NRLN President’s Forum – Urging Enforcement of GIR and SEP
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health estimates that about 2.9 million Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollees will not have their plans renewed for 2027.
The NRLN has taken action to in an effort to ensure that retirees whose MA, Medicare supplement (Medigap) and/or Part D drug plans that are ceased or terminated receive this month a Guaranteed Issue Right (GIR) and Special Enrollment Period (SEP) notice from their healthcare insurer or corporate plan sponsor.
GIR is the “Golden Ticket” that prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage or overcharging an applicant for an MA, Medigap or Part D policy, regardless of pre-existing health conditions. SEP provides a period of up to 63 days to shop for the best deal possible for an MA, Medigap or Part D replacement plan.
On September 8, 2026, I sent a letter to Robert F Kennedy, Jr., Secretary, Health and Human Services and Medicare Trustee, requesting enforcement of federal law Sec 1882[42 U.S.C. 1395ss] to inform plan participants of their GIR and Special Enrollment Period SEP. A copy of the letter also went to the other three Medicare Trustees, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and the U.S. Attorney General. Click here to read the letter.
In addition, at www.nrln.org is an NRLN podcast that addresses why it is important to protect seniors when Medicare plans are not renewed or terminated.
Bill Kadereit, President
National Retiree Legislative Network
