If you already have a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan, can you switch to a different plan without having to answer all the health questions again? Yes, sometimes you can…it all depends on where you live. Some states have “birthday rules” that give you a short window around your birthday each year to change your Medigap plan without medical underwriting.

Below, this Supplemental insurance broker in Munster, Indiana is going to explain how these birthday rules work in 2025, and which states have them.

What are Medigap birthday rules?

Medigap birthday rules are special state laws that make it easier for people on Medicare to switch their supplement plans. Once a year, usually around your birthday, you get a short period of time when you can change your Medigap plan without going through medical underwriting.

But you can only switch to a plan that offers the same or fewer benefits than the one you already have. You can’t use this window to upgrade to a higher level of coverage. For example, if you have a Plan G, you can move to another Plan G with a lower rate or maybe to a Plan N, but not to a Plan F if it offers more benefits.

Each state sets its own version of the rule. Some states give you 30 days, while others give you 60 or more. The details can vary from state to state, including which plans you can move to and when your window starts. So, if you are confused, be sure to discuss this with your local Supplemental insurance broker in Munster, Indiana.

What states have Medigap birthday rules in 2025?

Only a handful of states have Medigap birthday rules in 2025, and each one does it a little differently.

For example, California gives you 60 days after your birthday to switch to another plan with the same or fewer benefits. Oregon’s rule is almost identical, except its 60-day window is split evenly. You can switch 30 days before and 30 days after your birthday. Nevada allows residents to switch within 60 days starting on the first day of their birth month.

Louisiana, Idaho, and Maryland each have versions of the rule that last anywhere from 30 to 63 days. In Illinois, just across the state line from Munster, people aged 65 to 75 get 45 days after their birthday to switch, assuming they stay with the same insurance company or one that is affiliated.

In Indiana, there is no birthday rule in 2025. But that is changing soon.

Starting in 2026, Indiana plans to introduce its own birthday rule that will allow residents to switch their Medigap policy once a year around their birthday without answering health questions. It will be a big step toward giving Indiana residents the same flexibility their neighbors already have.

How can you make the most of your birthday rule window?

If your state has a birthday rule, don’t let that opportunity pass by. It only comes once a year, and it can save you a lot of money. The best thing you can do is prepare. Mark your calendar or set a reminder on your phone so you don’t forget.

As your birthday gets close, review your current Medigap plan and see what other companies are offering. You might find the same coverage at a better price.

If you live in Indiana, you don’t have a birthday rule yet. But you still have options under the guaranteed-issue protections, or you can start planning for 2026.

Either way, talking with your local supplemental insurance broker in Munster, Indiana should be helpful. They can help you make sure you don’t miss your best chance to switch.

Looking for a Supplemental Insurance Broker in Munster, Indiana?

If you are looking for a Supplemental insurance broker in Munster, Indiana who can help you understand current Indiana laws and prepare for the state’s upcoming birthday rule, look no further than Senior Care Insurance Services. Our licensed team can review your current coverage and explain your options for switching to make sure you never miss an important enrollment window. Contact us today to learn more about your options.