If you want to leave your plan, you usually need to do so during a qualifying period:

• Trial Periods. If you joined your Medicare Advantage Plan when you first became eligible for Medicare, and you have been in the plan for less than a year, you can disenroll from the Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare (with or without a Prescription Drug Plan). You can also enroll in a Medigap policy when you leave the Advantage plan. If you drop a Medigap policy to join an Advantage plan for the first time, and you’ve been in the plan for less than a year, you may return to your previous policy if the same insurance company still sells it.
• Open Enrollment Period (OEP). From October 15th to December 7th of each year, you can choose to switch Advantage plans or switch to Original Medicare. You can also enroll in a Prescription Drug Plan. These changes take effect the following January 1st.
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MAOEP). From January 1st to March 31st, you can switch Advantage plans or switch back to Original Medicare once.
• Special Election Periods[1] (SEPs). You may be able to make changes to your coverage in special circumstances, including if you move or lose your current coverage. Beneficiaries who are eligible for Medicaid, qualify for Extra Help, or are enrolled in a State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program (SPAP) may also have SEPs.

To leave the plan, you can contact your plan or call 1-800-MEDICARE. In some cases, enrolling in a Prescription Drug Plan may also disenroll you from the Advantage plan.

Before leaving or joining a Medicare Advantage Plan, you may consider speaking to someone about how this might affect your coverage. To speak to a licensed insurance agent about your Medicare options, call 330-403-8582.

By: Steven Thomas Smith

Disclaimer:
Medicare Moment, brought to you by the Hummel Group, shares important information about Medicare in 300 words or less!  We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area.  Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the government or Federal Medicare Program. This is a solicitation for insurance. Calling the number above will direct you to a licensed insurance agent.

[1] https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/joining-a-health-or-drug-p...