A Medicare beneficiary in Virginia loses employer group health coverage that had supplemented Medicare. Under the Bureau of Insurance's guaranteed-issue rules, how long does she have to buy a Medicare supplement policy without underwriting?

Why A is correct

When a qualifying event occurs — such as losing employer group coverage that supplemented Medicare, or termination of a Medicare Advantage plan — the Virginia Bureau of Insurance's Medigap rules, administered under the Medicare supplement framework of Va. Code § 38.2-3601 et seq., open a 63-day guaranteed-issue window measured from the event. Within that window an insurer must sell the applicant a Medicare supplement policy without underwriting, regardless of health. Missing the window returns the applicant to the normal market, where underwriting may apply.

Why the other options are wrong

• B) The 6-month figure belongs to the open enrollment period, which is keyed to age 65 and Part B enrollment, not to a later qualifying event or first contact with an insurer.
• C) The guaranteed-issue window is 63 days, not 30 days, and it runs from the qualifying event itself.
• D) The measure is 63 days from the qualifying event; the Part B enrollment date governs only the separate open enrollment window.

Memory hook

63 days after the qualifying event — guaranteed issue, zero underwriting.