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Guaranteed Issue Medicare Supplement Rights 2027: Who Qualifies, Plans and Deadlines

Reviewed by Russell Noga, Licensed Medicare Insurance Broker (all 50 states) — Last updated October 28, 2026

A guaranteed issue Medicare Supplement right means a company must sell you certain plans, cannot charge more for your health and cannot make you wait for pre-existing condition coverage. You get these rights only in specific situations, such as losing other coverage, and usually must apply within 63 days.

Outside your first open enrollment window, most Medicare Supplement companies can ask about your health and turn you down. A guaranteed issue right takes that power away for a short time.

These rights are easy to miss because nobody sends you a reminder. This guide lists every federal situation, the plan letters you can buy in each, the deadlines and the papers to keep. If you want to switch plans for other reasons, such as a rate increase, see our guide on whether you can change Medicare Supplement plans.

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What Guaranteed Issue Means for a Medicare Supplement

Guaranteed issue Medicare Supplement protections in 2027: no denial, no health surcharge and a 63-day window

Guaranteed issue rights come from federal law. When you have one, a Medicare Supplement company that sells the plan in your state must give you the protections below. Some states add more rights on top of these.

No denial. The company must sell you a plan it offers, even if you have health problems.

No health surcharge. It cannot charge you more because of past or current health conditions.

No pre-existing condition wait. It must cover your pre-existing conditions right away instead of making you wait.

Guaranteed issue is not the same as your one-time Medigap open enrollment period, the 6 months starting the month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. Guaranteed issue rights protect you after that window closes.

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Every Federal Guaranteed Issue Situation

Medicare lists the situations below. You must be in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), or switching to it, to use any of them.

Your situation Plans you can buy When to apply
Medicare Advantage plan leaves Medicare or your area, or you move out of it A, B, C, D, F, G, K or L 60 days before to 63 days after coverage ends
Employer, retiree, union or COBRA coverage that pays after Medicare ends A, B, C, D, F, G, K or L Within 63 days of the end date, notice or claim denial, whichever is latest
Medicare SELECT policy and you move out of its area A, B, C, D, F, G, K or L 60 days before to 63 days after coverage ends
Trial right: joined Medicare Advantage at 65 and leave within a year Any plan sold in your state 60 days before to 63 days after coverage ends
Trial right: dropped a Medicare Supplement plan to try Medicare Advantage for the first time and leave within a year Your old plan if still sold; if not, A, B, C, D, F, G, K or L 60 days before to 63 days after coverage ends
Your Medicare Supplement company goes bankrupt or your plan ends through no fault of yours A, B, C, D, F, G, K or L Within 63 days of coverage ending
You leave a plan because the company broke the rules or misled you A, B, C, D, F, G, K or L Within 63 days of coverage ending

Based on Medicare’s guaranteed issue rights list. Plans C and F are only for people eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. Rights for people under 65 vary by state.

Good to know: A change in your employer plan’s benefits or costs does not create a federal right. The coverage itself has to end.

Which Plan Letters You Can Get With Guaranteed Issue

In most situations the federal list is Plans A, B, C, D, F, G, K and L. The year you became eligible for Medicare changes what that list means for you.

New to Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. You cannot buy Plan C or Plan F. Plans D and G take their place, so Medicare Supplement Plan G is usually the richest plan you can get.

Eligible for Medicare before 2020. You can still choose Plan C or Plan F, along with the other letters on the list, if a company sells them in your state.

Plans M and N. They are not on the general federal list, but the trial right for people who joined Medicare Advantage at 65 opens every plan in your state, including Plan N.

Want Medicare Supplement Plan N but your right does not include it? You can still apply with health questions.

Deadlines and the Proof You Need

Guaranteed issue Medicare Supplement timeline from 60 days before to 63 days after coverage ends
1

Up to 60 days before. If you know coverage is ending, you can apply as early as 60 days before it stops.

2

The day coverage ends. Ask for your new Medicare Supplement plan to start the day after your old coverage stops so there is no gap.

3

No later than 63 days after. After day 63 the right is gone, and the company can ask health questions again.

Termination letters and notices. Keep any letter or email that says your plan or coverage is ending, and the date on it.

Claim denials. If a denied claim is how you learned coverage ended, keep it. Its date can start your 63 days.

Postmarked envelopes. It can prove when a notice was sent.

Broker tip: The company may ask for a copy of your proof with your application. Scan or photograph every notice the day it arrives.

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State Rights Beyond Federal Guaranteed Issue

Many states add their own rights. Most let you switch plans each year to one with the same or fewer benefits.

