Yes, you can switch from Medicare Advantage to a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plan, but timing and your health history matter

You can move from a Medicare Advantage plan to a Medigap policy (also called a Medicare Supplement plan) at certain times during the year. The easiest time to switch is during the Annual Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year — any Medigap insurer must accept you during this window, regardless of your health. Outside that window, some insurers will still take you, but others can deny you or charge more based on your medical history. A few states have stronger protections that let you switch year-round.

The main reason people make this switch is that Medigap plans cover costs that Medicare Advantage plans do not — like copays, coinsurance, and deductibles. If you use a lot of healthcare or prefer to see any doctor who accepts Medicare, Medigap may cost less out of pocket, even though the monthly premium is usually higher. The trade-off is that Medigap does not cover dental, vision, or hearing aids the way some Advantage plans do.

Key Takeaways

  • You can switch to Medigap during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7) without being turned down for health reasons.
  • Outside the enrollment period, some Medigap insurers will still accept you, but others can deny coverage or charge higher premiums based on your health history.
  • A few states — Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maine, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas — let you switch to Medigap at any time during your first year on Medicare Advantage.
  • You do not need to drop your Medicare Advantage plan before you buy Medigap; Medicare will automatically end your Advantage coverage when Medigap begins.
  • Medigap plans have higher monthly premiums but lower out-of-pocket costs, while Advantage plans have lower premiums but higher copays and deductibles.

When you can switch without health restrictions

The Annual Enrollment Period is your may provide window. It happens every year from October 15 to December 7. During these dates, any Medigap insurer in your state must accept your request, no matter what your health is or what conditions you have. Your new coverage starts on January 1 of the following year.

If you are in one of the 14 states with stronger protections — Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maine, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, or Texas — you also have a may provide issue period during your first year on Medicare Advantage. This means you can switch to Medigap at any time during that year without being denied or charged more for pre-existing conditions. Once that first year ends, you lose this protection and can only switch freely during the Annual Enrollment Period.

Switching outside the enrollment period in other states

If you live in a state without a year-round may provide issue period and you want to switch outside of October 15 to December 7, some Medigap insurers will still accept you — but they do not have to. An insurer can review your medical history, deny your request, or charge you a higher premium based on your health. This is called medical underwriting.

Before you try to switch, call Medigap insurers directly and ask whether they will accept you given your health history. Do not assume you will be turned down; some insurers are more willing to take on older adults with chronic conditions than others. If one insurer says no, another may say yes. Getting a few answers takes an hour and can save you months of waiting for the next enrollment period.

How to make the switch step by step

First, decide which Medigap plan letter you want. Plans are labeled A through N (and G and M in some states), and each letter covers the same set of costs no matter which insurer sells it — so Plan G from one company covers exactly what Plan G from another covers. The difference is the monthly premium. You can compare plans and prices on Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to ask for a list of insurers in your state.

Second, contact the Medigap insurer and request enrollment. If you are within the Annual Enrollment Period, you can explore online, by phone, or by mail. If you are outside that window, ask the insurer upfront whether they will accept you before you spend time on the process. Some will give you a yes or no in minutes; others may take a few days to review your health history.

Third, do not cancel your Medicare Advantage plan yourself. Once your Medigap coverage starts, Medicare will automatically end your Advantage plan. If you cancel Advantage early, you may have a gap in coverage. Your Medigap policy will start on the first day of the month after the insurer approves you, or on a date you choose if you explore during the Annual Enrollment Period.

What happens to your prescriptions and doctors

Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage (Part D) as part of the plan. When you switch to Medigap, you lose that coverage and must sign up for a separate standalone Part D plan if you take medications. You can enroll in Part D at the same time you enroll in Medigap, and it takes effect on the same date. If you do not sign up for Part D when you switch, you may face a penalty later if you ever want to join.

With Medigap, you can see any doctor or specialist who accepts Medicare — you do not need a network or referrals. This is different from Medicare Advantage, where you usually have to stay in-network and may need approval before seeing a specialist. If you have doctors you want to keep seeing, check that they accept Medicare before you switch; most do, but it is worth confirming.

Cost comparison: Medigap versus Medicare Advantage

Medigap plans have a higher monthly premium — often $150 to $300 or more, depending on your age, location, and which plan letter you choose. In return, you pay little or nothing when you see a doctor or go to the hospital. Most Medigap plans cover your Part B deductible, copays, and coinsurance, so your out-of-pocket costs are predictable and usually low.

Medicare Advantage plans have lower monthly premiums — sometimes $0 — but you pay copays every time you see a doctor, go to urgent care, or fill a prescription. If you have chronic conditions or see doctors often, those copays add up fast. Advantage plans also have an out-of-pocket maximum (usually $6,700 to $7,550 per year), so your costs are capped, but you may hit that cap if you use a lot of healthcare.

Run the numbers for your own situation: add up what you expect to spend on copays and deductibles under your current Advantage plan, then add the Medigap premium to your Part B premium. If the Medigap total is lower, switching may save you money. If you are healthy and do not see doctors often, Advantage may still be cheaper.

Special situations: when you must be accepted

Even outside the Annual Enrollment Period, a Medigap insurer must accept you without medical underwriting if you are losing Medicare Advantage coverage for certain reasons. These include: your Advantage plan is leaving your area, your plan is being discontinued, you are moving out of the plan's service area, or you are losing coverage because you moved to a nursing home or long-term care facility. In these cases, you have 63 days from the date you lose your Advantage coverage to enroll in Medigap, and the insurer cannot deny you or charge more.

If your Advantage plan drops you for non-payment of premiums, you do not get this protection — you would have to wait for the Annual Enrollment Period or find an insurer willing to take you through medical underwriting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch back to Medicare Advantage after I buy Medigap?

Yes, but only during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7). Once you switch to Medigap, you cannot go back to Advantage outside that window. If you do switch back during enrollment, you may face medical underwriting if you try to return to Medigap later, unless you live in one of the 14 states with year-round protections.

Do I have to drop my Medicare Advantage plan before I buy Medigap?

No. Once your Medigap coverage starts, Medicare automatically ends your Advantage plan. If you cancel Advantage before Medigap begins, you could have a gap in coverage. Let Medicare handle the transition.

What if my Medigap insurer denies me outside the enrollment period?

Try other insurers in your state — they may have different underwriting standards. If all insurers deny you, wait for the Annual Enrollment Period in October. You can also contact your state's insurance commissioner's office to ask about your rights; some states have additional protections you may not know about.

Will my doctors accept Medigap?

Medigap works with any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare. You do not need to check a network. Call your doctors' offices to confirm they accept Medicare if you are unsure, but the vast majority do.

What Medigap plan should I choose?

Plan G and Plan N are the most common choices for new enrollees. Plan G covers almost everything except your Part B deductible. Plan N has lower premiums but you pay small copays at the doctor's office. Compare premiums from at least three insurers for the plan you are considering, because prices vary widely even for the same plan letter.