The Great Medicare U-Turn: How to Switch Back to Original Medicare

Andy | January 26, 2026

The Great Medicare U-Turn: How to Switch Back to Original Medicare

If you’ve spent the last year realizing that “Advantage” doesn’t always feel like an advantage, you aren’t alone. Maybe your favorite specialist left the network, or you’re tired of asking for “prior authorization” just to get an MRI.

The good news? If you’re reading this in January, the door is wide open for a change. But before you jump ship, there’s a specific sequence you need to follow to avoid getting stranded without coverage.

1. The “Right Now” Window: The 2026 MA OEP

Since today is January 26, 2026, you are currently in the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP). This runs from January 1 to March 31. The Fall Window: Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) Dates: October 15 – December 7.

During this time, you can:

Switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare.
Sign up for a standalone Part D prescription drug plan.

Note: If you make the switch this month, your new coverage will typically begin on the 1st of the following month.

2. The Medigap “Trap”: Don’t Drop Your Plan Yet!

This is the most critical part of the U-turn. Unlike Medicare Advantage, which must take you regardless of health, Medigap (Medicare Supplement) providers in most states can use medical underwriting.

The Risk: If you have a pre-existing condition, a Medigap insurer can charge you more or deny you a policy entirely unless you have a “Guaranteed Issue Right.”

Do you have a “Guaranteed Issue Right”?

You generally don’t need a health screening if:

The Trial Right: This was your very first time joining a Medicare Advantage plan and you’ve been in it for less than 12 months.
The Move: You moved out of your Advantage plan’s service area.
Special State Rules: You live in a state like New York, Connecticut, or Massachusetts, which have year-round or annual protections for Medigap enrollment.

The Golden Rule: Secure your Medigap policy and get an acceptance letter before you officially disenroll from your Medicare Advantage plan.

3. Your 2026 Transition Checklist

Switching back involves a three-step dance. If you miss a step, you could face lifetime penalties or massive bills.

Step	Action	Why it matters
Step 1	Apply for Medigap	Ensures your “gap” coverage is locked in before you leave your current plan.
Step 2	Join a Part D Plan	Medicare Advantage usually includes drugs; Original Medicare does not. Missing this causes a late-enrollment penalty.
Step 3	Confirm Disenrollment	Joining a standalone Part D plan usually automatically triggers your exit from Medicare Advantage, but always call your plan to confirm.

4. What Original Medicare Costs in 2026

Since you’re moving back to the “Original” way of doing things, here is a quick look at the 2026 rates:

Part B Monthly Premium: $202.90 (standard).
Part B Annual Deductible: $283.
Part A Inpatient Deductible: $1,736 per benefit period.
Part D Out-of-Pocket Cap: $2,100. (Once you spend this on meds, you pay $0 for the rest of the year!)

Why People are Making the Switch

In 2026, the maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) for Medicare Advantage plans can be as high as $9,250. For someone facing a major surgery or chronic illness, that “low premium” plan can suddenly become very expensive. Medigap Plan G, by contrast, covers nearly everything after you pay the small Part B deductible, giving you total “cost predictability.”

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