When can I buy a Medigap policy?

Important: These answers only apply to your federal rights. Contact your state to find out if your state offers more opportunities for you to buy a Medigap policy under state law.

Answer a few questions to find out

Already have a Medigap policy? Find out when you can switch or drop your policy.

Which of these applies to you?

Are you eligible for/do you have Medicare because of ESRD or a disability?

Do you or your spouse plan to keep working after you turn 65?

Do you or your spouse have health insurance through an employer or union now?

What kind of health coverage do you have?

Do you have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan?

What type of health coverage do you have?

When did you get Part B coverage?

Select the situation that applies to you

Did you join the PACE plan in the past year?

Did you join your Medicare Advantage Plan when you were first eligible for Medicare?

Did you join in the past year?

Do you want to switch to Original Medicare?

Select the situation that applies to you

Did you have a Medigap policy at any time before you joined a Medicare Advantage Plan, and now want to switch back to Original Medicare?

Did you join a Medicare Advantage Plan for the first time in the past 12 months?

Select your situation:

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Your answer

It depends on your state.

Some states allow anyone with Medicare under 65 to buy a Medigap policy. If you have ESRD or a disability, you may not be able to buy the Medigap policy you want, or any Medigap policy, until you turn 65.

  • Federal law doesn't require companies to sell Medigap policies to people under 65.
  • Some states let you buy a Medigap policy only if you're eligible for Medicare because of ESRD or disability.

Check which states allow you to buy a Medigap policy.

Check with your State Insurance Department about what rights you might have under state law.

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Your answer

You can buy Medigap when you sign up for Medicare Part B.

When your employer coverage ends, you'll have a chance to sign up for Part B without paying a Late Enrollment Penalty. Your one-time Medigap Open Enrollment Period starts once you sign up for Part B and lasts for 6 months, even if you sign up for Part B while you still have employer coverage.

Employer coverage often gives coverage similar to Medigap, so you probably don't need to get a Medigap policy now.

Find out more about getting Medicare if you're still working.

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Your answer

You can buy a Medigap policy once you sign up for Medicare.

Sign up for Medicare when you're first eligible. Answer a few questions to find out when you can sign up for Medicare.

The best time to buy a Medigap policy is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This is the 6-month period that starts the first day of the month you're 65 or older and signed up for Part B. After this period, your options to buy a Medigap policy may be limited and the policy may cost more.

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Your answer

You can switch to Original Medicare.

You can buy any Medigap policy that’s sold by an insurance company in your state.

You must apply for a Medigap policy:

  • 60 days before the date your coverage ends.
  • No more than 63 days after your coverage ends.

Your rights may last an extra 12 months in certain circumstances. Contact your State Insurance Department for more information.

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Your answer

You have the right to buy Medigap Plan A, B, C, D, F, G,  K, or L that's sold by an insurance company in your state.

You have 63 days after your current Medigap coverage ends to buy a new Medigap policy.

Keep any letters, notices, emails or claim denials from your Medigap policy in case you need to prove your coverage ended. You may need to include copies of these documents with your new Medigap application to prove you have the right to buy a new policy. Call your State Insurance Department or 1-800-MEDICARE for help.

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Your answer

You may be able to buy a Medigap policy.

Call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program to see if you qualify.

Keep any letters, notices, emails or claim denials from your previous coverage, in case you need to prove your coverage ended. You may need to include copies of these documents with your new Medigap application to prove you have the right to buy a Medigap policy.

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Your answer

You have the right to buy any Medigap policy that’s sold by an insurance company in your state.

The best time to buy a Medigap policy is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This is the 6-month period that starts the first day of the month you're 65 or older and signed up for Part B. After this period, your options to buy a Medigap policy may be limited and the policy may cost more.

Find Local Medigap Policies

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Your answer

You have the right to buy any Medigap policy that’s sold by an insurance company in your state.

You must apply for a Medigap policy:

  • 60 days before your Medicare Advantage Plan coverage ends.
  • No more than 63 days after your Medicare Advantage Plan coverage ends.

Your rights may last an extra 12 months in certain circumstances. Contact your State Insurance Department for more information.

