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Enrollment & timing

Non-Renewal Notices for Expiring 2027 Medicare Plans Must Arrive by October 2, Opening Special Enrollment Rights

Federal rules require Medicare Advantage and drug plans that will not be offered next year to mail members a written notice by October 2. That letter triggers a special enrollment period and, in some cases, a guaranteed right to purchase Medigap coverage without health screening.

By the Goodsurance editorial teamSeptember 14, 2026

Federal rules require any Medicare Advantage or Part D drug plan that will not be offered in 2027 to mail a written non-renewal notice to each affected enrollee by October 2, 2026, which is 13 days before the annual Medicare enrollment period opens on October 15.

A non-renewal notice triggers specific federal consumer protections. Enrollees who receive one become eligible for a special enrollment period that allows them to join a new Medicare Advantage or Part D plan outside the standard October 15 to December 7 open enrollment window. In certain situations, receiving a non-renewal notice also opens a guaranteed-issue right to buy Medigap coverage, meaning a beneficiary can purchase a Medicare supplement plan without going through medical underwriting, regardless of pre-existing health conditions.

Expiring Medicare plans must mail you a non-renewal notice by October 2. That letter opens a special enrollment period and sometimes a guaranteed Medigap window.

Several large insurers have announced plan exits for 2027. Humana notified approximately 600,000 individual Medicare Advantage members this fall that their plans will not be renewed. Centene's WellCare brand will leave Medicare Advantage in three states, and Providence Health Plan, a nonprofit insurer serving the Pacific Northwest, will close its Medicare Advantage line entirely by year-end.

Medicare.gov explains what each type of non-renewal notice looks like and which enrollment options it unlocks. Beneficiaries who have not received a notice but are uncertain whether their plan will continue in 2027 can check plan availability using the Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.

In plain words

If your Medicare plan is stopping after this year, the plan must mail you a letter by October 2. The letter tells you the plan is ending. When you get that letter, you have special rights. You can join a new plan right away. In some cases, you can also buy a Medigap supplement without a health check. If you have not gotten a letter and wonder if your plan might be ending, check at medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE.

Understand the basics first

Source: Medicare.gov
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