Plan switching
Switching from Medicare Advantage to Medigap.
You can switch, but the rules differ. Here is when you can, and what the underwriting trap looks like.
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When you can switch
- Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15 – December 7. You can drop Advantage and return to Original Medicare. New plan starts January 1.
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (MA OEP): January 1 – March 31. If you are currently on Advantage, one chance to switch to Original Medicare + Part D.
- Special Enrollment Period (SEP): Qualifying events like moving out of the plan's service area.
See our switching guide for more on enrollment windows.
The Medigap underwriting trap
Going from Advantage back to Original Medicare is easy. But adding a Medigap policy after you have been off Medigap is harder — most states allow Medigap carriers to use medical underwriting outside your initial Medigap Open Enrollment Period (the 6 months that start when you are 65 and have Part B).
That means: if you switched to Advantage at 65 and now want Medigap at 70, you may face higher premiums or denial based on health.
Exceptions:
- A handful of states have year-round guaranteed-issue rules (e.g., Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New York).
- Birthday rule states (California, Oregon, etc.) let you switch Medigap plans during a window near your birthday.
- Federal "trial right" if you joined Advantage when first eligible and want to switch back within 12 months.
What to do before switching
- Confirm your state's Medigap rules (call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program — SHIP)
- Get Medigap quotes BEFORE you drop Advantage, so you know what you can actually get
- Make sure your Part D plan is in place for the same start date
- Verify your doctors accept Original Medicare