What is Guaranteed Issue for Medicare Supplement plans, and when does it apply?

Question

Larry Dalton · Accepted Answer

Guaranteed issues for Medicare supplement plans ensure you can purchase a Medicare supplement/Medigap plan that picks up the gaps that Medicare Part A and B leave behind. A guaranteed issue means you do not have to be questioned about your health conditions with the insurance underwriters, and the policy will not be denied. Guaranteed issue applies to the six months around your 65th birthday. Three months before your 65th birthday, the month of your 65th birthday, and three months after your 65th birthday, you have the right to get a guaranteed issue policy for your Medigap plans. After that, there are some special guarantee issues when retiring from a group insurance plan, but that would be for another discussion.

Answered by Larry Dalton on May 2, 2025

Broker Licensed in OK & TX

Answered by Larry Dalton Medicare Insurance Agent

Tony Capraro III · Answer

These rights typically occur after specific events, such as: 
Losing coverage under a group health plan that paid secondary to Medicare. 
Switching from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare within the initial 12 months of enrollment. 
Your current Medicare Advantage Plan terminating service in your area. 
The end of your Medicare open enrollment period. 
Also-3 months before   the month of  and 3 months after your 65th Bday! :)
You can get a Guaranteed Issue Medicare Supplement policy REGARDLESS of your Health!
HUGE! 

Work with someone like me who can answer ALL your questions and help you make the Best decisions for you!  I help folks everyday with these important decisions!  Great decisions come from great advice!

Brian Moore · Answer

When clients ask about Guaranteed Issue for Medicare Supplement plans, I explain it’s a right that stops insurers from denying coverage or raising rates due to pre-existing conditions. It applies during your initial enrollment at 65—starting the first day of your birthday month and lasting six months—or within 63 days of losing qualifying coverage, like an employer plan, or during your 12-month trial period if you’re new to Medicare Advantage and switch back to Original Medicare. For folks under 65 with disabilities, federal law doesn’t guarantee it, but many states offer a similar six-month window when you enroll in Part B. Missing these windows usually means facing medical underwriting.

Answered by Brian Moore on March 26, 2025

Broker Licensed in OH

Answered by Brian Moore Medicare Insurance Agent

Andrew Zurbuch, MBA · Answer

Guarantee Issue for Medicare Supplement Insurance plans, also called Medigap Insurance, is when an Insurance Company cannot underwrite the proposed insured, the applicant. The proposed insured does not need to provide evidence of insurability to the Insurance Company and cannot be denied as long as they are eligible for the Policy & pay the initial premium. 
It applies at certain times. Six months before & six months after the 65th birth month of the applicant. Thank you.

Tom Rogala · Answer

You do not have to answer health questions during your initial enrollment (turning age 65 or loss of group coverage over age 65) If you ever want to switch from addvantage to a supplement you have to be healthy

Answered by Tom Rogala on April 3, 2025

Agent Licensed in MI, AR, AZ & 10 other states

Answered by Tom Rogala Medicare Insurance Agent

Steven Bleicher · Answer

You are always a "GI" or a guaranteed issue person when you first become eligible for Medicare, usually at age 65 (you have a 7-month window to apply; 3 months before your birthday month; your actual birthday month and then 3 months after your birthday month for a grand total of 7 months). If an entire year elapses and you're now 66 years old, if you wanted to possibly change your 1st plan to another company's Supplement, you would have to go thru Underwriting to verify that you have NO pre-existing health conditions.

Answered by Steven Bleicher on April 21, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Steven Bleicher Medicare Insurance Agent

Timothy Brown · Answer

Guaranteed Issue Medicare Supplement means that anyone, regardless of health history, can enroll in a plan under the following circumstances:

1) You’re leaving/losing employer group health coverage.

2) A current Medicare Advantage plan is ending/leaving your service area.

3) You move to a new state or location where the current Medicare Advantage is considered out of the service area.

Steve Houchens · Answer

Guaranteed issue period for Medicare supplement is 3 months prior to the month you turn 65, the month you turn 65 an d 3 months after the month you turn 65 got a total of 7 months. During this time frame you do not have to answer any health questions and are guaranteed acceptance at preferred rates

Answered by Steve Houchens on April 2, 2025

Agent Licensed in KY & TN

Answered by Steve Houchens Medicare Insurance Agent

Gary Henderson · Answer

Guaranteed issue is a time period where you cannot be denied coverage for a Medicare supplement plan due to illnesses. There's a number of special periods that this can occur and it varies by state. If you'd like to have a conversation to fully understand your situation and how this works for you, please feel free to contact me.

Answered by Gary Henderson on April 10, 2025

Agent Licensed in TX, AK, AL & 46 other states

Answered by Gary Henderson Medicare Insurance Agent

Marcie Barnes · Answer

There are several scenarios for Guaranteed Issue.

New to Medicare 
 This could be new to Part B within 6 months or new to A and B within 6 months

Loss of credible coverage 
  When transitioning from employer coverage or private insurance 

There are other scenarios, but these are the most common.