Type of rule States What it lets you do
Birthday rule California, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming A yearly window around your birthday to switch without health questions
Anniversary rule Missouri Switch to the same plan letter with another company 30 days before or after your policy anniversary
Switch any time Maine, Washington Switch to equal or lesser benefits if any gap in coverage is under 90 days
Year-round guaranteed issue Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts Buy a plan any time of year with no health questions (Massachusetts in practice)

Based on KFF’s state review (October 2026). New Mexico’s birthday rule starts January 1, 2027. Rules change often; confirm with your state insurance department.

Our guide to changing Medicare Supplement plans breaks down the birthday rule window in each state.

How to Use a Guaranteed Issue Right Step by Step

1

Confirm your situation and gather proof. Match your event to a federal or state rule and pull together the notice or claim denial.

2

Compare rates for the plans you can buy. The same plan letter can cost very different amounts between companies.

3

Apply and say you have a guaranteed issue right. Tell the company which situation applies so it skips health review.

4

Set the start date. Line up the new plan to begin when the old coverage ends.

5

Use your 30-day free look. You can review the new plan for 30 days and cancel for a refund if it does not fit.

Before you leave Medicare Advantage: Weighing a return to Original Medicare during your trial right? See our Medicare Supplement vs Medicare Advantage guide.

Bottom Line

A guaranteed issue Medicare Supplement right lets you buy certain plans with no health questions or pre-existing condition wait, but only after specific events and usually within 63 days. Keep every notice, apply early and check your state for extra rights.

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Guaranteed Issue Medicare Supplement — Frequently Asked Questions

➤ What is a guaranteed issue Medicare Supplement right?

It is a protection that requires a company to sell you certain Medicare Supplement plans, cover pre-existing conditions and charge you its normal rate. You get it only in specific situations, such as losing other coverage.

➤ How long do I have to use a guaranteed issue right?

In most federal situations you must apply no later than 63 days after your old coverage ends. In some, you can apply as early as 60 days before it ends.

➤ Which plans can I buy with guaranteed issue?

Usually Plans A, B, C, D, F, G, K and L. Plans C and F are only for people eligible for Medicare before 2020. Under the trial right for people who joined Medicare Advantage at 65, any plan sold in your state is available.

➤ Is Plan N guaranteed issue?

Plan N is not on the general federal list. It is available under the Medicare Advantage trial right for people who joined at 65, under some state rules, or with health questions.

➤ What is the Medicare Advantage trial right?

If you joined Medicare Advantage at 65 or for the first time, you can leave within the first year and buy a Medicare Supplement plan without health questions.

➤ Does losing employer coverage give me a guaranteed issue right?

Yes, if your employer, retiree or union coverage that pays after Medicare ends. A change in benefits or cost alone does not count.

➤ What proof do I need for guaranteed issue?

Keep letters, notices, claim denials and postmarked envelopes that show your coverage ended. The company may ask for a copy with your application.

➤ Do states offer more guaranteed issue rights?

Yes. Many states have birthday, anniversary or year-round rules. Rules change often, so check with your state insurance department.

New to Medicare?

If you are new to Medicare, then you can enroll in a 2027 Medicare Supplement plan up to six months prior to your Medicare Part B effective date.

Call one of our licensed insurance agents to see what the best time frame is for you to enroll, based on your current situation. You can contact them at 1-855-409-6195.

Medicare Supplement Quotes

Call a Licensed Agent Now

Compare 2027 Plan G, Plan N and more from several insurance companies in one call.

☎ 1-855-409-6195

No obligation to enroll

Compare plans & benefits in your area

Or speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-855-409-6195TTY 711

Mon-Fri: 5am-7pm, Sat-Sun: 7am-4pm CT

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This website and the Medicare Supplement insurance plans referenced on it are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance is sold by private insurance companies. MedicareSupplementPlans2027.org is a website owned and operated by ZRN Health & Financial Services, LLC, a Texas limited liability company and licensed insurance agency. We do not offer every plan or insurance company available in your area; any information we provide is limited to the plans and companies we represent. Plan availability, benefits and premiums vary by state, age, gender, tobacco use, ZIP code and insurance company, and are subject to underwriting where permitted by law. Rates and figures shown on this site may reflect 2026 data and are for informational purposes only; your actual premium will be determined by the insurance company. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. Medicare Supplement plans are not Medicare Advantage plans and do not include prescription drug coverage. By submitting your information in the form, you agree to this site's privacy policy and expressly consent to be contacted at the number entered in the form (including a wireless number if provided) by licensed insurance agents or other partners offering related products that may be of interest to you, by phone, email or text. You understand that these calls may be generated using an automatic telephone dialing system, a pre-recorded message or artificial voice, or by sending SMS messages. Your telephone company may impose additional charges for such messages. You understand that you are not required to provide this consent to purchase goods or services. Receiving quotes through our website is always free, and you are under no obligation to purchase any goods or services as a result of this request. For information on all of your Medicare options, contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).