Medigap Open Enrollment Period: When Your 6-Month Window Starts
Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is a one-time 6-month window that starts the first month you're 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During it, a company can't turn you down or charge more because of your health, though it may make you wait up to 6 months to cover a pre-existing condition. You can apply for a Medigap policy at any time, but timing matters: outside this window, insurers may ask health questions, charge more or turn you down.
Sources: Medicare.gov: When can I buy a Medigap policy? · Choosing a Medigap Policy
Key takeaways
- When it starts: the first month you're both 65 or older and enrolled in Part B.
- How long it lasts: 6 months. It happens once and doesn't repeat every year.
- Inside the window: a company can't turn you down or charge more because of your health, though it may make you wait up to 6 months to cover a pre-existing condition.
- Outside the window: insurers may ask health questions, charge more or turn you down.
- Not the same as fall Open Enrollment: Medicare's October 15 to December 7 Open Enrollment is for Medicare Advantage and drug plans, not Medigap.
Want help confirming your Medigap Open Enrollment dates? Book a phone or video call with our Utah team.
Call 801-255-5341Book a phone or video callMon–Fri 9am–5pm MT · TTY 711
This guide explains the federal Medigap Open Enrollment Period: when it starts, how long it lasts, what it means for your application, and how it differs from Medicare's other enrollment windows. It covers the federal rule only. We don't show prices or recommend a plan.
New to Medigap? Start with What is Medigap? and come back here.
What is the Medigap Open Enrollment Period?
Medigap, also called Medicare Supplement Insurance, helps pay your share of costs in Original Medicare. Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is the time Medicare.gov points to for buying a Medigap policy. It's a 6-month period that starts the first day of the month you're 65 or older and signed up for Part B (Medicare.gov).
According to Choosing a Medigap Policy, it's a one-time enrollment period that doesn't repeat every year, and once it starts it can't be changed or repeated (Choosing a Medigap Policy).
When does your Medigap Open Enrollment Period start?
- You're turning 65 and sign up for Part B: your window starts the first month you're 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. Medicare counts you as 65 the day before your birthday, so if your birthday is on the 1st, that's the month before.
- You delay Part B because you have job-based coverage: your window starts once you sign up for Part B and lasts 6 months, even if you sign up while you still have employer coverage (Medicare.gov). See still working at 65.
- You have Medicare before 65 because of a disability or ESRD: federal law doesn't require companies to sell Medigap policies to people under 65, and rules vary by state. The Utah Insurance Department can tell you what's available in Utah before 65. If you already have Part B, you'll still get a Medigap Open Enrollment Period when you turn 65 (Choosing a Medigap Policy).
Find your Medigap Open Enrollment Period dates
Enter your birth month and year and the month your Part B starts (or started). The calculator shows the six months of your federal Medigap Open Enrollment Period.
What the window means for your application
- Inside the window: this is the time Medicare.gov points to for buying a Medigap policy. A company can't turn you down or charge more because of your health, though it may make you wait up to 6 months to cover a pre-existing condition.
- Outside the window: insurers may ask health questions, charge more or turn you down (Medicare.gov).
The pre-existing condition waiting period
A pre-existing condition is a health problem you have before the date a new policy starts. A Medigap company can make you wait up to 6 months before it covers your out-of-pocket costs for a pre-existing condition. It can do this only if the condition was treated or diagnosed within the 6 months before your Medigap coverage starts (Choosing a Medigap Policy).
- Original Medicare still covers the condition for Medicare-covered services during any waiting period. You pay the Medicare coinsurance or copayment.
- Prior coverage can shorten the wait. If you buy during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period and had at least 6 months of continuous prior creditable coverage, the company can't make you wait; less than 6 months shortens the wait. Coverage counts only if your break in coverage was no more than 63 days. Your insurance company can tell you whether your previous coverage counts.
Medigap Open Enrollment vs Medicare's other enrollment windows
| Medigap Open Enrollment Period | Medicare Open Enrollment | Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period | |
|---|---|---|---|
| When | 6 months, starting the first month you're 65 or older with Part B | October 15 to December 7, every year | January 1 to March 31, every year |
| How often | Once | Every year | Every year |
| What it's for | Buying a Medigap policy | Joining, switching or dropping Medicare Advantage and drug plans | One change if you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan |
Sources: Medicare.gov: When can I buy a Medigap policy? · Joining a plan
Medigap doesn't have a yearly open enrollment under federal rules. Learn about the yearly windows in When is Medicare Open Enrollment? and Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period in Utah, and see all your dates in Medicare enrollment dates in Utah.
