Which of the following is true about Medicare supplement insurance underwriting criteria in states where underwriting applies?

The correct answer is that underwriting is required if the consumer is not in their Medicare supplement open enrollment period. This is important because the open enrollment period is a specific time frame during which individuals can apply for Medicare supplement insurance without the risk of being denied coverage based on health status.

Outside of this enrollment period, insurance providers can impose underwriting criteria to evaluate the applicant's health condition, which can influence eligibility and premium rates. This means that if a person applies for a Medicare supplement policy outside the open enrollment window and does not meet certain guaranteed issue criteria—such as having certain health conditions or being in specific circumstances—they may face underwriting, which could include a review of their medical history and potential denials based on pre-existing conditions.

Overall, understanding this aspect of Medicare supplement insurance is crucial for consumers, as it emphasizes the importance of applying during open enrollment to secure coverage without the barriers that come with underwriting.