Medicare Advantage Plan Ending? 5 Essential Steps Before December 7
If a Medicare Advantage plan ending notice landed in your mailbox, you are not alone. Humana is dropping plans covering about 600,000 members for 2027, and UnitedHealthcare is ending plans for roughly 390,000 more, according to recent reports. Open enrollment closes December 7, so here are five essential steps to protect your coverage.
Why a Medicare Advantage Plan Ending Matters to You
When a plan ends December 31, it does not simply roll over to a new one. If you do nothing, you may land in Original Medicare without prescription drug coverage and without a Medigap supplement.
That gap can be expensive. Original Medicare alone has no out-of-pocket limit, and a missed drug plan can mean late-enrollment penalties for years.
Key Facts & Context
Medicare open enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, and new choices start January 1, 2027. Insurers adjust networks, benefits and service areas every year, and some exits are larger than others.
- Drug costs change: The 2027 Part D out-of-pocket cap rises to $2,400, up from $2,100, and the standard deductible rises to $700.
- Plan ending rights: People whose plans end typically receive special enrollment rights, including a chance to buy a Medigap policy.
- Social Security rises 3.6%: That is about $75 more per month, but premium changes can absorb part of it.
Rules vary by state and by plan, so confirm details with Medicare or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program.
Medicare Advantage enrollment has grown steadily, and many older adults chose these plans for low premiums and extra benefits. But plans can change networks, drop benefits or leave a county entirely, which is why an annual review is essential rather than optional.
Experts also warn about timing. Marketing for 2027 plans is already intense, so rely on official tools and licensed counselors rather than unsolicited phone calls.
What This Means for You: Your 5-Step Plan
Start with your letter. Insurers must notify members, and the notice explains your options and deadlines.
Action 1: Have You Read Your Non-Renewal Letter?
Note the plan name, end date and any special enrollment period listed. Keep the letter with your Medicare card in case you need proof.
Action 2: Which Plans Include Your Doctors and Drugs?
Use the Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov to compare 2027 plans. Enter every prescription and check that your doctors and pharmacy are in the network.
Action 3: Should You Consider Medigap Instead?
Medigap supplements pair with Original Medicare and usually allow any doctor who accepts Medicare. Ask about your guaranteed-issue window, often 63 days after coverage ends, and add a separate drug plan if you choose this route.
Free, unbiased counseling is available through your local SHIP (shiphelp.org), and a trusted guide such as Coached by Bukky, a coaching service, can help you organize questions before major money decisions.
Action 4: Is Your Pharmacy Still In Network?
Call your pharmacy and ask which 2027 plans it accepts. Preferred pharmacies can cut your costs noticeably.
Action 5: Have You Set a Calendar Reminder?
Mark December 7 and, if you switch, check in mid-January to confirm your first claim processes correctly.
Looking Forward
Do not wait for January to find out what changed. Compare plans this week, enroll before December 7, and confirm your new card arrives. Read our related guides on Medicare and healthcare and managing retirement costs for more help, and see the latest news section. Sources: CBS News, NPR, AP via PBS NewsHour.