If a Medicare Supplement policy replaces another that had been in effect for at least 6 months, the replacing policy may impose which of the following time exclusions for pre-existing conditions?

The correct answer is that a Medicare Supplement policy may impose a time exclusion of 0 months for pre-existing conditions when the replacing policy takes over from one that has been in effect for at least 6 months. In South Carolina, as well as federally, when an individual is switching from one Medicare Supplement policy to another, they’re often provided protections under state and federal laws. Specifically, if the prior policy has been active for an adequate period, the new policy must waive any waiting period for pre-existing conditions, allowing immediate coverage.

This is intended to ensure that beneficiaries have continuous coverage without penalty when they switch plans, reinforcing the goal of making healthcare accessible without gaps in coverage. Thus, the replacing policy must honor the coverage already established by the previous policy, eliminating any exclusions for pre-existing conditions that could serve as a barrier to receiving necessary healthcare services.