Medigap Birthday Rules by State
Every state rule that lets a current Medicare Supplement client change plans without health questions, side by side, with the window, plan limits, carrier limits and the law behind it.
Outside of the federal Medigap open enrollment period and guaranteed-issue situations, a client who wants to change Medicare Supplement plans usually has to answer health questions. More and more states now give people who already own a Medigap policy a set window each year to change without underwriting. The details differ a lot from state to state, so read the row for your client's state before you quote.
Four Questions for Every State
Two states can both have a "birthday rule" and still work very differently.
Which carrier?
Usually the client can shop any carrier. In four states (IL, LA, UT, WV) the move stays inside the current company's family. Two (IN, KY) flip it and require a new carrier.
Which plan?
Most allow equal or lesser benefits. Indiana, Kentucky, Virginia and Missouri require the same plan letter. Washington lets Plans B–N move to any of B–N.
When does it open?
The birthday itself, the 1st of the birth month, or 30 days ahead (Oregon, Delaware), depending on the state. Windows last 30 to 63 days.
How often?
Every year in most states. West Virginia requires the current policy to be in force for 24 months, and Minnesota's new right can be used only once, between ages 65 and 70.
Medigap Switching Rules by State
Search for a state or filter by rule type. Citations are listed under each start date.
| State | Window | Plan limit | New carrier? | Since | Under 65 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AlabamaFederal rules only | Federal protections only | — | — | — | No |
| AlaskaFederal rules only | Federal protections only | — | — | — | No |
| ArizonaFederal rules only | Federal protections only | — | — | — | No |
| ArkansasFederal rules only | Federal protections only | — | — | — | Some plans |
| CaliforniaBirthday rule | Birthday + 60 days (minimum) | Same or fewer benefits | Yes | 2020 (60-day version)Cal. Ins. Code § 10192.11(h) | Some plans |
| ColoradoFederal rules only | Federal protections only | — | — | — | All plans |
| ConnecticutYear-round | Any time of year | Any plan sold (6-month pre-existing wait possible) | Yes | 1994Conn. Gen. Stat. § 38a-495c | Some plans |
| DelawareBirthday rule | 30 days before to 30+ days after the birthday. Also: clients leaving Medicare Advantage in AEP or Jan–Mar can't be declined, though they can be rated | Same or fewer benefits | Yes | Jan 1, 202618 Del. C. § 3411 | All plans |
| District of ColumbiaFederal rules only | Federal protections only | — | — | — | No |
| FloridaFederal rules only | Federal protections only | — | — | — | All plans |
| GeorgiaFederal rules only | Federal protections only | — | — | — | All plans |
| HawaiiFederal rules only | Federal protections only | — | — | — | All plans |
| IdahoBirthday rule | Birthday + 63 days | Comparable or fewer benefits | Yes | Mar 1, 2022IDAPA 18.04.10.041 | All plans |
| IllinoisBirthday rule | Birthday + 45 days, ages 65–75 | Same or fewer benefits | No: same company or affiliate | Jan 1, 2022215 ILCS 5/363 | All plans |
| IndianaBirthday rule | Within 60 days of the birthday (law doesn't specify before or after) | Same letter only | Required: must change carriers | Jan 1, 2026Ind. Code § 27-8-13-9.3 | All plans |
| IowaFederal rules only | Federal protections only | — | — | — | No |
| KansasFederal rules only | Federal protections only | — | — | — | All plans |
| KentuckyBirthday rule | Birthday + 60 days (DOI reading) | Same letter only | Required: must change carriers | Jan 1, 2024KRS 304.14-525 | All plans |
| LouisianaBirthday rule | Birthday + 63 days | Same or lower plan letter | No: same company or affiliate | 2022 law, expanded 2023La. R.S. 22:1112 | All plans |
| MaineSwitch any time | Any time, with no coverage gap over 90 days. Every insurer also opens Plan A to anyone for one month a year | Same or fewer benefits | Yes | Long-standing24-A M.R.S. §§ 5002-B, 5012 | All plans |
| MarylandBirthday rule | Birthday + 30 days | Same or fewer benefits | Yes | July 1, 2023Md. Code, Ins. § 15-909 | Some plans |
| MassachusettsYear-round | Required each Feb 1–Mar 31; carriers accept applications year-round in practice | Any Massachusetts plan the insurer sells | Yes | Long-standing211 CMR 71.10 | All plans |
| MichiganFederal rules only | Federal protections only | — | — | — | Some plans |
| MinnesotaYearly window | One time, ages 65–70, during AEP or Jan–Mar. Insurer may add a lifetime surcharge (15% in 2026, 20% in 2027, rising to 35%) | Any Medicare supplement offered | Yes | Aug 1, 2026Minn. Stat. § 62A.31 | All plans |
| MississippiFederal rules only | Federal protections only | — | — | — | All plans |
| MissouriAnniversary rule | 30 days before to 30 days after the policy anniversary | Same letter only | Yes | 199920 CSR 400-3.650 | All plans |
| MontanaFederal rules only | Federal protections only | — | — | — | All plans |
| NebraskaFederal rules only | Federal protections only | — | — | — | Some plans |
| NevadaBirthday rule | 1st of birth month + 60 days (minimum) | Same or fewer benefits | Yes (DOI reading) | Jan 1, 2022NRS 687B.352 | All plans |
| New HampshireFederal rules only | Federal protections only | — | — | — | All plans |
| New JerseyFederal rules only | Federal protections only | — | — | — | Some plans |
