Medigap Has a One-Time, 6-Month Window at 65. Miss It and Insurers Can Say No Forever.

This article explains the critical six-month guaranteed-issue window for Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) that opens when a person turns 65 and enrolls in Medicare Part B. During this window, insurers must sell any Medigap policy at the best available rate regardless of health history. After the window closes, insurers in 46 states can deny coverage, charge higher premiums, or exclude pre-existing conditions based on medical underwriting. Only New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Maine require year-round guaranteed issue, but those protections do not transfer if policyholders move. The article notes that roughly 42% of Traditional Medicare beneficiaries carry Medigap policies, with average premiums around $217 per month. It also highlights that delaying Part B enrollment for employer coverage delays the Medigap window, potentially complicating access. The piece includes sponsored content from SmartAsset about retirement planning.