Toni Chavez · Answer

Thanks for your question!

Guaranteed issue applies to a Medigap policy. It means the insurance company has to accept you cannot deny you due to health conditions - no underwriting required.

1. Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period
	•	Starts the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Part B
	•	Lasts for 6 months
	•	During this window, you have full GI rights to buy any Medigap plan sold in your state (not just certain ones)

2. Losing Other Coverage (Qualifying Events)

You get Guaranteed Issue rights if:
	•	You lose employer group coverage (including COBRA)
	•	Your Medicare Advantage plan leaves your area, ends coverage, or you move out of the service area
	•	You drop a Medicare Advantage plan or Medigap to try something else, but switch back within 12 months (Trial Right)
	•	Your current Medigap insurer goes bankrupt, commits fraud, or misleads you


Hope this answers your question!

I recommend speaking to a licensed broker who can answer and guide you with Medicare.  Our services are no cost.

Suzanne Lamperti · Answer

This applies 2 months before you turn 65, the month you turn 65, and 2 months after you turn 65. It also apples if you lose credible coverage and if you retire from work after 65 and it's your first time signing up fir Medicare.

Answered by Suzanne Lamperti on May 23, 2025

Broker Licensed in MD

Answered by Suzanne Lamperti Medicare Insurance Agent

Linda Davies · Answer

Guaranteed Issue Rights (GIR) for Medicare Supplement, also known as Medigap protection, allows beneficiaries to purchase a Medigap policy without medical underwriting. This means that the insurers cannot deny coverage or charge higher premiums based on pre-existing health conditions. These rights apply in specific situations, such as losing employer or union coverage, returning to Original Medicare, or moving out of a Medicare Advantage plan service area. They are designed to protect seniors from unfair medical underwriting and ensure they can obtain a Medigap policy without being denied or charged higher premiums due to their health status.

Answered by Linda Davies on May 22, 2025

Broker Licensed in IL

Answered by Linda Davies Medicare Insurance Agent

Andre Cabral · Answer

When you turn 65 and apply for Medicare part B, you have 6 months from the part B effective date to apply for Medicare Supplement . Within this 6 month period your acceptance is guaranteed. Past 6 months you are subject to underwriting process.

Answered by Andre Cabral on April 24, 2025

Agent Licensed in NJ

Answered by Andre Cabral Medicare Insurance Agent

Eizel Mere · Answer

You are guaranteed issue into a Medicare Supplement Plan when you turn 65 years old and it ends when you turn 66. Ypu can enroll into the plan up to 6 months in advance but it will be effective the 1st ofbthe month of your 65th birthday. That is also applicable for the people who have Medicare because of a disability or condition.

Answered by Eizel Mere on June 2, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL

Answered by Eizel Mere Medicare Insurance Agent

Jamie Herrick · Answer

When you turn 65. Reach out to a supplemental agent for more information and direction on this subject.

Melanie Blackston · Answer

It's a set time period when you can apply that guarantees you'll get coverage and you may get a better price on your Medicare supplement plan. You are generally eligible to enroll in Medicare Part B within a 7-month period, starting 3 months before and ending 3 months after the month you turn 65.

Answered by Melanie Blackston on May 28, 2025

Broker Licensed in SC, GA & NC

Answered by Melanie Blackston Medicare Insurance Agent

Patrick Lohrey · Answer

Guaranteed Issue Rights apply when you lose your current health benefits - for a number of reasons (for example: Your spouse is still working beyond age 65 and has you on their plan. You have Medicare but missed your "Open Enrollment." You've been using your Medicare to pay deductibles, coinsurance and co-pays you would otherwise pay out-of-pocket. Two years later she decides to retire and you lose spousal coverage under her employer health care benefit.)

Once you qualify for "Guaranteed Issue," you are not required to go through medical underwriting.

Kristen Maurice · Answer

Guaranteed Issue means that you do not have to pass underwriting (health questions) in order to be accepted into a plan. You are "guaranteed" to be accepted, no matter your health history or pre-existing conditions. There are a few times when this applies, including moving out of the service area of a Medicare Advantage plan in which you are enrolled, your Medicare Advantage plan leaving Medicare, or your employer plan ending. You can find all of the eligible Guaranteed Issue Rights in a handbook distributed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services titled "Choosing a Medigap Policy" or on the Medicare.gov website.

Answered by Kristen Maurice on June 9, 2025

Agent Licensed in TN, AL, CA & 10 other states

Answered by Kristen Maurice Medicare Insurance Agent

Kirsten Love · Answer

The Guaranteed Issue period for a Medicare Supplement policy begins 3 months before your 65th birthday and continues for 3 months after you turn 65. During this time you may enroll in any Medicare Supplement plan without denial for pre existing conditions.

Answered by Kirsten Love on June 14, 2025

Broker Licensed in MT

Answered by Kirsten Love Medicare Insurance Agent

What is Guaranteed Issue for Medicare Supplement plans, and when does it apply?

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