What are the Guaranteed Issue Rules for when you are
new to Medicare as you’ve turned 65?
Here’s Blue Shield rule from their Guaranteed Issue Guide:
When’s the best time to buy a Medi Gap policy?
The best time to buy a Medigap policy is during your Medigap Guaranteed Issue Open Enrollment Period. This period lasts for 6 months and begins on the first day of the month in which you’re both 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. Publication 02110 Page 14 & 45
Guaranteed Acceptance Guide
Blue Shield CALIFORNIA
Blue Cross CA
This is just a summary of the most common ways you can get a Medi Gap plan without having to answer health questions.
- Enrolled in Medicare and are age 65 or older; or New to Medicare, are age 64 or younger, and do not have end-stage renal disease
- You enrolled with A Medicare Advantage Plan and the plan is being terminated;
- terminated from any employer-sponsored health plan,
- moved outside the plan’s service area.
- disenrolled from the plan or program within twelve (12) months of the effective date of that enrollment.
- You terminated enrollment in a Medicare Supplement plan and subsequently enrolled, for the first time, in any of the following:
• A Medicare Advantage Plan; - MAPD Trial Privileges #02110 Medi-Gap Guide
- The company substantially violated a material provision of the contract; or
- The company or its agent materially misrepresented a provision of the plan in marketing the contract to you.
- You enrolled in a Blue Shield Medicare Advantage Plan, and Blue Shield either:
Reduced any of its benefits;
Increased the amount of cost-sharing or premium; - You are no longer eligible for Medi-Cal benefits.
- Birthday Rule
Get more detail at:
CA Health Care Advocates
Federal Choosing a Medi Gap Policy #02110
Guaranteed Acceptance Guide Blue Shield
Scroll down for our cut & paste of the ACTUAL CA Law
Blue Shield Authorized Agent
No extra charge to you -
Learn more and #enroll online
Paper Application
MAPD Medicare Advantage
* Short Form - Transfers 65 Inspire, Plus, Choice & Trio
Video Introduction to Medi Gap
by Steve
Official Medicare Guide to choosing a Medi Gap Policy # 02110
Under 65 coverage and converting to Medicare?
From what I understand, the door is closing on signing up for F
If you mean when can you enroll, guaranteed issue from the month that you turn 65, you have six months. See Blue Shield Guaranteed Issue document above or here.
If you mean the new rules under MACRA that starts in 2020 for those who are newly eligible. You would be OK as you turn 65 in 2018.
1 Is it true that one has to sign up for a Medigap plan within 6 months of starting Medicare?
2 I will be starting in June, [that’s when I turn 65] so can I wait until November to sign up for a Medi-gap plan ? (to save money?)
1 Yes, see above for details
2 Yes, if I’m counting on my fingers correctly. Your six months would start in June.
I do not recommend that you wait. If this is your plan, you might be better off finding another agent to help you. Purposely waiting can only lead to a malpractice claim and a major hurt to your pocket book. If one knew when they were going to have a claim or be in an accident, they just wouldn’t leave the house that day.
Will your next question be, how long can you wait to sign up for Part B?
3 months after the month you turn 65. That would save you $134/month.
If you are on a budget, how about Hi F? You pay the first 2k of bills, not paid by Medicare A or B and you save around $100/month on premium. Get quotes and enroll online.