Key takeaways:
You can switch from a Medicare Advantage plan to original Medicare during two periods each year: Medicare Advantage open enrollment (January 1 to March 31) and Medicare open enrollment (October 15 to December 7).
Leaving your Medicare Advantage plan for original Medicare could expand your provider options and may reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
But there are multiple factors to consider. Many Medicare Advantage plans include Part D prescription medication coverage, while original Medicare doesn’t. Though, with original Medicare, you may be able to buy a Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) plan to help cover your out-of-pocket costs.
Although traditional, or original, Medicare has historically been the more popular option, Medicare Advantage private plans have been gaining a greater share of enrollees over the years. And as of June 2025 — when the latest Medicare enrollment figures became available from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) — 51% of enrollees were covered by Medicare Advantage plans.
Millions of people consider, choose, and switch Medicare plans every year. The three Cs — cost, coverage, and choice — are reasons why some people disenroll from their Medicare Advantage plan and join original Medicare. A study published in 2023 found that enrollees with more health needs and high costs were most likely to make the switch.
Many Medicare Advantage plans offer perks beyond what’s covered by original Medicare (Part A and/or Part B), such as vision, dental, and hearing care benefits. But these plans typically offer enrollees limited in-network options for healthcare professionals and hospitals. So some people choose original Medicare for broader care options, potential savings on out-of-pocket costs, and the option to have Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap).
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Medicare Advantage vs. original Medicare
In addition to this comparison provided by Medicare, you can check the charts below to learn about the pros and cons of original Medicare with Medigap and Medicare Advantage.
Medigap With Original Medicare Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Original Medicare is accepted by most physicians and hospitals in the U.S. And you can see any healthcare professional who accepts original Medicare without a referral. | Original Medicare doesn’t cover prescription medications — or include extra benefits such as coverage for vision, hearing, or dental care. If you want your prescription medications covered, you will need to buy a standalone Part D plan. |
Medigap covers some or all of your out-of-pocket costs related to original Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. | You may face medical underwriting if you miss your 6-month Medigap open enrollment period or want to join or switch a Medigap plan later on. Depending on which state you live in, missing your Medigap open enrollment period could lead to higher premiums or coverage denial. |
Standardized Medigap plan benefits organized by letter name make comparison shopping simpler, because the only difference between plans with the same letter is price. | Prices vary widely among plans with the same letter name and benefits, so it makes sense to shop around. |
Some Medigap plans offer emergency healthcare coverage while traveling abroad. | If you are younger than 65 with end-stage renal disease (kidney failure) or a disability, you may or may not be able to buy a Medigap plan in your state. |
Medicare Advantage Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Medicare Advantage bundles Part A and Part B into private plans. | Medicare Advantage plans require you to use in-network hospitals, physicians, and other healthcare professionals. And those networks are more limited than with original Medicare. |
Medicare Advantage often provides extra benefits like coverage for dental, hearing, and vision care. | You may need referrals to see specialists or prior authorization (advance approval) for services or procedures. |
Most Medicare Advantage plans include Part D prescription medication coverage. | You need to make sure your bundled Part D plan covers the medications you need. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan that doesn’t include Part D coverage, you will have to pay a separate premium for a standalone plan. |
Medicare Advantage has an annual out-of-pocket maximum for covered services. | Most Medicare Advantage enrollees don’t reach the annual out-of-pocket maximum. |
Can you switch from Medicare Advantage to original Medicare?
Yes, you can switch from Medicare Advantage to original Medicare, but typically only at certain times of the year. One of these is Medicare open enrollment, which runs from October 15 to December 7 and is open to all current and first-time Medicare enrollees. The other is Medicare Advantage open enrollment, which runs from January 1 to March 31 and is only open to current Medicare Advantage enrollees.
You also may become eligible for a special enrollment period if you experience a qualifying life event. If so, you would be able to switch plans outside of the open enrollment periods.
How do you switch from a Medicare Advantage plan to original Medicare?
Switching from Medicare Advantage to original Medicare is straightforward. The first step is to cancel your Medicare Advantage plan. To do this, you can either:
Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and ask an agent to help you disenroll from your plan and to enroll in original Medicare. Agents are available 24/7, except during a few federal holidays.
Call your plan and ask to cancel your enrollment. Then, call 1-800-MEDICARE for help joining original Medicare.
If you need help, you can reach out to your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). You’ll be able to get free assistance from trained, unbiased benefits counselors who can guide you on Medicare issues. SHIP operates in all states, Washington, D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Premium-free doesn’t equal free: Medicare Advantage plans advertised as “premium-free” or “zero premium” are actually plans that don’t have a premium in addition to the one for Part B.
Medicare Advantage downsides: Having a private Medicare plan can cost you in the long run if you need to go out of network, aim to avoid coverage denials, or you want Medigap coverage.
Securing a Medigap plan: Outside of your 6-month Medigap open enrollment period, you may be subject to medical underwriting. This can result in denied coverage or a higher premium.
What are the benefits of changing from Medicare Advantage to original Medicare?
Having original Medicare could make your healthcare more affordable. Original Medicare may also meet your coverage needs better than your Medicare Advantage plan. Here are some reasons why:
Wider provider access: Original Medicare is accepted by most physicians and hospitals in the U.S. But Medicare Advantage plans require you to access care within their networks, which are local and can change at any time during the year. For certain people, such as residents of rural areas, finding in-network care can be especially challenging.
