If we choose a Medicare Advantage plan and later regret it, can we go back to Original Medicare without penalties?

Question

Kim Humphries · Accepted Answer

Yes, there are no "penalties" if you choose to go back. You always have "original Medicare" that pays 80% of your costs. When you first turn 65, you have a choice to stay on original Medicare with a supplement or choose Advantage. If you choose the Advantage, you can drop the plan and go back to original Medicare each year between Oct 15th and Dec. 7th. It's the SUPPLEMENT that is hard to get back on, just depending.

1.) When you turn 65, you have "guaranteed issue" rights to be on a supplement plan without going through underwriting.
2.) If your Advantage plan drops you, you have another opportunity for "guaranteed issue" and can get a supplement without question.
3.) If you choose the supplement first, and want to try an Advantage plan in the fall, you have a year to try it; if you do not like it, you can go back to the Supplement on "guarantee rights" again. "Your Trial Right."

So you have several opportunities to go to a supplement plan; you just have to understand how it works, so you can make smart choices for yourself.

Also, later in life, you can drop your Advantage plan, go back to original Medicare, and ASK for a Supplement Plan, but you will have to go through underwriting, and if you have any medical issues or preexisting conditions, they will not take you. However, Advantage Plans do not have "underwriting"; they take everyone; it doesn't matter what their medical conditions. Hope this helps.

Peter Young · Answer

Yes. Medicare has an Open Enrollment Period that runs from January 1st to March 31st. During this period, you can either switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare. However, it’s important to keep in mind that if your Advantage plan had drug coverage, you will need to purchase a standalone Part D prescription drug plan within 63 days of switching or face a late enrollment penalty. This change would become effective on the first day of the month after you make your change.

You could also switch during Annual Enrollment from October 15th to December 7th. You would do this by purchasing a standalone drug plan that would become effective January 1st of the following year. At that point, your Advantage plan would be cancelled.

You could also switch during Annual Enrollment from October 15th to December 7th. You would do this by purchasing a standalone drug plan that would become effective January 1st of the following year. At that point, your Advantage plan would be cancelled.

Randy Hill · Answer

Yes, you can go back to Original Medicare, but there are a few rules.

If you try a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time and don’t like it, you get one year to change your mind. During that first year, you can switch back to Original Medicare or back to a Medigap (supplement) plan with no problem. This is called trial rights.

If you’ve been in a Medicare Advantage plan for more than a year, you can still go back to Original Medicare, but only during certain times each year, like October 15 to December 7 or January 1 to March 31.

You won’t pay a penalty for switching back, but you might not be guaranteed to get a Medigap plan again if you had that previously. You may have to go through underwriting; some insurance companies might say no or charge more.

So yes, you can go back without penalties.

Any other questions, feel free to reach out.

Thanks.

Christopher Boyd RICP, CLTC, LTCP, APP, MAML · Answer

According to the 2026 Medicare and You Handbook, there are only a few, very limited circumstances which will allow a person to enroll into a Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare and obtain a Medicare Supplement with no health underwriting (answer health questions, height/weight, pharmacy check, etc.) within a 12-month period. The only other guaranteed enrollment without medical underwriting is if the Medicare Advantage Plan was involuntarily terminated from the person, meaning the plan was cancelled by the company. The person receives a letter from the company which states the plan is ended and they are then allowed to select a Medicare Supplement for a limited time with no health questions.

In most cases not listed above, if a person has an Advantage Plan and experiences poor health and desires to get a Medicare Supplement, they may not be able to obtain the Supplement at that time, or most likely, not in the future.

However, if a person is Dual Eligible (eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid) and maintains their Medicaid eligibility, they may keep their Advantage Plan because if they follow the plan guidelines, their medical care costs should be covered by Medicaid and their Advantage Plan.

Albert Ojeda · Answer

Yes, you can return to Original Medicare during the Annual Enrollment Period or Open Enrollment period. Of course, you would want to get a Prescription Drug Plan at the same time to avoid the Part D Penalty.

Answered by Tammy Baker on December 20, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL

Answered by Tammy Baker Medicare Insurance Agent

John Weaver · Answer

Yes.

You can switch back to Original Medicare from a Medicare Advantage plan, and there is no penalty for the switch itself.

However, you must enroll in a separate Part D prescription drug plan, or be fined if you decide down the road to switch back to an Advantage plan. You may face new challenges in obtaining a Medigap (supplemental) plan due to potential medical underwriting.

