During the Medigap open enrollment period, which protection applies to the applicant?
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Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why A is correct
The Medigap open enrollment period guarantees that an insurer cannot refuse to sell a Medigap policy or charge a higher rate because of the applicant's health, medical history, or disability. This guaranteed issue protection applies when the applicant first enrolls during the open enrollment window tied to Medicare Part B enrollment. After the open enrollment period ends, insurers may generally use medical underwriting and can deny coverage or charge more based on health. The protection is designed to let beneficiaries buy supplement coverage at standard rates when they first become eligible, without fear of being locked out by health conditions.
Why the other options are wrong
- B) All standardized Medigap plans are available during open enrollment; the protection concerns underwriting, not plan selection.
- C) Medigap supplements Original Medicare and cannot be used with Medicare Advantage; enrollment in an MA plan would make a Medigap policy unusable.
- D) Premiums can be increased in the future based on the insurer's rate filings; open enrollment guarantees access, not frozen lifetime rates.
Memory hook
Open enrollment is the health-blind window: Medigap cannot reject or price by condition.