Many states let Medigap members switch plans during a yearly window called the Birthday Rule as long as the new plan has “equal or fewer benefits” than the current one. In states that offer the Birthday Rule*, the insurer cannot require health screening during that window, so your health history does not affect approval. California adopted the first Birthday Rule, and we use it as a general guide to which plans count as equal or fewer. Find your current plan in the chart below to see your options.

*Note: These rules apply only to people who already have a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy. They do not let you move from Medicare Advantage to Medigap. Some states that have birthday rules don’t let you switch to plans with fewer benefits. Check out our state-by-state Birthday Rule guide and confirm the details with the insurer before you apply.

How Does Equal or Fewer Benefits Work for Medigap Switching?

Medigap plans (sometimes called Med Sup plans) are standardized by letter, so each letter has a fixed set of benefits. Under an equal or fewer benefits rule, you can move to any plan whose standardized benefits match or fall below those of your current plan. Plan G has more benefits than Plan N (which has copays and excess charges) so if you have a Plan G you can move to Plan N using the birthday rule in most states but those on Plan N could not move to G without medical underwriting.

This chart is not official for all states. It is Senior65.com best understanding of which plans are considered equal or fewer benefits for birthday rule switch purposes. Some insurance carriers interpret this chart differently in certain states.

Medigap Switching Chart: Which Plans Can You Switch To?

Find your current plan in the left column. A check mark shows each plan you could switch to under an equal or fewer benefits rule (not all states offer this kind of switch- see state-by-state Birthday Rule guide)

Your Current Plan Plans You Could Switch To (considered equal or fewer benefits)
A B C* D F* HD F* G** HD G** K L M N
Plan A✓
Plan B✓✓
Plan C✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
Plan D✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
Plan F✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
High Deductible Plan F✓
Plan G✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
High Deductible Plan G✓
Plan K✓✓
Plan L✓✓✓
Plan M✓✓✓
Plan N✓


* Plans C, F, and High Deductible F can only be sold to people who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020 (see Medigap Plan F rules under MACRA).

Examples of How to Read the Chart

  • Plan F includes every standardized benefit, so it can move to any plan on the chart.
  • Plan G can move to Plan A, B, D, G, High Deductible G, K, L, M, or N.
  • Plan B can only move to Plan A or Plan B, because every other plan adds skilled nursing facility coverage.
  • Plan N has no equivalent among the other plans, so the only move is to another Plan N.
  • High Deductible Plan F and High Deductible Plan G can only move to the same high-deductible plan. Our comparison of Plan G vs. High-Deductible Plan G explains the difference.

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Do Innovative, Extra, and Plus Plans Count as Plan F or Plan G?

Some insurers sell versions of Plan F and Plan G with extra benefits added, often named Innovative, Extra, or Plus. For switching purposes, they are still Plan F and Plan G. Added benefits (like dental or eyeglass coverage) are not counted when comparing plans, because only the standardized benefits decide whether one plan has equal or fewer benefits than another.

A member with Plan G Innovative, Plan G Extra, or Plan G Plus uses the Plan G row of the chart, and a member with Plan F Innovative or Plan F Extra uses the Plan F row. You can also move between a standard Plan G and an enhanced version of Plan G, in either direction. Moving to a version without the extras means giving up those added benefits. See how these plans compare in our Innovative G and G Extra comparison.

What If the Medigap Plan You Want Is Not on the Chart?

Medical underwriting lets you apply to switch Medigap plans at any time of year, including to a plan with more benefits than your current one. The insurer reviews your health history before deciding. A pre-existing condition doesn’t automatically disqualify you, but every carrier weighs your history differently. The Instant Medigap Underwriting Checker shows where you stand before you apply.

For a closer look at both routes, read our guide to switching Medigap plans when you’re healthy and when you’re not.

How Can Senior65 Help You Switch Medigap Plans?

Start by comparing prices for the plan you have in mind with a free Medigap quote. Our help is free, and by law no one can offer you a lower price on the same plan. If you need assistance, call 800-930-7956 to speak with our team, and we can confirm whether your state has a switching window.

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