Eligibility for Medigap
A Medigap policy is a type of insurance sold by private companies to supplement Original Medicare (Parts A and B). Medigap policies cover coinsurance, deductibles and certain services Medicare doesn’t cover.
Under California law, if you have Medicare coverage due to a disability (except end-stage renal disease), you have the right to buy a Medigap policy for 6 months after the effective date of your Medicare Part B benefits. During this time, you can purchase Medigap plans A, B, C, F, K or L. See Open Enrollment If You are Younger Than Age 65.
Medigap insurance companies are permitted to impose a waiting period before covering a pre-existing condition, except when you had health coverage during the 6 months prior to purchasing a Medigap plan or you qualify for a guaranteed-issue period. For more information, see our Medigap section.
End-Stage Renal Disease & Medigap
If you are younger than age 65 with end-stage renal disease, you do not have guaranteed access to Medigap insurance and may be unable to buy coverage to supplement Medicare. However, you may apply for the California Major Risk Medical Insurance Program (MRMIP), which is a health insurance program for Californians who are unable to obtain individual coverage in the public insurance market. For more information, call 1-800-289-6574 or visit the MRMIP website.
