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When Can I Switch Medicare Supplement Plans? 2027 Deadlines, Windows and State Rules

Reviewed by Russell Noga, Licensed Medicare Insurance Broker (all 50 states) — Last updated November 11, 2026

You can switch Medicare Supplement plans in any month of 2027, but you avoid health questions only during your first six-month Medigap open enrollment, within 63 days of a federal guaranteed-issue event, or in a state window such as a birthday rule or year-round right. The fall Medicare enrollment period does not create a Medigap switching window on its own.

2027 by the Numbers

63 days

federal deadline to use most guaranteed-issue rights (CMS)

16

states with a Medigap birthday rule, per KFF

2

states with year-round guaranteed issue: New York and Connecticut (KFF)

Medigap has no annual open enrollment, so the honest answer to when you can switch is: any time an insurer will accept you. What changes from month to month is whether the new insurer may ask about your health. That depends on four separate clocks, and most people are on only one or two of them.

This page lays out each clock with 2027 dates. For the step-by-step mechanics of moving to a new company, see switching Medigap companies.

✔ Licensed in all 50 states
✔ Based on CMS 2027 data
✔ Free plan comparison

Key Highlights

✔

Outside protected windows, a switch means medical underwriting in most states.

✔

Federal guaranteed-issue rights run 63 days from the latest of three dates.

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Those rights cover Plans A, B, D, G, K and L, not Plans M or N.

✔

Minnesota and New Mexico changed their rules for 2026 and 2027.

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The Four Clocks That Set Your Timing

Any month

apply anytime; insurer may review health

6 months

first Medigap open enrollment, once in a lifetime

63 days

after losing certain coverage

Yearly

state birthday, anniversary or open windows

The first clock is always running. The other three open only in specific situations. If none of them applies to you this year, you can still switch, but the new insurer can ask health questions, charge a higher rate where state law allows, or decline the application.

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The 63-Day Clock, With Real 2027 Dates

CMS training material says you must buy the new policy no later than 63 calendar days after the latest of three dates: the date your coverage ends, the date on a notice that it is ending, or the date on a claim denial if that is how you learned it ended.

Event (example) Latest qualifying date Apply no later than
Medicare Advantage plan leaves your area at the end of 2026 December 31, 2026 March 4, 2027
Employer retiree plan that paid after Medicare ends March 31, 2027 June 2, 2027
Notice dated April 30, 2027 that your Medigap insurer is ending coverage April 30, 2027 July 2, 2027
Coverage ends June 30, 2027 after your insurer goes bankrupt June 30, 2027 September 1, 2027

Our date calculations using the 63-calendar-day rule. Keep every notice and denial letter, since the latest date controls.

Letter limits: These federal rights let you buy Plans A, B, D, G (including high-deductible G), K or L, plus C or F only if you were eligible for Medicare before 2020. Plans M and N are not on the federal list, though some states add them.

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States Where You Can Switch in Any Month

In a handful of states, the answer to when can I switch is close to anytime without underwriting.

State Rule for current Medigap holders
New York Guaranteed issue all year (continuous open enrollment)
Connecticut Guaranteed issue all year
Washington Holders of Plans B through N can switch to another B through N plan at any time with no health questionnaire; Plan A holders can switch only to Plan A
Maine Switch to equal or lesser benefits at any time, as long as there is no gap in coverage over 90 days
Massachusetts State rules require a February 1 to March 31 window each year, and insurers there offer continuous enrollment

KFF overview of state Medigap rules and the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Massachusetts uses its own plan designs, not lettered plans.

A year-round right removes the health review, not the price question, so comparing several insurers’ rates still matters in these states.

States With One Window Each Year

KFF counts 16 birthday-rule states: California, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming. Missouri ties its window to the policy anniversary instead, allowing an equivalent policy from another insurer from 30 days before to 30 days after that date.

Fine print that changes the answer

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New Mexico’s rule takes effect January 1, 2027, with a yearly window of at least 60 days for policyholders 65 and older, limited to the same or lesser coverage.

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West Virginia’s rule, effective June 11, 2026, applies only after at least 24 months of continuous Medigap coverage and generally keeps you with the same or an affiliated insurer.

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Most birthday rules allow only equal or lesser benefits, so moving from Plan N up to Plan G usually still needs underwriting.

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These windows help people who already own a Medigap policy; they do not let someone without one buy in.

