Can consumers enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan at any time?

The ability of consumers to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan at any time is indeed a common misconception. However, the correct understanding is that consumers are not allowed to enroll or disenroll in these plans at will. There are specific periods designated by Medicare during which individuals can enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan.

Medicare Supplement plans, also known as Medigap plans, have an Open Enrollment Period which takes place when a person is 65 years old or older and is enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this time, consumers can enroll in any Medigap plan without facing medical underwriting, which means they cannot be denied coverage based on pre-existing conditions. After this Open Enrollment Period ends, enrolling in a Medigap plan may become more restrictive.

Considering this, consumers must pay attention to the designated times to enroll in Medicare Supplement plans and are generally restricted to those periods rather than being able to enroll at any time. Therefore, the idea that consumers can enroll at any time is not accurate based on how the Medicare Supplement enrollment rules are structured.