Carriers & the market
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Will Offer No Individual Medicare Advantage Plans in 2027
The insurer is exiting all individual and standard Medicare Advantage, D-SNP, and Part D plans in Texas at year-end. Affected members must choose new coverage by December 7, and those who return to Original Medicare gain a timed guaranteed-issue Medigap window.
By the Goodsurance editorial teamOctober 23, 2026
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, a subsidiary of Health Care Service Corporation, will not offer individual or standard Medicare Advantage plans, Dual Care Plus special needs plans, or stand-alone Part D prescription drug plans after December 31, 2026. The company mailed non-renewal notices to affected members before October 2.
In a statement, the company said it evaluates its Medicare products annually by market to determine ongoing viability and that in some cases it needs to make adjustments. Group Medicare Advantage plans offered through employers, municipalities, and unions are not affected by the exit.
Texas Blue Cross Medicare Advantage members must choose a new plan by December 7. Medigap rights open for 63 days after coverage ends.
Members enrolled in a BCBSTX individual Medicare Advantage or Part D plan must take action during the Annual Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15 through December 7. Coverage selected during that window takes effect January 1, 2027. Members who take no action will be disenrolled automatically when their current plan ends.
Federal law gives affected members a consumer protection: anyone who was enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan that terminates and who returns to Original Medicare gains a guaranteed-issue right to purchase a Medigap supplemental insurance policy. During a 63-day window that begins when the Medicare Advantage coverage ends, Medigap insurers cannot deny an application or charge more based on health conditions.
Members can compare available plans and check provider and pharmacy networks at Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.
In plain words
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas is stopping its Medicare Advantage and drug plans for 2027. If you have one of these plans, you need to pick a new plan by December 7. Look at your options on Medicare.gov. If you go back to regular Medicare, you have a short window, 63 days, to buy a Medigap policy without being turned down for health reasons. Do not wait too long or you could lose that right.
Understand the basics first
Source: KERA (NPR member station, Dallas)
Read at the source →