Hi
@Pauline1954, I don't have BCBS but I found this on the Medicare site. If you are trying to change Medigap Plans, there are special circumstances. Don't know how this works in real life:
"The insurance company can't make you wait for your coverage to start, but it may be able to make you wait for coverage if you have a
pre-existing condition
.
In some cases, the Medigap insurance company can refuse to cover your
out-of-pocket costs
for these pre-existing health problems for up to 6 months (called the "pre-existing condition waiting period"). After these 6 months, the Medigap policy will cover your pre-existing condition.
Coverage for the pre-existing condition can be excluded if the condition was treated or diagnosed within 6 months before the coverage starts under the Medigap policy. After this 6-month period, the Medigap policy will cover the condition that was excluded.
When you get Medicare-covered services,
Original Medicare
will still cover the condition, even if the Medigap policy won't cover your out-of-pocket costs, but you're responsible for the
coinsurance
or
copayment."
https://www.medicare.gov/supplements-other-insurance/when-can-i-buy-medigap
Before I originally signed up for Medicare I searched the internet for insurance company underwriting policies to see if they could prevent me from having a Medigap supplement. This was before I realized that I was guaranteed coverage due to becoming first eligible for Medicare.
I found the weight charts, the disease exclusions, etc. It was an eye opener in that there were few conditions/diseases that eliminated me from coverage, I could breathe easier. Maybe you could find these, too on the insurance company you are interested in.
If you are a resident of certain states then you may also have options. If you google, this the four states will be named and explained in detail.
People who purchase Advantage plans can change as they like without medical underwriting.
I wish you the best of health and hope your surgery is successful.