This year’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) Medicare Open Enrollment makes it easy to switch from Medicare Advantage to Medigap and get more control of your care. It’s your chance to simplify your coverage, say goodbye to network limits, and see any doctor who accepts Medicare—here’s how to make the switch step by step.

The Challenges with Some Medicare Advantage Plans

Many Medicare Advantage plans often advertise low—sometimes $0—premiums and extras like dental or vision, but many seniors discover hidden costs that make these plans far less affordable than they seemed. From copays for every doctor visit to prior authorizations that delay care, the reality can be frustrating and expensive.

Here’s what many enrollees face:

  • The Network Trap: You must stay within the plan’s specific network of doctors and hospitals (HMO or PPO).
  • Copays add up: While the premium is low, you pay small copays or coinsurance for almost every service (doctor visits, labs, physical therapy, etc.). These costs are typically unlimited until you hit the annual out-of-pocket maximum (which can be over $8,000). So, a difficult year can get expensive quickly.
  • Surprise bills for out-of-network care: If you use an out-of-network specialist, the cost can be enormous, or the service may not be covered at all.
  • Denials or delays due to prior authorization rules: MA plans frequently require your doctor to get prior authorization (permission) from the insurance company before approving tests, expensive procedures, or extended hospital stays. This can lead to significant delays in care.
  • Limited access to top hospitals or specialists: Some of the best-rated hospitals and clinics in the U.S. may not participate in your MA network.

If you’ve spent the last year navigating narrow networks and unpredictable costs, you’re not alone. That’s why thousands of seniors are choosing to switch from Medicare Advantage to Medigap—for more flexibility, simpler billing, and steadier costs.

The Top Reasons to Switch from Medicare Advantage to Medigap

So why are so many seniors making the move this year? Most people don’t switch lightly, but when they do, it’s usually because they want the kind of flexibility and reliability Medigap delivers better than any Advantage plan. We’ve identified the top three.

  1. Freedom of choice: You want to see a specific specialist 500 miles away, or you split your time between two states. Medigap allows you to see any doctor or hospital in the entire U.S. that accepts Original Medicare. Most MA plans limit you to a local service area.
  2. Predictable costs: Once the switch is complete, you pay your Medigap premium and your Part B premium and, in many cases, that’s it. Medigap plans (especially Plan G) cover nearly all Medicare-approved out-of-pocket expenses after the small annual Part B deductible. You can stop worrying about surprise bills or wondering if you’ll hit that out-of-pocket limit again.
  3. Simplicity Over Complexity: There’s far less prior authorization and no network management. Also, Medicare pays first, and Medigap automatically covers the rest—no extra paperwork. For many retirees, that kind of simplicity is worth more than any $0 Medicare Advantage premium could offer.

👉 Want to explore your options? Use our Plan Finder Wizard or get an Instant Medigap Quote—we’ll help you compare and choose with confidence.

Will Medigap Accept Me If I Leave Medicare Advantage?

Switching from Medicare Advantage to Medigap is usually NOT Guaranteed even during AEP Open Enrollment between Oct 15-Dec 7th. That being said, Oct 15th through Dec 7th is the best time to switch…see below.

EXCEPTION 1: If you joined an MA plan when you first became eligible for Medicare and are within the first 12 months, you may get a Medigap plan without medical underwriting*. Or you had Medigap but switching to MA for the first time, you may be able to go back to your same Medigap plan without health review. See Chart

Switching Back to Medigap During Your First Year on Medicare Advantage

Your Situation What you can enroll in When to apply
You joined a Medicare Advantage plan when first eligible but decide within your first year to switch back to Original Medicare. Any Medigap policy available in your area. From 60 days before your Medicare Advantage coverage ends to 63 days after it ends.
You left a Medigap plan to try Medicare Advantage and want to switch back within your first year.

You can return to your previous Medigap plan. If that plan is no longer offered, you can buy Plan A, B, C, F, K, or L (availability varies by state and carrier).

 From 60 days before your Medicare Advantage coverage ends to 63 days after it ends.

* In Maine, the trial period lasts three years, instead of one.

EXECPTION 2: You may have Guaranteed Issued Medigap rights if your plan leaves Medicare, stops serving your area, or you were misled into joining. These are sometimes know as Special Enrollment Periods or SEPs.

EXECPTION 3: Medigap rules also vary by state—some, like New York and Connecticut, residents enjoy year-round Guaranteed Issue, meaning you can apply for or switch Medigap plans any time without facing health questions or denials. Click here to see our ultimate guide to Medicare Insurance switching which covers rules from every state.

Bottom Line: If it’s been more than a year since you enrolled in Medicare Advantage and you don’t fall under one of the three exceptions listed above, your Medigap application could be subject to health screening. Try our Medigap Underwriting Checker to see if you would be approved via underwriting, or call 800-930-7956 for free, personalized help

👉 Don’t cancel your Medicare Advantage plan until you confirm you’ll be accepted into Medigap. .

How to Switch from Medicare Advantage to Medigap — Step by Step

Making the change from Medicare Advantage (MA) to a Medigap policy requires two crucial steps. If you skip a step, you could end up with a gap—or pay for two plans at once. If you’re switching During the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct 15–Dec 7), here’s a simple roadmap for making your switch a success:

Step 1: Apply for and Secure Your Medigap Plan First

Before doing anything else, you must apply for and be approved for your Medigap policy.

💡 Crucial Note: Your Medigap coverage can’t begin while you’re still on a Medicare Advantage plan, so timing is key. Set your Medigap policy start date for January 1!

Get a Medigap Quote Enroll in Medigap

Step 2: Drop the Medicare Advantage Plan

Once you have secured your Medigap policy with a January 1st start date, you can officially drop your MA plan. You can do this in one of three ways but #1 is our recommended best way.

