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Medicare Supplement Plans California 2027: Using the 60-Day Birthday Rule and Other State Rights

Reviewed by Russell Noga, Licensed Medicare Insurance Broker (all 50 states) — Last updated October 29, 2026

Medicare Supplement plans in California come with a yearly 60-day birthday window that starts on your birthday, when you can move to a plan with equal or lesser benefits from any company with no health questions. California also requires insurers to sell to most people under 65 on Medicare and lets you pause a policy for up to 24 months if you qualify for Medi-Cal.

2027 by the Numbers

1,189,633

California Medicare Supplement enrollees, Dec. 2025 (Mark Farrah Associates)

554,225

of them in plans regulated by the Department of Managed Health Care (same report)

60 days

birthday switching window, starting on your birthday (Cal. Ins. Code 10192.11)

24 months

how long a policy can be suspended while on Medi-Cal

California has more Medicare Supplement policyholders than any other state, close to 1.2 million at the end of 2025. It also has some of the strongest buyer protections in the country, starting with a birthday rule that has been on the books since 1997.

This guide focuses on the California rules that change how and when you should buy or switch. For plan-by-plan benefits, start with our Plan G vs Plan N 2027 comparison.

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California Splits Oversight Between Two State Agencies

Medicare Supplement plans California 2027: enrollees split between the Department of Insurance and Department of Managed Health Care

Most states have one insurance regulator. California has two. The Department of Insurance oversees most Medicare Supplement policies, while the Department of Managed Health Care oversees plans sold under the Blue Cross or Blue Shield names. The consumer rules are the same under both.

California figure (Dec. 31, 2025) Number Share
Total Medicare Supplement enrollees 1,189,633 100%
In Managed Health Care-regulated plans 554,225 46.6%
Largest company’s share (UnitedHealthcare) 391,524 32.9%
Plan F share of Department of Insurance policies 274,823 43.3%
Plan G share of Department of Insurance policies 252,266 39.7%
Plan N share of Department of Insurance policies 64,628 10.2%

Source: Mark Farrah Associates, December 2025 Medigap Enrollment & Market Share report. Plan-letter data is not reported for Managed Health Care-regulated plans.

The large Plan F share tells you something useful: hundreds of thousands of Californians bought before 2020 and still hold F. The birthday rule lets them move to Plan G without health questions, since G has fewer benefits than F.

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How to Use Your 60-Day Birthday Window

Under California Insurance Code Section 10192.11, anyone who owns a Medicare Supplement policy gets an open enrollment of at least 60 days starting on their birthday, every year.

1

Watch for the insurer’s notice. Your company must notify you 30 to 60 days before the window opens, and also with any premium change notice.

2

Get quotes before your birthday. Line up rates for your current letter, or a lesser one, so you can apply on day one.

3

Apply within 60 days of your birthday. The new company cannot ask health questions or impose a new waiting period.

4

Cancel the old policy last. Wait until the new policy is approved and dated, so there is no gap.

Broker tip: Extras like dental or vision discounts are ignored when comparing benefits. Do not let a gym or vision perk stop you from moving to a cheaper policy of the same letter.

Switches the California Rule Allows, and the Ones It Doesn't

If you have You can move to Not guaranteed
Plan G Plan G at any company, or Plan N Plan F (more benefits)
Plan F Plan F or Plan G at any company, or a lesser plan None for lesser plans
Plan N Plan N at any company Plan G (more benefits)
High-Deductible Plan F High-Deductible Plan F only Plan F or Plan G

Source: Cal. Ins. Code 10192.11; Bonnie Burns, California Broker Magazine, 2021. Companies may voluntarily accept other moves.

The key word is lesser. You can always step down or sideways. Stepping up from Plan N to Plan G still requires health questions unless you have another guaranteed right. Read more in our guide to changing Medicare Supplement plans.

California Medicare Supplement Rights Before 65

Medicare Supplement plans California 2027: California under-65 rights compared with federal law

Federal law does not make companies sell to people under 65. California does. When a younger beneficiary first enrolls in Part B, insurers must sell Plans A, B, D, G, K or L, and M or N, if they sell those plans to people 65 and over.

Who is excluded. People whose Medicare is based on end-stage renal disease are not covered by this California right.

What it costs. Insurers may charge people under 65 more than the age-65 rate.

A second chance at 65. You still get your federal six-month open enrollment when you turn 65 and can pick any plan then.

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Job Coverage, Medi-Cal and Other California Protections

Employer coverage ends. Federal law gives a guaranteed right when secondary employer coverage ends. California applies it whether the employer plan was primary or secondary.

COBRA and Cal-COBRA. The right also applies when COBRA or Cal-COBRA coverage runs out.

Medi-Cal changes. If you are dropped from Medi-Cal or assigned a share of cost, you get a guaranteed right to buy a policy.

