Questions & answers · Health insurance
How do I get out of Medicare Advantage and go back to Original Medicare, and can I still buy a Medigap plan?
Health insuranceBuying a policyChecked Nov 6, 2026
From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-06 · Source: Medicare.gov · Joining a plan View original ↗
In short
- You can leave your plan from October 15 to December 7.
- If you are in a plan now, you can also switch from January 1 to March 31.
- Getting Medigap later can be hard unless you have a special right.
What this means
When can I leave? During Open Enrollment, October 15 to December 7, you can switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare. Coverage starts January 1 [1]. If you are already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you also get January 1 to March 31. Then you can drop your plan, go back to Original Medicare, and join a separate drug plan [1]. The rule allows one change in that early-year window [2].
Can I buy Medigap? Medigap only works with Original Medicare. You cannot use it to pay Medicare Advantage costs [3]. Some people have a protected right: • If you dropped a Medigap policy to join Medicare Advantage for the first time, you have a single 12-month "trial right" period to get it back, if the same company still sells it [3]. • If you joined Medicare Advantage when you first got Part A at 65, you can buy certain Medigap policies if you switch back within the first year [3]. • In those cases, Medicare.gov says to apply no more than 63 days after your plan coverage ends [4].
Outside these rights, there is no federal guarantee. A company may refuse you or charge more because of health problems. Your state may give more rights [4].
Your next step
Check if you have a trial right or another protected right. If you do, apply for Medigap before you leave the Medicare Advantage plan, then switch during an enrollment period.
Deadline: no more than 63 days after your Medicare Advantage coverage ends (when you have a protected right).
Check it yourself
Use the "When can I buy Medigap?" questions on Medicare.gov. Some states give extra Medigap rights — "Don't know yet" for your state; ask your State Insurance Department. Keep letters that show when your plan coverage ended.
Where this comes from (4)
[1] Medicare.gov · Joining a plan · checked 2026-11-06
Open Enrollment Period October 15-December 7 … Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan or from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare. … January 1 of the next year (the plan must get your request to join by December 7) Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (only if you’re already in a Medicare Advantage Plan) January 1-March 31 … Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original …
[2] eCFR · 42 CFR 422.62 · § 422.62(a)(3)(i) · checked 2026-11-06
an individual who is enrolled in an MA plan may make an election once during the first 3 months of the year to enroll in another MA plan or disenroll to obtain Original Medicare.
[3] Medicare.gov · How Medigap works · checked 2026-11-06
You can't buy Medigap while you're in a Medicare Advantage Plan unless you're switching back to Original Medicare. You can't use Medigap to pay your Medicare Advantage Plan copayments, deductibles, and premiums. … If you drop a Medigap policy to join a Medicare Advantage Plan for the first time, you’ll have a single 12-month period (your trial right period) to get your Medigap policy back if the same insurance compan…
[4] Medicare.gov · When can I buy Medigap? · answer text · checked 2026-11-06
You must apply for a Medigap policy: 60 days before the date your Medicare Advantage Plan coverage ends. No more than 63 days after your Medicare Advantage Plan coverage ends. … You’re outside of your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, so there’s no federal guarantee that an insurance company will sell you a Medigap policy. If you're able to buy one, it may cost more due to past or present health problems. Check with yo…
How we found this
We matched your question to 4 official sources, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-06.
What we don’t know yet
Your own plan or notice may say something different. If your letter cites another rule, send it and we will look again.
Every answer is checked against the official rule it quotes.
Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.
This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.
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