ABA Family Legal Guide

The Rights of Older Americans

Health and Long-Term Care Benefits

Medigap Insurance

When should I get a Medigap policy?

Buy a Medigap policy at or near the time your Medicare coverage begins, because during the first six months that you are 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B, companies must accept you regardless of any health conditions you have, and they cannot charge you more than they charge others of the same age. After this period, you may be forced to pay much higher premiums for the same policy due to your health status. During this open enrollment period, companies may still exclude preexisting conditions during the first six months of the policy.

Different enrollment rules apply to people under 65 who are eligible for Medicare because of disability.