You can make this switch during specific enrollment periods, such as the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15–December 7) or the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1–March 31).

Maxine Rosen · Answer

You can switch back to Original Medicare from a Medicare Advantage plan without a penalty during specific enrollment periods.

The main periods are the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15–December 7) and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1–March 31).

It's important to note that while there is no penalty for switching to Original Medicare, getting a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan later might be difficult, as you may need to go through medical underwriting, which can lead to higher costs or denial of coverage unless you have a guaranteed issue right.

Valerie Welch · Answer

If you are in your first 12 months of your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), you may return to Original Medicare with no questions asked. However, in most instances, if you are outside the 12-month window of your IEP and want to return to Original Medicare, you can only do so if you are able to pass the carrier's underwriting requirements.

There are also Special Enrollment Periods in which you would be allowed to return to Original Medicare without any underwriting. For example, if you move outside your current Advantage plan's service area, or if your current carrier discontinues your plan.

Kristin Ingram · Answer

Yes, you can go back to Original Medicare. However, depending on how long it’s been since you stayed on that original Medicare banish plan, it may prohibit you from getting guaranteed issue Medicare supplement if you decide to go that route.

Answered by Ray McCauley on November 8, 2025

Broker Licensed in CA, AZ, FL & ID, NV, SC & TN

Answered by Ray McCauley Medicare Insurance Agent

Anthony Guerrero · Answer

You can switch from a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan back to Original Medicare during the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct 15-Dec 7). Your Original Medicare coverage will start January 1.

You can also add a Part D prescription drug plan and possibly apply for a Medigap (Supplemental) plan — but Medigap acceptance isn’t guaranteed in every state.

Leslie Santos · Answer

You can always go back to Original Medicare during enrollment windows, but getting a Medigap plan later may not be as easy or as affordable.

If you try an MA plan for the first time and drop it within 12 months (“trial right”), you can get back into any Medigap without underwriting.

Curtis Beckles · Answer

Yes, you can go back to Original Medicare. You can leave a Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare during open enrollment. There is no penalty for switching back to Original Medicare itself. However, getting a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan later may not be as easy or guaranteed, depending on your situation and where you live.

Answered by Kristin Ingram on July 6, 2026

Broker Licensed in FL, AZ, CA & TN

Answered by Kristin Ingram Medicare Insurance Agent

Mary Turner · Answer

In the state of Florida, as well as many other states, you must medically qualify for a Medicare supplement if you are not in your "trial right" period of the Medicare Advantage plan.

If you turned 65, went on a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time, you can switch to a Medicare supplement with no health questions anytime in the first twelve months.

John Hose · Answer

Should you choose a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can change to a Medicare Supplement plan during the first 12 months from the time that you originally purchased the MA plan. Also, if you move from the service area, i.e., out of state, or the plan terminates your plan for the next calendar year, you can go to a Medicare Supplement plan with Guaranteed Enrollment.

For more information, please contact me.

Thanks.

For more information, please contact me.

Thanks.

Andrew Kelly · Answer

Yes! If it is your first time exploring/trying a Medicare Advantage plan, you have a one-year window that you can return to Original Medicare with Medicare supplemental insurance. If you are on the Medicare Advantage plan longer than a year, you'll have to answer all the health questions and aren't guaranteed a return to the Medicare supplemental insurance.

Answered by Andrew Kelly on October 14, 2025

Agent Licensed in WA & OR

Answered by Andrew Kelly Medicare Insurance Agent

Donna Hernandez · Answer

Yes, there are no penalties when changing back to Original Medicare, and you can make that change from Oct. 15- Dec. 7, also during a qualifying circumstance, for example, moving outside of the service area.

Answered by Donna Hernandez on October 1, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Donna Hernandez Medicare Insurance Agent

Gary Church · Answer

Yes! You can return to Original Medicare without penalties. But this can only be done during AEP, OEP, or SEP. Be careful when you're changing. I recommend meeting with a licensed Medicare agent or contacting Medicare directly.

Answered by Gary Church on October 1, 2025

Broker Licensed in CA, AZ, NV & TX

Answered by Gary Church Medicare Insurance Agent

Norman Smith · Answer

Yes is the simple answer.

