Every fall, some insurance companies stop offering certain Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plans, or stop offering them in certain counties. Going into 2027, several insurers announced they are reducing the plans they offer, so more people than usual are receiving letters saying their plan is ending.
If you got one of those letters, don’t panic. You have time, and you have options. Here’s what it means and what to do.
How do I know if my plan is ending?
If your plan won’t be offered in your area next year, your plan must mail you a non-renewal notice, usually in early October. It will say your plan is ending on December 31 and explain your options. Your plan’s Annual Notice of Change is a different letter: it describes changes to a plan that is continuing.
Not sure which letter you received? Call the member services number on your ID card, or call me and I’ll help you read it.
Your coverage doesn’t stop right away
Your current plan keeps covering you through December 31, 2026. Keep using your doctors and filling prescriptions as usual until then.
Your deadlines
- October 15 – December 7, 2026 (Annual Enrollment Period): Choose a new plan and your coverage starts January 1, 2027, with no gap. This is the best time to act.
- December 8, 2026 – February 28, 2027 (Special Enrollment Period): Because your plan is ending, you get extra time to choose a new plan. Coverage starts the first day of the month after you enroll, so waiting can leave a gap.
What happens if I do nothing?
If your Medicare Advantage plan ends and you don’t pick a new one, you’ll automatically return to Original Medicare (Parts A and B) on January 1. But you won’t have prescription drug coverage unless you join a Part D plan, and going too long without drug coverage can lead to a late enrollment penalty.
Have Medicare and Medi-Cal?
If you have both Medicare and Medi-Cal (sometimes called “Medi-Medi”), you may qualify for plans designed for dual-eligible members and may have more chances to change plans during the year. It’s worth checking what’s available in your county.
A simple checklist before you choose
- Your doctors: Are your doctors and hospitals in the new plan’s network?
- Your prescriptions: Are your drugs on the plan’s list, and what will they cost?
- Your pharmacy: Is your pharmacy in network, or preferred?
- Your total costs: Look at premiums, copays, and the out-of-pocket maximum, not just the premium.
- Extras that matter to you: Dental, vision, hearing, transportation, and over-the-counter benefits vary by plan.
Get help at no cost
Comparing plans on your own can be overwhelming. As an independent, licensed advisor, I compare options from multiple carriers and explain them in plain language. My help is free to you.
Book a Complimentary Call Call or Text (818) 213-0732
This article is for general educational purposes and is not a recommendation of any specific plan. Plan availability, benefits, and costs vary by county and may change each year. Enrollment dates are for the 2027 plan year.