When it comes to health insurance, timing is very important. This is even more true if you have had a health problem in the past. It could be something serious like heart disease, or something common like high blood pressure.

In Medicare Supplement (“Medigap”) coverage, these past health problems are called pre-existing conditions. How these conditions affect your coverage depends on when and how you sign up. Your early choices can change what you pay and what kind of coverage you can get.

Below, this Supplemental insurance agency in Michigan City, Indiana is going to explain what pre-existing conditions mean in terms of Medigap coverage.

What do insurance companies consider a pre-existing condition?

A pre-existing condition is any health problem you had before your Medigap coverage started. This can be diabetes, asthma, an old back injury, etc. If you were treated for it, diagnosed with it, or even saw a doctor about it in the six months before your new Medigap coverage, insurance companies usually count it as pre-existing.

Why should you care about this?

Because if you don’t sign up at the right time, insurance companies can check your health history. They can then decide how they want to handle your coverage. They might charge you more. They could make you wait before covering certain treatments. Sometimes, they can even deny your policy altogether.

This is why it’s helpful to consult with an experienced Supplemental insurance agency in Michigan City, Indiana. They can tell you if any of your past health problems will be treated as pre-existing.

Your best protection comes from enrolling during your six-month window.

There is one time when none of these worries apply. It is called your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This period starts when you are 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. You then have six months to buy any Medigap plan you want.

Insurance companies cannot consider your past health conditions during these six months. They must accept you and give you full coverage.

But if you miss this six-month window, the rules change. After that, you must go through medical underwriting. This is when the insurance companies will check your health history. They can then apply waiting periods or even deny you coverage based on your pre-existing conditions.

This is why you must start planning for Medigap early. If you sign up during Open Enrollment, you don’t have to worry about your past health affecting your options.

Prior health coverage can count toward your new Medigap plan.

Even if you apply later and have pre-existing conditions, there are ways to avoid waiting periods. For example, having “creditable coverage” in the last six months can help. This includes other health insurance or Medicare Advantage coverage.

Time spent with this type of coverage can count toward your waiting period. Sometimes, it can even remove the waiting period completely, and your new Medigap coverage can start immediately.

An experienced Supplemental insurance agency in Michigan City, Indiana can help you in these situations. They know how to document your prior coverage and will make sure it counts when you apply for your new plan.

There are times when pre-existing conditions will not limit your coverage.

There are some special times called guaranteed issue periods, during which insurance companies must offer coverage even if you have pre-existing conditions. They also can’t delay your benefits. These situations include moving out of your Medicare Advantage plan’s area or losing employer coverage.

Some states give you extra protection. For example, some states let you change Medigap plans during your birthday month, and you will not have to go through medical underwriting for that.

An experienced Supplemental insurance agency will know the state rules. They can tell you about any safe options to change your plan if your situation changes.

Looking for a Supplemental Insurance Agency in Michigan City, Indiana?

If you have had past health problems, you should talk about how they might affect your Medigap options. The rules around pre-existing conditions can be confusing. But with professional guidance, you can easily manage them.

Are you looking for a Supplemental insurance agency in Michigan City, Indiana that can help you make sense of your Medigap options and find an appropriate plan? If so, you’ve come to the right place — Senior Care Insurance Services is the top choice. Contact us today to get started.