Suspend for Medi-Cal. If you become eligible for Medi-Cal, you can ask your insurer to suspend your policy for up to 24 months and reinstate it later.

Watch out: It is illegal in California to sell a Medicare Supplement policy to someone who has full Medi-Cal benefits. If an agent tries, contact the Department of Insurance.

Where California Posts Approved Rates, and Free HICAP Counseling

The California Department of Insurance publishes its 2026 Guide on Medicare Supplement Insurance as an online rate tool. You enter ZIP code, county and age, and it shows annual rates approved by the Department’s Health Actuary Office or by the Department of Managed Health Care, for a non-tobacco California resident.

1

Run the state tool. Check the approved annual rate for your current letter in your county.

2

Compare with your bill. If others are lower, your next birthday window is your chance to move.

3

Call HICAP if unsure. The Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program, overseen by the California Department of Aging, offers free one-on-one counseling in every county.

4

Get agent quotes. A licensed agent can quote several companies at once. See our 2027 Plan G rate increase guide to judge each company’s history.

Bottom Line

California’s 60-day birthday window turns every birthday into a free chance to cut your Medicare Supplement premium, as long as you move sideways or down. Add under-65 access, broader employer and Medi-Cal rights, and a state rate tool, and California buyers have more leverage than almost anyone. Use it every year.

View 2027 California plans & rates in your ZIP code

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Medicare Supplement Plans California — Frequently Asked Questions

➤ How long is California’s birthday window for switching?

At least 60 days, starting on your birthday each year. During that time you can buy a policy with equal or lesser benefits from any company without health questions or a new waiting period.

➤ Can I move from Plan N up to Plan G on my birthday in California?

Not under the birthday rule. Plan G has more benefits than Plan N, so the company can ask health questions. Moving from Plan G down to Plan N is allowed.

➤ Will my insurer remind me before my California birthday window?

Yes. California requires the company to send notice 30 to 60 days before the window, and to mention it with any premium change notice.

➤ Does California’s under-65 right cover people with ESRD?

No. The California under-65 requirement excludes people whose Medicare is based on end-stage renal disease. Most other under-65 enrollees can buy Plans A, B, D, G, K or L, and M or N.

➤ Who regulates Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medicare Supplement plans in California?

The Department of Managed Health Care. Other Medicare Supplement policies are regulated by the Department of Insurance. Consumer protections are the same under both.

➤ Can I pause my Medicare Supplement if I get Medi-Cal?

Yes. You can ask the insurer to suspend the policy for up to 24 months while you have Medi-Cal, then reinstate it or choose another policy.

➤ Where does California publish approved Medicare Supplement rates?

In the Department of Insurance’s online Guide on Medicare Supplement Insurance. It shows approved annual rates by ZIP code, county and age for non-tobacco users.

➤ What does HICAP stand for, and does it cost anything?

HICAP is the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program, California’s free Medicare counseling service. It operates in every county and does not sell insurance.

New to Medicare?

If you are new to Medicare, then you can enroll in a 2027 Medicare Supplement plan up to six months prior to your Medicare Part B effective date.

Call one of our licensed insurance agents to see what the best time frame is for you to enroll, based on your current situation. You can contact them at 1-855-409-6195.

Medicare Supplement Quotes

Call a Licensed Agent Now

Compare 2027 Plan G, Plan N and more from several insurance companies in one call.

☎ 1-855-409-6195

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TTY users 711

No obligation to enroll

Compare plans & benefits in your area

Or speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-855-409-6195TTY 711

Mon-Fri: 5am-7pm, Sat-Sun: 7am-4pm CT

Medicare Supplement Plans 2027
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This website and the Medicare Supplement insurance plans referenced on it are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance is sold by private insurance companies. MedicareSupplementPlans2027.org is a website owned and operated by ZRN Health & Financial Services, LLC, a Texas limited liability company and licensed insurance agency. We do not offer every plan or insurance company available in your area; any information we provide is limited to the plans and companies we represent. Plan availability, benefits and premiums vary by state, age, gender, tobacco use, ZIP code and insurance company, and are subject to underwriting where permitted by law. Rates and figures shown on this site may reflect 2026 data and are for informational purposes only; your actual premium will be determined by the insurance company. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. Medicare Supplement plans are not Medicare Advantage plans and do not include prescription drug coverage. By submitting your information in the form, you agree to this site's privacy policy and expressly consent to be contacted at the number entered in the form (including a wireless number if provided) by licensed insurance agents or other partners offering related products that may be of interest to you, by phone, email or text. You understand that these calls may be generated using an automatic telephone dialing system, a pre-recorded message or artificial voice, or by sending SMS messages. Your telephone company may impose additional charges for such messages. You understand that you are not required to provide this consent to purchase goods or services. Receiving quotes through our website is always free, and you are under no obligation to purchase any goods or services as a result of this request. For information on all of your Medicare options, contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).