When may a New York Medicare beneficiary first purchase a Medicare supplement (Medigap) policy?

Why A is correct

Under Reg 193 (11 NYCRR Part 58) and 11 NYCRR 360.4(h), New York's Medicare supplement open enrollment period is year-round: a Medicare beneficiary may buy a Medigap policy at any time, and the insurer may not refuse issuance or rate up the applicant because of health. This is far more generous than federal law, which guarantees issue only within a one-time window; New York deliberately removed that deadline for its residents.

Why the other options are wrong

• B) The six-month federal window is the rule in most states, but New York is more generous - enrollment is not trapped inside that deadline.
• C) There is no annual enrollment gate for Medigap in New York; the beneficiary may apply whenever she chooses.
• D) No birthday-based window exists in New York; open enrollment is available every day of the year.

Memory hook

Medigap in New York: every day is open enrollment day.

Why D is correct

Under the New York Insurance Law and Department of Financial Services rules, New York provides year-round open enrollment for Medicare supplement policies: an eligible person may purchase a policy at any time during the year, without being confined to a limited enrollment window. New York is more generous than federal law, which guarantees open enrollment only for a six-month period; in New York the federal window is not the rule, and the disclosure statement should reflect the state's year-round right.

Why the other options are wrong

• A) The six-month window is the federal rule, not New York's; New York's year-round open enrollment is more generous and controls for New York applicants.
• B) New York does not confine Medicare supplement enrollment to a year-end period; enrollment is available throughout the year.
• C) New York has no birthday-triggered enrollment window; its rule is simply year-round availability for eligible persons.

Memory hook

In New York, every day is Medigap open enrollment day.