How to Switch From Medicare Advantage Back to Original Medicare

Yes, you can switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare during certain windows

You can move from a Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), but only during specific enrollment periods. The main window is the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which runs October 15 to December 7 each year. Changes take effect January 1. Outside this window, you can switch only if you may have access to for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) — a shorter window triggered by specific life events or plan changes.

The process itself is straightforward: you contact Medicare or your new Medigap or Part D plan directly, and your Medicare Advantage coverage ends when your new coverage begins. You do not need permission from your current plan. However, timing matters. If you miss the enrollment window and do not may have access to for a SEP, you will be locked into your current plan until the next AEP arrives.

Key Takeaways

The Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7) is the main time to switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare, with changes effective January 1.
Special Enrollment Periods allow switches outside AEP if you move out of your plan's service area, lose employer coverage, or experience other may have access to events.
You should enroll in a Medigap supplemental plan or Part D prescription drug coverage before or at the same time you switch to Original Medicare to avoid coverage gaps.
Original Medicare has no network restrictions and covers care anywhere in the United States, unlike Medicare Advantage plans that often limit you to in-network providers.
Switching costs money: Original Medicare premiums plus Medigap or Part D premiums are typically higher than a single Medicare Advantage premium, though out-of-pocket costs may be lower.

When you can make the switch: enrollment periods explained

The Annual Enrollment Period is your main opportunity. It opens October 15 and closes December 7 each year. Any change you make during this window takes effect on January 1 of the following year. You have nearly two months to decide, so there is no rush to act on the first day.

A Special Enrollment Period lets you switch outside AEP if you meet certain conditions. You may have access to if you move out of your Medicare Advantage plan's service area, if your plan is being discontinued, if you lose employer-sponsored coverage, if you become may be able to access for Medicaid or lose Medicaid, or if you experience other may have access to events such as a death in the family or a change in your living situation. SEPs are typically 60 days long and vary by situation. You must contact Medicare or your plan to confirm you may have access to and to learn your exact window.

If you miss both AEP and any SEP you might may have access to for, you cannot switch until the next October 15. Medicare does not allow mid-year changes for reasons of preference alone. Plan ahead if you know you want to leave Medicare Advantage.

What you need to do before you switch

Before you leave Medicare Advantage, decide whether you want a Medigap plan (supplemental insurance) or a Part D plan (prescription drug coverage), or both. Original Medicare covers hospital and doctor visits but leaves you responsible for deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. Medigap fills those gaps. Part D covers prescription drugs, which Original Medicare does not.

You can enroll in Medigap or Part D at the same time you switch to Original Medicare, or you can enroll before your Medicare Advantage coverage ends. Timing matters for cost: if you enroll in Medigap within 63 days of losing Medicare Advantage coverage, you have a may provide right to buy any Medigap plan offered in your state, regardless of health conditions. If you wait longer, insurers can deny you or charge more based on your health history.

Contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or visit Medicare.gov to see which Medigap and Part D plans are available in your area. You can also call your state's Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) for free, unbiased help comparing plans. Do not wait until January 1 to sort this out — enroll before your Medicare Advantage plan ends to avoid a gap in coverage.

How to actually make the switch

You have two main routes: contact Medicare directly, or enroll in a new Medigap or Part D plan, which automatically triggers your switch from Medicare Advantage.

To contact Medicare directly, call 1-800-MEDICARE during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time) or visit Medicare.gov and log into your account. Tell them you want to switch to Original Medicare. They will confirm your enrollment period, walk you through the process, and send you confirmation. Your Medicare Advantage plan will be notified automatically — you do not need to contact them.

Alternatively, when you enroll in a Medigap or Part D plan through an insurance company or broker, that enrollment automatically disenrolls you from Medicare Advantage. The new plan's effective date becomes your Medicare Advantage end date. This route is faster if you have already chosen your supplemental or drug coverage.

What happens to your current coverage and costs

Your Medicare Advantage plan ends on the date your Original Medicare coverage begins, typically January 1 if you switched during AEP. You will receive a confirmation letter from Medicare showing your new coverage. Do not use your old Medicare Advantage card after that date.

Your costs will likely change. Medicare Advantage plans often have low or zero premiums but high deductibles and copayments. Original Medicare has a monthly Part B premium (currently $164.90 per month for most people in 2024, though this varies by income), plus a Medigap premium (typically $100 to $300 per month depending on the plan and your age) or a Part D premium (typically $10 to $100 per month). Your total monthly cost may be higher than Medicare Advantage, but your out-of-pocket costs for actual care are often lower because you have no network restrictions and Medigap covers most of your remaining costs.

If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA) tied to a high-deductible Medicare Advantage plan, you cannot contribute to it once you switch to Original Medicare. You can keep the money already in the account and use it for may have access to medical expenses.

Original Medicare versus Medicare Advantage: what changes

The biggest difference is provider choice. Original Medicare has no network. You can see any doctor, specialist, or hospital that accepts Medicare anywhere in the United States. Medicare Advantage plans usually limit you to in-network providers in a specific geographic area. If you travel frequently or see doctors outside your plan's service area, Original Medicare is more flexible.

Original Medicare also has no prior authorization for most services, meaning your doctor does not need to get approval from an insurance company before treating you. Medicare Advantage plans often require prior authorization, which can delay care.

However, Original Medicare requires you to manage your own coverage. You pay your Part B premium, your Medigap premium, and your Part D premium separately to different companies. You receive separate bills and separate cards. Medicare Advantage is simpler administratively — one plan, one premium, one card — but less flexible medically.

What to watch out for when you switch

The most common mistake is switching to Original Medicare without enrolling in Medigap or Part D at the same time. If you do, you will have a coverage gap for prescription drugs, and you will owe the full cost of deductibles and copayments out of your own pocket. Enroll in both before your Medicare Advantage ends.

Another risk is missing your enrollment window. If you do not switch during AEP and do not may have access to for a SEP, you are locked in until next October. If your plan is being discontinued or you move out of the service area, contact Medicare when ready to confirm you may have access to for a SEP — do not assume you do.

Finally, check whether your current doctors accept Original Medicare and whether they are in your chosen Medigap plan's network (if your Medigap plan has one — most do not). Call your doctors' offices before you switch to confirm they will see you under Original Medicare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch back to Medicare Advantage after I change to Original Medicare?

Yes, but only during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7). If you switch to Original Medicare in January and then change your mind in March, you cannot switch back until the next October. Plan carefully before you make the move.

Do I have to switch to Medigap, or can I just use Original Medicare alone?

You can use Original Medicare alone without Medigap or Part D, but you will pay out-of-pocket for deductibles, copayments, and prescription drugs. Most people find Medigap or Part D necessary to keep costs manageable. If you choose not to enroll in Part D when you first become may be able to access, you may pay a penalty if you enroll later.

What if my doctor does not accept Original Medicare?

Most doctors accept Original Medicare, but some do not. Call your doctor's office before you switch and ask whether they accept Medicare patients. If they do not, you will need to find a new doctor or stay with Medicare Advantage.

Will I lose my prescription drug coverage if I switch during the year?

If you switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare outside the Annual Enrollment Period, your Medicare Advantage drug coverage ends when your Original Medicare begins. You must enroll in a Part D plan before or at the same time to avoid a gap. If you miss the window, you may pay a penalty when you eventually enroll.

How long does it take to switch?

If you call Medicare during AEP, the switch is processed when ready and takes effect January 1. If you enroll in a Medigap or Part D plan, that plan's effective date determines when your Medicare Advantage ends — usually within one to two weeks of enrollment. There is no waiting period once your new coverage begins.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.