When is a Medicare Supplement Insurance consumer subject to underwriting and screened for eligibility?

A Medicare Supplement Insurance consumer is subject to underwriting and screened for eligibility when they are not in their Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment period. During their Open Enrollment period, which lasts for six months beginning the first month they have Medicare Part B and are 65 years of age, consumers have guaranteed access to a Medicare Supplement policy without undergoing medical underwriting. This means they cannot be denied coverage or charged higher premiums based on health status.

When a consumer moves outside of this Open Enrollment window, they may encounter underwriting processes, where their medical history and other factors are evaluated. This can determine eligibility and possibly impact the premium costs they may face when applying for a Medicare Supplement plan. Therefore, a consumer who is applying for Medicare Supplement Insurance outside of their Open Enrollment period would need to go through underwriting, making this the correct scenario.