Find Local Medigap Policies

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Your answer

You can buy Medigap Plan A, B, C, D, F, G , K, or L that’s sold by an insurance company in your state if you switch to Original Medicare.

You must apply for a Medigap policy:

  • 60 days before the date your Medicare Advantage Plan coverage ends.
  • No more than 63 days after your Medicare Advantage Plan coverage ends.

You only have this right if you switch to Original Medicare (rather than joining another Medicare Advantage Plan). Medigap coverage can’t start until your Medicare Advantage Plan coverage ends.

If you don’t switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan during the yearly Medicare Open Enrollment Period, we’ll automatically enroll you in Original Medicare.

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Your answer

You can buy a Medigap policy if you switch to Original Medicare.

You must apply for a Medigap policy:

  • 60 days before the date your Medicare Advantage Plan coverage ends.
  • No more than 63 days after your Medicare Advantage Plan coverage ends.

You only have this right if you switch to Original Medicare (rather than joining another Medicare Advantage Plan). Medigap coverage can’t start until your Medicare Advantage Plan coverage ends.

If you don’t switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan during the yearly Medicare Open Enrollment Period, we’ll automatically enroll you in Original Medicare.

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Your answer

You can buy a Medigap policy once you switch to Original Medicare.

You have 63 days after your current Medicare Advantage Plan coverage ends to buy a Medigap policy.

Keep any letters, notices, emails or claim denials from your Medicare Advantage Plan in case you need to prove your coverage ended. You may need to include copies of these documents with your Medigap application to prove you have the right to buy a new policy. Call your State Insurance Department or 1-800-MEDICARE for help.

Find Local Medigap Policies

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Your answer

You can’t buy a Medigap policy at this time.

Contact your Medicare Advantage Plan to see if you’re able to disenroll.

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Your answer

You can buy the Medigap policy you had before you joined the Medicare Advantage Plan, if the same insurance company you had before still sells it. 

If that policy isn’t available, you can buy Medigap Plan A, B, C, D, F, G , K, or L that’s sold by an insurance company in your state.

You must apply for a Medigap policy:

  • 60 days before the date your Medicare Advantage Plan coverage ends.
  • No more than 63 days after your Medicare Advantage Plan coverage ends. 

Your rights may last an extra 12 months in certain circumstances. Contact your State Insurance Department for more information.  

Find Local Medigap Policies

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Your answer

You must sign up for Medicare before you can buy a Medigap policy.

When your employer coverage ends, you'll have a chance to sign up for Part B without paying a late enrollment penalty. Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period will start once you sign up for Part B. After you sign up for Part B, you’ll have 6 months to buy a Medigap policy, even if you sign up while you still have employer coverage.

Employer coverage often provides coverage similar to Medigap, so you probably don't need to get a Medigap policy now. Contact your employer or union benefits administrator to find out how your insurance works with Medicare.

Find out more about getting Medicare if you're still working.

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Your answer

You can buy Medigap Plan A, B, C, D, F, G , K, or L that’s sold by an insurance company in your state, if you switch to Original Medicare.  

You must apply for a Medigap policy:

  • 60 days before the date your Medicare Advantage Plan coverage ends.
  • No more than 63 days after your Medicare Advantage Plan coverage ends.

You only have this right if you switch to Original Medicare (rather than joining another Medicare Advantage Plan). Medigap coverage can’t start until your Medicare Advantage Plan coverage ends.

Find Local Medigap Policies

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Your answer

You can buy a Medigap policy if you switch to Original Medicare.  

You must apply for a Medigap policy:

  • 60 days before the date your Medicare Advantage Plan coverage ends.
  • No more than 63 days after your Medicare Advantage Plan coverage ends.

You only have this right if you switch to Original Medicare (rather than joining another Medicare Advantage Plan). Medigap coverage can’t start until your Medicare Advantage Plan coverage ends.

Find Local Medigap Policies

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Your answer

You’re outside of your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, so there’s no federal guarantee that an insurance company will sell you a Medigap policy.

If you're able to buy one, it may cost more due to past or present health problems. Check with your State Insurance Department about what rights you might have under state law.