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Enrollment & timing

Non-Renewal Notices Are Arriving This Fall. Here Is What to Do if Your Medicare Advantage Plan Is Not Coming Back in 2027.

Hundreds of thousands of Medicare Advantage members are receiving letters saying their plans will end at year-close. Federal rules give affected beneficiaries clear options, but there is a deadline to act.

By the Goodsurance editorial teamSeptember 8, 2026

Each fall, Medicare Advantage plans that will not continue must notify their members in writing. This year, Humana is sending non-renewal notices to about 600,000 members whose plans are ending for 2027, one of the larger single-insurer non-renewals in recent years. Other carriers have also reduced their geographic footprints for 2027 as the market adjusts.

When a plan exits an area, affected members are not left without options. Federal rules automatically grant each of them a special enrollment period tied to the plan termination, allowing a switch outside the normal open enrollment calendar. The annual enrollment period, which runs from October 15 through December 7 each year, is also open to all Medicare beneficiaries regardless of their current plan status, for coverage changes effective January 1.

If your Medicare Advantage plan is not returning in 2027, federal law gives you guaranteed rights to find new coverage. Open enrollment starts October 15.

Beneficiaries whose plans are ending have three main paths. First, they can enroll in a different Medicare Advantage plan available in their county for 2027. Second, they can return to Original Medicare and add a standalone Part D prescription drug plan. Third, if they return to Original Medicare, federal law provides them with guaranteed-issue rights to purchase a Medigap supplemental policy, meaning no insurer can reject an application or charge a higher premium because of the applicant's health history.

KFF has documented that most beneficiaries whose plans terminated in prior years found at least one alternative Medicare Advantage option in their area. Rural beneficiaries have historically faced narrower alternatives. Plans can be compared at Medicare.gov using Medicare Plan Finder, or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.

In plain words

Some Medicare Advantage plans are not coming back next year. Humana is ending plans for about 600,000 people. Other companies are also leaving some areas.

If your plan is ending, you will get a letter about it. When that happens, you have a special right to pick a new plan right away. You can also shop during open enrollment, which runs from October 15 to December 7. That window is open to every Medicare member.

You have three choices. You can pick a new Medicare Advantage plan in your area. You can go back to Original Medicare and add a drug plan. Or you can go back to Original Medicare and buy a Medigap plan to help cover extra costs. If you switch to Original Medicare because your plan ended, no company can turn you down for Medigap because of a health problem.

You can look up your choices at Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE.

Understand the basics first

Source: KFF
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