| New MexicoBirthday rule | 1st of birth month + 60 days (minimum) | Same or lower value | Yes | Starts Jan 1, 2027SB 21 (2026) | No |
| New YorkYear-round | Any time of year | Any plan the insurer sells | Yes | 199611 NYCRR Part 58 | All plans |
| North CarolinaFederal rules only | Federal protections only | — | — | — | Some plans |
| North DakotaFederal rules only | Federal protections only | — | — | — | No |
| OhioFederal rules only | Federal protections only | — | — | — | No |
| OklahomaBirthday rule | Birthday + 60 days (minimum) | Same or fewer benefits | Yes | Sept 1, 2023Okla. Admin. Code 365:10-5-129 | Some plans |
| OregonBirthday rule | Birthday ± 30 days | Same or fewer benefits | Yes | 2013 (current window 2023)OAR 836-052-0143 | All plans |
| PennsylvaniaFederal rules only | Federal protections only | — | — | — | All plans |
| Rhode IslandYearly window | During AEP (Oct 15–Dec 7) each year, for Jan 1 coverage | Any available plan | Yes | 2025, expanded 2026R.I. Gen. Laws § 27-18.2-3 | Some plans |
| South CarolinaFederal rules only | Federal protections only | — | — | — | No |
| South DakotaFederal rules only | Federal protections only | — | — | — | All plans |
| TennesseeFederal rules only | Federal protections only | — | — | — | All plans |
| TexasFederal rules only | Federal protections only | — | — | — | Some plans |
| UtahBirthday rule | Birthday + 60 days | Comparable or lower tier | No: same company | May 7, 2025Utah Code § 31A-22-620 | No |
| VermontFederal rules only | Federal protections only | — | — | — | All plans |
| VirginiaBirthday rule | Birthday + 60 days (minimum) | Same letter only | Yes | July 1, 2025Va. Code § 38.2-3611 | All plans |
| WashingtonSwitch any time | Any time | Plans B–N can move to any of Plans B–N; Plan A to Plan A only | Yes | 1996RCW 48.66.045 | No |
| West VirginiaBirthday rule | 1st of birth month + 60 days; existing policy must be 24 months old, so roughly every other year | Same or fewer benefits | No: same company or affiliate | June 2026W. Va. Code § 33-15F-1 | No |
| WisconsinFederal rules only | Federal protections only | — | — | — | All plans |
| WyomingBirthday rule | Birthday + 63 days | Comparable or fewer benefits | Yes | June 2025Wyo. Ins. Rules ch. 35 § 12 | No |
"Federal protections only" means the state has no yearly switching right for current policyholders. Many of these states still add their own guaranteed-issue triggers, such as losing Medicaid or a change in retiree coverage. Under-65 column follows KFF's October 2026 table; NAIC's May 2026 chart differs for Iowa, South Carolina and Missouri.
The Federal Floor
- Medigap open enrollment: six months, starting the first month a client is 65 or older and has Part B. Any plan, any insurer, no health questions.
- Guaranteed-issue rights: for example when a Medicare Advantage plan leaves the area or ends, or when employer coverage that pays after Medicare ends. See when a Medicare Advantage plan is leaving.
- Trial rights: a client who joined Medicare Advantage at 65, or gave up Medigap for a first-ever Medicare Advantage plan, can go back to Original Medicare and Medigap within a year.
- No yearly switch: federal law gives no annual right to change Medigap plans. That is what the state rules above add.
Five Checks
Confirm the window
Note the birthday (or anniversary) and the exact start and end dates for the client's state.
Match the plan rule
Same letter, or equal or lesser? Check the state's comparison chart if you're moving between letters.
Match the carrier rule
Same insurer, any insurer, or a required new insurer.
Time the start date
Line the new policy up with the old one so there is no gap and no double premium.
File the replacement forms
Treat every switch like any other Medigap replacement: the state's replacement notice, signed, with a copy in the file.
Agent Questions
Which states have a Medigap birthday rule in 2027?
Fifteen states have one in effect: California, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming. New Mexico's rule starts January 1, 2027. Missouri has a similar rule tied to the policy anniversary instead of the birthday.
Can a client use the birthday rule to buy a richer plan?
Usually not. Most states only allow a move to a plan with equal or lesser benefits, and some require the same plan letter. Washington is an exception: a Plan B through N holder can move to any of Plans B through N at any time.
Does the birthday rule let a client change insurance companies?
It depends on the state. Most let the client pick any carrier. Utah, Illinois, West Virginia and Louisiana keep the switch within the current company and its affiliates. Kentucky and Indiana require a new carrier.
Is there a federal birthday rule?
No. Federal law gives a six-month Medigap open enrollment period at 65 and guaranteed-issue rights in certain situations, but no yearly right to switch. Yearly switching rights come only from state law.
Printable Version in the Resource Hub
Brock agents can download a PDF of this guide, plus our state playbooks and California guides, from the Resource Hub. Sign in with your NPN and email.
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For licensed insurance agents. General information as of October 18, 2026, drawn from federal and state sources; rules change, so confirm with CMS, the carrier or the state insurance department before advising a client. Not legal or tax advice. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.