Wyoming Birthday Rule for Medicare Supplement Plans

What Is the Wyoming Birthday Rule?

The Wyoming Birthday Rule allows you to change your existing Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan for another one that has the same or fewer benefits, with no health questions asked.

This 64-day period begins on your birthday each year and runs for 63 more days afterward. During this time, you can switch to a different Medigap plan offered by any insurance company, as long as the new plan offers comparable or lesser coverage than your current plan.

This rule is particularly valuable for people with pre-existing conditions who might otherwise be denied coverage or charged more due to medical underwriting.

Why This Matters to You

Before this rule, most Medigap policyholders in Wyoming who wanted to switch plans outside their initial enrollment period had to pass medical underwriting, which could result in denial of coverage or higher premiums. The Birthday Rule removes that obstacle, giving seniors the ability to:

• Lower your monthly premiums
• Switch to a more preferred insurer
• Avoid future rate hikes from your current provider
• Find better customer service or provider networks

And the best part? Because this Birthday Rule qualifies as a Guaranteed Issue right, your health history won’t impact your eligibility. You cannot be denied coverage based on medical conditions, prescriptions, or recent treatments.

Who Qualifies for the 64-Day Birthday Enrollment Period?

To be eligible, you must:

1. Be a resident of Wyoming.
2. Currently have an active Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan.
3. Want to switch to another Medigap plan with equal or lesser benefits.
4. Provide documentation showing that your current Medigap plan is active, such as:
   • A letter from your current insurance carrier
   • A copy of your ID card, along with a recent billing statement

Remember, your new application must be submitted between your birthday and 63 days after. Applications submitted outside of this time frame will not qualify for the Guaranteed Issue protection and could be subject to medical underwriting.

How to Apply During the Wyoming Birthday Rule Period

To switch plans under the Birthday Rule, you’ll need to complete a new Medicare Supplement application. The application process varies slightly depending on the insurance company, but the basic requirements are consistent:

1. Indicate that you’re applying under the Birthday Rule.
   Look for a question on the application that asks about special enrollment rights or whether you’re replacing an existing Medigap plan. Be sure to select “Yes” if prompted.

2. Submit proof of your current Medigap coverage.
   This is necessary to confirm that you’re eligible for a lateral or lesser-benefit plan switch.

3. Choose a plan that has equal or fewer benefits.
   You cannot use the Birthday Rule to upgrade to a plan with more coverage than your current one.

Once submitted, your application will be reviewed as a Guaranteed Issue case, which means no underwriting, no denial, and no rate increase based on health status.

Key Dates and Action Steps

• Rule Effective Date: June 4, 2025
• Your 64-Day Window: Begins on your birthday and lasts 63 days after
• Submit Documentation: Include proof of current Medigap coverage with your application
• Compare Plans: Only choose options with comparable or lesser benefits

Understanding “Comparable or Lesser” Coverage

One key condition of the Wyoming Birthday Rule is that you can only switch to a Medigap plan that offers equal or fewer benefits than the one you currently have.

Here are some examples:

• If you currently have Plan G, you can switch to another Plan G with a different company, or to Plan N or Plan A, which have fewer benefits.
• If you’re on Plan N, you can switch to another Plan N or Plan A—but not to Plan G or Plan F unless you were Medicare-eligible before 2020.
  
  

It’s essential to understand the standardized benefits of each Medigap plan (Plans A, B, G, K, L, M, N, etc.) to ensure your new selection qualifies under the Birthday Rule.

How the Wyoming Birthday Rule Compares to Other States

The Wyoming Birthday Rule places the state among a growing group of others that have introduced similar rules to help Medicare beneficiaries. While states like California, Oregon, Illinois, and Idaho already offer annual Medigap switching opportunities without medical underwriting, each state’s rules vary by enrollment period length, eligible plan types, and required documentation.

What makes the Wyoming Birthday Rule especially unique is its extended 64-day enrollment period? It is longer than most, and it has simple, easy-to-follow eligibility requirements. This positions Wyoming as a senior-friendly state that promotes competition among Medicare Supplement insurers and supports better plan affordability.

Whether you’ve recently relocated to Wyoming or are comparing options across state lines, the Wyoming Birthday Rule offers added peace of mind and yearly flexibility that many other states still lack.

Frequently Asked Questions