OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, the Oklahoma Insurance Department’s (OID) issued a bulletin regarding a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for Medicare Supplement policies. During the SEP, qualified individuals may apply and enroll in a Medicare Supplement policy without underwriting considerations by the insurance company. This means the insurance company cannot refuse to sell a policy to beneficiaries who fall under the SEP. It also means those beneficiaries cannot be charged higher premiums because of their health status, claims experience, or medical condition.
An individual is eligible for this SEP if he or she:
- Is enrolled in Oklahoma Medicaid (SoonerCare) and remained enrolled in SoonerCare due to a suspension of terminations by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.
- Enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B within six (6) months of the later date of termination or disenrollment of SoonerCare benefits (or, if a notice is not received, notice that a claim has been denied because of such a termination of disenrollment); or the date that the SoonerCare benefits terminate or cease;
- Applies for a Medicare supplement policy during the 63-day period following the date of enrollment in Medicare Part B;
- Submits evidence of the date of termination or disenrollment from Soonercare with the application for a Medicare supplement policy.
Termination of SoonerCare coverage or disenrollment from SoonerCare based on eligibility determinations will begin on April 30, 2023. Many Oklahomans may continue to be eligible for SoonerCare. However, for those losing SoonerCare coverage, a SEP on the health insurance marketplace has been established that will run from March 31, 2023, to July 31, 2024. A SEP also has been put into place for those who are losing SoonerCare coverage and have access to employer-based coverage. For more information, please read the Bulletin No.1 – 2023.
Additional resources for health insurance consumers are available at https://www.oid.ok.gov/public-health-emergency-phe/. If you have insurance questions, please contact the Oklahoma Insurance Department at 1-800-522-0071 or visit our website at www.oid.ok.gov.