How to use your Medigap Open Enrollment Period
Confirm when your Part B starts
Your window can't start until you're enrolled in Part B. See turning 65 in Utah for how Part B sign-up works.
Find your window's six months
Use the calculator above. Your window starts with the later of the month you turn 65 and the month your Part B starts.
Compare plan letters
Benefits are standardized by letter, so choose the letter first. See Plan G vs Plan N, Medicare Supplement Plan G, Medicare Supplement Plan N and high deductible Plan G.
Compare companies that sell the letter in Utah
Premiums aren't standardized. Ask how each company prices its policy (community-rated, issue-age-rated or attained-age-rated) and whether it has a pre-existing condition waiting period.
Add drug coverage
Medigap policies sold today don't include drug coverage, so compare Medicare drug plans (Part D) for your prescriptions.
You can apply for a Medigap policy at any time, but timing matters. For the Utah picture across all letters, see Medicare Supplement plans in Utah.
Considering Medicare Advantage instead?
The Medigap Open Enrollment Period applies to Medigap, which works only with Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage is a different path with its own enrollment windows. Learn how it works in What is Medicare Part C?, compare the two coverage styles in Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement, or use our Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage comparison tool.
How our team helps
We're Boo Insurance Services, a licensed independent Medicare agency in Draper, licensed since 2014. We've helped 1,000+ Utahns with Medicare and have 170+ 5-Star Google Reviews. We meet by phone or video anywhere in Utah, help you confirm your Medigap Open Enrollment dates and explain the plan letters in plain language. You won't pay us a fee. Insurance companies pay us when you enroll, and that doesn't change your plan's benefits, coverage or premium. If we talk about Medicare Advantage or drug plans, Medicare rules require a short Scope of Appointment form first. You decide, with no obligation.
Not sure when your window starts? Call or book a phone or video call, and we'll walk through your dates.
Call 801-255-5341Book a phone or video callMon–Fri 9am–5pm MT · TTY 711
Frequently asked questions
When is the Medigap Open Enrollment Period?
It's a one-time 6-month window that starts the first month you're 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During it, a company can't turn you down or charge more because of your health, though it may make you wait up to 6 months to cover a pre-existing condition. Outside it, insurers may ask health questions, charge more or turn you down.
Can I buy a Medigap policy outside my Medigap Open Enrollment Period?
You can apply for a Medigap policy at any time, but timing matters. Outside your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, insurers may ask health questions, charge more or turn you down, unless you have a guaranteed issue right. These rights apply only in certain situations, such as when a Medicare Advantage plan leaves your area or employer coverage ends (Medicare.gov).
Does the Medigap Open Enrollment Period happen every year?
No. It's a one-time window. Medicare's yearly Open Enrollment, October 15 to December 7, is for Medicare Advantage and drug plans, not Medigap.
What if I delay Part B because I'm still working?
Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period starts once you sign up for Part B and lasts 6 months, even if you sign up while you still have employer coverage.
Can a Medigap company make me wait for coverage of a pre-existing condition?
Yes, for up to 6 months, even during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, if the condition was treated or diagnosed in the 6 months before your coverage starts. If you buy during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period and had at least 6 months of continuous prior creditable coverage, with no break of more than 63 days, the company can't make you wait.
I have Medicare because of a disability. Do I get a Medigap Open Enrollment Period?
Federal law doesn't require companies to sell Medigap policies to people under 65, and rules vary by state. The Utah Insurance Department can tell you what's available in Utah before 65. If you already have Part B, you'll get a Medigap Open Enrollment Period when you turn 65.
Is the Medigap Open Enrollment Period the same as Medicare Open Enrollment?
No. Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7 every year and is for Medicare Advantage and drug plans. The Medigap Open Enrollment Period is your one-time 6-month window to buy a Medigap policy.
Can I use my Medigap Open Enrollment Period to buy Medigap with a Medicare Advantage plan?
No. Medigap can't be used with a Medicare Advantage plan. Medigap works only with Original Medicare.
Serving Utah residents. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 9 organizations which offer 58 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
Related guides
Sources
- Medicare.gov, When can I buy a Medigap policy?
- Medicare.gov, Choosing a Medigap Policy (CMS Product 02110)
- Medicare.gov, Joining a plan
- Medicare.gov, Compare Medigap plan benefits
Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. Fores Boo, licensed independent Medicare agent, NPN 17255694, Boo Insurance Services, 61 W 13490 S Ste 201, Draper, UT 84020.
Last updated: October 21, 2026.