CALIFORNIA MEDICARE GUIDE
California’s Medigap Birthday Rule: What It Allows and What to Check
A plain-language guide to the California Medigap Birthday Rule for people who already have Medicare Supplement insurance.
This rule is for people who already have Medigap
California calls this the Medigap Birthday Rule. If you already have Medicare Supplement insurance, the California Department of Insurance says you have a 60-day open-enrollment period following your birthday to apply for a new Medigap policy without medical screening or a new waiting period.
The new policy must have the same or lesser benefits than your current policy. This is not a general right to buy any policy at any time, and it is not a rule for Medicare Advantage plans.
Start with your current policy
Find your current Medigap policy name, benefits, premium, and birthday date. Ask questions about how a proposed policy compares with the one you already have. Premiums, availability, and eligibility can vary. A lower premium is not by itself proof that a different policy is a better fit.
Do not cancel current coverage until you understand the new policy, its effective date, and any required steps.
Use a careful review
A licensed insurance agent can explain the products the agency represents. You can also contact California HICAP for free, confidential counseling and use Medicare.gov for federal Medigap guidance.
Ask for the policy outline and compare benefits, premium, effective date, and renewal terms in writing. If you are unsure whether a change fits the Birthday Rule, pause and verify it before signing an application or ending current coverage. Do not share your Medicare number or bank information just to ask whether the rule may apply. Ask where formal applications should be sent.
Three things to do next
- Find your current Medigap policy, benefits, premium, and birthday date.
- Compare benefits and effective dates in writing before changing coverage.
- Use HICAP or the California Department of Insurance if you need an independent explanation.
Check the official sources
- California Department of Insurance: Medigap and the Birthday Rule (opens in a new tab)
- Medicare: when to buy Medigap (opens in a new tab)
- California HICAP counseling (opens in a new tab)
- California Department of Insurance: Current Medigap guide (opens in a new tab)
We prepare these explanations from the listed sources. This is general education, not a personalized recommendation. Confirm current rules and individual dates with the appropriate official source. Our editorial approach.