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Moving From Medicare Advantage to Medigap: Step by Step

The order to do things in when you leave Medicare Advantage for Original Medicare and Medigap: the letter, the dates, the Medigap application, the drug plan and the cancellation.

Medicare6 min readReviewed 2026-10-17

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Short answer

Get the end date from your letter, apply for Medigap inside the window with a start date the day after your Advantage coverage ends, join a Medicare drug plan for the same date, and keep your Medicare and Medigap cards. Do not cancel the Advantage plan yourself before your Medigap is approved, unless you are told to.

Use this before you call.

Ready to move to Medigap? Call GetFastRates.com for more information and a licensed agent will take you through the dates and the application.

Read your plan's notice. Write down the date coverage ends and any deadline printed on it.

Decide you want Original Medicare with Medigap rather than another Advantage plan.

Choose the Medigap plan letter you want from the plans sold in your state that you have the right to buy.

Apply for Medigap inside your window, and ask for a start date the day after your Advantage coverage ends.

Join a Medicare drug plan that starts the same day, since Medigap has no drug coverage.

Once your Medigap is approved, make sure your Advantage coverage ends on its date, and keep the confirmations.

Check that your doctors accept Medicare, since they will bill Original Medicare first and your Medigap after the start date.

Before you apply

Most problems come from dates and from the drug plan.

Your guaranteed right runs from 60 days before your Advantage coverage ends to 63 days after.
Medigap cannot start until your Advantage coverage ends, so do not leave a gap.
Gather your Medicare number, the date your Part B started and your plan's letter.

The application

In a guaranteed issue situation the company must sell you the policy and cannot charge more because of your health.

Say plainly on the application that your Medicare Advantage plan is ending.
Keep a copy of your plan's termination notice. The company may ask for proof of the date.
Ask when the policy starts and make sure it is the day after your Advantage coverage ends.

The drug plan

If your Advantage plan included drug coverage, you will lose it with the plan, and Medigap does not replace it. Join a Medicare drug plan so it starts when your Advantage coverage ends, and check your medicines are on its list. A plan ending gives you a special enrollment period, generally through the end of February.

After you switch

Doctors bill Original Medicare first, and Medigap pays its part after that. Keep your red, white and blue Medicare card and your Medigap card. If something is billed wrong, call the company before you pay.

Common questions about this topic

Do I cancel my Advantage plan myself?

Usually your Advantage coverage ends on its own date, because the plan is ending. If you are leaving a plan that is not ending, you generally do not have the guaranteed right described on this page, so call us before you cancel anything.

What if I have a gap between the two?

A gap means days with no coverage. Ask for the Medigap start date to be the day after your Advantage coverage ends, and have your drug plan start the same day.

Can I keep my doctors?

With Original Medicare you can generally see any doctor who accepts Medicare. Ask your doctors' offices whether they do, and we can check for you too.

Tools that can help

Medicare Enrollment Period CalculatorFind your Medicare enrollment window and what it means for your timing.Medicare Part B Late Enrollment Penalty CalculatorEstimate whether a Part B late enrollment penalty could apply to you.Medicare Plan Ending FinderCheck your carrier and ZIP code against current, verified plan-ending records.

Trusted public sources

These links are provided for general public information. They do not replace a personal coverage review.

Is your Medicare Advantage plan ending for 2027?

If your plan is leaving Medicare or your area, you may have a right to buy Medigap without health questions, but the window is short. See which plans CMS lists as ending and what is offered for 2027, or call for more information.

Is your Medicare plan ending? Enter your ZIP

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