What Ohio law says
Some states require Medigap companies to let current policyholders switch each year, often in a window around their birthday or policy anniversary, without health questions. Ohio does not. Its Medigap rule, OAC 3901-8-08 (current version effective May 1, 2023), has only two kinds of no-underwriting windows:
- Open enrollment: the 6 months starting the first month you are both 65 or older and enrolled in Part B (paragraph (N)).
- Guaranteed issue: specific events, such as your Medicare Advantage plan leaving your area or employer coverage ending (paragraph (O)).
The Ohio Department of Insurance's own Medicare 101 page describes the same two windows and no yearly switching right.
The proposed bill: HB 24
House Bill 24 of the 136th General Assembly was introduced on January 27, 2025, and referred to the House Insurance Committee. As introduced, it would add a 60-day window around your birthday each year to move to the same coverage from a different company, plus Medigap access for people under 65 with a disability or ESRD. The committee adopted changes in 2026, but as of November 13, 2026, it has not been reported out of committee. A bill has been proposed; it is not law. The General Assembly's session ends December 31, 2026, and bills that haven't passed by then die. A similar bill in the previous session, HB 400, also died in committee.
What this means for you
- Choose carefully at 65. Your Medigap open enrollment is the one time any company must sell you any policy it offers, at a price not based on your health.
- Ask how a policy is priced. Without a birthday rule, you may stay with one company for years, so its rating method and rate history matter. See how Medigap rates work.
- Know your guaranteed-issue rights. If your Medicare Advantage plan is ending for 2027, you may be able to buy Medigap with no health questions. See plans ending in 2027.
- If you want to switch later, apply before you cancel. Keep your current policy until a new company approves you. You get 30 days to return the new policy (OAC 3901-8-08(T)(1)(e)).
To compare Medigap policies from the companies they work with, you can request a call from a licensed insurance agent. More in our guide to Medigap in Ohio.
Related questions
Can I switch Medigap plans in Ohio?
How switching works without a birthday rule.
When can I buy Medigap in Ohio?
Every window, in one place.
Can I get Medigap under 65 in Ohio?
What Ohio law does and doesn't require.
Sources
- Ohio Administrative Code 3901-8-08, Medicare supplement
- Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3923 (sections 3923.33 to 3923.339)
- Ohio Legislature — House Bill 24 (136th General Assembly), status
- Medicare.gov — Can I change my Medigap policy?
More questions in this guide
- Are Medigap rates in Ohio based on age?
- Can I get Medigap under 65 in Ohio?
- Can I get Medigap with pre-existing conditions in Ohio?
- Can I switch Medigap plans in Ohio?
- Is Medigap Plan F still available in Ohio?
- What is the difference between Medigap Plan G and Plan N?
- What happens to my Medigap if I move out of Ohio?
- When can I buy Medigap in Ohio?
Part of the guide: Medigap (Medicare Supplement) in Ohio · All questions
Frequently asked questions
What would House Bill 24 do?
As introduced, HB 24 would let a person who already has Medigap switch to a policy with the same coverage from a different company within 60 days of their birthday each year, and would give people under 65 new Medigap rights. It has not passed the House Insurance Committee.
Can I still change Medigap policies in Ohio?
Yes, you can apply to any company at any time. Without a birthday rule, though, the company can review your health and may turn you down or charge more, unless you are in open enrollment or have a guaranteed-issue right.
If I move to Ohio from a birthday-rule state, do I keep that right?
No. Birthday rules are state law and apply where you live. Once you live in Ohio, Ohio's rules apply, though you can generally keep your current Medigap policy.
Who do I contact about Medigap rules in Ohio?
The Ohio Department of Insurance regulates Medigap. Its Consumer Services line is 1-800-686-1526.
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