Costs & coverage

Can I switch from Advantage back to Original Medicare?

Yes. You can return to Original Medicare during the fall Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7) or, if you're in an Advantage plan, during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31). The catch: buying a Medicare Supplement afterward may require medical underwriting depending on your timing and state.

Reviewed by Scott Stafford, Licensed Insurance Agent

Last updated June 21, 2026

When you can switch back

Two windows let you leave a Medicare Advantage plan for Original Medicare: the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7) and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 – March 31, once per year if you're already in an Advantage plan). You'll also want to add a Part D drug plan, since Original Medicare doesn't include drug coverage.

The Medigap catch

Switching back to Original Medicare is straightforward. Adding a Medicare Supplement is where timing matters: outside your one-time Medigap Open Enrollment window, insurers in most states can use medical underwriting and could charge more or decline coverage based on your health.

There's an important exception — a trial right. If you joined a Medicare Advantage plan when you first became eligible and switch back within the first 12 months, you generally have a guaranteed right to buy certain Medigap plans without underwriting. Some states offer additional protections, so it's worth asking a licensed agent about the rules where you live.

Common questions