Is Guaranteed Issue available after the Medicare Open Enrollment period ends?

Question

John Lopez · Accepted Answer

Guaranteed Issue is available for up to 6 months after your Part B becomes effective, and it doesn't have to coincide with with the Medicare Open Enrollment Period. There are also other situations in which Guaranteed Issue applies, but consult with a local independent health broker to determine if your situation applies.

Answered by John Lopez on April 15, 2025

Broker Licensed in DE, MD, NC, NJ, NY & PA

Answered by John Lopez Medicare Insurance Agent

Lt Col Tim Brown · Answer

Yes if a person qualifies for that election.  You’ll need to be specific on your circumstances to see if you qualify for that.

Deborah Lee · Answer

They need to have an SEP  Special enrollment after OEP such as moving out of the county their current plan is in.

Tyler Dalton · Answer

Yes, Guaranteed Issue is still available even after your Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment window closes, but only in certain situations.

These rights kick in during specific events, like if you lose coverage through no fault of your own, move out of your plan’s service area, or try out a Medicare Advantage plan and decide within a year that it’s not the right fit. That last one is called a “trial right” and you only get it once, so it’s important to time it right.

Guaranteed Issue means you can get a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plan with no health questions and no underwriting, as long as you qualify under one of these special circumstances. It’s not tied to the fall Open Enrollment period. It’s a separate set of protections altogether.
Your best bet? Work with a local broker who actually understands the rules and can guide you based on your unique situation. That’s what we do every day.

Steven Bleicher · Answer

I suggest you go to Medicare.gov and put in the search box "SEP's". This stands for Special Election periods. These represent "odd" times when certain circumstances occur which allow you to use an SEP and change your initial plan. There are numerous SEP's that folks can utilize at their discretion. The most obvious one is when you have moved your domicile to another location be it within your State OR outside your current State. 

Most of the time however, "GI" or guaranteed issue are for those newly eligible Medicare folks who are within that 7-months' window of eligibility. That is: 3 months before your birthday month, your actual birthday month and 3 months after your birthday month for a grand total of 7 months. 

However, folks are usually not aware of what is called a "trial right". This means that if they are inside one year of having joined Medicare at age 65, they can exercise a trial right, dropping what they initially thought was better, in favor of an alternate plan (whether it is a free Advantage or a monthly Medigap (or Med. Supplement) premium plan).

Alicia Hoilman · Answer

Absolutely! Guaranteed Issue rights protect you from being denied a Medicare Supplement plan—even after your Open Enrollment period has passed—as long as you meet certain conditions.

For instance, when you turn 65, you’re granted a 6-month Guaranteed Issue window to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan without any medical underwriting. During that time, you cannot be denied coverage.

There are also special circumstances that trigger these rights. Say you originally enrolled in a Medicare Supplement plan, then switched to a Medicare Advantage plan to test it out. If it’s been less than 12 months, you’re eligible to use the Trial Right Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to return to your original Supplement plan with Guaranteed Issue protection. Note: this option is available only once in your lifetime and only within that 12-month period.

Another scenario would be if your Medicare Advantage plan is discontinued in your area. In that case, you’re entitled to a Guaranteed Issue right to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan without having to go through medical underwriting. However, you must act within 63 days of your Advantage plan ending.

Your best next step? Connect with a knowledgeable local broker who can help you understand your rights and explore your coverage options. They’ll make sure you don’t miss a beat.

Frank Woerner · Answer

No, the Guaranteed Issue rights for Medigap plans do not necessarily end with Open Enrollment ending. Medigap Open Enrollment period last for six months starting first day of the birthday month age 65 or older and enrolled in Part B.

Answered by Frank Woerner on April 7, 2025

Broker Licensed in IN & IL

Answered by Frank Woerner Medicare Insurance Agent

Steve Brauer · Answer

Yes, if you fall into one of the SEP's, the Special Enrollment Periods. If you change your residence to outside of the service area, you move from another state, you lose coverage through no fault of your own, you leave your Employer Group Health insurance plan are a few examples.

Answered by Steve Brauer on April 8, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ & CA

Answered by Steve Brauer Medicare Insurance Agent

Mary Salmon · Answer

Once a person is past their Medicare open enrollment for a Medicare supplement, guaranteed issue is no longer available.  The only exception to this is if they were enrolled in an Advantage plan and the carrier pulled the plan from the market.  At that point the beneficiary has a guaranteed issue to go back to Original Medicare and enroll in a supplement.  

If a beneficiary decides to enroll in an Advantage plan, those plans are guaranteed issue during Annual Enrollment Period Oct 15-Dec 7 each year for a January 1 effective date.

Charles Borg · Answer

If you were enrolled in an Advantage plan that was discontinued you can enroll in original Medicare.

Eizel Mere · Answer

Guaranteed issue into a Medicare Supplement is available for 1 year. When you turn 65 it begins and it ends the day before you turn 66. You can enroll 3 months ahead of time, your plan is effective the 1st of the month of your birthday.

Answered by Eizel Mere on May 12, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL

Answered by Eizel Mere Medicare Insurance Agent

Alaina Hunt · Answer

Guaranteed Issue rights usually only apply during certain times, like when you first join Medicare or during the Open Enrollment period. After that, it’s rare to have guaranteed acceptance without health questions.

However, in some special situations—like if your plan leaves your area or you lose other coverage—you might still have Guaranteed Issue rights. It’s a good idea to check your specific situation to know for sure.

Eric Stokley · Answer

In some situations you may still be able to purchase a medigap policy. Under guaranteed issue rights, a company is required to sell you a Medigap policy at the best rates.

John Ward · Answer

Yes guaranteed issue rights are available after Open Enrollment, but are limited to specific circumstances. Guaranteed issue means 1) no denial based on health status, 2) no medical underwriting, 3) no rate increase. Please discuss your circumstances with a licensed agent.

Answered by John Ward on April 18, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX, FL, GA, LA, NM & OK

Answered by John Ward Medicare Insurance Agent

Is Guaranteed Issue available after the Medicare Open Enrollment period ends?

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Is Guaranteed Issue available after the Medicare Open Enrollment period ends?

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