Guaranteed Issue Rights
Guaranteed-issue rights force carriers to sell you Medigap without underwriting in specific federal situations — and some states add more. Knowing your GI situations is the difference between a clean switch and a decline.
| Situation | GI Window | Plan Choice |
|---|---|---|
| MA plan ending / leaving service area | 63 days from notice | Any A, B, D, G, K, L, N |
| Employer coverage ending | 63 days | Guaranteed-acceptance plans |
| Medicare SELECT exit | 63 days | Any plan of same letter or less |
| Advantage trial right ending | 63 days | Any plan sold in state |
| Medigap carrier insolvency / misleading sales | 63 days | Same letter or less |
How to claim a GI window
Save every notice letter — MA termination notices, employer-coverage end letters, SELECT exit documentation — and apply within 63 days of the trigger date with the notice attached. The mechanics per situation live in the enrollment library; state extensions are on the state board.
What GI does not do
GI guarantees acceptance, not pricing — carriers may (rarely) apply standard rates but cannot health-rate you in GI. It also does not reopen closed plans: Plan F stays closed to post-2019 eligibles regardless of GI status.
FAQ
Is there a Medigap GI right every year?
No — GI rights are event-driven, not annual.
Do GI windows stack with the birthday rule?
Independent rules — in CA you may have both.
Related reading: All windows · State rules · Switching rules