Exact window lengths for each state are on our Medicare Supplement birthday rule page.

Minnesota's 2026 Change: Open Windows for First-Time Buyers

Minnesota rewrote its rules effective August 1, 2026. According to a Minnesota Commerce Department bulletin, people aged 65 to 70 applying for Medigap for the first time get guaranteed issue for applications received October 15 to December 7, with coverage starting January 1, or January 1 to March 31, with coverage starting the next month.

Year you enroll Premium surcharge under the new law
2026 15%
2027 20%
2028 25%
2029 30%
2030 and later 35%

Minnesota Department of Commerce Administrative Bulletin 2026-3. The surcharge applies for the life of the policy.

Current policyholders: The bulletin says that changing Medigap policies in Minnesota will generally involve medical underwriting unless certain circumstances apply. People 71 and older are not eligible for this guaranteed issue.

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Timing a Switch Around Medicare Advantage

Protected moves

✔

Leaving your first-ever Medicare Advantage plan within 12 months of joining

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Dropping a Medigap policy to try Medicare Advantage, then returning within 12 months

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Leaving because your plan exits your area or you move out of it

Usually underwritten

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Leaving Medicare Advantage during the fall period after the first year

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Switching during the January 1 to March 31, 2027 Medicare Advantage open enrollment period

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Returning to Original Medicare after several years in Medicare Advantage

The fall period, October 15 to December 7, 2026, lets you leave Medicare Advantage for Original Medicare, but the Medigap application is a separate step. Our page on changing from Medicare Advantage to Medigap explains the order to do things in.

Picking the Right Month for an Underwritten Switch

1

Watch for your renewal notice A rate increase letter is a natural time to compare, since premiums usually change on a set anniversary or calendar date.

2

Shop when your health is stable Applying before a scheduled surgery or new diagnosis lowers the chance of approval.

3

Apply with the old policy still active Do not cancel anything until the new insurer approves you in writing.

4

Use the 30-day free look A new Medigap policy gives you 30 days to review it; you pay both premiums during that month.

5

Cancel the old policy on the right date Line up the end date with the new start date so there is no gap.

If you have had your current policy for less than six months, the new insurer may make you wait up to six months for pre-existing condition coverage on benefits you did not already have.

Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

You can switch Medicare Supplement plans any month, but the protected times are your first six-month open enrollment, 63 days after qualifying coverage losses, and state windows such as birthday rules. Check your state’s rule and the plan letters it allows before applying, and keep your old policy until the new one is approved.

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Frequently Asked Questions

➤ How do I count the 63 days for a guaranteed-issue right?

Start from the latest of three dates: when coverage ends, the date on the notice that it is ending, or the date on a claim denial. Apply on or before day 63.

➤ Can I use a federal guaranteed-issue right to buy Plan N?

Federal rules list Plans A, B, D, G, K and L, plus C and F for people eligible before 2020. Plan N is not on that list, though a state rule may allow it.

➤ Does New Mexico’s birthday rule apply in 2027?

Yes. It takes effect January 1, 2027 and gives policyholders 65 and older a yearly window of at least 60 days to move to the same or lesser coverage without underwriting.

➤ Can a Minnesota resident switch Medigap plans without health questions?

Minnesota’s 2026 guaranteed-issue windows are for first-time Medigap applicants aged 65 to 70. Changing an existing policy generally involves medical underwriting.

➤ Is there a best month to switch if my state has no special rule?

Any month works, so time it to your renewal notice and to a period of stable health. Avoid applying right before a planned procedure.

➤ Can I switch Medigap plans in Washington State without underwriting?

Washington lets holders of Plans B through N move to another plan in that range at any time without a health questionnaire. Plan A holders can switch only to another Plan A.

➤ Do I lose my birthday-rule window if I move to another state?

Birthday rules are state laws, so they follow your residence. If you move to a state without one, the right does not come with you.

➤ Does a West Virginia switch require holding my policy for two years?

Yes. The West Virginia rule applies after at least 24 months of continuous Medigap coverage and generally limits you to the same or an affiliated insurer.

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Call a Licensed Agent Now

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☎ 1-855-398-0716

TTY users 711  |  Mon–Fri: 5am–7pm, Sat–Sun: 7am–4pm CT

No obligation to enroll

Find & Compare Plans Online

Speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-855-398-0716TTY 711

Mon-Fri: 8am-9pm ET

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