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If someone is taking a Med Supp for the first time it is at the discretion of the company if they want to issue the policy and impose a waiting period for any pre-existing conditions. Regardless if the person has prior coverage. However, most companies today will cover pre-existing conditions if the applicant has had credible coverage in the last 63 days.
However, as I have stated before, if one is in doubt do not rely 100% on what is written here, especially if it will put your income or license in jeopardy. Call the company.
Frank,
Thanks.
Even some of what you said can still vary from state to state. For example, in the state of Maine the consumer guide to medicare supplements says:
"If you had prior health insurance coverage and replace it with a Medicare supplement policy, you cannot be made to satisfy a new condition exclusion for similar benefits. This is tre whether the prior policy is group coverage through an employer, individual coverage, or another Medicare policy"
This would seem to say that if you have creditable coverage they have to take you without pre-ex waiting. If you are in a guaranteed issue period but not coming off of creditable coverage they have to issue the policy but can still impose the waiting period. Methinks.
I certainly agree that one must call the carrier but there is also the caveat that many of the support people are completely worthless and you have to know what questions go with the carrier versus when you need to double and triple check not only by asking around by talking to the DOI as well. Note that I did not say to rely solely upon anyone here but dont turn down any knowledge either and then test it with another source.
Thanks again.
Winter