Is Your Medicare Advantage Plan Going Away in 2027? What 600,000 Seniors Need to Know
Your Medicare isn’t disappearing—but your Medicare Advantage plan might be.
If you have Medicare Advantage, you may have heard some concerning news about changes coming in 2027. Humana has announced that it will discontinue certain Medicare Advantage plans and exit some markets for 2027, affecting approximately 600,000 members.
That may sound alarming, but there is an important distinction: you are not losing Medicare. If your Medicare Advantage plan is ending, you will have options for obtaining new coverage.
The key is knowing what to look for, when to act, and how to avoid simply choosing the first plan that arrives in your mailbox.
First: Don’t Panic! Your Medicare Isn’t Going Away
If you receive a letter saying your Medicare Advantage plan will not be offered in 2027, it does not mean you are losing Medicare.
Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies, and insurers can change the plans they offer from year to year.
For 2027, Humana’s announced market and plan changes are expected to affect about 600,000 members. Other insurers are also making adjustments to their Medicare Advantage offerings, so 2027 is shaping up to be a year when reviewing your coverage is especially important.
The good news? You have choices.
What Should You Do If Your Plan Is Ending?
1. Read Every Letter You Receive
If your plan is being discontinued, your insurance company should send you information explaining the change.
Don’t toss that letter into the recycling bin!
Look for language indicating that your plan is ending, terminating, or not renewing for 2027.
This notice is extremely important because it can explain your rights and the options available to you.
2. Don’t Automatically Pick the Plan With the Lowest Premium
A $0 premium can certainly sound attractive—but premium isn’t the whole story.
Before choosing a new Medicare Advantage plan, look at:
- Your doctors and specialists
- Your preferred hospitals
- Prescription drug coverage
- Drug costs and formularies
- Copays and coinsurance
- Maximum out-of-pocket costs
- Dental, vision and hearing benefits
- Transportation or other extra benefits
- Referral requirements
- Prior authorization rules
- The plan’s network
A plan that looks great on paper may not be a great fit if your doctor isn’t in network or your prescriptions aren’t covered the way you expect.
3. Review Your 2027 Options During Medicare Open Enrollment
Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7 each year.
This is the time when Medicare beneficiaries can review their options and make changes for the upcoming year.
For someone whose Medicare Advantage plan is ending, this period can be especially important because it gives you an opportunity to compare the plans available in your area rather than simply being carried into a plan that doesn’t meet your needs.
Don’t wait until December 7 to start looking.
The earlier you review your options, the more time you have to compare your doctors, prescriptions, benefits and costs.
4. Consider Whether Original Medicare Could Be a Better Fit
If your Medicare Advantage plan is ending, you may have more than one path forward.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to enroll in another Medicare Advantage plan, or you may have an opportunity to return to Original Medicare and consider a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy along with prescription drug coverage.
This is an important decision because Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare work very differently.
Medicare Advantage generally uses a private plan’s network and rules.
Original Medicare allows you to see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare, while a Medicare Supplement policy can help cover certain out-of-pocket costs.
However, Medigap eligibility and guaranteed-issue protections can depend on the circumstances surrounding your Medicare Advantage plan ending, so don’t assume you automatically qualify for every Medigap policy without underwriting.
That’s one reason getting advice before making a change can be so valuable.
5. Don’t Let Your Coverage Accidentally Lapse
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is ignoring the notice and assuming everything will simply work itself out.
If your Medicare Advantage plan is ending, make sure you understand:
When your current plan ends.
When your new coverage begins.
Whether you need to actively enroll in a new plan.
Whether you have a Special Enrollment Period or other rights available to you.
The goal is simple:
No gaps. No surprises. No scrambling at the last minute.
Your Doctors and Prescriptions Should Be Part of the Conversation
This is one of the biggest reasons not to choose a new plan based solely on the premium or extra benefits.
Before changing plans, make a list of:
Your doctors
Your specialists
Your preferred hospital
Your medications
Your pharmacy
Then compare that information against the plans available to you.
Your healthcare needs don’t change just because an insurance company changes its plan lineup.
Your new coverage should work for you.
What About Those Extra Medicare Advantage Benefits?
Many Medicare Advantage plans offer additional benefits that Original Medicare generally doesn’t provide, such as dental, vision, hearing or other supplemental benefits.
If you’re changing plans, don’t assume that your new plan will provide the exact same benefits.
One plan may offer a generous dental benefit while another may offer something completely different.
That’s why a side-by-side comparison is so important.
The Biggest Mistake? Waiting Until the Last Minute
When you receive a notice that your plan is ending, it can be tempting to put it aside and deal with it later.
Don’t.
2027 plan changes are already creating uncertainty for many Medicare Advantage members, and insurers are continuing to adjust their offerings.
Start preparing now.
Gather your medications. Make a list of your doctors. Keep your plan notices. Know your important enrollment dates.
Then sit down with someone who can help you compare your options.
Don’t Let a Plan Change Become a Healthcare Headache
If your Medicare Advantage plan is ending for 2027, you don’t have to figure everything out by yourself.
At Life and Med: Medicare Resource Center, we help local Medicare beneficiaries understand their options and compare available coverage.
We’re a local Medicare resource—not a call center.
Whether you’re staying with Medicare Advantage or considering another Medicare option, we’ll help you look at the details that matter most to you, including your doctors, prescriptions, costs and benefits.
Your Medicare isn’t going away. Your plan may be changing—and that’s something you can prepare for.
Have questions about your 2027 Medicare coverage? We’re here to help.
Life and Med: Medicare Resource Center
216 N. 3rd St., Suite B
Leesburg, FL 34748
352-260-0202
Medicare plan availability, benefits, costs and eligibility vary by individual circumstances and service area. Contact Medicare or a licensed insurance professional for information specific to your situation.