My Medicare Advantage Plan Is Ending in 2027. What Do I Do?

The short answer: Don't panic. You will not lose Medicare. If your Medicare Advantage plan is leaving, you have until the end of February 2027 to pick a new plan. You also get a special right to buy Medigap insurance without health questions. But the best time to act is by December 7, 2026, so your new coverage starts January 1 with no gap in drug coverage.

Why So Many Plans Are Changing

A Medicare Advantage plan is health insurance from a private company that takes the place of Original Medicare. Companies can decide each year which plans to keep. For 2027, some are cutting back.

Humana, one of the biggest Medicare Advantage companies in Florida, told investors in July that about 600,000 of its members nationwide are in plans that will end in 2027. It hopes to move many of them into other Humana plans. (Source: Healthcare Dive.) Other companies are also reviewing where they offer plans.

No official list of affected Florida counties has been published. The only way to know for sure is the letter from your plan.

How to Tell if Your Plan Is Ending

Look in your mail for:

• Your Annual Notice of Change. Plans must send it by September 30. It lists changes for next year.
• A non-renewal letter. This says your plan will not be offered in your area in 2027.

Not sure what a letter means? Call the phone number on your plan card, or call Florida SHINE at 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337) for free help.

Your Choices if Your Plan Is Ending

Choice 1: Pick a different Medicare Advantage plan

You can join another Medicare Advantage plan in your area. Check that your doctors, hospitals and medicines are covered before you choose.

Choice 2: Go back to Original Medicare

Original Medicare lets you see any doctor in the U.S. who takes Medicare. If you pick this, you will usually want two more things:

• A Part D drug plan, so your medicines are covered. Original Medicare does not cover most prescriptions you fill at a pharmacy.
• A Medigap policy (Medicare Supplement Insurance), to help pay the costs Original Medicare doesn't cover, such as the 20% you usually owe for doctor visits.

What happens if I do nothing?

If you do not choose a new plan, you will be moved to Original Medicare when your plan ends. (Source: Medicare.gov.) But you may be left with no drug coverage. That is why it is important to make a choice.

Your Special Deadlines

• October 15 to December 7, 2026: Regular Open Enrollment. Pick a new plan now and it starts January 1, 2027.
• December 8, 2026 to February 28, 2027: A Special Enrollment Period just for people whose plan is leaving. You can still join a new plan, but coverage starts the first day of the month after you sign up. (Source: Medicare.gov.)

Your Right to Buy Medigap Without Health Questions

At many times, Medigap companies can ask about your health and may charge you more or say no. When your Medicare Advantage plan leaves Medicare, you get a "guaranteed issue right." This means a company must sell you certain Medigap plans (A, B, C, D, F, G, K or L) and cannot turn you down for health problems. (Source: Medicare.gov.)

• You must apply no earlier than 60 days before your plan ends and no later than 63 days after it ends.
• You must switch to Original Medicare to use this right.
• Plans C and F are only for people who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.
• Keep your non-renewal letter. You may need it to prove you have this right.

Step by Step: What to Do This Fall

1. Open and save every letter from your plan and from Medicare.
2. Make a list of your medicines (with doses), doctors, specialists, hospital and pharmacy.
3. Compare plans at Medicare.gov/plan-compare, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
4. Get a free second opinion from Florida SHINE. Counselors are trained volunteers who do not sell plans. See how to get free Medicare help near you.
5. Choose by December 7 if you can, so everything starts January 1.
6. After you join, watch for your new member card and confirm your pharmacy has your new plan information.

Beware of Pushy Sales Calls

People whose plans are ending are a target for high-pressure sales and scams. Medicare will never call you first to sell you a plan. Never give your Medicare number to someone who calls you out of the blue. Learn more in our scam alert for Florida seniors.

For the big picture on what is changing in 2027, read Medicare Open Enrollment 2027: What's Changing for Florida Seniors. New to Medicare terms? Start with our guide to Medicare options in Florida.

Where to Get Free Help

• Florida SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders): 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337), FloridaSHINE.org
• Medicare: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day
• Florida Senior Legal Helpline, if you are denied coverage you believe you have a right to: 1-888-895-7873
• Local Area Agency on Aging: call the Elder Helpline at 1-800-96-ELDER, or see the list of Florida's 11 Area Agencies on Aging in our free Medicare help guide

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, financial, or legal advice. Readers should consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical concerns, a financial advisor for financial planning, and an attorney for legal matters. The resources and programs mentioned are subject to eligibility requirements and availability, which may vary. While we strive for accuracy, the information provided may not reflect the most recent updates. Always verify details with official sources or professionals before making decisions based on this content.