Medigap plans in Louisiana
We track the rules that matter when you compare or switch Medigap plans in Louisiana: how premiums are rated, whether the state adds switching protections on top of the federal baseline, and whether carriers must sell to people under 65.
Louisiana adds extra Medigap protections on top of the federal baseline. Louisiana's birthday rule provides a 93-day window beginning 30 days before your birthday to switch to an equal or lesser Medigap plan with the same carrier.
Louisiana Medigap rules at a glance
| Standardized plans | Federal Plan A-N (Plans C and F closed to those newly eligible on/after 2020-01-01) |
|---|---|
| Rating method | Attained-age rated |
| State switching rule | Birthday rule (93-day window) |
| Under-65 access | Not mandated by the state |
Source: NAIC Medicare Supplement Insurance Model Regulation (#651) and the Louisiana Department of Insurance. Always confirm current rules with your state DOI or SHIP before applying.
How pricing works in Louisiana
Most carriers in this state use attained-age rating, so premiums rise as you get older. Issue-age and community-rated policies may also be offered.
A community-rated plan charges the same monthly premium regardless of age. Issue-age plans lock your premium based on the age you bought in. Attained-age plans start lower in your 60s and rise as you get older. Over a 20-year horizon, the rating method usually matters more than the plan letter.
Switching Medigap plans in Louisiana
Federal law gives you a 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period that starts the month your Part B begins. During that window any Medigap carrier in Louisiana must sell to you with no medical underwriting. After it closes, federal guaranteed-issue rights only trigger in specific situations (for example, when your employer plan ends or a Medicare Advantage plan leaves your area).
Louisiana's birthday rule provides a 93-day window beginning 30 days before your birthday to switch to an equal or lesser Medigap plan with the same carrier.
We walk through the federal switching mechanics in our guide on leaving Medicare Advantage, and compare the most popular Medigap plan letters in Plan G vs Plan N.
People under 65 in Louisiana
Federal law does not require Medigap carriers to sell to people under 65. Some carriers may offer plans voluntarily.
See our overview of Medicare on disability for how the 24-month waiting period and SSDI interact with state Medigap rules.
Frequently asked questions
- What Medigap plans are sold in Louisiana?
- Louisiana sells the standardized federal Medigap plans (Plan A through Plan N, with Plans C and F closed to people first eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020).
- Can I switch Medigap plans in Louisiana without medical underwriting?
- Louisiana's birthday rule provides a 93-day window beginning 30 days before your birthday to switch to an equal or lesser Medigap plan with the same carrier.
- How are Medigap premiums priced in Louisiana?
- Most carriers in this state use attained-age rating, so premiums rise as you get older. Issue-age and community-rated policies may also be offered.
- Can people under 65 buy Medigap in Louisiana?
- Federal law does not require Medigap carriers to sell to people under 65. Some carriers may offer plans voluntarily.
Compare other states
Related guides
Confirm your Medigap window in Louisiana
Your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period is tied to your Part B effective date. We'll calculate it from your date of birth.
Educational resource. Not legal, tax, or insurance advice. Always confirm specifics with Medicare.gov, your State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or the Louisiana Department of Insurance.