The best time to buy a policy is during your Medigap open enrollment period. For a period of six months from the date you are first enrolled in Medicare Part B and are age 65 or older, you have the right to buy the Medigap policy of your choice. That is your open enrollment period.
You cannot be turned down or charged higher premiums because of poor health if you buy a Medigap policy during this period. Once your Medigap open enrollment period ends, you may not be able to buy the policy of your choice. You may have to accept whatever Medigap policy an insurance company is willing to sell you.
If you have Medicare Part B but are not yet 65, your six-month Medigap open enrollment period begins when you turn 65. However, several states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin) require at least a limited Medigap open enrollment period for Medicare beneficiaries under 65.
If you continue to work after age 65 and are covered by your or your spouse's group health plan, you do not need to enroll in Medicare Part B until you are no longer covered by a group plan. Your Medigap enrollment period does not start until your Medicare Part B enrollment period begins.
The information above summarizes general employee benefit provisions. It is not intended to specify details of any particular employer's plan, nor is it a guarantee of benefits. Contact your benefit representative about specific details regarding your company's employee benefit plan.