But if you do so after the first 12 months, you will be subject to Underwriting. We cannot predict the future, so you are rolling the dice as to any illnesses, disease, accidents, that could happen in that span, where it then may cost you to have the ability to come back. Also, if you were to want a supplement, you run the risk of the best plan now to be taken off the board as an option. Remember, there were I Plans, J Plans, and F Plans available at one time, and each one as it goes takes more coverage with it. So think about that before you take an Advantage plan!!!

Gina Pranzitelli · Answer

Yes, you sure can. You have a 12-month trial period. So if you switch and want to go back to Original Medicare, before the end of the 12th month, contact your agent and let them know you want to switch back.

Answered by Gina Pranzitelli on February 16, 2026

Agent Licensed in TX, AZ, CA & 22 other states

Answered by Gina Pranzitelli Medicare Insurance Agent

Tammy Baker · Answer

Yes, you can return to Original Medicare. You usually have to do it during the annual enrollment period or Open Enrollment period.

Answered by Jose Silva on October 1, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL, GA & NJ

Answered by Jose Silva Medicare Insurance Agent

Jeffrey Sodikoff · Answer

Yes, during the Annual Election Period you can go back to traditional Medicare, but then you may have to qualify medically for a Medicare supplement. You will also want to enroll in a Part D Rx plan.

George Ibanez · Answer

If you select a Medicare Advantage plan and you regret going into that type of plan, you can move back to Original Medicare and a Medicare supplement plan, and you will not have any penalties.

For more information, contact me.

Edward Wooten · Answer

Yes, there is a specific time during the year you can change. If you choose Original Medicare and are thinking about adding a supplement (Medigap) policy, it is best to do so within 180 days after enrolling in Part B.

Answered by Edward Wooten on September 30, 2025

Broker Licensed in IL & MO

Answered by Edward Wooten Medicare Insurance Agent

Leann Burkholder · Answer

The simple answer is yes, you may; however, you must return to Original Medicare between January 1 and March 31.

Jose Silva · Answer

Yes, you can return to Original Medicare. You usually have to do it during the annual enrollment period or Open Enrollment period.

Stanley Wittenberg · Answer

After January 1st, you can make one change back to Original Medicare. You can do it from January to March 31st.

Ray McCauley · Answer

Yes, you can go back to Original Medicare. However, depending on how long it’s been since you stayed on that original Medicare banish plan, it may prohibit you from getting guaranteed issue Medicare supplement if you decide to go that route.

Answered by Ray McCauley on November 8, 2025

Broker Licensed in CA, AZ, FL & ID, NV, SC & TN

Rachael Hayward · Answer

You can go back to Original Medicare during AEP, annual open enrollment between October 15 and December 7. If you go back on Original Medicare, you wouldn’t need to purchase a prescription drug plan known as Part D.

Answered by Rachael Hayward on April 6, 2026

Broker Licensed in FL, AR, GA & 9 other states

Answered by Rachael Hayward Medicare Insurance Agent

Annette Newman · Answer

The short answer is yes, you can always go back to Original Medicare—but the "without penalties" part depends heavily on when you make the move and your current health status.

Michael Murray · Answer

Yes, you can. During OEP season, which is January-March of any year. The most important thing is that you understand what that means to your coverage.

Steven Pomerantz · Answer

No penalties. There will be health questions, as they can accept you or deny you. I help people with the process, as there is more to it.

Tamekia Mckinnie · Answer

During Open enrollment Oct7-Dec7, we have an opportunity to review and select coverage changes. There is a short window every year to make last-minute adjustments, so YES, as long as it’s done during the enrollment windows.

Answered by Tamekia Mckinnie on June 8, 2026

Agent Licensed in FL

Answered by Tamekia Mckinnie Medicare Insurance Agent

Carol Conner · Answer

If you’re wanting to go from a Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare, you may have to go through some medical underwriting and be able to pass those questions to be able to switch back to the Original Medicare.

Answered by Carol Conner on November 23, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX

Answered by Carol Conner Medicare Insurance Agent

Daniel Brechin · Answer

You may go back to a Medicare Supplement during election periods.

I would ask these questions of a Medicare supplement and PDP:
Will my price go up every year?
Generally, a Med Supplement and PDP will increase by 4-5%.

For more questions, contact me.

Jaime Valadez · Answer

You definitely can revert back to Original Medicare. We would connect and go over the pros and cons in doing that.

If we choose a Medicare Advantage plan and later regret it, can we go back to Original Medicare without penalties?

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