Enrollment
Guaranteed Issue
Quick answer
Guaranteed issue is your right to buy certain Medigap policies without medical underwriting, so insurers can't deny you or charge more due to pre-existing conditions.
Plain-English definition
Guaranteed-issue rights typically apply during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period (6 months from Part B start) and in specific SEP-like situations.
Why it matters
It's often your only chance to get Medigap without health questions.
A simple example
Your employer plan ends. You have a guaranteed-issue right to buy certain Medigap plans within 63 days.
Common mistakes & misconceptions
Related terms
Medigap
Medigap — also called Medicare Supplement insurance — is a private policy that pays some of the out-of-pocket costs Original Medicare leaves behind, like the Part B 20% coinsurance and Part A hospital deductible.
Trial Right
A Trial Right is a special protection that lets certain first-time Medicare Advantage enrollees return to Original Medicare within 12 months and buy a Medigap policy on a guaranteed-issue basis.
Creditable Coverage
Creditable coverage is drug coverage — usually from an employer, union, VA, or TRICARE — that Medicare considers at least as good as Part D. Having it lets you delay Part D without a penalty.
Frequently asked questions
Is guaranteed issue only at 65?+
No — it also applies to specific qualifying events.
Sources & references
📚 Where this information comes from
- Medicare.gov — official U.S. government site for people with Medicare ↗Primary source for benefits, enrollment periods, and plan comparison.
- CMS.gov — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ↗Federal rulemaking, program updates, and official guidance.
- Social Security Administration — Medicare enrollment & premiums ↗Enrollment, premium withholding, and IRMAA determinations.
When you're ready, compare plans on your own terms
See Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, or walk the course with a licensed agent whenever you'd like a second set of eyes.
We help compare Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, and we don't offer every plan available in your area.
Medicare Caddies is an independent insurance agency. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the U.S. government, the federal Medicare program, or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). We help compare Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, and we don't offer every plan available in your area.