ArcaMax

Hi Toni:

I never should have listened to my brother, who bragged about how his Medicare Advantage Plan was a great way to save money and not have to spend so much on my Medicare Supplement plan’s premium. I discovered that the eye doctor who was to perform surgery on my right eye in early January is not in my Medicare HMO plan. I should have called his office before I signed up for it.

Now my eye surgery is postponed since the doctor’s office is requesting that I return to Original Medicare to do the type of surgery that is needed. Can you explain how and when I can return to Original Medicare? I am glad I did not cancel my Medicare Supplement Plan G even though the premium has increased. Thanks, Toni.

—Stephanie from Denver, Colo.

Hello, Stephanie:

Readers, if you have discovered you made the wrong choice in selecting a Medicare Advantage (MA) Plan during Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period (OEP), which ended on December 7, I have good news for you. Beginning January 1, you can return to Original Medicare or change to a different Medicare Advantage Plan during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP).

During the MA OEP, a person can switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan, or to Original Medicare with or without drug coverage through a Medicare Supplement (Part D) plan. Only individuals on a Medicare Advantage Plan can utilize the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP). The enrollment time is from Jan. 1 through March 31 each year. This information is provided on page 72 of the 2026 Medicare & You handbook.

Changes in your chosen Medicare coverage start the first day of the month after the specific plan receives the change, so if you enroll in January the change begins Feb. 1, enroll in February the change begins March 1, and enroll in March the change begins April 1. After March 31, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period ends and you are “locked” into whatever Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D prescription drug plan you’ve chosen.

From April 1 to Dec. 31, one is “locked” and must wait until the next Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which occurs each year from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. During this period one can change to a different plan or return to Original Medicare and the change will begin Jan. 1 of the next year.

Stephanie, you made a smart choice not canceling your Medicare Supplement due to your health issues because you may not be able to qualify for a new Medicare Supplement plan. Most Americans do not realize that there is not a special period to enroll in a Medicare Supplement like there is for Medicare Advantage Plans. One can change a Medicare Supplement any day of the year by qualifying medically with underwriting questions.

Readers, do not cancel your Medicare Supplement plan for the first few months that you are trying a Medicare Advantage plan just in case you need to return to Original Medicare during Medicare Advantage OEP from Jan. 1 through March 31!

During a Toni Says Medicare consultation, whether in person or by Zoom, the Toni Says Medicare agent always advises clients to call all of their doctors and ask which Medicare Advantage plans the health care professional or facility accepts. Not asking your eye doctor’s office prior to changing to the Medicare Advantage HMO has caused this surgery postponement problem for you, Stephanie. Be aware that doctors, specialists, and facilities can stop accepting a particular MA Plan at any time.

For assistance with disenrolling from a Medicare Advantage Plan that does not fit your needs and finding a Medicare Supplement, call the Toni Says Medicare office at 832-519-8664 or email Medicare questions to info@tonisays.com. Merry Christmas from Toni and the Toni Says Medicare Team!

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Toni King is an author and columnist on Medicare, Social Security and long-term care issues. She has spent nearly 30 years as a top sales leader in the field. If you have a Medicare question, email info@tonisays.com or call 832-519-8664. Sign up for the Toni Says newsletter at www.tonisays.com to keep up to date on Medicare changes.

©2025 Toni King. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Copyright 2025 Toni King, Distributed by Counterpoint Media