Medicare Supplement Plan Underwriting

The best time to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan without going through medical underwriting is during your Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period.

Outside of your Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period, insurance companies may require medical underwriting. This means they can consider your health status and medical history when deciding whether to accept your application and how much to charge you for the policy. There are some special circumstances, such as losing employer-sponsored health coverage.  Be sure to ask if you fall into a special circumstance.

Medicare Supplement Underwriting Questions

Typical Carrier underwriting questions.  Answering YES to any question below - you will INELIGIBLE for coverage.

1. Are you currently:
A. Hospitalized confined to a nursing facility, bedridden or require the use of a wheelchair or motorized mobility aid? 
B. Receiving hospice, home health care or physical therapy? 

2. Have you ever been medically diagnosed or treated for diabetes:
A. That requires insulin or more than (2) two oral medications? 
B. With history of heart attack, stroke or any kidney disease? 
C. With complications including retinopathy, neuropathy or peripheral vascular disease? 

3. If you have diabetes in conjunction with high blood pressure, have there been any changes or
adjustments in your medications because of uncontrolled blood sugar in the past 24 months? 
(If you do not have diabetes this question should be answered “NO”)

4. Have you ever had or been advised to have any bone marrow transplant, stem cell transplant,
an organ transplant or any amputation caused by disease?

5. At any time have you been medically diagnosed with, treated for, or had surgery for any of the following:
A. Alzheimer’s disease, senile dementia, or any other cognitive disorder?
B. Emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sarcoidosis, or any
pulmonary condition treated with supplemental oxygen or a nebulizer?
C. Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s
disease), muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy?
D. Lupus, scleroderma, myasthenia gravis or Paget’s disease?
E. Osteoporosis with fracture(s), crippling/disabling arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis?
F. Chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis?
G. Retinopathy, wet macular degeneration or any eye condition that required injection(s)?
H. Addison’s disease, Hodgkin’s Disease, kidney failure or ever had kidney dialysis?
I. Congestive heart failure or a cardiac defibrillator?
J. Lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myeloma or more than (1) one occurrence of internal cancer?
K. Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), AIDS related complex (ARC), or
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection?

6. Within the past (5) five years, have you been treated for, or been advised to have treatment for;
A. Hepatitis C, alcoholism, drug abuse, or had a mental or nervous disorder requiring
a hospital confinement?
B. Any condition that resulted in chemotherapy or radiation treatments?
C. Osteopenia, Osteoporosis or any Arthritic condition whereas treatment included
infusions(s) or injection(s)?

7. Within the past (2) two years, have you been treated for, or been advised to have treatment for:
A. Heart attack, cardiomyopathy, an enlarged heart, Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)?
B. Coronary bypass surgery, heart valve surgery, aneurysm, angioplasty, or vascular
surgery including stent(s) placement and or artery blockage?
C. Heart rhythm disorder, Atrial fibrillation (AFIB) or have you had a pacemaker implanted?
D. Any form of Internal cancer or melanoma?

8. Within the past (3) three years, have you been advised by a medical professional to have any:
A. Treatment(s), further evaluation, diagnostic testing, or surgery that has not been
performed or do you have pending test results?
B. Cataract surgery which has not been performed or which is anticipated in the next 12 months?