The bill amends RCW 48.66.025 to require that Medicare supplemental insurance be offered on a guaranteed issue basis during specific enrollment periods. It prohibits issuers from denying or conditioning the issuance of any Medicare supplement policy based on an applicant's health status or medical condition if the application is submitted prior to or during the six-month period starting from the first month an individual turns 65 and enrolls in Medicare Part B. Additionally, it expands this guarantee to include any annual open enrollment period for Medicare Part B or Medicare Advantage. The bill mandates that all currently available Medicare supplement policies must be accessible to all qualifying applicants, regardless of age.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that if an applicant has had at least three months of continuous creditable coverage, the issuer cannot impose exclusions for preexisting conditions. If the applicant has less than three months of creditable coverage, the issuer must reduce any preexisting condition exclusion period by the amount of creditable coverage the applicant has. The new provisions will take effect on January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 48.66.025