Medigap: Medigap insurance can be used to cover original Medicare’s out-of-pocket costs. Though, you are not guaranteed eligibility for a Medigap policy if you switch to original Medicare. Medical underwriting allows Medigap insurers to deny you coverage or, even if you’re accepted, charge you more.
Less financial risk: You could end up paying less out-of-pocket with original Medicare. Some Medicare Advantage plans have an additional premium beyond what you pay for Medicare Part B. And while Medicare Advantage plans have an annual out-of-pocket maximum, the average enrollee doesn’t access enough care or spend enough to reach that amount.
Quiz: Should you get a Medicare supplement insurance plan?
What factors should you consider before changing plans?
Before making a switch, evaluate your healthcare and coverage needs, as well as your financial situation. For most people, prescription medication benefits are important to consider. Medicare Part D is often included in Medicare Advantage plans but is not a benefit of original Medicare. So you may want to make sure that you can find an affordable standalone Part D plan that covers your prescription medications before you opt for original Medicare.
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Here are some other questions to consider:
Will your health needs be served better by having access to a wider range of healthcare professionals and facilities?
Does your Medicare Advantage plan have benefits you don’t use or don’t want?
Does your plan no longer offer benefits that you need?
What are the differences in premiums and out-of-pocket costs?
Can you get a Medigap plan after switching to original Medicare?
You may be able to purchase a Medigap plan once you switch to original Medicare, but it’s not guaranteed. So do your research. If you apply outside of your initial 6-month Medigap open enrollment period, consider whether you’ll have guaranteed issue rights or a trial right to be accepted by a plan of your choice without being charged more.
You should also be prepared for the medical underwriting process, which can include answering eligibility questions, leading to higher premiums or coverage denial.
Frequently asked questions
Regardless of your existing plan, you can change your coverage annually during Medicare open enrollment from October 15 through December 7. Any changes you make are effective for the next coverage year.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you can opt instead to change your coverage during Medicare Advantage open enrollment, which runs from January through the end of March. You may be able to make a change to your Medicare Advantage and Part D plans during other times if you qualify for a special enrollment period.
There is no penalty for switching from a Medicare Advantage plan to original Medicare, but you could be denied coverage for a Medigap plan — or charged more for one. And if you want prescription medication coverage with original Medicare, you’ll have to buy a standalone Part D plan.
If you leave your Medicare Advantage plan and don’t sign up for another one, you’ll be enrolled in original Medicare. If this happens, you won’t have Part D coverage unless you buy a standalone plan.
In 2026, insurance companies are offering fewer Medicare Advantage plans. According to KFF, the average person with Medicare will have access to 32 private plans with Part D prescription medication coverage in 2026, compared to 34 in 2025.
If you have “guaranteed issue rights” or a “trial right,” an insurance company is required to sell you a Medigap policy and cover all of your preexisting conditions without medical underwriting. This means you’re not subject to a health test that could result in you being charged more or denied coverage.
Regardless of your existing plan, you can change your coverage annually during Medicare open enrollment from October 15 through December 7. Any changes you make are effective for the next coverage year.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you can opt instead to change your coverage during Medicare Advantage open enrollment, which runs from January through the end of March. You may be able to make a change to your Medicare Advantage and Part D plans during other times if you qualify for a special enrollment period.
There is no penalty for switching from a Medicare Advantage plan to original Medicare, but you could be denied coverage for a Medigap plan — or charged more for one. And if you want prescription medication coverage with original Medicare, you’ll have to buy a standalone Part D plan.
If you leave your Medicare Advantage plan and don’t sign up for another one, you’ll be enrolled in original Medicare. If this happens, you won’t have Part D coverage unless you buy a standalone plan.
In 2026, insurance companies are offering fewer Medicare Advantage plans. According to KFF, the average person with Medicare will have access to 32 private plans with Part D prescription medication coverage in 2026, compared to 34 in 2025.
If you have “guaranteed issue rights” or a “trial right,” an insurance company is required to sell you a Medigap policy and cover all of your preexisting conditions without medical underwriting. This means you’re not subject to a health test that could result in you being charged more or denied coverage.
The bottom line
Switching from a Medicare Advantage plan to original Medicare may be the right choice for you. But it’s important to consider your healthcare needs, finances, and desired coverage before making this change. You can make the switch during Medicare open enrollment in the fall, during Medicare Advantage open enrollment at the beginning of the year, or during a special enrollment period if you qualify.
If you opt for original Medicare, you may also be able to buy a Medigap plan to help cover your out-of-pocket costs. If you need help reviewing your options, you can call Medicare’s toll-free number or contact a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counselor in your area.
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References
Biniek, J. F., et al. (2023). Medicare Advantage enrollment, plan availability and premiums in rural areas. KFF.
Biniek, J. F., et al. (2025). Medicare beneficiaries have 32 Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans available, on average, for 2026. KFF.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2024). End-stage renal disease (ESRD).
Cottrill, A., et al. (2025). How many physicians have opted out of the Medicare program? KFF.
Data.CMS.gov. (2025). Medicare enrollment dashboard. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Eisenberg, R. (2024). How to use Medicare Advantage open enrollment to switch plans or move into traditional Medicare. Fortune.
Freed, M., et al. (2024). Medicare Advantage in 2024: Premiums, out-of-pocket limits, supplemental benefits, and prior authorization. KFF.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Compare Medigap plan benefits.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Compare original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Get ready to buy.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Special enrollment periods.
National Kidney Foundation. (n.d.). Medigap plans.
Xu, L., et al. (2023). Medicare switching: Patterns of enrollment growth in Medicare Advantage, 2006-22. Health Affairs.
