06/19/2025
No Indiana Medigap Birthday Switch
The Medicare Birthday Rule is a regulation that allows certain Medicare benficiaries to change their Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance policies around their birthday without medical underwriting. But, Indiana does not allow for that change like some other states do.
In Indiana, in most instances, Medigap plans are medically underwritten outside of such as your initial Medigap Open Enrollment Period or a special guaranteed issue event.
In Indiana you typically can apply anytime to change you Medigap plan, but the insurer can ask health questions and potentially deny coverage or charge more based on your health.
You might have a guaranteed issue right only in limited situations, such as:
o You’re within 6 months of enrolling in Medicare Part B (Initial
Medigap Enrollment Period).
o Your current plan ends or stops providing coverage in your area.
o You leave a Medicare Advantage plan within 12 months of
joining it for the first time.
Don’t confuse the rules for switching Medigap plans with the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (OEP, January 1–March 31) or the Annual Election Period (AEP) (October 15–December 7) — but these apply to Medicare Advantage and Part D, not Medigap.
Let me know if you want guidance on changing plans or help comparing Medicare Advantage vs Medigap options in Indiana.
Gary