Your Medicare Advantage Plan Just Died: What Do You Do?

If your Medicare Advantage or Part D (prescription) plan is discontinued, you’re not alone. According to a KFF analysis, in 2026, more than four million insureds will have their Medicare Advantage or Part D plan eliminated by Dec. 31, 2026. This affects your coverage for 2027.

But the good news is that you have special enrollment rights to choose new coverage. You can stay with a Medicare Advantage plan, choose Original Medicare, or select a Medigap plan.

Why Is Your Medicare Advantage Plan Being Eliminated?

Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurers such as Humana or UnitedHealthcare. Insurance companies are businesses, and if a plan is not profitable, it’s sometimes dropped. Lack of profitability may be due to:

• Rising costs

• Shift in market

• Government reimbursements

However, carriers could pull a plan out of one zip code while keeping it in another.

How You’re Notified That Your Medicare Advantage Plan Is Ending

According to Medicare.gov, every September insurance companies must send an annual notice of change (ANOC) if there are any changes to your Medicare Advantage or Part D plans. This will let you know about any changes in coverage or costs that will take effect in January. So, if your plan is being eliminated in the next year, you will be notified.

Notice of a plan termination comes in a separate non-renewal notice, and this is sent by early October. This notice demonstrates to a Medigap insurer that you qualify for guaranteed issue.

Keep the non-renewal notice and then annual notice of change. You will need to show them to a carrier if you changed status. This is especially important if you want to switch to a Medigap plan.

When to Enroll in a New Plan

According to KFF, if your current Medicare Advantage plan is being eliminated in the following year, you will be enrolled by default in Original Medicare if you don’t choose a new plan. People who are shifted to traditional Medicare by default are required to choose a Part D plan if they want drug coverage. But there are exceptions, including people who have drug coverage from another source including the VA or a former employer.

Also, about 1.2 million people are in Part D plans that are being terminated. These people will need to choose either a new Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage. Otherwise, they will have no drug coverage.

Original Medicare has no yearly out-of-pocket limit. It has deductibles and a 20 percent coinsurance you must pay. This can turn into expensive healthcare. To cap your limit, you must have a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan.

But you do have a choice for the type of Medicare health insurance you buy.

Options After Medicare Advantage Plan Is Eliminated

You can enroll in another Medicare Advantage plan with a new company. Or, your current company may offer a different plan.

There is also the opportunity to switch to a Medigap plan.

Opportunity to Change to a Medigap Plan

The major difference between a Medigap plan and a Medicare Advantage plan is that, according to Medicare.gov, a Medigap plan supplements Medicare. In contrast, the Medicare Advantage plan is an alternative to Medicare.

Typically, you must enroll in a Medigap plan when you first become eligible for Medicare. If you choose a Medicare Advantage plan at that time, you have 12 months to change your mind.

But once that year has passed from the date you initially signed up for Medicare, you must undergo an underwriting process to enroll in a Medigap plan. The exception is if your Medicare Advantage plan is eliminated.

A Medigap plan has many benefits that a Medicare Advantage plan does not. For example, according to Medicare.gov, depending on the Medigap plan you choose, it can cover all copays and deductibles, except the Part B deductible.

The right to guaranteed-issue Medigap applies only to certain plans, including A, B, D, G, K and L, plus C and F for people who became eligible before 2020.

It also has a time limit. You can apply as early as 60 days before your coverage ends but no later than 63 days after it ends.

However, you must purchase a Part D policy that is separate from the Medigap plan.

You Can Stay With a Medicare Advantage Plan

You may also choose to go with a different Medicare Advantage plan. At this point, consider contacting an insurance agent who specializes in Medicare.

There are various plans available. According to the National Patient Advocate Foundation, to choose a new Medicare Advantage plan, you should consider what doctors you want to use. Medicare Advantage plans have networks, so you will be limited to the plan’s doctors.

You’ll also want to check medication coverage. Ask if your current medications are covered and for how much. If you anticipate a medication change, ask about that as well so there are no surprises.

Ensure you evaluate each plan based on what is important to you. Make sure you can afford the monthly premium as well as the coinsurance and copayments.

Medicare Enrollment Periods for 2027

The Medicare open enrollment period for 2027, according to Medicare.gov, is Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, 2026.

Besides the open enrollment period, there are also special enrollment periods. These take place if you lose your Medicare Advantage plan during the year or have a life-changing event that makes you lose your Medicare Advantage coverage.

It should be noted that people whose plan is ending can switch from Oct. 15 through the last day of February 2027, not just during the open enrollment period.

Take the Time to Choose Your New Plan

Although it can be tempting to replace your old Medicare Advantage plan with something similar, take the time to ask yourself what coverage actually fits your life.

Your health may have changed, and you may now see different specialists or take different medications than when you originally chose a Medicare Advantage plan. Your financial priorities may have changed, too.

Consider looking beyond the monthly premium and determine your out-of-pocket costs.

When a Medicare Advantage plan is eliminated, it provides an opportunity to reevaluate your healthcare. It allows you to customize your insurance based on today instead of yesterday.

The Epoch Times copyright © 2026. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors. They are meant for general informational purposes only and should not be construed or interpreted as a recommendation or solicitation. The Epoch Times does not provide investment, tax, legal, financial planning, estate planning, or any other personal finance advice. The Epoch Times holds no liability for the accuracy or timeliness of the information provided.