Who this is for
The rule is for someone who already has a Medicare Supplement and lives in California. The new policy has to be a Medigap policy sold in California. If you have Medicare Advantage and no Supplement, this window does not apply to you.
When the window is open
California law starts the window on your birthday and keeps it open for at least 60 days. Day one is your birthday, not the day before. Some companies describe a longer window in their own notice. Use the notice from your company if it is longer than 60 days. The Birthday Rule worksheet estimates the 60 days from the birthday you enter. It does not know whether you already have Medigap.
Same benefits, or fewer
You can apply for the same letter at another company, such as Plan G to Plan G. You can also move to a letter with fewer standardized benefits, such as Plan G to Plan N. You cannot use this window to move to a more complete letter, such as Plan N to Plan G. Extra benefits a company adds on its own are not what the rule compares. The standardized letter is.
What the rule does not do
It does not move you from Medicare Advantage to a Medicare Supplement. It does not add drug coverage. A Medicare Supplement does not include Part D. It does not guarantee a lower premium. A company can still charge its filed rate for that letter. It is also not fall Annual Enrollment, and it is not the 6-month Medicare Supplement window that starts when you are 65 and Part B begins.
Before you drop the policy you have
Apply first. Do not cancel the Supplement you have until the new company says the new policy is issued. If you miss the 60 days, the next chance is usually next year’s birthday, unless another rule applies. Health questions outside this window are explained on Medigap underwriting in California.