• You can change year‑round: Medigap plans can generally be changed at any time during the year. There is no single national “open enrollment” window for Medigap like there is for Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Prescription Drug Plans (Part D).

​​

• Why avoiding AEP is usually best: Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs October 15–December 7 and is primarily for Medicare Advantage (MAPD) and Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) changes. During AEP, carriers and agencies are often at peak volume. Unless a special or guaranteed‑issue enrollment period applies, it is usually better to avoid changing Medigap plans during AEP so attention can remain on those who must make time‑sensitive changes.

​

• Special or guaranteed‑issue periods: Some individuals have guaranteed‑issue rights (for example, losing certain coverage, moving out of a plan’s service area, or qualifying under a state‑specific rule). When a guaranteed‑issue period overlaps AEP, changes may still be appropriate—but should be planned carefully.

​​

NOTE: Where possible make appointments ahead of time.

• No provider network for Medigap itself: Medigap plans do not have their own provider networks. Instead, they supplement Original Medicare. Any provider who accepts Medicare and agrees to bill Medicare can generally see someone with a Medigap plan.

​​

• Medicare rules come first: If Medicare approves and pays its share of a covered service, the Medigap plan pays according to the benefits of the specific plan (such as Plan G, Plan N, etc.).

​​

• Important takeaway: The “NETWORK” for a Medigap plan is essentially the Medicare network—providers who accept Medicare.

Many states—currently more than twenty—offer additional Medigap special enrollment or guaranteed‑issue rights beyond the standard federal rules. These may include birthday rules, anniversary rules, or other state‑specific windows that allow you to change plans with limited or no medical underwriting.

Because these protections vary by state and are updated over time, we strongly recommend checking:

​

Your state Department of Insurance website (search “[State Name] Medicare Supplement rules”).

 

When you contact us, we will help you identify whether your state offers any special Medigap change windows and how they may apply to your situation.

Medigap State Guaranteed Issue Table - Updated 8/20/2026 

Outside of guaranteed‑issue or special enrollment periods, many Medigap applications require medical underwriting. This means the carrier can ask health questions and may:

Approve or deny the application.

Offer coverage with conditions or different rates.

​​

Common Types of Underwriting Questions:

Examples of questions that may appear on an underwritten Medigap application include:

​

Recent Hospitalizations or Surgeries:

“Have you been hospitalized or had surgery in the past 12 months?”

Chronic conditions:

“Have you ever been diagnosed with congestive heart failure, COPD, or other chronic lung disease?”

Cancer history:

“Have you been treated for cancer (other than certain skin cancers) in the past X years?”

Heart and Vascular Issues:

“Have you had a heart attack, stroke, or coronary artery bypass surgery in the past X years?”

Diabetes and Complications:

“Do you have diabetes with complications such as neuropathy, retinopathy, or kidney disease?”

Kidney Disease:

“Are you currently receiving dialysis or have you been advised to begin dialysis?”

Mobility and Daily Living (ADL):

“Do you require assistance with activities of daily living (such as bathing, dressing, or eating)?”

Current Medications and Treatments:

“Are you currently taking medications for serious conditions such as cancer, heart failure, or autoimmune disease?”

Each carrier’s application is different, but these examples show the types of information commonly requested when underwriting is required.

If you are enrolling in Medicare after age 65 using a Special Enrollment Period and your employer or group health plan coverage is ending, it is important to make sure Medicare is listed as your primary coverage. In some situations, Medicare’s system may still show your group health plan as primary.

​

If your claims are being processed as though your employer plan is still primary, you should contact BCRC to review and update your coordination of benefits so that Medicare is correctly shown as primary and your former group plan is secondary or terminated.

​

Contact Benefits Coordination & Recivery Center (BCRC):

Toll Free: (855) 798-2627

Fax: (734) 957-9598

Local TDD: (855) 797-2627

Web Site: /medicare/coordination-benefits-recovery/overview

Annual Notice of Change (ANOC)

• What ANOC is: Each fall, Part D and Medicare Advantage plans send an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) letter explaining changes for the upcoming year (premiums, formularies, copays, pharmacies, etc.). Sent in September.

• Why ANOC matters: Reviewing the ANOC is essential to understand how drug coverage and costs may change. If the plan will no longer meet needs, AEP is the time to consider switching.

​

Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) for Prescription Drug Plans (PDP)

​

Timing: AEP runs from October 15 through December 7.

​

What can be done:

• Change Part D plans.

• Move between Medicare Advantage plans or between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare (subject to rules).

 

• Late Enrollment Penalty (LEP) for Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) 

• When LEP can apply: If someone does not enroll in Part D when first eligible and does not have creditable drug coverage, a Late Enrollment Penalty may apply when they later enroll.

​

• Transitioning after age 65 using an SEP: When transitioning to Medicare after age 65 using an SEP:

• It is important to show proof of creditable drug coverage (for example, ACTIVE employer coverage) to avoid the LEP.

• If there was a gap without creditable coverage, a LEP may be added to the Part D premium.

Due to changes in the commission structure for Part D plans, in most cases direct assistance with the enrollment process for PDP plans will not be available.

​

However:

Self‑review on Medicare.gov: Individuals are encouraged to create personal accounts:

• Use the Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov to review and compare Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) / Part D plans.

• Enter current medications, preferred pharmacies, and other details to see estimated annual costs.

 

When additional evaluation help may be available: If, after reviewing options on Medicare.gov, projected medication costs (excluding premiums) are still higher than the current annual maximum out‑of‑pocket (MOOP) threshold (for example, $2,400 for 2027), assistance may be available with the evaluation process to:

• Confirm whether a different plan might reduce costs.

• Discuss whether coverage appears to be functioning as expected.

• Explore alternative options

Plans available for review: Part D plans for the upcoming year are typically available to review starting October 1.

​

Best time to reach out with questions: For questions about drug plans:

• It is recommended to reach out between October 1 and October 14.

• This allows time to review options before AEP begins on October 15 and to plan any changes that may be needed.