The Medicare enrollment period has started and ends December 7. TV and social media are filled with ads about Medicare Advantage plans, which I continue to call Medicare Disadvantage plans. At present more than 50% of Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in one of these plans. Because of a government crackdown on these plans, many insurance companies no longer offer them, and if your plan has been canceled you have a one time opportunity to return to traditional Medicare with the ability to purchase a supplemental plan without underwriting (underwriting means the insurance company can consider your prior health conditions and can deny coverage or charge you a lot more). If you decide to switch back to traditional Medicare while your Medicare Advantage plan is still available, you will not be able to purchase a supplemental plan without underwriting. That can get very expensive! Medicare Advantage plans give you lots of extra benefits as long as you stay healthy. If you get sick you end up paying a lot more! I did a post some time ago about what I call Medicare Disadvantage plans. Nothing has changed since I wrote that post Here is a link to that post: MEDICARE DISADVANTAGE PLANS: LOOK FOR THE FINE PRINT. If you are considering changing your Medicare plan, it is worth reading again.