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Enrollment & timing

KFF: 2.6 Million Medicare Advantage Drug Plan Enrollees Are in Plans Set to Close Before 2027

A KFF analysis updated in July 2026 finds that plan terminations doubled compared to 2025, raising the stakes for the October open enrollment window when millions of beneficiaries must find new coverage.

By the Goodsurance editorial teamJuly 14, 2026

A KFF analysis updated July 1, 2026, found that approximately 2.6 million people enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage were in plans scheduled to close before January 2027. That is 13 percent of all Medicare Advantage drug-plan enrollees, roughly double the 2025 rate, when about 1.3 million people, or 6 percent of the same group, were in plans that terminated. Enrollees whose plans close receive a special enrollment period. Those who do not actively choose a replacement are typically auto-enrolled by CMS into an alternative. The Plan Finder at medicare.gov lets beneficiaries compare options by drug costs, premiums, and provider networks. The termination surge reflects a broader plan contraction. The total number of individual Medicare Advantage plans fell 9 percent in 2026, a reduction of 346 plans from 2025. Despite the smaller market, overall Medicare Advantage enrollment continued to grow by about 1.1 million people in 2026, a 3 percent pace that is the slowest in recent years. Growth was driven almost entirely by special needs plans, including plans for people enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid. Enrollees in closing plans should watch for a written notice from their current plan and compare alternatives before the open enrollment period begins October 15, 2026.

2.6 million Medicare Advantage enrollees are in plans closing before 2027. Open enrollment starts October 15. Here is what to do if your plan is ending.

In plain words

A KFF report found that 2.6 million people in Medicare Advantage drug plans are in plans that will close before 2027. That is about 13 out of every 100 such enrollees. If your plan is ending, you get a special period to find a new one. If you do not choose, Medicare picks one for you. Last year only about 6 out of 100 faced this. The number of plans fell by 346 in 2026. Open enrollment starts October 15. If your plan is ending, visit medicare.gov to compare your options.

Understand the basics first

Source: KFF
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