Buying a Medigap Policy (Medicare Supplement)

If you’re wondering when the best time to buy a Medigap policy is, the answer is clear: your best (and easiest) time is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This is the window when you typically get the most plan choices, the best pricing protections, and guaranteed acceptance.

What Is the Best Time to Buy a Medigap Policy?

The best time to buy a Medigap policy is during your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period

This is a one-time opportunity (it does not happen every year). During this period, you can generally buy a Medicare Supplement plan without medical underwriting—meaning your health history can’t be used to deny you coverage or charge you more.

When Does Medigap Open Enrollment Start?

Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period starts the first month you are BOTH:

  • 65 or older, and

  • enrolled in Medicare Part B

From that month, your open enrollment lasts for 6 months.

Important: This is a one-time enrollment period. It can’t be changed or repeated each year.

Why Medigap Open Enrollment Is the Best Time to Buy

Buying during Medigap Open Enrollment gives you powerful consumer protections:

1) Guaranteed Access to Plans

  • You can enroll in any Medigap policy sold in your state (that the insurance company offers).

  • The insurer can’t refuse to sell you a plan during this period.

2) No Medical Underwriting

  • Insurance companies can’t use medical underwriting to decide whether to accept your application.

  • They can’t deny you because of pre-existing health conditions.

3) Better Prices and More Options

  • You typically get more plan choices.

  • You’re more likely to qualify for better pricing, because insurers can’t raise your rate based on health problems.

What Happens If You Don’t Buy Medigap When First Eligible?

If you apply for Medigap outside your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you may face major disadvantages:

  • Higher premiums (you may have to pay more)

  • Fewer plan options

  • Medical underwriting (your health can affect approval)

  • Possible denial unless you have a guaranteed issue right

Guaranteed Issue Rights (Medigap Protection)

In certain situations, you may have a guaranteed issue right—also called Medigap protection. If you qualify:

  • The insurance company must sell you a Medigap policy

  • They must cover your pre-existing conditions with no waiting period

Guaranteed issue rights typically apply after specific events (for example, losing certain types of coverage). Rules vary by situation and state.

Important Of Timing: Part B Enrollment Controls Your Medigap Window

Your Medigap rights often depend on when you enroll in Medicare Part B.

If you’re 65+ and you enroll in Part B later, your Medigap Open Enrollment period begins at that time—and once it starts, it runs for 6 months and ends permanently.

In many cases, it makes sense to enroll in Part B and buy Medigap when first eligible—because delaying can lead to:

  • Missing your best Medigap buying window
  • Paying a Medicare Part B late enrollment penalty (in some cases)

Exception: Employer Coverage (You May Want to Delay Part B)

  • If you have group health coverage through an employer or union based on current employment (yours or your spouse’s), you may want to delay Medicare Part B.
  • Why? Because employer coverage may already provide benefits similar to Part B.

    If you enroll in Part B too early:

  • You may pay for Part B before you need it
  • Your Medigap Open Enrollment period could expire before Medigap is useful
  • When employer coverage ends, you typically can enroll in Part B without penalty—and your Medigap Open Enrollment Period starts when you’re ready to use it.

Medigap Under Age 65: Special Rules by State

  • If you’re under 65 and on Medicare due to disability or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), Medigap availability can be limited.

Depending on your state:

  • You may have additional open enrollment protections, or

  • You may not be able to buy the Medigap plan you want (or any Medigap plan) until you turn 65

  • Once you turn 65 and enroll in Part B, you get the standard 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period.

Key Takeaway: Best Time to Buy Medigap

✅ Best time: Your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period
✅ Starts: First month you have Part B and are 65+
✅ Why it matters: More choices, better pricing protections, and no medical underwriting
⚠️Don’t delay without a plan: Waiting can mean higher costs or denial—unless you have guaranteed issue rights

Employer coverage exception: You may want to delay Part B so your Medigap window starts when you truly need it