West Virginia now has a Medigap Birthday Rule, giving eligible Medicare Supplement policyholders a yearly window to shop for a better rate without answering health questions. Here’s exactly how the rule works and who it applies to.
💡 Note: Want to understand all the Medigap rules that apply in West Virginia? Check out our full guide: West Virginia Medigap Plans: Rules and Options.
What Is the West Virginia Medigap Birthday Rule?
Since June 11, 2026, West Virginia has offered a 60-day window each year, starting on the first day of your birthday month, to switch Medigap plans without medical underwriting. Unlike some birthday rule states, West Virginia’s version only lets you move to a plan of equal or lesser benefits from your current insurance company or an affiliated company, not any carrier in the state, unless that insurer doesn’t offer a comparable plan.
👉Looking to see how other states handle their switching rights? Read our Ultimate Guide to Medigap Birthday Rules in Every State.
Who Qualifies for the West Virginia Medigap Birthday Rule?
You qualify if you live in West Virginia, already own a Medigap policy, and have held that same policy for at least two years. That two-year holding requirement is the key difference from birthday rule states like Indiana or Nevada, where no minimum ownership period applies. If you’ve had your current plan less than two years, this window isn’t available to you yet.
💡 If you’re on a Medicare Advantage plan instead of Medigap, this rule won’t apply to you. Switching from Medicare Advantage to Medigap generally requires medical underwriting unless a separate guaranteed-issue right applies.
When Can You Switch Medigap Plans?
Your window opens on the first day of your birthday month and runs 60 days from there. During that time, you can move to a plan with benefits equal to or less than your current plan, but only with your current insurer or one of its affiliated companies, unless they don’t sell a comparable plan. Insurers can’t ask health questions or add waiting periods during this window.
💡 Note: Because the switch has to stay with your current insurer or an affiliate, this rule is more useful for downgrading to a lower-cost plan (say, Plan G to Plan N) with the same company than for chasing the lowest price across the whole market. If you want to compare prices across every carrier in West Virginia, hit the button below (note that switching to a new company generally still requires medical underwriting).
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How Pricing Works When You Switch using the WV B-day Rule
Medigap plans are standardized nationwide, so benefits for a given plan letter are identical everywhere. What differs is price, and even within the same company, a lower-lettered plan (like Plan N instead of Plan G) usually carries a lower premium. If your current insurer’s rates have climbed, your birthday window is the moment to ask them directly about a lower-cost plan with equal or lesser benefits.
What if you want to switch to another Medigap insurance company?
The WV b-day rule only lets you move to another plan with your existing Medigap insurance provider. You can always switch, however, to any insurance company year round but you will first have you go through Medical Underwriting. You can be approved even if you have certain pre-existing conditions. Learn more about how Medical underwriting works here.
Step-by-Step: Using the West Virginia Medigap Birthday Rule
- Confirm you’ve held your current Medigap policy for at least two years.
- Mark the first day of your birthday month, this is when your 60-day window opens.
- Contact your current insurer (or call our team at Senior65 if we placed your plan) to ask about lower-cost plans with equal or lesser benefits.
- Submit your application during your window, and keep your current policy active until your new one is confirmed.
FAQ: West Virginia Medigap Birthday Rule
Q: When did the West Virginia Medigap Birthday Rule take effect?
A: June 11, 2026.
Q: Can I switch to any Medigap company in West Virginia?
A: No. You can only move to a plan of equal or lesser benefits from your current insurer or an affiliated company, unless they don’t offer a comparable plan.
Q: What if I’ve had my plan less than two years?
A: This rule doesn’t apply to you yet. Check the Instant Medigap Underwriting Checker if you want to explore switching sooner.
Q: Does this rule apply to Medicare Advantage plans?
A: No, it only applies to existing Medigap policyholders.
Ready to Compare West Virginia Medigap Plans?
Whether you qualify for the Birthday Rule today or you’re still a year or two out, our team at Senior65 can help you compare Medigap plans available in West Virginia. Our help is always free, since carriers pay us directly and no one can offer you a lower price on the same plan. Call 800-930-7956 or get a quote online to get started.