Medigap Pre-Existing Condition Waiting Period

Eligibility Team
Researcher & Writer
December 06, 2019

A Medigap policy (also known as Medicare Supplement Insurance) is an insurance policy offered by private companies to cover some coverage gaps of Medicare Part A and Part B (Original Medicare). For example, Medigap policies can pay for deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments, as well as some services that are not provided by Original Medicare, such as if you become sick while traveling overseas.

During the Medigap open enrollment period, which lasts for six months and begins on the first day of the month in which you’re both 65 (or older) and enrolled in Medicare Part B, the Medigap insurance company cannot make you wait for coverage to start—except under certain circumstances.

The preexisting condition waiting period

An insurance company generally isn’t allowed to make you wait for your Medigap coverage to begin, but it may be able to delay coverage if you have a preexisting condition. (A preexisting condition is a health issue or condition that you have prior to the date when the new insurance policy starts its coverage.)

This waiting period is called a “preexisting condition waiting period.”

How the preexisting condition waiting period works

The insurance company can exclude coverage for the preexisting condition if the condition was treated or diagnosed within six months before the coverage starts under the Medigap policy.

If you’re subject to a preexisting condition waiting period, the insurance company can make you wait for up to six months before it will cover your out-of-pocket costs for that condition. Once the waiting period expires, then the Medigap policy covers the preexisting condition. (Original Medicare will still cover the condition even during the preexisting condition waiting period, though the Medigap policy won't cover your out-of-pocket costs. This means you’ll be held responsible for the coinsurance or copayment.)

Avoiding or Reducing the Waiting Period

In some cases, you can either avoid or reduce a waiting period for a preexisting condition. For example, if you are replacing particular types of health insurance that count as "creditable coverage," the waiting period can be eliminated or shortened.

Generally, if you had any other health insurance that covered your preexisting condition before applying for a Medigap policy, this will count as creditable coverage. In cases where you had at least six months of continuous creditable coverage without a break in coverage of more than 63 days, there is no waiting period.

Learn more about what to do if you might encounter a waiting period for Medigap in the article, "Does Medicare Cover Preexisting Conditions?"


Content on this site has not been reviewed or endorsed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the United States Government, any state Medicare agency, or any private insurance agency (collectively "Medicare System Providers"). Eligibility.com is a DBA of Clear Link Technologies, LLC and is not affiliated with any Medicare System Providers.

Eligibility Team
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