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Moving from Medicare Advantage to Medigap in Washington
By Vadim Marusin, licensed Medicare insurance agent in Washington (WAOIC #1365574). Insurer data checked against the state chart current as of October 8, 2026.
Leaving a Medicare Advantage plan is easy. Getting a Medigap policy afterward depends on timing and, outside certain windows, your health. Do it in the right order and you won't be left with Original Medicare alone.
When you can leave Medicare Advantage
- Medicare's fall open enrollment, October 15 to December 7, with Original Medicare starting January 1.
- The Medicare Advantage open enrollment, January 1 to March 31, if you're in a Medicare Advantage plan on January 1.
- Special Enrollment Periods, for example if you move out of the plan's area or the plan leaves Medicare.
When a Medigap insurer must accept you
| Situation | Guaranteed? |
|---|---|
| You joined Medicare Advantage when you first got Medicare at 65 and you're leaving within 12 months | Yes, any Medigap plan |
| You left a Medigap policy to try Medicare Advantage for the first time and you're leaving within 12 months | Yes, your old policy if available, or Plans A, B, D, G, K or L |
| Your plan is leaving Medicare or your area, or you're moving out of its service area | Yes, Plans A, B, D, G, K or L, within 63 days |
| None of the above | No. Insurers may ask health questions and decline |
Washington's year-round switching rule only protects people who already have a Medigap policy. It doesn't apply to someone coming from Medicare Advantage.
The safe order of steps
- Apply for Medigap first. You can apply before your Medicare Advantage coverage ends. Ask for a start date that matches the day your Original Medicare resumes (January 1 for fall enrollment changes).
- Wait for written approval and an effective date.
- Enroll in a stand-alone Part D plan if you need drug coverage. Enrolling in Part D during an enrollment period automatically moves you out of a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare.
- Confirm the Medicare Advantage plan has ended. Call the plan or 1-800-MEDICARE to check the end date, so your Medigap and Part D start the day it stops.
If you leave Medicare Advantage first and then get declined for Medigap, you'll be in Original Medicare with no supplement, paying 20% of Part B costs with no cap.
If you're not in a guaranteed window
- Apply anyway if your health is good; underwriting questions are usually yes/no about recent conditions and treatments.
- Ask about Washington's HCA Premera Plan G, which has its own enrollment windows without health questions.
- If you're declined, see WSHIP.
Common questions
Can I switch from Medicare Advantage to Medigap any time in Washington?
You can leave Medicare Advantage only during Medicare's enrollment periods. Getting Medigap without health questions requires a guaranteed-issue situation such as a trial right.
What's a Medigap trial right?
If you joined Medicare Advantage when first eligible at 65, or dropped Medigap to join Medicare Advantage for the first time, you can return to Original Medicare within 12 months and buy Medigap with no health questions.
Will I have a gap in coverage?
Not if you apply for Medigap before leaving and match the start dates. Don't drop Medicare Advantage until your Medigap approval is in writing.