Medicare Advantage plans are a popular replacement for Original Medicare, but some people feel buyer’s remorse. 35 million Americans are on Medicare Advantage plans, but many people consider moving back to Original Medicare due to issues like limited provider networks and prior authorization requirements.
Although you can switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare, you need to be aware of some important details to make sure you keep the coverage you need and aren’t hit with unexpected out-of-pocket costs. This guide explains when you can switch back to traditional Medicare, how you do it, and what to consider.
For personalized advice, talk to one of our licensed Medicare Advisors to get a free review of your current plan and understand whether it makes sense to make a change.
Key takeaways
You can switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare, but only during specific Medicare enrollment periods.
Although there’s no penalty for switching, you’ll lose access to extra benefits that come with your Medicare Advantage plan.
A Medigap plan is a good way to control out-of-pocket costs when you switch back to Original Medicare, but enrollment isn’t guaranteed, and you may face higher premiums for pre-existing conditions.
When can you switch back to Original Medicare?
You can switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) during the following enrollment periods:
Medicare Open Enrollment Period: From October 15 to December 7 each year, you can switch Medicare Advantage plans or change from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: From January 1 to March 31 each year, people with Medicare Advantage plans can switch back to Original Medicare. This is also another time when you can change your Medicare Advantage plan.
A Special Enrollment Period: Medicare has a specific list of situations in which you can change Medicare plans or switch back to Original Medicare outside of the usual enrollment periods. Examples include moving to a new address that isn’t in your plan’s service area, losing Medicaid eligibility, and your Medicare Advantage plan being sanctioned or terminated.
It's not possible to switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare outside these enrollment periods. Even if you're not happy with your current plan, you need to wait until the next enrollment period opens before you can take action.
How to switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare
To switch back to Original Medicare, first you need to wait for a qualifying enrollment period. Then, simply call 1-800-MEDICARE or contact your Medicare Advantage plan provider to disenroll from your plan.
When you cancel, you’ll be switched back to Original Medicare, and you can start seeing any provider that accepts Medicare using your regular red, white, and blue Medicare card.
However, it’s important to note that the change doesn’t take place instantly, so you need to wait until the cancellation has been confirmed. Here’s a summary of when your new Medicare coverage will start, depending on which enrollment period you use.
| Enrollment period | When it runs | When your change takes effect |
|---|---|---|
| Open Enrollment Period | October 15 to December 7 | January 1 of the following year |
| Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period | January 1 to March 31 | First day of the month after the plan confirms your request |
| Special Enrollment Period (SEP) | Depends on your individual circumstances and the type of SEP | It varies, but generally the first day of the month after the plan confirms your request |
Keep in mind that simply cancelling Medicare Advantage can leave you with inadequate coverage. You may also need to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan and a separate Medigap plan to preserve prescription drug coverage and control out-of-pocket expenses.
What to consider before switching to Original Medicare
The process of switching from Medicare Advantage is straightforward, and there’s no penalty for switching. However, Original Medicare works differently from Medicare Advantage, so consider the following questions before you make the switch.
What happens to your prescription drug coverage?
Most Medicare Advantage plans include coverage for prescription medications, but Original Medicare doesn’t. If you switch to Original Medicare, you’ll need to enroll in a standalone Part D prescription otherwise you may face a Medicare Part D late enrollment penalty. That penalty kicks in if you go without creditable prescription drug coverage for 63 consecutive days or more.
What happens to your out-of-pocket costs?
Original Medicare has no annual out-of-pocket maximum, so your copays, coinsurance, and deductibles could add up quickly if you don’t purchase additional coverage. In 2026, Medicare Part A has a $1,736 deductible for each inpatient benefit period. And you usually pay 20% of the cost for each service covered under Medicare Part B after you’ve paid your $283 deductible.
Consider a Medigap plan to help you cover your out-of-pocket medical expenses. Each Medigap plan letter type is standardized under federal law. The most comprehensive Medigap plan letter type for someone who recently turned 65 is Medigap Standard Plan G.
Can you still get a Medigap plan?
When you switch back from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare, Medigap coverage isn't guaranteed the same way it is when you first become eligible for Medicare. Insurers can consider your medical history when you apply, and they may charge higher premiums for pre-existing conditions or deny coverage altogether.
However, some states do give additional protections. For example, in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Maine, Medigap insurers are not allowed to deny you a policy based on pre-existing conditions—ever. If you have questions about enrolling in a Medigap plan, talk to one of our licensed Advisors to get advice on your specific situation.
What happens to extra benefits like dental and vision?
Medicare Advantage plans often cover things like dental care, eye exams, and hearing aids, but Original Medicare doesn’t, and neither do Medigap policies.
You may have coverage for medically necessary procedures, like a tooth extraction that’s needed before heart valve surgery or annual eye exams for people with diabetes. For routine dental, vision, and hearing coverage, however, your only options when you’re back on Original Medicare are to buy a standalone non-Medicare plan from a private insurer or to pay out of pocket.
Get help switching to Original Medicare with Chapter
It’s challenging to compare Medicare plans. There are different types, all with different benefits to wade through and a host of pros and cons to consider.
Give us a call at 855-900-2427 or book an appointment to get free advice from our licensed, independent Medicare Advisors. We’ll help you compare your options and make the right choice based on your budget and health needs. If you do decide to change your existing Medicare coverage, we’ll help you make the switch.
Sources
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (n.d.). 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles. https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-parts-b-premiums-deductibles
Kaiser Family Foundation (2025). Can I be charged a higher premium for a Medigap policy if I have a pre-existing condition or if I smoke? https://www.kff.org/faqs/medicare-open-enrollment-faqs/medigap/can-i-be-charged-a-higher-premium-for-a-medigap-policy-if-i-have-a-pre-existing-condition-or-if-i-smoke/
Kaiser Family Foundation (2018). Medigap Enrollment and Consumer Protections Vary Across States. https://www.kff.org/medicare/medigap-enrollment-and-consumer-protections-vary-across-states/
Kaiser Family Foundation (2026). Medicare Advantage in 2026: Enrollment Update and Key Trends. https://www.kff.org/medicare/medicare-advantage-in-2026-enrollment-update-and-key-trends/
KFF Health News (2024). Medicare Advantage Is Popular, but Some Beneficiaries Feel Buyer’s Remorse. https://kffhealthnews.org/aging/health-202-medicare-advantage-buyers-remorse/
Medicare.gov (n.d.). Special Enrollment Periods. https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/get-more-coverage/joining-a-plan/special-enrollment-periods
Medicare.gov (n.d.) What does Medicare cost? https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/medicare-basics/what-does-medicare-cost
