It's Your Birthday

Medicare states with special rules.

Most states follow CMS guidelines about when one can enroll in a Medicare supplement (Medigap) plan and whether or not you can be medically underwritten.

But a few states follow their own rules.

Birthday rules.

Anniversary rules.

Rule rules.

Here is a sampling of what you can expect.

In New York and Connecticut, Medigap plans are guaranteed issue year-round.

California and Oregon both have “birthday rules” that allow Medigap enrollees a 30 day window following their birthday each year when they can switch, without medical underwriting, to another Medigap plan with the same or lesser benefits.

In Maine, Medigap enrollees can switch to a different Medigap plan with the same or lesser benefits at any time during the year, and all carriers must designate one month each year when Medigap Plan A is available on a guaranteed issue basis to all enrollees.

Missouri has an Anniversary Guaranteed Issue Period; anyone with a Medigap plan has a 60-day window around their plan anniversary each year during which they can switch to the same plan from any other carrier, guaranteed issue. – Medicare Resources

While most states allow the current 10 standardized Medigap plans, if you live in MA, MN or WI you will be offered plans that differ from the standardized plans in other states.

And in case you are wondering, Obamacare prohibitions on underwriting pre-existing conditions does not apply to Medicare plans.

You have questions, we have answers.