What is the Kentucky Medicare Supplement Birthday Rule?

Summary: The Kentucky Medicare Supplement birthday rule lets those with a Medigap plan change carriers without having to pass medical underwriting. You are allowed to do this in a 90-day period surrounding your birthday each year. However, you can’t switch coverage and must already have a Medicare Supplement plan to participate. Estimated Read Time: 3 mins

Table of Contents:

1. What Is the Kentucky Medigap Birthday Rule?
2. How the Kentucky Medicare Supplement Birthday Rule Helps You
3. When Is the Kentucky Medicare Supplement Birthday Rule?
4. Who Qualifies for the Kentucky Birthday Rule?
5. How to Switch Carriers During Your Kentucky Medicare Supplement Birthday Rule

The new Kentucky Medicare Supplement birthday rule allows beneficiaries to make changes to their supplemental coverage once per year starting in 2024. Qualified beneficiaries will have a chance to save money on healthcare costs. Below, we’re reviewing how you can take advantage and what this means for your coverage.

What Is the Kentucky Medigap Birthday Rule?

The Kentucky Medigap birthday rule is going into effect on January 1, 2024. This unique enrollment period allows those with a Medicare Supplement plan the opportunity to change insurance carriers. Here’s how it works:

• To qualify, you must already have a Medigap plan.
• You receive an enrollment period that is tied to your birthday. Therefore, each period is different depending on the individual.
• You must apply as early as 30 days before your birthday but no later than 60 days after your birthday to change carriers.
• Although you can change insurance carriers during this time, you cannot change coverage. For example, if you have Medicare Supplement Plan F, you must keep these benefits when switching to your new carrier.

How the Kentucky Medicare Supplement Birthday Rule Helps You

Enrolling in a Medicare Supplement plan or switching coverage after your Initial Enrollment Period usually means passing medical underwriting. This means carriers can deny you based on your medical history. However, the Kentucky birthday rule eliminates this requirement.

This means that even if you have a chronic condition, you can change carriers. A great solution for those looking to potentially save on premiums or simply find another carrier to enroll in.

When Is the Kentucky Medicare Supplement Birthday Rule?

The birthday rule goes into effect at different times for different people, but everyone that qualifies can apply in a window starting 30 days before their birthday and ending 60 days after their birthday. This means if your birthday is July 1, you can apply as early as June 1 and as late as August 29.

Who Qualifies for the Kentucky Birthday Rule?

To qualify for the birthday rule in Kentucky, here’s the criteria you’ll need to fit:

• You already have a Medicare Supplement plan.
• You are a legal resident of KY.

It’s worth noting that those who have Original Medicare and are looking to enroll in Medigap for the first time do not qualify. Those with a Medicare Advantage plan are also unable to participate in the birthday enrollment period.