HealthPartners leaving UnitedHealthcare's Medicare Advantage network over high claim denial rate

[progree]

9. It's strictly a Medicare SUPPLEMENT (Medigap) thing. The 6-month Medigap open enrollment period is once in a lifetime

Last edited Wed Jul 24, 2024, 04:35 PM - Edit history (1)

Here's what it said when I said I am turning 65 --
https://www.medicare.gov/supplements-other-insurance/when-can-i-buy-medigap

The best time to buy a Medigap policy is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This is the 6-month period that starts the first day of the month you're 65 or older and signed up for Part B. After this period, your options to buy a Medigap policy may be limited and the policy may cost more.

https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap/ready-to-buy

Get ready to buy
Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period

Under federal law, you get a 6 month Medigap Open Enrollment Period. It starts the first month you have Medicare Part B and you’re 65 or older. During this time, you:

* Can enroll in any Medigap policy.

* Will generally get better prices and more choices among policies.

* You can buy any Medigap policy sold in your state. An insurance company can’t use medical underwriting to decide whether to accept your application - they can’t deny you coverage due to pre-existing health problems.

* Can avoid or shorten waiting periods for a pre-existing condition if you buy a Medigap policy to replace creditable coverage. How do I know if I have creditable coverage?

After this period, you may not be able to buy a Medigap policy, or it may cost more. Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is a one-time enrollment period. It doesn’t repeat every year, like the Medicare Open Enrollment Period.

Generally, your Medigap policy will begin the first of the month after you apply, but you can decide when you want it to start.

Graphic explaining how the Medigap Open Enrollment period works, including when it starts, how long it lasts, and when it ends.
View this image in Spanish.

What if I miss my Medigap Open Enrollment Period?
Outside of your Medigap Open Enrollment Period:

* You may have to pay more for a policy.

* Fewer policy options may be available to you.

* The insurance company is allowed to deny you a policy if you don’t meet their medical underwriting requirements.

There are certain situations where you may be able to buy a Medigap policy outside of your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. Situations where an insurance company can’t deny you a Medigap policy are called “guaranteed issue rights” or “Medigap protections.” What are guaranteed issue rights? ((this is a popup with numerous situations. For example one has a right to try Medicare Advantage for up to 12 months -Progree))

Check with your State Insurance Department to see if you can buy a Medigap policy outside of your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. You may have additional rights under state law.

All emphasis mine.

This is extremely very important information for people to know. People need to understand that they really really need to understand Medicare when they sign up (and when to sign up) and not wing it, thinking well I'll just sign up for something like a cheap or no premium Medicare Advantage plan, or riverboat gamble by just getting original Medicare (i.e. parts A and B with no supplement) and then learn more about it when I have time. Nope.

I have more on other issues with Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1142&pid=20175

People are amazed that Medicare is this tricky, treacherous, and complicated. But that's what happens when legislation is made the same way that sausage is made. To be clear, I love Medicare, but it's not the nearly free seamless program that many imagine it to be. I'm paying $505 / month combined in premiums for Part B, the Supplement, and a Part D drug plan combined, so it certainly isn't low cost.