Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period
Six months when your health can't be held against you. It happens once.
Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is the 6 months starting the first month you're 65 or older and have Part B. During it, you can buy any Medigap policy sold in your state, and insurers can't turn you down or charge you more because of your health.
It happens only once. After it ends, in most states insurers can use medical underwriting, so this window matters more than most people realize.
When it starts
It starts automatically the month your Part B starts, if you're 65 or older. If you delay Part B because you're covered by a current employer's group plan, your Medigap window waits until you enroll in Part B. That's one reason to time your Part B start carefully.
What insurers can and can't do during it
- They can't refuse to sell you any Medigap policy they offer.
- They can't charge more because of past or present health problems.
- They can make you wait up to 6 months for pre-existing conditions to be covered if you didn't have at least 6 months of prior creditable coverage (each month of prior coverage shortens the wait).
If you're under 65
Federal law doesn't give people under 65 a Medigap Open Enrollment Period, but many states do. Everyone gets their federal window when they turn 65. Check your state page.
If you miss it
You can still apply, but insurers in most states can ask health questions and decide whether to accept you and at what price. Guaranteed issue rights and some state rules give other protected chances; see our guide to guaranteed issue rights.
Common questions
No. The October 15 to December 7 period is for Medicare Advantage and Part D plans. Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is personal to you and happens once.
If you join Medicare Advantage when first eligible at 65 and leave within 12 months, a trial right lets you buy any Medigap policy. Otherwise, choosing Medicare Advantage first can mean losing your easy access to Medigap.
Want help with your own choices?
Every state runs a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) with trained counselors who give free, unbiased Medicare help and do not sell plans. Find yours on our Medicare by state pages, or call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Planning the rest of your coverage in retirement? We can help with life insurance later in life and final expense coverage.
Sources
- Choosing a Medigap Policy (March 2026), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Checked September 29, 2026.
- When can I buy Medigap?, Medicare.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
General information about the federal Medicare program, not advice about your situation. Figures are for 2026 unless stated and change every year; last reviewed September 29, 2026. Quote My Policy is a private company. Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program.
Quote My Policy does not sell Medicare plans on this site. For plan-specific help, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program.