Nevada Birthday Rule for Medicare Supplement Plans
Have a Medigap Policy? Nevada’s Birthday Rule May Let You Compare Plans During Your Birthday Month
You may be able to change to the same standardized Medicare Supplement plan without health underwriting or medical questions.

State of Nevada Specific Guidelines
​Quick answer: The Medigap Birthday Rule is not a federal Medicare rule. It is a state-level protection that may allow people who already have a Medicare Supplement policy to change to another Medigap policy each year around their birthday, usually without medical underwriting. The timing, plan choices, carrier rules, and eligibility requirements vary by state.

Nevada Birthday Rule for Medicare Supplement Plans
If you already have a Medicare Supplement policy in Nevada, also called a Medigap policy, Nevada’s Birthday Rule may give you an annual opportunity to compare your current coverage with other available Medicare Supplement options.
This rule may be especially helpful if your monthly premium has increased. Because Medicare Supplement plans are standardized, a person with Plan G, Plan N, Plan F, or another Medigap plan may be able to compare similar coverage from other insurance companies and see whether a lower premium is available.
The Nevada Birthday Rule is not the same as the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plans. It applies specifically to Medicare Supplement insurance policies.

Quick Answer: What Is the Nevada Birthday Rule?
The Nevada Birthday Rule gives eligible Medicare Supplement policyholders an annual open enrollment window tied to their birthday month.
During this window, a person who already has a Medicare Supplement policy may be able to apply for another Medicare Supplement policy with the same or lesser benefits without medical underwriting.
That means eligible applicants may not have to answer health questions or be declined based on health history when the application meets Nevada’s Birthday Rule requirements.

When Does the Nevada Birthday Rule Window Start?
In Nevada, the Birthday Rule window begins on the first day of your birthday month and remains open for at least 60 days after that date.
For example, if your birthday is in May, your Birthday Rule window starts on May 1 and continues for at least 60 days.
This is important because you do not have to wait until your exact birthday. The window is tied to the first day of your birthday month.

Who Can Use the Nevada Birthday Rule?
The Nevada Birthday Rule is designed for people who already have a Medicare Supplement policy.
You may be able to use this rule if you are a Nevada resident, currently have an active Medicare Supplement policy, apply during your Nevada Birthday Rule window, and the new policy has the same or lesser benefits than your current policy.
This rule does not apply to Medicare Advantage plans or Part D prescription drug plans. Those plans follow different Medicare enrollment periods.

What Does Same or Lesser Benefits Mean?
The Nevada Birthday Rule does not create an unlimited open enrollment period for every Medigap plan. The rule generally allows eligible policyholders to move to a Medicare Supplement policy with the same or lesser benefits.
For many people, this means comparing the same plan letter with another insurance company. For example, a person with Plan G may compare other available Plan G options. A person with Plan N may compare other available Plan N options.
A person with Plan G may also be able to consider Plan N because Plan N generally has lower benefits than Plan G. However, moving from a lower-benefit plan to a higher-benefit plan may require medical underwriting unless another guaranteed issue right applies.

Why the Nevada Birthday Rule Matters
Medicare Supplement premiums can change over time. A policy that was competitive when you first enrolled may not remain the best value several years later.
Nevada’s Birthday Rule gives Medicare Supplement policyholders a built-in annual opportunity to review their current premium and compare other available options.
This can be valuable because Medicare Supplement policies do not have the same type of annual federal open enrollment period that applies to Medicare Advantage and Part D plans. The federal Medigap Open Enrollment Period is generally a one-time six-month period that starts when a person is age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. After that period, options may be limited, cost more, or involve medical underwriting unless a guaranteed issue right or state protection applies.

What the Nevada Birthday Rule Does Not Do
The Nevada Birthday Rule does not apply to Medicare Advantage plans.
It does not apply to Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.
It does not automatically allow you to upgrade to a higher-benefit Medigap plan without underwriting.
It does not mean every insurance company or every plan letter is available.
It does not replace your first six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period.
It does not mean you should cancel your current policy before a new policy is approved.

How to Use the Nevada Birthday Rule
Start by identifying your current Medicare Supplement plan letter. This may be Plan G, Plan N, Plan F, Plan A, or another standardized Medigap plan.
Next, mark the first day of your birthday month. That is when your Nevada Birthday Rule window begins.
Then compare available Medicare Supplement policies in your area. Review the monthly premium, household discount, insurance company, rate history, application timing, and requested effective date.
Before changing coverage, make sure the new policy qualifies as same or lesser benefits under Nevada’s rule. You should also make sure the new policy is approved before cancelling your current Medicare Supplement policy.

Request a Medicare Supplement Policy Comparison
Because rates can change over time, you may be able to save money while keeping the same standardized Medicare Supplement benefits.
If you currently have a Medigap policy in Nevada, you can request a Medicare Supplement policy comparison. We can help you review available options, compare monthly premiums, and determine whether your birthday month creates an opportunity to apply without medical underwriting.
​
Request a Medicare Supplement policy comparison today.

Nevada Birthday Rule FAQs

What is the Nevada Birthday Rule for Medicare Supplement policies?
The Nevada Birthday Rule is a state-level rule that gives eligible Medicare Supplement policyholders an annual window tied to their birthday month. During this period, they may be able to apply for another Medicare Supplement policy with the same or lesser benefits without medical underwriting.

Does the Nevada Birthday Rule apply to Medicare Advantage plans?
No. The Nevada Birthday Rule applies to Medicare Supplement insurance, also called Medigap. It does not apply to Medicare Advantage plans or Part D prescription drug plans.

Do I have to wait until my exact birthday?
No. In Nevada, the window begins on the first day of your birthday month.

Can I change insurance companies?
Yes. Eligible policyholders may be able to apply with their current insurance company or a different insurance company, as long as the new policy meets Nevada’s same-or-lesser-benefit requirement and is available.

Can I move from Plan G to Plan N?
A move from Plan G to Plan N may be allowed because Plan N generally has lesser benefits than Plan G. You should confirm eligibility, plan availability, and carrier requirements before applying.

​Can I move from Plan N to Plan G?
Usually, no. Moving from Plan N to Plan G is generally considered moving to greater benefits. That type of change may require medical underwriting unless another guaranteed issue right applies.

Should I cancel my current policy before applying?
No. It is usually safer to keep your current Medicare Supplement policy active until the new policy is approved and the effective date is confirmed.

Is this the same as Medicare Annual Enrollment?
No. Medicare Annual Enrollment, which runs from October 15 through December 7, is mainly for Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plan changes. The Nevada Birthday Rule applies to Medicare Supplement policies.

​
Because Medicare Supplement rates can change over time, you may be able to save money while keeping the same standardized Medigap plan benefits. For example, if you currently have Plan G or Plan N, we can help you compare other Plan G or Plan N options available in Nevada.

It is easy to find out. Complete the request form, and we will review available Medicare Supplement Insurance options in your area and send you a plan comparison sheet showing plan choices and monthly premiums.


Is your birthday month coming up? If you have a Medicare Supplement policy in Nevada, this may be a good time to compare your current premium with other available Medigap options. Request a policy comparison and see whether you may be able to lower your monthly cost while keeping the same standardized benefits.
​