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Medigap plans - Medical underwriting used if change plans in future?
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Medicare & Insurance
Medigap plans - Medical underwriting used if change plans in future?
Share Medicare dos and don’ts, including eligibility and supplemental insurance.
I am turning 65 in March and am enrolling in Original Medicare for the first time. I will be joining a Medigap plan. My understanding is that since I am joining during the Medicare "initial enrollmen
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Cat:91a4afbf-9555-4e02-b9d3-9eef604476f6Forum:c79f53c3-fa71-4e76-b517-aef042efd7ffDiscussion:77bd6e21-81e7-456b-9613-5652f7a0d3df

Forums » Health » Medicare & Insurance » Medigap plans - Medical underwriting used if change plans in future?

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Forums  »  Health  »  Medicare & Insurance  »  Medigap plans - Medical underwriting used if change plans in future?

Medigap plans - Medical underwriting used if change plans in future?

posted at December 19, 2012 3:50 PM EST
Posts: 5
First: October 31, 2012
Last: December 19, 2012
I am turning 65 in March and am enrolling in Original Medicare for the first time. I will be joining a Medigap plan. My understanding is that since I am joining during the Medicare "initial enrollment period", the Medigap plan of my choosing cannot use medical underwriting to either turn me down for health reasons nor charge me more for health reasons than it would charge others with no health problems. Correct?

Let's assume that in the future I decide to change to another Medigap plan. At that time, can that plan use medical underwriting to either deny me entry into their plan for health reasons or charge me more than others with no health problems? My guess is that they cannot because I joined a Medigap polan during the initial enrollment period. But I can NOT find documentation that convinces me that I am correct.

Comments anyone?

Re: Medigap plans - Medical underwriting used if change plans in future?

posted at December 20, 2012 12:05 PM EST
Posts: 681
First: October 17, 2009
Last: June 14, 2013
It is my understanding that during your open enrollment period, you do not have to answer the health related questions. However, after that period is up, you will have to pass medical underwriting in most states. Some states have better protections for seniors wanting to change plans.
To get definitive info for where you live, go to https://www.shiptalk.org/Public/home.aspx
and click on the link for finding your state's SHIP (The State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP, is a national program that offers one-on-one counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and their families)

Forums » Health » Medicare & Insurance » Medigap plans - Medical underwriting used if change plans in future?