Guaranteed issue rights for Medicare Supplement is defined your rights in certain circumstances to allow you to purchase Medigap policies even if your health status is not good and the Medicare Supplement must cover any pre-existing conditions. The Medigap companies are required by law to sell you a Medigap policy, cover any and all pre-existing health care issues, and more importantly they can’t charge you more because any past or current medical conditions. These guaranteed rights are for your protection and benefit.
Your guaranteed issue rights in most cases kick in when you may have lost your other health care coverage. You may have a Medicare Advantage plan but you are in the 30 day trial period so you would like to try out a Medicare Supplement plan to see if it is more in line with our health care needs. Even if you buy a Medigap policy during the 30 day trial period, you can switch during that time, just don’t cancel your existing policy so you remain covered.
An insurance company can’t refuse to sell you a Medigap policy if your situation falls within these categories. There are seven circumstances where our guaranteed rights are enforced. If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan and this company is leaving Medicare or you have relocated and their plan won’t cover you, then you have guaranteed rights to a Medicare Supplement plan. You are enrolled in the Original Medicare plan and your employer health care plan is ending. You have Original Medicare and a Medicare SELECT policy but you have move outside of their cover area, you qualify for guaranteed rights. As mentioned earlier, the trial periods regarding Medicare Advantage or Medigap allows you to use your guaranteed rights. If a Medigap company goes out of business or your have been misled by the insurance company, you have guaranteed rights for Medicare Supplements.