Lawmakers weigh Medigap overhaul as sponsors, insurers and consumer groups debate trade-offs

The House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care heard extended testimony May 13 on Senate Bill 1181, a measure to create an annual open enrollment period for Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) and to limit insurers’ use of some underwriting factors. Sponsor Senator Winsve Campos said the bill would protect seniors who discover Medicare Advantage limits, narrow networks or provider terminations after their initial six‑month Medigap enrollment window at age 65.

Why it matters: about half of Oregon Medicare enrollees are in Medicare Advantage plans; advocates and some lawmakers told the committee that beneficiaries who later find Advantage networks restrictive or lose in‑network providers can be unable to switch to Medigap because of medical underwriting and preexisting-condition exclusions. Supporters urged an annual guaranteed-issue period so beneficiaries retain meaningful choice as care needs and provider access change.

“Senate Bill 1181 helps us take another step towards this goal,” sponsor Senator Winsve Campos told the committee. Campos said the bill, with a posted “-1” amendment, shortens an annual open enrollment window from 90 days to 60 and retains community rating for some factors while removing age and geography as rating factors in part.

Jesse O’Brien, policy…