Questions & answers · Health insurance
When should I buy a Medigap policy and how do I choose one?
Health insuranceBuying a policyChecked Nov 6, 2026
From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-06 · Source: Medicare.gov View original ↗
In short
- Buy in the 6 months after Part B starts, at 65 or older.
- Then you can buy any Medigap policy sold in your state, even with health problems.
- Plans with the same letter have the same benefits.
What this means
Medicare.gov says the time to buy a Medigap policy is when you are 65 or older and first have Part A and Part B. You get a six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period [1]. In that time you may buy any Medigap policy sold in your state, even if you have health problems [1]. After it ends, you might not be able to buy one, or it may cost more [1].
Medigap plans are named by letters. Policies with the same letter have the same benefits, so price is the only difference [2]. Ask more than one company for a quote [2]. You can also ask your State Insurance Department about complaints against a company [2].
Your next step
Buy a Medigap policy during the 6 months after you are 65 or older and first have Part A and Part B [1]. Price is the only difference between policies with the same letter sold by different companies, so compare the same letter across companies [2]. Contact your State Insurance Department to find out if a company has complaints against it [2].
Check it yourself
Open Medicare.gov, Buying a Medigap policy, at https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/get-more-coverage/buying-a-medigap-policy and read the part quoted above. Source 2 lists another page to open. Your own plan or policy papers hold details these sources do not give: "Don't know yet" for your case.
Where this comes from (2)
[1] Medicare.gov · checked 2026-11-06
The best time to buy a Medigap policy is when you're 65 (or older) and first get Part A and Part B. Generally, you need Part A and Part B to buy a Medigap policy. This is your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. You have 6 months after your Part B coverage starts to buy a policy. During this time, you may be able to buy any Medigap policy sold in your state, even if you have health problems … After your Medigap Open Enro…
[2] Medicare.gov · checked 2026-11-06
Price is the only difference between policies with the same letter sold by different companies … Contact your State Insurance Department to find out if they have any complaints against the insurance companies selling the plan you want
How we found this
We matched your question to 2 official sources, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-06.
What we don’t know yet
Your own plan or notice may say something different. If your letter cites another rule, send it and we will look again.
Every answer is checked against the official rule it quotes.
Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.
This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.
Related answers
- How do I get out of Medicare Advantage and go back to Original Medicare, and can I still buy a Medigap plan?
- I'm turning 65 but still working with job-based health insurance. Do I need to sign up for Medicare Part B now?
- I'm turning 65 and have a Marketplace plan. What happens to it when Medicare starts?
- How does a Medicaid spend down work if my income is too high?
Answer id PQ4006. Spotted an error? Tell us.