You can leave a Medicare Advantage plan during specific windows each year, and the process takes just a few steps

Medicare Advantage plans are not permanent. You can switch to Original Medicare (Part A and B), join a different Medicare Advantage plan, or add a Medigap policy — but only during certain times of year. The main window is the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which runs October 15 through December 7 each year. Outside that window, you may still have options if you experience a may have access to life event or if you enrolled in your current plan during the Initial Enrollment Period.

The actual disenrollment takes minutes: you contact Medicare, tell them your choice, and your coverage changes on the first day of the following month. The hard part is knowing which window applies to you and understanding what happens to your prescriptions and doctors when you switch.

Key Takeaways

  • The Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7) is when most people can disenroll from Medicare Advantage without restriction.
  • You can disenroll by calling Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE, using Medicare.gov online, or working with your plan directly.
  • If you switch to Original Medicare, you have 63 days to buy a Medigap policy without medical underwriting, even if you have pre-existing conditions.
  • Your current plan ends on the last day of the month you request disenrollment; your new coverage starts the first day of the next month.
  • Outside the Annual Enrollment Period, you can only disenroll if you have a may have access to event (moving, losing employer coverage, or becoming may be able to access for Medicaid).

The Annual Enrollment Period: October 15 through December 7

This is the main window when you can change or leave your Medicare Advantage plan with no restrictions. It happens every year, and you can switch to Original Medicare, choose a different Medicare Advantage plan, or add a Medigap policy. Your new coverage takes effect January 1 of the following year.

You do not have to wait until October 15 to start planning. Many people review their plan options in September, check whether their doctors and medications are still covered, and decide what they want to do before the window opens. This gives you time to compare without rushing.

If you miss the October 15 important date, you cannot disenroll during AEP again until the following October — unless you have a may have access to life event.

may have access to Life Events: When You Can Disenroll Outside AEP

If you experience certain changes in your life, you may be able to disenroll from your Medicare Advantage plan outside the Annual Enrollment Period. These are called may have access to events, and they include moving out of your plan's service area, losing employer-sponsored coverage, becoming newly may be able to access for Medicaid, or having your plan leave the Medicare program.

You typically have 60 days from the date of the may have access to event to request disenrollment. For example, if you move to a new state on June 15, you have until August 14 to contact Medicare and request a change. If your plan is being discontinued, Medicare will notify you and give you a specific important date — usually at least 30 days' notice.

You will need to report the may have access to event when you contact Medicare. Have the date it occurred and any supporting documents ready (a lease showing your new address, a letter from your employer, or a Medicaid approval notice).

How to Request Disenrollment: Three Ways to Contact Medicare

By phone: Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). A representative will confirm your identity, ask which plan you want to join or whether you are switching to Original Medicare, and process your request. The call usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.

Online: Go to Medicare.gov, sign in to your account, and select "Change Plans" under the Medicare coverage section. You will answer questions about your new choice and submit your request. You will receive a confirmation number when ready.

Through your current plan: Contact your Medicare Advantage plan directly and ask them to disenroll you. They can submit the request to Medicare on your behalf. Ask for a confirmation number and the effective date of your disenrollment.

Whichever method you use, your coverage ends on the last day of the month you request the change, and your new coverage starts on the first day of the next month. For example, if you call on November 20 to disenroll, your Medicare Advantage plan ends December 31, and your new coverage begins January 1.

What Happens to Your Prescriptions When You Switch

If you are switching from a Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare, your prescription drug coverage changes. Medicare Advantage plans include drug coverage (Part D) built in. Original Medicare does not cover prescriptions unless you join a separate Part D plan.

You have two options: join a standalone Part D plan during the same enrollment window, or ask your current plan for a 30-day supply of your medications to give you time to set up new coverage. Some plans will provide this transition supply at no cost. Call your current plan's pharmacy line and ask whether they offer a transition supply.

If you are switching to a different Medicare Advantage plan, check whether your current medications are on the new plan's formulary (the list of covered drugs). Call the new plan's pharmacy department before you disenroll to confirm your prescriptions will be covered. If a medication is not covered, ask whether the plan offers an exception process or whether you need to switch to a similar drug.

Medigap Coverage and the 63-Day Window

If you disenroll from Medicare Advantage and switch to Original Medicare, you have a special 63-day window to buy a Medigap policy. During this window, insurance companies cannot deny you coverage or charge you more because of pre-existing health conditions — a protection called may provide issue.

This window starts the day your Medicare Advantage coverage ends. If your plan ends December 31, your 63-day window runs from January 1 through March 4. After 63 days, you lose this protection. Insurance companies can then require medical underwriting, deny you coverage, or charge higher premiums based on your health history.

You do not have to buy a Medigap policy during this window — Original Medicare works on its own. But if you think you might want one later, buying during the 63-day window is usually much cheaper and simpler than waiting.

Checking Your Doctors and Coverage Before You Switch

Before you disenroll, verify that your doctors and hospitals are in-network with your new plan. Medicare Advantage plans have networks; Original Medicare does not. If you switch to Original Medicare, most doctors accept it, but some do not. Call your doctor's office and ask whether they accept Original Medicare and whether they are accepting new Medicare patients.

If you are switching to a different Medicare Advantage plan, use the plan's provider search tool on their website or call their member services line. Search for your primary care doctor, any specialists you see regularly, and your preferred hospital or urgent care center. Ask whether they are accepting new patients.

Also check your current medications. If you are switching plans, call the new plan's pharmacy line and confirm that each of your prescriptions is covered and at what cost (copay, coinsurance, or deductible). If a medication is not covered, ask about alternatives or the exception process before you disenroll.

What Happens After You Disenroll

Once Medicare processes your request, you will receive a confirmation letter in the mail within 7 to 10 days. This letter shows your disenrollment date and your new coverage details. Keep this letter for your records.

Your new insurance card will arrive before your coverage starts. If you are switching to Original Medicare, you will receive a new Medicare card (or confirmation that your current card is still valid). If you are joining a new Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, that plan will send you a new card.

If you do not receive confirmation or your new card within the expected timeframe, call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE to verify your request was processed. Do not assume your disenrollment went through without written confirmation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I disenroll from Medicare Advantage in the middle of the year?

Only if you have a may have access to life event, such as moving out of your plan's service area, losing employer coverage, or becoming may be able to access for Medicaid. Otherwise, you must wait for the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7). If your plan is being discontinued by the insurance company, Medicare will notify you and allow you to disenroll outside the normal window.

What if I enrolled in my Medicare Advantage plan less than a year ago?

If you enrolled during your Initial Enrollment Period (the three months before, during, and after you turn 65, or when you first become may be able to access for Medicare), you may have a one-time disenrollment right. You can switch to Original Medicare once without waiting for the Annual Enrollment Period. Contact Medicare to confirm whether this applies to you.

Do I lose coverage if I disenroll before my new plan starts?

No. Your current Medicare Advantage plan covers you through the last day of the month you request disenrollment. Your new coverage begins the first day of the next month. There is no gap, but make sure your new plan is confirmed before your current plan ends.

What if I change my mind after I disenroll?

If you disenroll during the Annual Enrollment Period, you cannot change your mind and go back to your old plan. Your disenrollment is final. However, you can switch to a different plan during the same enrollment window. If you disenroll outside AEP due to a may have access to event, the same rule applies — you cannot reverse the disenrollment.

Will I owe money if I disenroll mid-year?

No. Your Medicare Advantage plan premiums are prorated through the end of the month you disenroll. You will not be charged for coverage after your plan ends. If you have already paid for the next month, contact your plan to request a refund.