Leaving Medicare Advantage

The short version

When you can switch

• Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15 to December 7. Switch to Original Medicare or to a different Advantage plan. Coverage starts January 1.
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (OEP): January 1 to March 31. Already on Advantage? You get one switch per year. Either to another Advantage plan or back to Original Medicare with a Part D plan.
• Special Enrollment Periods: if you move out of your plan's service area, your plan leaves Medicare, or you qualify for Extra Help, you can switch outside the standard windows.
• Trial right: if you joined Advantage when first eligible for Medicare, you have 12 months to switch back with guaranteed-issue Medigap rights.

The Medigap underwriting problem

What insurers underwrite on varies, but commonly: heart conditions, cancer, COPD, diabetes with complications, kidney disease, and recent hospitalizations. If you can plan the switch before a major diagnosis, it's much easier.

Compare Medigap Plan G and Plan N

States with easier Medigap rules

• New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine: some form of year-round or annual guaranteed-issue Medigap
• California, Oregon, Idaho, Missouri: birthday or anniversary switching rules within defined windows
• Washington: guaranteed-issue switching among most Medigap plans for current Medigap policyholders

State rules change. We surface the current rule on each state page.

See state-specific Medigap rules

The right order to switch

1. Apply for Medigap first. Get a written approval before you cancel anything. Underwriting can take 2-6 weeks.
2. Choose a standalone Part D plan. Original Medicare doesn't include drug coverage. Coordinate the start date with Medigap.
3. Disenroll from Advantage. Enrolling in a Part D plan during AEP automatically disenrolls you from a MAPD. Otherwise, call 1-800-MEDICARE or use your account at medicare.gov.
4. Verify the effective date. Make sure there's no gap between Advantage ending and Medigap + Part D starting.

When it's better to stay

• You're getting real value from extra benefits (dental, vision, OTC) and rarely hit prior-auth friction
• Your conditions would likely fail Medigap underwriting in your state
• Your providers are all in-network and you don't travel much
• The premium savings genuinely matter to your budget

Medicare Advantage isn't a worse plan. It's a different tradeoff. Just know which tradeoff you're making.

Frequently asked questions

Can I switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare?

Yes. You can switch during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7) or the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31). Returning to Original Medicare is straightforward; getting a Medigap policy to pair with it can require medical underwriting.

Will I be able to get a Medigap policy if I leave Advantage?

It depends. You have guaranteed-issue Medigap rights only in specific situations, like your first 12 months on Advantage (the trial-right window) or if your plan leaves your service area. Outside those windows, in most states, insurers can use underwriting and deny you for health reasons.

What is the Medicare Advantage trial right?

If you joined Medicare Advantage when you first became eligible for Medicare at 65, you have 12 months to switch back to Original Medicare with a guaranteed right to buy specific Medigap plans (typically A, B, C, F, K, or L from any insurer in your state). After month 12 the trial right ends.

Are there states with easier Medigap switching?

Yes. New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Maine offer some form of guaranteed-issue Medigap year-round or annually. California, Oregon, Washington, Missouri, and Idaho have birthday or anniversary rules that let you switch plans without underwriting in defined windows. Always check your state's current rules before timing a move.

Will I lose my doctor if I leave Advantage?

Usually the opposite — you gain access. Original Medicare lets you see any provider who accepts Medicare nationwide, without network restrictions or referrals. If you've been frustrated by your Advantage plan's network or prior authorizations, that constraint disappears with Original Medicare.