How do I switch back to Original Medicare? If you find yourself in a situation where you need to revert to Original Medicare, whether it’s due to dissatisfaction with your current Medicare Advantage plan or a change in your health needs, this article will guide you through the process. Switching back to Original Medicare can provide you with more flexibility and potentially lower costs, as it allows you to choose any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare. Let’s explore the steps you need to take to switch back to Original Medicare.
Before diving into the process, it’s important to understand the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Original Medicare consists of Part A (hospital insurance), Part B (medical insurance), and Part D (prescription drug coverage). It offers a broad network of healthcare providers and is more flexible in terms of choosing doctors and specialists. On the other hand, Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies and provide all the benefits of Original Medicare, along with additional coverage like vision, dental, and hearing care.
Now, let’s discuss the steps to switch back to Original Medicare:
1.
Evaluate your current Medicare Advantage plan: Before making the switch, review your current Medicare Advantage plan to understand the benefits and costs. Consider factors such as premium, deductible, coinsurance, and copayments. If you find that Original Medicare would be more suitable for your needs, proceed to the next step.
2.
Understand the enrollment period: You can switch back to Original Medicare during certain enrollment periods. These include the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7), the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31), and the Special Enrollment Period (if you qualify for it due to a qualifying life event). Ensure you’re within one of these enrollment periods to make the switch.
3.
Contact your Medicare Advantage plan: Reach out to your Medicare Advantage plan provider and inform them of your decision to switch back to Original Medicare. They will guide you through the process and provide you with the necessary information to disenroll from their plan.
4.
Enroll in Original Medicare: Once you’ve disenrolled from your Medicare Advantage plan, you can enroll in Original Medicare. This can be done by visiting the Social Security Administration’s website, calling them at 1-800-772-1213, or visiting your local Social Security office. You’ll need to provide your Medicare number, date of birth, and other personal information to complete the enrollment process.
5.
Consider Medicare Supplement Insurance: While Original Medicare covers a significant portion of healthcare costs, it still requires you to pay deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. To fill in the gaps, you may want to consider purchasing a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy. These policies are offered by private insurance companies and help cover the out-of-pocket expenses not covered by Original Medicare.
6.
Enroll in Part D: If you haven’t already, enroll in a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) to ensure you have coverage for prescription medications. You can enroll in a Part D plan during the same enrollment periods as Original Medicare.
Switching back to Original Medicare can be a significant decision, but it can provide you with more flexibility and potentially lower costs. By following these steps and understanding the enrollment periods, you can successfully switch back to Original Medicare and tailor your healthcare coverage to your needs.
