If my Medicare Advantage plan ends, can I get Medigap without underwriting?

Yes — federal guaranteed-issue rights apply when your MA plan terminates coverage in your area. You have 63 days from the termination notice to enroll in any Plan A, B, C, F, K, or L Medigap policy from any carrier without medical underwriting. Plans D, G, M, N have similar protections in many situations. Save your termination notice and act within 63 days.

Can I switch from MA to another MA plan, or only back to Original Medicare?

Both. During MA-OEP (January 1 – March 31), you can either switch to a different MA plan (one change allowed) or return to Original Medicare. During AEP (Oct 15 – Dec 7), you can make multiple changes — switching MA plans, dropping MA for Original Medicare, or changing Part D plans. The change takes effect Jan 1.

Will my doctor be in-network if I switch from MA to Original Medicare?

Original Medicare doesn't have networks the way MA plans do — any provider that accepts Medicare assignment will see you. So if your doctor accepts Medicare (most do), they'll continue to see you. Cleveland Clinic, OSU Wexner, UH, Mercy Health, and other major Ohio systems all accept Original Medicare. You don't need referrals for specialists with Original Medicare.

Does switching to Original Medicare end my Part D coverage?

Depends on what you had before. If your MA plan included Part D (MA-PD), disenrolling cancels the MA-PD plan's drug coverage. You'd need to enroll in a stand-alone Part D plan during your enrollment window. If you were on a stand-alone Part D plan plus an MA-only plan (less common), the Part D plan continues unchanged.

How long does the switch take to process?

Plan changes typically take effect the first day of the following month after enrollment, with some exceptions. AEP changes effective January 1. MA-OEP changes effective the first of the next month after enrollment. Medigap policies have their own effective dates set by the carrier — usually the first of the month after underwriting approval. Coordinate so all coverages start the same day to avoid gaps.

Can I Switch From Medicare Advantage Back to Original Medicare in Ohio?

When you can switch

Two enrollment periods allow Medicare Advantage members to return to Original Medicare:

Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15 – December 7. You can drop your MA plan and return to Original Medicare; the change takes effect January 1 of the following year. You can also enroll in a Part D plan during AEP.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA-OEP): January 1 – March 31. If you're enrolled in an MA plan on January 1, you can use this period to (a) switch to a different MA plan, or (b) drop MA and return to Original Medicare. You get one change during MA-OEP. The change takes effect the first day of the month after enrollment.

Special Enrollment Periods may also apply if your MA plan terminates coverage in your area, you move out of the plan's service area, you become dual-eligible, or other specific events occur.

The Medigap underwriting problem

When you switch back to Original Medicare, you become responsible for the full 20% coinsurance and Part A deductible that MA had been covering. To control those costs, most retirees pair Original Medicare with a Medigap policy.

In Ohio, getting a Medigap policy after your initial Open Enrollment Period typically requires medical underwriting. Ohio has no birthday rule and is not a continuous guaranteed-issue state. The carrier can ask 15-20 health questions, check prescription history, and either approve you, charge higher rates, or deny you based on pre-existing conditions.

Two situations where federal law grants you Medigap guaranteed-issue rights regardless of Ohio rules:

Your MA plan terminates (the carrier exits the market or discontinues your plan) — federal guaranteed-issue applies, 63 days from notification.
You're in your first 12 months of MA enrollment after first joining MA at 65 — you have a "trial right" to return to Original Medicare and buy any Medigap policy without underwriting.

Outside those windows, underwriting applies. If you have ongoing health conditions, talk to a licensed agent before disenrolling from MA to confirm you'd pass underwriting.

The 12-month trial right is important

If this is your first time on Medicare Advantage and you're within 12 months of enrolling, you have a federal right to return to Original Medicare and buy any Medigap policy without medical underwriting. This 'trial right' is one of the most valuable consumer protections in Medicare. After 12 months, the trial right expires and Ohio underwriting rules apply.

Considering switching from MA to Original Medicare + Medigap in Ohio?A licensed Ohio Medicare agent can do a preliminary medical underwriting assessment before you disenroll from MA, so you don't end up in Original Medicare without affordable Medigap coverage. No cost to you.

Find a Medicare Agent in Ohio

Step-by-step: switching back to Original Medicare

Before disenrolling from MA: contact a licensed agent or OSHIIP to determine whether you'd pass Medigap medical underwriting. If yes, proceed. If no, weigh the risks — going to Original Medicare without Medigap means 20% coinsurance with no cap.
Enroll in a stand-alone Part D plan during AEP or MA-OEP — the new Part D plan starts the same day Original Medicare becomes primary again.
Apply for Medigap with the carrier and plan you've selected. Complete the underwriting questions.
Disenroll from the MA plan — typically by enrolling in your new Part D plan, which automatically disenrolls you from the MA plan (since you can't have both).
Confirm coverage start dates — Original Medicare (with your new Part D plan), and the Medigap policy if approved.