Can an Arkansas beneficiary switch from Medicare Advantage to Medigap? Yes, switching may be possible, but Medigap acceptance is not automatically guaranteed in every situation. You can leave a Medicare Advantage plan during certain enrollment periods, but whether you can buy a Medigap policy depends on your enrollment rights at that time. Outside of protected periods, you may have to pass medical underwriting, which means you could be charged more or declined based on your health history.
When Someone Can Leave Medicare Advantage
You can disenroll from a Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare during specific enrollment windows. The most common are the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7) and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31). Special Enrollment Periods may also apply if you move, lose employer coverage, or meet other qualifying circumstances.
Annual Enrollment Period vs. Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. During this window you can switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare and enroll in a standalone Part D drug plan. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs from January 1 to March 31 and allows you to switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another or drop Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare (and join a standalone Part D plan). The timing you choose affects when your coverage change takes effect.
Medigap Open Enrollment and Guaranteed-Issue Situations
Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is the six months starting the month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During this window, you have guaranteed issue rights — insurance companies must sell you any Medigap policy available in Arkansas, and medical underwriting restrictions generally do not apply. Outside this window, you may still have guaranteed issue rights in specific situations, such as losing employer coverage, moving out of a plan's service area, or your Medicare Advantage plan leaving the market. These rights are defined by federal and state rules and depend on your individual circumstances. See Medicare.gov Medigap Enrollment for details. Information current as of July 2026.
Trial Rights Explained
Federal rules provide a "trial right" for people who enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time. If you joined a Medicare Advantage plan when you first became eligible for Medicare, you have a 12-month trial period during which you can switch back to Original Medicare and buy a Medigap policy with guaranteed issue rights. This trial right applies only to your first Medicare Advantage enrollment. It does not guarantee eligibility if you have been in Medicare Advantage for more than 12 months or have switched plans multiple times. Always confirm your specific eligibility with a licensed advisor or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program before making changes. See Medicare.gov for current rules.
Medical Underwriting Outside Protected Periods
If you are outside your Medigap Open Enrollment Period and do not have a guaranteed-issue situation, insurance companies in Arkansas can apply medical underwriting when you apply for a Medigap policy. This means they can review your health history, ask medical questions, and potentially charge you a higher premium or decline to sell you a policy. This is why timing matters — applying during a protected period gives you the most favorable terms.
Need for a Standalone Part D Plan
Medicare Advantage plans typically include Part D prescription drug coverage. Medigap plans do not. When you switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare with a Medigap policy, you will need to enroll in a standalone Part D drug plan to maintain prescription coverage and avoid a late enrollment penalty. You can compare Part D plans available in your Arkansas ZIP code based on your current medications.
The Correct Sequence: Verify Before You Drop
Do not cancel your Medicare Advantage plan until you have confirmed your Medigap eligibility, acceptance (where required), and the effective dates of your new coverage. The general sequence is:
- Confirm which enrollment period applies to you and when your coverage change can take effect.
- Apply for a Medigap policy and confirm acceptance — especially if you are outside a guaranteed-issue period.
- Enroll in a standalone Part D drug plan so there is no gap in prescription coverage.
- Only after confirming all effective dates, disenroll from your Medicare Advantage plan.
Do not cancel existing coverage until you have confirmed eligibility, acceptance where required, and effective dates for replacement coverage. Enrollment rights and underwriting rules depend on individual circumstances.
Questions to Ask Before Switching
- Am I in my Medigap Open Enrollment Period, or do I have a guaranteed-issue right?
- If I need medical underwriting, what health questions will the insurer ask?
- What Medigap plans are available to me in Arkansas right now?
- Do I need to enroll in a standalone Part D plan, and which plans cover my medications?
- What are the effective dates if I switch during the AEP vs. the MA Open Enrollment Period?
- Will I lose any supplemental benefits (dental, vision, hearing) by leaving Medicare Advantage?
Get Help Switching Plans in Arkansas
Switching from Medicare Advantage to Medigap involves timing, underwriting, and drug coverage decisions. We help Arkansas seniors understand their options and confirm eligibility before making changes. Call (501) 459-6953 or book a no-cost review. Learn more about Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans.
"Do not cancel existing coverage until you have confirmed eligibility, acceptance where required, and effective dates for replacement coverage. Enrollment rights and underwriting rules depend on individual circumstances."
