I live in Illinois and have a Medicare Supplement plan. Can I switch to another Medigap plan without going through medical underwriting?
Answered by 4 licensed agents
If you are between ages 65 and 75, you have a 45-day window beginning on your birthday each year. During that time, you may be able to move to a plan with the same insurance company, or an affiliated company, as long as the new plan has the same or lesser benefits.
The pitfall is thinking this gives you the freedom to switch to any Medicare Supplement company or any plan without health questions. It does not.
Outside of that birthday window, medical underwriting may still apply unless you have another guaranteed-issue right.
Before making a change, make sure you understand exactly what you qualify for. And never cancel your current Medicare Supplement until the new coverage has been approved.
Answered by Jeremy Harkins on September 11, 2026
Broker Licensed in TN, AR, CA & 5 other states
If you are at least age 65 but no more than age 75 and already have a Medicare Supplement policy, Illinois provides a 45-day annual open enrollment period beginning on your birthday.
During that window, you may purchase a Medicare Supplement policy from your current insurer or, under Illinois law effective in 2026, an affiliated insurer authorized to do business in Illinois, as long as the new policy provides benefits that are equal to or less than the benefits of your existing coverage.
During this Illinois birthday-rule period, the insurer cannot deny or condition the coverage or discriminate in pricing because of your health status, medical condition, claims history, or use of healthcare.
There are two important limitations.
First, this is not an unrestricted right to move to any Medicare Supplement company in Illinois.
Second, it does not give you the right to move to a plan with greater benefits than your current coverage.
Outside this birthday-rule protection or another guaranteed-issue situation, medical underwriting may still apply.
Verification: Current Illinois law provides the 45-day birthday window for people ages 65 through 75 and, effective January 1, 2026, expressly includes the same issuer or an authorized affiliate, subject to the equal-or-lesser-benefits requirement.
This is substantially stronger for search than a generic Medigap answer because it contains the phrases an Illinois consumer is actually likely to search: Illinois Medicare Supplement birthday rule, 45 days, medical underwriting and Medigap.
Answered by Edward Givens on September 13, 2026
Broker Licensed in AZ, CA, CO & 13 other states
Answered by Madison Schoenherr on September 9, 2026
Broker Licensed in IL, IN & MI
Answered by Mattie Macias on September 16, 2026
Agent Licensed in TN, MI, TX & VA
Tags: Advice for Seniors Eligibility The Medicare System
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