Medicare Enrollment - Are You Eligible?

September 18, 2008 · 85 views · Filed Under Health Insurance

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There are advantages to buying Medicare supplementary insurance when reaching sixty-five years of age. Seniors will not be required to be medically underwritten for their policy, they may be entitled to insurance premium deductions, and all plans in their state will be accessible to them. Also, seniors who hold off to buy a Medicare supplementary insurance plan may not qualify for insurance coverage if they are in poor health and they may be omitted from more popular plans such as Plan J or plan D. It is crucial for seniors to research their choices whilst they are still able to apply for Medigap insurance coverage.

Medicare enrollment is a 6 calendar month time period which includes the 3 months prior to and after the senior’s 65th birthday. In many cases, it is beneficial for seniors to buy a supplemental Medicare insurance policy during their open enrollment period. Under particular conditions, seniors who allow their 6 month period to pass may not medically qualify for a supplementary plan.

Guaranteed Eligibility at sixty-five years of age

Seniors are guaranteed eligible for Medicare insurance during open enrollment irrespective of their health records. Health underwriting is not essential and there are zero medical enquiries to respond to on an application form (you can apply online for the best plans in your area - click here to learn how to apply for medicare). All Medigap insurance plans offered in the applicant’s state will be ready for purchase. Plainly put, insurance companies cannot refuse Medigap insurance coverage if the application is established during the 6 month window.

Other Guaranteed Situations for Medicare Eligibility

There are additional periods of time where guaranteed eligibility for Medicare supplement insurance is possible, for those outside of their six month time-frame. Consumers age 65 and older who are involuntarily losing group health insurance or group supplemental coverage will also be guaranteed a Medicare supplement plan. However, they may have to go through underwriting for certain plans (Plan J for example) and they might not be offered premium discounts on their plan choice.

Additional Advantages of Purchasing Coverage in Open Enrollment

There are many supplemental insurance providers who provide discounts during open enrollment. In some cases, the applicant’s price reduction can be as much as 15%. This savings will carry over into subsequent years helping to keep premiums lower as the insured grows older. Additionally, some insurance companies will require underwriting for popular supplements, like Plan J, if the applicant is more than three months past their 65th birthday. If applying during open enrollment, health underwriting will not be required for Plan J.

Medicare Disability and Open Enrollment

In some states, acceptance into Medicare disability is a qualifying event for guaranteed coverage. Consumers under age 65 who are approved for government disability will have a six month window to purchase a Medicare supplement regardless of health history. (Missouri is one such state.) It is very advantageous for Medicare disability consumers to enroll in a plan during their six month opening. Otherwise, they will have to go through medical underwriting and acceptance would be unlikely due to health concerns.

In summary, seniors near their 65th birthday and disabled persons eligible for Medicare coverage should consider applying for supplemental coverage. Applying for medicare during a period of open enrollment will render underwriting unnecessary, allow for more plan choices, and also offer premium discounts.

To learn more about Medicare and what to look out for in a trusted Medicare provider, please visit http://www.health-insurance-planner.com for more details.

Michael Jones writes regularly about health related topics. I hope you enjoy this article.

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