you will have to answer questions about your health, where they might look at your whopper addiction with a more critical eye. You may have to pay more, but (depending on your specific conditions) they won’t automatically deny you coverage.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t still circumstances where you will be unable to receive coverage. But—because of open enrollment and guaranteed issue—this doesn’t happen nearly as much. The government is making strides to ensure that health coverage is available to those who need it most: those who are unhealthy.
Need help picking out one of the 11 Medicare Supplement Plans? Want somewhere to start? Call Seniormark at 937-492-8800 or click here to set up a free consultation.