How to Switch Back to Original Medicare

Understanding the Need to Switch

The decision to revert to Original Medicare should include assessing your existing Medicare Advantage plan and pinpointing gaps in Original Medicare coverage.

Are you getting the appropriate combination of coverage, convenience, and cost from your current plan?

Switching back to Original Medicare may offer more coverage possibilities and reduced out-of-pocket expenses, but it’s essential to be aware of the gaps in Original Medicare coverage that may require additional coverage, such as prescription drugs, dental, and vision care.

Being well-informed about your Medicare coverage modification options is vital.

The main opportunity to change your coverage is the Annual Election Period, which occurs from October 15 to December 7 each year.

Before deciding on reverting to Original Medicare, a thorough assessment of your existing Medicare Advantage plan is necessary to ascertain if it aligns with your healthcare needs and budget.

Evaluating Your Current Plan

To evaluate your current Medicare Advantage plan, you’ll need to identify any deficiencies in coverage, such as coverage for specific services or medications, or higher out-of-pocket costs due to limitations in health administration programs.

Are you experiencing any coverage gaps or financial burdens with your current plan? If so, switching back to Original Medicare may provide more coverage possibilities and reduced out-of-pocket expenses.

It’s important to be aware of the key enrollment periods for switching, including the Annual Election Period and Special Enrollment Periods, which allow you to switch to Medicare Advantage or back to Original Medicare.

These enrollment periods pave the way for significant adjustments to your healthcare coverage, considering your changing needs and preferences.

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Identifying Gaps in Original Medicare

Original Medicare consists of Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance), providing coverage for hospital and medical expenses. However, Original Medicare does not cover:

• Prescription drugs
• Dental care
• Vision care
• Other health care services

These gaps in coverage necessitate additional coverage, which can be found in a different Medicare Advantage plan.

Medigap is a type of insurance that pays for many of the out-of-pocket costs not covered by Original Medicare, such as the 20% not covered by Medicare Part B.

If you miss your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, an insurer could potentially deny coverage due to your health history, making it difficult to switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare with supplemental coverage.

Key Enrollment Periods for Switching

Key enrollment periods for switching back to Original Medicare include:

• the Annual Election Period (October 15 to December 7),
• and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31).

These enrollment periods provide opportunities for you to evaluate your coverage options and make necessary changes to ensure you have the most suitable healthcare coverage.

During the January-March open enrollment period, Medicare Advantage enrollees have the option to switch to Original Medicare. This makes it more comprehensive as they can purchase a Part D Prescription Drug Plan.

However, the capacity to alter plans during the January-March enrollment period is restricted to one plan change annually.

Special Enrollment Circumstances

Special enrollment circumstances, such as relocation or loss of employer coverage, may enable you to switch back to Original Medicare outside of the usual enrollment periods.

Losing or relinquishing employer coverage are examples of special enrollment circumstances that permit alterations outside the standard enrollment periods.

Those who are eligible for Extra Help may make alterations to their Medicare Advantage or Part D coverage up to four times per year. Institutionalized individuals have the opportunity to make changes to their Medicare Advantage or Part D coverage during the year.

The coverage becomes effective the first of the month following their enrollment. This flexibility allows for a more personalized healthcare coverage approach, accommodating your unique needs and circumstances.

Step-by-Step Process for Switching

The step-by-step process for switching back to Original Medicare involves contacting your Medicare Advantage plan provider, enrolling in a Part D prescription drug plan, and considering Medigap plans for additional coverage.

You must take action in order to switch from a Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare.

Contact your plan provider or Medicare directly for assistance. Medicare offers a helpline available 24/7. You can contact them on 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or TTY 1-877-486-2048.

When contacting your Medicare Advantage plan provider for switching, provide the following information:

• Your personal information, including your name and Medicare number
• The effective date you wish to switch to the new plan
• The name of the plan you intend to switch to (if you have already determined this)
• Any inquiries or concerns you may have about the switch.

Adding Prescription Drug Coverage

Adding prescription drug coverage with a Part D plan is essential when switching back to Original Medicare, as it does not include this coverage. Various Part D plans are available for adding prescription drug coverage in Original Medicare.

These plans are provided by private insurance companies that are approved by Medicare and help cover the cost of prescription drugs and offer protection against higher costs.

To ensure your current prescription drug plan is the most advantageous choice, follow these steps:

1. Input your drugs into Medicare.gov to examine potential savings.
2. Compare available options.
3. Use the tool to make informed decisions about prescription drug coverage. By following these steps, you can ensure you have the most suitable plan for your healthcare needs.

Considering Medigap Plans

Enlisting in a Medicare plan, such as a Medigap plan, aids in mitigating out-of-pocket expenses and supplementing Original Medicare coverage. There are 10 Medigap plans available, denoted by the letters A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N.

Each plan provides standardized benefits, allowing you to choose the coverage that best suits your needs.

Keep in mind that enrolling in Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage or a Medigap supplemental insurance plan might pose a challenge after departing Medicare Advantage.

Being aware of these potential challenges and planning accordingly will ensure a smoother transition back to Original Medicare.

Can I switch from a Medicare Advantage plan back to original Medicare?

Yes, you can switch from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare. During the Open Enrollment period, you may change your coverage and it will begin on January 1 of the following year.

If you joined a Medicare Advantage Plan during your Initial Enrollment Period, you can also go back to Original Medicare within the first 3 months you have Medicare Part A & Part B.

Can you have just original Medicare?

Yes, you can have just original Medicare, but most Medicare beneficiaries choose to supplement it with additional coverage. If you don’t mind paying out-of-pocket expenses, it is possible to use only Original Medicare.

How do you enroll into Original Medicare?

Enrolling in Original Medicare is simple and can be done online at Social Security, by calling 1-800-772-1213 or in person at a local Social Security office. Alternatively, you can apply for benefits by mailing a signed and dated letter to Social Security.

Can you change medicare part d plans anytime?

You are usually able to change your Medicare Part D plan during Fall Open Enrollment, with the new coverage taking effect on January 1.

When is the best time to switch back to Original Medicare?

The best time to switch back to Original Medicare is during the Annual Election Period (October 15 to December 7) or the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31).