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 House Enrolled Act 1226 (HEA 1226), passed in 2025 and effective January 1, 2026, then amended it with House Enrolled Act 1260 (HEA 1260, 2026), whose rules apply to any Medicare supplement 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.State of Indiana. (n.d.). HEA 1226 Fact Sheet. in.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://www.in.gov/ship/files/HEA-1226-Fact-Sheet.docx
In This Guide
- Key Takeaways
- What the Indiana Medigap Birthday Rule Does
- Who Qualifies for the Indiana Medigap Birthday Rule
- Your Birthday Window and Start Date
- How to Compare Carriers Before You Switch
- The Rule at a Glance
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Learn More
Key Takeaways
What the Indiana Medigap 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. The Indiana Medigap 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, such as moving from Plan F to Plan G. For background on how the standardized Medigap plans work, see our national Medigap guide.State of Indiana. (n.d.). HEA 1226 Fact Sheet. in.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://www.in.gov/ship/files/HEA-1226-Fact-Sheet.docx
Who Qualifies for the Indiana Medigap Birthday Rule
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.State of Indiana. (n.d.). HEA 1226 Fact Sheet. in.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://www.in.gov/ship/files/HEA-1226-Fact-Sheet.docx
If you qualify for Medicare before age 65, a separate Indiana law may help you. Senate Enrolled Act 215 (SEA 215), effective January 1, 2025, gives people who become eligible for Medicare while under age 65 a six-month guaranteed-issue window to buy a Medigap policy, starting when their Medicare coverage begins. That is a different protection from the birthday rule, but it is the door for an under-65 Indiana resident who is not yet in a Medigap plan.State of Indiana. (n.d.). HEA 1226 Fact Sheet. in.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://www.in.gov/ship/files/HEA-1226-Fact-Sheet.docx
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.State of Indiana. (n.d.). HEA 1226 Fact Sheet. in.gov. Retrieved Jun 24, 2026, from https://www.in.gov/ship/files/HEA-1226-Fact-Sheet.docx
How to Compare Carriers Before You Switch
Because the birthday rule only guarantees the same lettered plan, your job is to find which companies sell that plan letter in your area and compare their premiums. The benefits are identical from one company to the next, so price is what changes. Two steps make this concrete:
- See who sells your plan letter. Use the official Medigap policy search on Medicare.gov, enter your ZIP code, and filter to your plan letter to see the companies offering it near you.
- Get free, unbiased help. The Indiana State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), run by the Indiana Department of Insurance, offers free Medicare counseling and can walk through your options before you apply. Reach an Indiana SHIP counselor at 1-800-452-4800 or at in.gov/ship. Counselors do not sell insurance.State of Indiana. (n.d.). IDOI: Medicare And SHIP: Indiana State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). in.gov. Retrieved Jun 3, 2026, from https://www.in.gov/ship/
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
When is my Indiana birthday-rule window?
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.
Can I switch to a different plan letter?
No. The guarantee covers the same lettered plan only. You can move a Plan G to a Plan G at another company, but the Indiana Medigap birthday rule does not let you change plan letters, such as moving from Plan F to Plan G.
Can I use this if I am under 65?
The birthday rule itself requires that you be age 65 or older and already enrolled in a Medigap policy. If you qualify for Medicare before 65, a separate Indiana law, Senate Enrolled Act 215 (SEA 215), gives you a six-month guaranteed-issue window to buy a Medigap policy when your Medicare begins. So an under-65 Indiana resident is not covered by the birthday rule but may have a guaranteed-issue right of their own.
When does my new coverage start?
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
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.