Does Maryland have a birthday rule?

Yes. Effective July 1, 2023, Maryland implemented a Medigap birthday rule that provides an annual 30-day open enrollment window starting on your birthday. During this time, Maryland residents with an active Medicare Supplement policy can switch to any other Medigap plan with equal or lesser benefits without medical underwriting. This guaranteed issue right allows you to change insurance carriers to secure a lower premium or better service regardless of your health history, provided the new plan does not offer additional significant benefits compared to your current one.

What guaranteed issue rights do I have in Maryland?

In Maryland, you have guaranteed issue rights during your initial six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which begins when you are 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. Additionally, effective July 1, 2023, Maryland implemented a birthday rule that provides an annual 30-day window starting on your birthday to switch to a plan of equal or lesser benefits without medical underwriting. You also qualify for protections during specific life events, such as when your Medicare Advantage plan stops serving your area, you move out of your plan's service area, or you lose employer-sponsored health coverage. In these situations, insurance companies must sell you a policy at the best available rate regardless of your health status.

What age does Medicare start in Maryland?

For most Maryland residents, Medicare eligibility begins at age 65. You can sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period, which begins three months before the month you turn 65 and ends three months after your birthday month. However, you may qualify for Medicare before age 65 if you have a qualifying disability and have received Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for 24 months, or if you have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Maryland law also provides specific protections for these under-65 enrollees, requiring insurers to offer at least Medigap Plan A and Plan D to those newly eligible due to disability.

Can I buy a Medigap plan in Maryland if I'm under 65?

Yes. While federal law does not require insurance companies to sell Medigap policies to people under 65, Maryland law provides specific protections for these enrollees. If you are newly eligible for Medicare due to a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS, Maryland requires all insurers in the state to offer under-65s at least one Medigap plan, Medigap Plan A and Plan D. It is important to note that premiums for under-65 enrollees may differ from those over 65, but once you turn 65, you will receive a new six-month Open Enrollment Period to choose any plan at standard rates.

Do I need Medicare Part A and Part B to get a Medicare Supplement plan in Maryland?

Yes. To purchase a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan in Maryland, you must be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. Medigap policies are specifically designed to cover out-of-pocket costs left behind by Original Medicare, such as deductibles and coinsurance; therefore, you cannot buy or maintain a supplement plan without having both parts of Original Medicare active.

2026 Medigap Plans in Maryland | Costs, Carriers, FAQs

Age	Avg. Monthly Rate
65	$266/mo
70	$300/mo
75	$344/mo
80	$406/mo

CARRIERS

Medicare Supplement Insurance Providers in Maryland