Medicare Advantage plans ending for 2027: what to do if your plan is going away

Searches for “Medicare Advantage” climbed past 20,000 in the US overnight, according to Google Trends, as open enrollment gets underway and reporting highlights another year of plan cuts. Google’s breakdown for this trend contained only the single term, so we can’t say which specific question drove the spike. The most prominent news on Oct. 20 was about plans being discontinued for 2027.

Which Medicare Advantage plans are ending?

The two largest Medicare Advantage insurers by enrollment, Humana and UnitedHealthcare, are ending plans that affect a combined nearly 1 million people in 2027, according to Healthcare Brew, as published by Fortune:

• UnitedHealthcare: About 390,000 members will be affected by plan closures, a UnitedHealth Group spokesperson confirmed.
• Humana: About 600,000 people are in Humana plans ending in 2027, roughly 8% of its nearly 7.2 million MA members.

Even for people whose plans continue, experts told Healthcare Brew that many insurers are raising cost-sharing, narrowing networks and trimming extra benefits such as dental. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has described 2027 plan options as “stable,” with lower average premiums.

What to do if your plan is ending

According to KFF’s guidance:

1. If you do nothing, you’ll be moved to traditional Medicare by default. You’d then need to pick a separate Part D drug plan if you want drug coverage (unless you get Extra Help or have drug coverage from another source, such as the VA or a former employer).
2. To pick another Medicare Advantage plan, you can shop during open enrollment, Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.
3. You usually get extra time. If your plan isn’t renewed, you generally have a Special Enrollment Period from Oct. 15 through the last day of February to choose a new plan or switch to traditional Medicare.
4. You may be able to buy Medigap without medical underwriting, a “guaranteed issue” right, if your plan leaves Medicare or your area.
5. Jan. 1 to March 31 is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment period, when MA members can switch plans or go back to traditional Medicare.

Part D changes too

Healthcare Brew, citing KFF, noted that $0 premiums are no longer offered to about 4 million standalone Part D enrollees who had them last year, though people who qualify for low-income subsidies may still pay $0.

This is general information, not personal insurance advice. Medicare.gov’s Plan Finder and your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) can help you compare options.

FAQ

When is Medicare open enrollment? Oct. 15 to Dec. 7.

My plan sent a non-renewal notice. Do I have to act by Dec. 7? Usually not; you generally have until the end of February, but choosing earlier avoids gaps.

How many people are affected? Nearly 1 million across UnitedHealthcare and Humana alone.