New Birthday Rule for Medicare Supplement Policies in Idaho

Once the birthday rule became effective, you are now able to make changes to your plan each year with no health assessment. The Idaho birthday rule provides a 63-day window for changes, starting on your date of birth.

Policyholders can utilize this rule to change to a Medigap plan that provides equal or lesser benefits than their current plan. For example, one would not be able to change from Plan N to Plan G, as Plan G provides more benefits. Additionally, policyholders may also change carriers at this time if their new plan still meets the rule’s equal-or-lesser stipulation.

How Can I Benefit from the Idaho Birthday Rule?

Beneficiaries may apply for a Medigap policy at any time during the year. Yet, they will need to go through medical underwriting and answer health questions if they don’t have guaranteed issue rights. This means someone with pre-existing conditions could face rejection by a carrier.

The Idaho birthday rule allows for an exception. Thus, a policyholder who may not pass carrier-specific health questions can enroll in any qualifying plan (of equal or lesser benefits).

This birthday rule only applies to those who have been accepted to a Medigap plan before their birthday. A beneficiary may not change from an Advantage plan to a Medigap plan at this time. Additionally, they cannot use the birthday rule to obtain a Medigap plan for the first time.

Also, note that premiums for new Medigap policies in Idaho will use the community rating method. Most policies in the state were previously rated using the issue-age method, but that will be changing for 2022 and beyond.