California tries but fails to fix a major Medicare loophole for seniors

[Northeast Agent]

https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/07/25/nx-s1-5050850/california-tries-but-fails-to-fix-a-major-medicare-loophole-for-seniors

Four states reformed Medigap in the 1990s — Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and New York. The rest, including California, allow Medigap insurers wide leeway in setting prices and issuing denials.

California’s bill would have created a 90-day open enrollment period for Medigap, every single year. That would allow seniors to opt-in or out each year and not be denied — or face exorbitant premiums due to pre-existing conditions.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society became a major supporter of the effort to pass the bill.

“Cancer or any chronic illness is very, very expensive, and that's why having supplemental coverage is important,” said Adam Zarrin, a policy analyst for the Society. “The second part is about making sure that patients have access to the best health care available.”

Zarrin says leukemia and other blood cancers are more commonly diagnosed in older adults, after age 55.

 

[somarco]

“Cancer or any chronic illness is very, very expensive, and that's why having supplemental coverage is important,”

And allowing folks the ability to change every year, without underwriting, will result in adverse selection which will drive premiums up.

Why does Kali need this any way? Don't they have the birthday rule?

 

[Northeast Agent]

somarco said:

Why does Kali need this any way? Don't they have the birthday rule?

Yep, but I think you still have to enroll initially when new to Part B. After that, happy birthday!