Guaranteed issue

Guaranteed issue is a consumer protection that applies to Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policies. When you have a guaranteed-issue right, an insurer must sell you certain Medigap plans regardless of your health history — it can’t deny you, charge you more, or impose a waiting period for a pre-existing condition.

These rights apply in specific situations rather than year-round. The most common is your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which begins the month you’re 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. Others are triggered by losing coverage you already had — for example, an employer plan ending, a Medicare Advantage plan leaving your area, or moving out of your plan’s service area. Outside these windows, most states let insurers use medical underwriting, though some states add their own broader guaranteed-issue rules.

Because the easiest and cheapest time to buy a Medigap policy is during a guaranteed-issue window, timing is one of the most important parts of choosing a Supplement.