If your Indiana Medicare supplement premium just went up, the Indiana Medigap birthday rule may let you move the same plan to a cheaper company. Indiana created this guaranteed-issue right under HEA 1226 (2025), effective January 1, 2026, and amended it with HEA 1260 (2026), whose rules apply to a policy delivered, issued, or renewed on or after March 15, 2026. This guide explains who qualifies, what you can switch to, and the once-a-year window around your birthday.
In This Guide
- Key Takeaways
- What the Birthday Rule Does
- Who Qualifies
- Your Birthday Window and Start Date
- The Rule at a Glance
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Learn More
Key Takeaways
What the Birthday Rule Does
Medigap premiums for the same plan can vary a lot from one company to another, and they tend to rise over time. Normally, switching carriers means going through medical underwriting, where the new company can review your health and deny you or charge more. Indiana's birthday rule removes that barrier once a year.
During your window, you have a guaranteed right to change your policy from one carrier to another without denial or medical underwriting. The catch is that the guarantee applies to the same lettered plan only. If you hold Plan G today, you can move to Plan G at a new company, but the rule does not let you switch to a different lettered plan. For background on how the standardized Medigap plans work, see our national Medigap guide.
Who Qualifies
The birthday rule is narrow on purpose. To use it, you must meet both of these conditions:
- You are age 65 or older, and
- You are currently enrolled in a Medigap policy.
This is a right to move an existing policy, not a way to newly enroll. If you are not already in a Medigap policy, the birthday rule does not give you a guaranteed way to buy one. It is built for an existing policyholder who wants the same coverage at a better price.
Your Birthday Window and Start Date
Each year, your window is the period beginning one month before your birthday and ending one month after your birthday. You apply with the new carrier during that window for the same lettered plan you already hold.
Your new plan begins on the first day of the month after the signature date on your application. For example, if you sign your application on June 15, your new coverage starts July 1. Lining up your switch this way helps avoid a gap between the old policy and the new one.
Free, unbiased help is available from the Indiana State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at 1-800-452-4800. A counselor can walk through your options before you apply.
The Rule at a Glance
| Feature | How it works |
|---|---|
| Who qualifies | A person age 65 or older who is currently enrolled in a Medigap policy |
| Window | Each year, one month before your birthday to one month after your birthday |
| What you can switch to | The same lettered plan you already hold |
| Which carriers | Any carrier offering that plan; you move to a new insurance company |
| Underwriting | None; the switch is guaranteed with no denial or medical underwriting |
| When coverage starts | The first day of the month after you sign the application |
Frequently Asked Questions
Your window runs each year from one month before your birthday to one month after your birthday. Apply with the new carrier during that period.
No. The guarantee covers the same lettered plan only. You can move a Plan G to a Plan G at another company, but the birthday rule does not let you change plan letters, such as moving from Plan F to Plan G.
No. You must be age 65 or older and already enrolled in a Medigap policy. The birthday rule is a right to move an existing policy, not a way to newly enroll in Medigap.
Your new plan begins on the first day of the month after the signature date on your application. If you sign on June 15, your new coverage starts July 1.
Learn More
- Medicare Plans and Coverage in Indiana
- National Medigap (Medicare Supplement) Guide
- Medicare Basics: A National Overview
- Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage
If your Indiana Medigap premium has climbed and your birthday window is near, call Indiana SHIP at 1-800-452-4800 to compare carriers, then explore your next steps with brevy.com.
The information on Brevy.com is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, or medical advice. Rules vary by state and program and change frequently. Always verify with the relevant agency or a qualified professional. Brevy is not a law firm, financial advisor, or healthcare provider.