  1. Enroll in a standalone Part D Prescription Drug Plan (PDP): When you choose a standalone PDP between Oct 15-Dec 7, it automatically disenrolls you from your Medicare Advantage plan and you don’t have to contact your MA plan at all. Your PDP plan will start on January first. (source Medicare.gov).
  2. Call Medicare: Contact 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and tell them you want to return to Original Medicare.
  3. Send a written disenrollment request to your MA plan.

📌Action Timeline: Complete both steps between October 15 and December 7 to make sure your new coverage kicks in on January 1st!

👉 Need help coordinating the switch? Call 800-930-7956—we’ll make sure your coverage stays seamless.

What Happens When You Return to Original Medicare

Once your Medigap plan is approved and your Medicare Advantage coverage ends, you automatically return to Original Medicare (Parts A & B)—the foundation of your healthcare coverage. From that point on, Medicare pays first for approved services, and your new Medigap policy fills in the gaps, covering most or all of what Medicare doesn’t.

Here’s what changes right away: no networks, no prior authorizations, and no surprise bills from out-of-network specialists. As long as a doctor or hospital accepts Medicare, you’re covered nationwide—whether visiting family across the country or spending the winter in another state.

Billing gets easier, too. Your doctors send the claim to Medicare, Medicare pays its part, and your Medigap plan automatically covers the rest—no paperwork or follow-up needed.

Get an Instant Medigap Quote. You can also call 800-930-7956 for no-pressure guidance from a licensed expert.

Real Savings: Why Medigap Can Cost Less Than You Think

Many people assume Medigap is expensive—but when you factor in copays, coinsurance, and out-of-network charges from Medicare Advantage, Medigap can often save you money:

  • Medicare Advantage Cost Model: You save on the premium but pay constantly when you use care (copays, coinsurance, tests, hospital stay fees). Yearly costs can be unpredictable—and climb quickly.
  • Medigap Cost Model: You pay a higher, fixed monthly premium but pay almost nothing when you use care.

For active seniors who travel or those with chronic conditions that require frequent specialist visits and tests, the cost of an MA plan’s copays often exceeds the cost of a Medigap premium over the course of a year. Medigap provides a better value and a lower total out-of-pocket spend for most people.

💡 Want to lower your costs even more? Check out our complete guide to Medigap Discounts and Special Offers to see which savings you might qualify for.

Get a Medigap Quote Enroll in Medigap

Which Medigap Plan is Best for MA Switchers? (Plan G Explained)

If you are frustrated with the hidden costs and surprise bills of Medicare Advantage, a top choice for many switchers from Medicare Advantage to Medigap is Plan G. It offers comprehensive coverage while keeping costs predictable—just one small annual Part B deductible, then nearly everything else is covered.

Plan G fills nearly all the gaps left by Original Medicare, meaning no coinsurance, and covers Part B coinsurance; excess charges are rare when your doctor accepts Medicare assignment, and no unexpected bills after treatment. For those seeking lower premiums, High-Deductible Plan G provides the same protection after you meet a higher deductible (in 2024, that deductible is $2,870).

Plan N is another solid option if you don’t mind small copays for doctor or ER visits. But if you prefer the “set it and forget it” kind of peace of mind, Plan G helps you.

👉 Compare side by side in our “Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N Guide”. Also, you can see Medigap prices instantly here—no forms, no spam, just real quotes from trusted insurance providers.

Q&A: Switch from Medicare Advantage to Medigap

Q: Is the Medicare Open Enrollment Period the same as the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)?

A: Technically no but most people use them interchangeably. AEP is the yearly window from October 15 to December 7. You can switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage, change Medicare Advantage plans, or update your Part D prescription coverage. The term “Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)” is the industry abbreviation, while “Medicare Open Enrollment Period” is what it is informally known as.

Q: Can I switch from Medicare Advantage to Medigap during AEP Open Enrollment?

A: Yes—you can apply to switch to Medigap during this time. But, in most cases, you are not guaranteed to be approved on Medigap without passing Medical Underwriting.

Q: Will I be denied Medigap coverage based on my health?

A: If you are not in your MA trial right period or do not qualify for guaranteed issue reasons as outlined in this article, you can be denied. Use our Instant Medigap Underwriting Checker to find out in advance whether you are a good candidate for approval via underwriting.

Q: How do I start the switch?

A: Easiest way is to apply for Medigap online here. Also you can call 800-930-7956 and we’ll help you switch safely. Find your best plan before the enrollment window closes!

Q: Can I keep my Part D drug coverage?

A: No, You’ll need to enroll in a standalone Part D prescription drug plan after leaving MA.

Q: Is Medigap better than Medicare Advantage for me?

A: For many seniors, yes—especially those who want nationwide access, fewer restrictions, and predictable costs. It typically cost more each month than Medicare Advantage.

👉 Learn more about your switching options in our Ultimate Guide to Switching Medigap Plans.

Next Steps: Make the Switch Before Medicare Open Enrollment Ends

Medicare Open Enrollment AEP is your moment to take back control of your coverage. If you’ve been frustrated with network limits, prior authorizations, or unpredictable copays, now is the time to switch from Medicare Advantage to Medigap.

Here’s how to get started:

  1. Check your eligibility — Use our Medigap Underwriting Checker (it’s quick and free) to see if you can qualify without medical questions.
  2. Compare plans instantly — Get an Instant Medigap Quote to see real prices in your ZIP code—free, no forms.
  3. Talk to Senior65.com— Prefer a human touch? Call 800-930-7956. Our team will walk you through your options—no pressure, no extra cost.

Switching to Medigap during this Annual Enrollment (October 15–December 7) could be one of the smartest moves you make for your health—and your peace of mind.