Guidance on HB258, Medicare Supplement Insurance Amendments

BULLETIN 2025-5 4315 South 2700 West, Suite 2300, Taylorsville, Utah 84129 ● Office (801) 957-9200 ● Facsimile (385) 465-6047 ● insurance.utah.gov State of Utah SPENCER J. COX Governor DEIDRE M. HENDERSON Lieutenant Governor Insurance Department JONATHAN T. PIKE Insurance Commissioner To: Insurers Offering Medicare Supplement Insurance From: Jonathan T. Pike, Insurance Commissioner Date: April 23, 2025 Subject: Guidance on HB258, Medicare Supplement Insurance Amendments The Utah Insurance Department issues this Bulletin to provide guidance concerning HB258, Medicare Supplement Insurance Amendments, passed during the 2025 General Session, which provides an annual open enrollment opportunity ("annual election period") for a Medicare supplement (Medigap) insurance enrollee with their current insurer. Beginning on May 7, 2025, an existing Medigap enrollee is entitled to an annual Medigap election period during which they are guaranteed, regardless of health, the option to enroll in a different Medigap plan with their existing insurer, without underwriting. An existing enrollee's annual Medigap election period begins on the enrollee's birthday and ends 60 days later. The following provisions apply during an annual Medigap election period. • An existing enrollee may select a different Medigap plan currently offered by the enrollee's current insurer that is considered equal to or less than the enrollee’s current plan benefits value, not including any innovative benefits. • An insurer may not re-rate or re-underwrite an enrollee during their annual Medigap election period. • Within the same rating class, an insurer may revise an enrollee's premium based on the new selected plan during the annual Medigap election period. • An insurer is not required to offer a plan that is available through the insurer's affiliate. The Department will soon be issuing revisions to Utah Admin. Code R590-146, Medicare Supplement Insurance Standards, to incorporate the provisions of HB258. An insurer with questions related to this Bulletin is advised to contact the Health & Life Division at uid.health@utah.gov or (801) 957-9280. DATED this 23rd day of April 2025. ________________________________ Jonathan T. Pike Insurance Commissioner