TO: All Health Insurers Writing Medicare Supplement Products in Wyoming

FROM: Jeffrey P. Rude, Wyoming Insurance Commissioner

DATE: June 27, 2025

SUBJECT: Further Clarification on Updates to Wyoming Insurance Regulation Ch. 35: Medicare Supplement Insurance

The purpose of this bulletin is to provide further clarification regarding the updates to Wyoming Insurance Regulation - Chapter 35: Medicare Supplement Insurance (“the regulation”). This guidance specifically involves the guaranteed issue period now available for a period of sixty-three (63) days after the insured’s birthday, referred to as the “birthday rule,” that was implemented pursuant to the most recent changes to Chapter 35.  The most recent revisions to Chapter 35 were effective June 4, 2025.

On June 5, 2025, a memorandum was issued by the Department advising that the regulation had been updated, and that the birthday rule was now in effect. The birthday rule allows for an additional guaranteed issue period that begins annually on the insured’s birthday and ends sixty-three days later. Since issuance of the June 5, 2025 memorandum, the Department has received multiple inquiries regarding the timing of the insured’s birthday, and the implementation of the regulation. It is the Department’s position that if a policyholder had their birthday on or before adoption of the birthday rule on June 4, 2025, but were still within the 63-day guaranteed issue window, the insured would be eligible for the birthday rule guaranteed issue period until the conclusion of the sixty-third day after the insured’s birthday. 

If there are any questions regarding any of the above information, please feel free to contact the Department at 307-777-7401.

Effective June 4, 2025, Wyoming Insurance Regulation Chapter 35 amended the “Guaranteed Issue Period” to include a “Birthday Rule” for Medicare Supplement policyholders. The additional Guaranteed Issue period starts on the insured’s birthday and ends 63 days thereafter. The insured can select a different plan/carrier as long as the plan has similar or less coverage than the replaced policy, utilizing the Guaranteed Issue status.

The updated regulation as well as a resource sheet showing plan selection options, based on current policy, can be found here: Resource Sheet & Updated Regulation*

This notice is being provided so you can implement procedures in compliance with the new regulation change that went into effect June 4, 2025.

For further questions, please contact the Wyoming Department of Insurance.

As of June 1,2025 the Wyoming Department of Insurance will no longer accept paper form(s) for the below services.

• Letter of Clearance

• Voluntary Surrender

• Name Change

• Address Change

These services need to be submitted on-line through Sircon.com. Select the Additional State Service Request and then the reason for the request and the required form. This process requires a form to be completed and attached to the request.

There is no charge for this service however, there is a $3.50 processing fee.

Questions concerning these changes may be sent to the licensing section at insurancelicensing@wyo.gov or by phone at (307) 777-7319.