Yes. You can leave Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare during certain Medicare enrollment periods or when you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
But leaving Medicare Advantage involves more than simply canceling a plan.
You need to consider:
When the change can occur
Prescription drug coverage
and
Whether you can obtain Medicare Supplement insurance
before you make the switch.
October 15 through December 7
You can:
Changes generally take effect January 1.
January 1 through March 31
If you’re already enrolled in Medicare Advantage, you can make one change.
You can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare.
This is the part many people overlook.
Returning to Original Medicare doesn’t automatically mean you can buy any Medicare Supplement plan you want.
Depending on your circumstances, medical underwriting may apply.
Before leaving Medicare Advantage, determine whether you have:
Medigap Open Enrollment rights
guaranteed-issue rights
trial rights
or
state-specific protections.
Federal law provides certain Medicare beneficiaries a Medigap trial right.
For example, if you dropped a Medigap policy to join Medicare Advantage for the first time, you may have a one-time 12-month opportunity to return to Original Medicare and obtain Medigap protection under applicable rules.
A separate trial right applies in certain circumstances when someone joins Medicare Advantage when first eligible at age 65 and returns to Original Medicare within the first year. (Medicare)
If your Medicare Advantage plan included prescription drug coverage and you’re returning to Original Medicare, you’ll generally need to evaluate a separate Part D prescription drug plan.
Want to Leave Medicare Advantage? Do This First
I don’t want someone dropping Medicare Advantage first and asking about Medigap second.
I want those questions answered in the opposite order.
Before you leave Medicare Advantage, determine:
Can you get the Medicare Supplement plan you want?
What will it cost?
Which Part D plan will you use?
Then make the Medicare Advantage change.
Sequence matters.
Medicare Advantage plans cover Medicare-covered cancer treatment, including qualifying chemotherapy, but plan networks, prior authorization rules and out-of-pocket costs can become especially important when someone has cancer.
Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period, also commonly called Medicare Open Enrollment, runs, October 15 through December 7 each year.
Medicare on Video can help you determine your options before you make the change.
CHECK MY MEDICARE OPTIONS
Call 877-885-3484
