Medicare allows you to switch Medicare plans. But there are rules and dates that apply. Some of them are commonly known but others are lesser-known opportunities to change from one Medicare plan to another. The following are ways to change Medicare plans.

There are nearly 63 million Americans with Medicare (2022). Here’s the breakdown of plan choices;
Original Medicare Only (Parts A & B): 21.4 million
Medicare Advantage (Part C): 26 million
Medigap (Medicare Supplement): 14.6 million

Important Notice for Consumers:  Make sure to enroll in a permitted and timely manner to avoid gaps in coverage. Your new coverage should be confirmed before you drop any existing coverage. When switching plans, you can benefit by speaking to a local Medicare agent who will assist you through the process. Click the link to access the Association’s online directory listing local Medicare agents near me.

Here are ways, rules and opportunities to switch between Medicare plans.

Questions To Ask When Switching Medicare Plans

Switching Medicare plans is doable. But, doing it wrong can mean you’ll pay more money. Or worse, not be covered. Here are questions to ask to help make sure you are doing things correctly.

1. Am I able to switch from my current Medicare plan to a different plan?
2. When am I able to make a switch?
3. Is my acceptance by the new plan guaranteed? If not, can it ever be guaranteed?
4. What are all the financial implications? Premium costs, co-sharing, deductibles?
5. How long will it take to be accepted by the new plan?
6. Will the new plan notify me directly once I am accepted?
7. Once I am accepted, what do I have to do about my current coverage?
8. Will there be any time when I am not covered by Medicare?
9. Do you help me cancel my current Medicare plan? If not, how do I do that?
10. When I have questions about the new plan, who do I call?

Quick Links To Key Sections – Click on the links

• Why & When Switch From One Medicare Advantage Plan to Another
• Why & When Switch From Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare
• Switching Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans

Change From One Medicare Advantage to Another Medicare Advantage

WHY WOULD PEOPLE SWITCH MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS?

FOUR KEY REASONS:   Your preferred healthcare providers are no longer in-network. Your medications got more expensive. There are cheaper plans with equal or better coverage. You want a plan with extra (free) benefits. In 2020, 74 percent of MA plans offered a fitness benefit, 74 percent offered a dental benefit and 79 percent paid for eye exams and glasses. If your plan doesn’t offer these features, finding one that does could save you money.

When can you change?

1.  Medicare’s Annual Election Period (AEP) takes place every year starting October 15 and ending December 7. During AEP you can change your MA plan coverage. The law allows you to change more than once. Your last new plan choice will take effect January 1.  It is usually best to make as few changes as possible to avoid enrollment problems.
2. During the Medicare Open Enrollment Period (January 1 through March 31) you can switch from your current Medicare Advantage (MA) plan to another MA plan (with or without drug plan coverage). Changes made during this period take effect the first day of the month following the month you enroll. Unlike Fall’s Annual Enrollment Period, you can only make a single change during OEP.
3. If you face special circumstances you may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period. There are many circumstances. Here is when it really pays to connect with a knowledgeable Medicare insurance specialist.

Back to Top of Switch Medicare Plans

Switch From Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare

WHY WOULD PEOPLE SWITCH FROM MEDICARE ADVANTAGE TO ORIGINAL MEDICARE?

Lack of Choice: Individuals with serious health issues (example, cancer) do NOT want the limitations sometimes imposed by MA plans. Even when plans allow going ‘out of network’ there can be high fees or no coverage. With Original Medicare they can see any specialist or medical facility that accepts Medicare.

Unreasonable Cost Sharing: While there may be $0 premium for your MA plan, the typical plan has a maximum out-of-pocket of between $7,000 and $10,000. Those with serious or on-going health issues face deductibles, copays and coinsurance amounts. These can be more costly than Original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement plan. For example: Hospital Stay – Average co-pay: $300 per day for the first 6 days. Radiology Services – Average co-pay: $125. Lab work services – Average co-pay: $100.

Changing from Medicare Advantage (MA) to Original Medicare is simple process. Once you are ready and eligible to switch you can:

1. Visit your local Social Security Office and ask to be disenrolled from Medicare Advantage.
2. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and process your disenrollment over the phone.
3. Contact your MA plan directly and request a disenrollment form.

You can change during Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 through December 7) and again during Open Enrollment (January 1 through March 31).

If you’re switching from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare, you can also purchase a Medicare Supplement or Medigap policy.

Your Trial Right: During your first year in the Medicare Advantage (MA) plan, you are entitled to a risk-free trial. At any point during that first year (first time in a MA plan), you can switch back to Original Medicare without penalty.

• If you dropped Medigap coverage for MA coverage, your trial right allows you to switch back to your Medigap policy. You cannot become eligible for guaranteed-issued Medigap by switching to Medicare Advantage and back if you did not previously have Medigap.
• If your MA plan included Part D coverage, your trial right allows you to enroll in standalone Part D coverage without penalty.

Moving Away:  When you move from your plan’s service area, you are able to re-enroll in Original Medicare without penalty. This is even if other MA are available at your new address.

• You can switch the month before you move out of your plan’s service area. The ability to switch lasts for 2 full months after the month you move.
• If you wait to tell your MA plan about your move, you can still change to Original Medicare for up to 2 full months after the month that you inform your plan.
• If you don’t inform your MA plan that you have moved out of their service area, you will be enrolled in Original Medicare once your plan learns of this and disenrolls you.

Admitted to Institutional Care: If you’re admitted to any type of long-term care setting (like a nursing home), you can switch your plan up to 1-time per month during your stay. In addition to  skilled nursing facilities, this includes rehabilitation and psychiatric hospitals as well as care facilities for the intellectually disabled.  You can move from MA to Original Medicare for up to 2 months after you are discharged.

Covered By Medicaid: When you become eligible for Medicaid benefits, you can drop your MA plan and switch to Original Medicare. You can change once a quarter during the first 3 quarters of the year. Also during AEP.

Back to Top

Switch Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans

WHY WOULD PEOPLE SWITCH THEIR MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLAN?

FOUR KEY REASONS: Your rate is increasing and you want a policy that costs less. You are paying for benefits you don’t need. More benefits are needed. You want to change your insurance company. 

Switching Medigap policies is possible BUT NOT always. And the rules can actually vary by State. Some states have made it easier to switch.

Here are things to consider:

Different Plans Have Cheaper Premiums: The majority of people turning age 65 are now selecting Plan G coverage. To reduce the cost, there is Plan N and even High Deductible Plan G (which can be ideal for those with few medical needs).

Moving: You can keep your current Medigap policy no matter where you live as long as you still have Original Medicare. If you want to switch to a different Medigap policy, you will need to check with your current or new insurance company to see if they’ll offer you a different policy.

Switch Medicare Plans & More Information for Seniors

Find 2022 Medigap Plan Prices – Lowest and Highest costs for Plan G

Best Medicare Plan Data – Medicare Advantage, Medigap,

Find best Medicare drug plan prices