Relating to Medicare supplement policies and an annual open enrollment period

This bill relates to Medicare supplement policies and an annual open enrollment period. Beginning January 1, 2024, applicants shall have an annual 30-day open enrollment period that begins on the date of an applicant’s birthday. “Applicant” is defined in the bill as an individual who is at least years old who seeks to contract for benefits under an individual Medicare supplement policy, or a proposed covered individual under a group Medicare supplement policy. “Applicant” includes an individual under the age of who qualifies for Medicare due to disability, end-stage renal disease, or exposure to an environmental hazard. “Medicare supplement policy” is also defined in the bill. During the open enrollment period, an issuer is prohibited from denying or conditioning the issuance or effectiveness of any Medicare supplement policy that the issuer offers and that is available for issuance in the state; from subjecting an applicant to medical underwriting or discriminating in the pricing of a Medicare supplement policy because of the health status, claims experience, receipt of health care, or medical condition of an applicant; and from imposing an exclusion of benefits based on an applicant’s preexisting condition. An issuer shall provide notice, in a form prescribed by the commissioner of insurance, of the annual open enrollment period at the time an applicant applies for a Medicare supplement policy or certificate. “Issuer” is defined in the bill.