Birthday Rule (Medigap)
Annual guaranteed-issue Medigap switching window in 10 states — change to equal-or-lesser plan without underwriting.
Full explanation
The Medigap Birthday Rule is a state-level protection that gives you an annual guaranteed-issue window — usually starting 30 days before through 60 days after your birthday — to switch to a Medigap plan with equal or lesser benefits, without medical underwriting. Birthday-rule states (with varying specifics): California, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon. Other states have similar 'anniversary' rules tied to the policy date (Missouri) or year-round guaranteed issue (CT, MA, ME, NY, VT). Birthday rule is the most reliable way to shop Medigap rates after your initial 6-month Open Enrollment.
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