Switching from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare

When you can leave

• Medicare Open Enrollment, October 15 to December 7, for coverage starting January 1.
• The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, January 1 to March 31 (or your first 3 months with Medicare).
• A Special Enrollment Period, for example if you move out of the plan's area.

Add drug coverage

When you return to Original Medicare, join a standalone Part D plan at the same time, or you could go without drug coverage and face a late enrollment penalty. Joining a Part D plan automatically ends your Medicare Advantage enrollment.

The Medigap question

In most states, if you don't have a guaranteed issue right, a Medigap insurer can ask about your health and decline you or charge more. Guaranteed rights include:

• Trial right: you joined Medicare Advantage when you first became eligible at 65 and leave within 12 months. You can buy any Medigap policy.
• Trial right: you dropped Medigap to try Medicare Advantage for the first time and leave within 12 months. You can generally get your old policy back, or another if it's not available.
• Your plan leaves Medicare or your area, or you move out of its service area.
• State rules, such as year-round guaranteed issue in New York and Connecticut.

Apply for Medigap first

If you'll need to pass underwriting, apply for the Medigap policy before you leave your Medicare Advantage plan, so you know whether you'll be accepted before you give anything up.