Oregon's Medicare Supplement Birthday Rule, Explained
Ready to look at real plans? Medicare’s official Plan Finder shows every plan in your ZIP code, with costs for your drugs.
Want free one-on-one help? Oregon’s SHIBA program offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling. Call 800-722-4134 or visit shiba.oregon.gov.
What Oregon's Rule Says
Oregon’s rule (OAR 836-052-0143) says that beginning 30 days before a person’s birthday, and for 30 days after, a Medicare Supplement policy owner may cancel their existing policy and buy another Medicare Supplement policy with the same or lesser benefits to replace it.
In plain English: once a year, around your birthday, you can trade your Supplement for an equal or smaller one, and the new insurer has to take you.
Who Can Use the Birthday Rule?
- ✓ You need to already have a Medicare Supplement. The rule is for switching Supplements, not for moving from Medicare Advantage to a Supplement.
- ✓ The new plan needs the same or fewer benefits. For example, someone with Plan G could move to another company’s Plan G, or to Plan N, which covers less.
- ✓ You need to switch within your window: 30 days before your birthday through 30 days after.
Your 61-Day Window
- 130 days before
Window opens
- Example: May 16 for a June 15 birthday
- Start comparing prices for your plan letter
- 2Your birthday
June 15 (example)
- You can apply any day in the window
- 330 days after
Window closes
- Example: July 15
- Apply before this date
Medicare’s official Plan Finder shows every plan in your ZIP code, with costs for your drugs.
Want free one-on-one help? Oregon’s SHIBA program offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling. Call 800-722-4134 or visit shiba.oregon.gov.
Why It Matters: Same Plan, Different Prices
Medicare Supplement plans are standardized. A Plan G covers the same benefits no matter which company sells it. But prices aren’t standardized, and premiums can rise over time. The birthday rule gives you a yearly chance to move to a company charging less for the same coverage.
How to Use the Birthday Rule
Mark your window
Note your birthday window on your calendar.
Compare prices
Compare prices for your current plan letter (and lesser plans, if you’re open to them) from other companies.
Apply in time
Apply for the new policy within your window.
Then cancel
Cancel your old policy only after the new one is in place.
Not on a Supplement Yet?
The birthday rule won’t help you move from Medicare Advantage to a Supplement. For that, timing and guaranteed issue rights matter. Read Medicare Advantage vs Supplement and Medicare Supplement plans in Oregon.
Medicare’s official Plan Finder shows every plan in your ZIP code, with costs for your drugs.
Want free one-on-one help? Oregon’s SHIBA program offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling. Call 800-722-4134 or visit shiba.oregon.gov.
FAQs
What is the birthday rule for Medicare Supplements in Oregon?
If you have a Medicare Supplement, you can switch to another Supplement with the same or fewer benefits from 30 days before your birthday to 30 days after.
Can I switch to a plan with more benefits under the birthday rule?
No. The rule only covers switching to a plan with the same or lesser benefits.
Does the birthday rule work for Medicare Advantage?
No. It's only for people switching from one Medicare Supplement to another.
Can I switch to a different insurance company?
Yes. The rule lets you replace your policy with another Supplement, which is how people use it to find a lower price for the same coverage.
Medicare’s official Plan Finder shows every plan in your ZIP code, with costs for your drugs.
Want free one-on-one help? Oregon’s SHIBA program offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling. Call 800-722-4134 or visit shiba.oregon.gov.
