Connecticut's Year-Round Guaranteed Issue Rights: What Makes This State Special
Connecticut is one of the few states offering year-round guaranteed issue rights for certain Medigap plans. This means Connecticut residents are NOT limited to the federal 6-month enrollment period when it comes to Plans C, D, F, and G. You can switch to these plans anytime without medical underwriting.
Connecticut's Unique Protection
Plans with Year-Round Guaranteed Issue: C, D, F, and G
Plans Following Federal Rules: A, B, K, L, M, and N (only guaranteed issue during your 6-month Open Enrollment Period)
This is a HUGE advantage. If you're in a Plan N and want to switch to Plan G later, you can do so in Connecticut without worrying about being denied or charged more due to health conditions. Most other states require medical underwriting after your initial 6-month window.
Why Connecticut's Year-Round Guaranteed Issue Matters
- Flexibility to switch plans: If your health changes or Plan G becomes more affordable relative to Plan N, you can switch anytime.
- No penalty for starting with Plan N: Many people choose Plan N initially to save money, knowing they can upgrade to Plan G later if needed.
- Protection against rate increases: If your current Plan G insurer raises rates significantly, you can shop around and switch to another company's Plan G without medical questions.
- Peace of mind: You're not locked into your decision forever like residents of most other states.
Connecticut Medigap Open Enrollment Period
Even with Connecticut's year-round protections for certain plans, your initial Medigap Open Enrollment Period is still important. This 6-month window begins on the first day of the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B.
During this period, you have guaranteed issue rights to all Medigap plans, including A, B, K, L, M, and N. After this period ends, Plans A, B, K, L, M, and N require medical underwriting unless you have a guaranteed issue situation (like losing employer coverage).
Most Popular Medigap Plans in Connecticut
Connecticut offers all 10 standardized Medigap plans, but the most popular choices are:
| Plan | Coverage Level | Best For | CT Monthly Premium* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan G | Comprehensive | Most new enrollees (best value) | $180 - $280 |
| Plan N | High with copays | Those wanting lower premiums | $130 - $200 |
| Plan F | Most comprehensive | Those eligible before 2020 | $200 - $320 |
*Premium ranges are estimates and vary by age, location within Connecticut, gender, and tobacco use. Contact us for personalized quotes.
Plan G vs Plan N in Connecticut
Connecticut's year-round guaranteed issue makes the Plan G vs Plan N decision less risky than in other states. Here's the comparison:
- Plan G covers everything except the Part B deductible ($240 in 2024). No copays, no surprises. Ideal if you want predictable costs and visit doctors frequently.
- Plan N has lower premiums but requires up to $20 copays for office visits and up to $50 for ER visits (waived if admitted). Good choice if you're healthy and want to save on monthly costs.
Connecticut advantage: If you start with Plan N and later decide the copays are annoying or you're visiting doctors more often, you can switch to Plan G anytime without medical underwriting. This flexibility doesn't exist in most states.
Connecticut Medicare Supplement vs Medicare Advantage
Connecticut has a competitive Medicare Advantage market, especially in Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, and Bridgeport. But these are very different products. Here's how they compare:
| Feature | Medigap (Supplement) | Medicare Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Premium | $130 - $320+ | $0 - $50 (some higher) |
| Out-of-Pocket Maximum | Very low (predictable) | Up to $8,850/year |
| Doctor Network | Any doctor accepting Medicare | Network restrictions |
| Referrals Needed | No | Often yes (HMO plans) |
| Prescription Drug Coverage | Separate Part D plan needed | Usually included |
| Extra Benefits | None | May include dental, vision, gym |
Read our complete Medigap vs Medicare Advantage guide to understand which option might be better for your situation.
Connecticut-Specific Medicare Considerations
CHOICES Program (Connecticut's SHIP)
Connecticut offers a free counseling program called CHOICES (Connecticut program for Health insurance assistance, Outreach, Information and referral, Counseling, Eligibility Screening). While CHOICES counselors can provide general Medicare information, they cannot recommend specific plans or companies. That's where a fee-only Medicare advisor adds value: we can make specific recommendations based on your individual situation.
Travel and Snowbirds
Many Connecticut residents spend winters in Florida or other warmer states. If you're a snowbird, Medigap provides nationwide coverage. Your plan works the same whether you're in Hartford, Palm Beach, or anywhere in between. Medicare Advantage plans often have network restrictions that can be problematic when traveling.
Major Medical Centers
Connecticut is home to Yale New Haven Hospital, Hartford Hospital, and other prestigious medical centers. With Medigap, you have guaranteed access to any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans may restrict which specialists or hospitals you can use, even within Connecticut.
Frequently Asked Questions: Connecticut Medicare
Yes, but only for Plans C, D, F, and G. Connecticut law requires insurance companies to accept you into these plans year-round without medical questions or higher premiums based on health. Plans A, B, K, L, M, and N still follow federal rules and require medical underwriting after your initial 6-month Open Enrollment Period.
This is a popular strategy in Connecticut precisely because you can switch from Plan N to Plan G anytime without medical underwriting. Start with Plan N to save money while you're healthy. If you develop health issues and visit doctors frequently, the copays may add up, and you can switch to Plan G's zero-copay coverage.
Connecticut law requires insurance companies to offer a 30-day "free look" period for all Medigap policies. During this time, you can review the policy and cancel for a full refund if you're not satisfied, no questions asked. This is longer than the federal requirement.
Medigap premiums in Connecticut typically range from $130-$320+ per month depending on the plan letter, your age, location (Hartford and Stamford tend to be more expensive than smaller cities), gender, and tobacco use. Connecticut premiums are generally moderate compared to neighboring states like New York.
Plan F is only available to those who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. If you turned 65 before that date, you can still enroll in Plan F and benefit from Connecticut's year-round guaranteed issue rights. However, Plan G offers nearly identical coverage (minus the Part B deductible) and often has lower premiums.
Yes. Medigap plans do not include prescription drug coverage. You'll need to enroll in a standalone Medicare Part D plan separately. Connecticut has many Part D options, and we can help you compare them based on your specific medications.