Medicare open enrollment for 2027 begins October 15, 2026. Some Medicare Advantage plans will not be offered next year, and some counties will have fewer options, or none available to most beneficiaries. A plan ending does not always mean a person will be left without Medicare coverage. It does mean the transition needs to be checked: the next step may depend on whether the insurer assigns a replacement plan or the person must choose one.
According to NPR’s October 14 report, more than 40 states will lose some Medicare Advantage plans for 2027, and nearly 200 counties, mostly rural, are expected to have no Medicare Advantage options for general enrollment. NPR reported that estimates suggest 4 to 5 million people may lose their current plans; official affected-person counts were not yet available. In the Twin Cities, about one-third of plans are ending, while Dallas–Fort Worth and Houston are among the areas losing more than one-quarter.
KFF’s analysis finds the average beneficiary will have 28 Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage to choose from in 2027, down from 32 in 2026. The average number of total Medicare Advantage options will be 35, down from 39. KFF reports the largest state-level declines in Texas (36 to 27 options), Illinois (38 to 30), Ohio (52 to 44), and Minnesota (16 to 9). These are statewide averages; options in a specific county may differ.
What Can Happen When a Plan Ends?
The notice and the insurer’s contract determine what happens next. Three outcomes are important to check.
1. The Insurer May Move the Member to Another Plan
If the same insurer offers another plan of the same type, HMO or PPO, in the same county, the member may be automatically enrolled in it under the federal rule at 42 CFR 422.530. KFF notes that this can result in a person being assigned to a replacement plan they did not select.
Check the replacement plan’s name, premium, provider network, prescription coverage, and benefits. An insurer’s name remaining the same does not establish that the plan is equivalent. Medicare open enrollment, October 15 through December 7, is the period to review the replacement and choose something else for January 1, 2027, if needed.
2. The Member May Return to Original Medicare
If a discontinued plan has no replacement enrollment and the member does not choose another option, the member is generally enrolled by default in Original Medicare. That does not automatically include a stand-alone Medicare Part D drug plan. A person who wants Part D coverage must select one separately, unless drug coverage is available through another source or an exception applies.
Medicare Advantage plans may include extra benefits. Original Medicare generally does not cover routine dental care, routine vision services, or hearing aids. Those benefits do not automatically carry over when a person returns to Original Medicare.
KFF’s Medicare plan discontinuation FAQ explains that a plan discontinuation typically provides a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) from October 15 through the last day of February 2027 to choose another plan or switch to Original Medicare. The annual Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, January 1 through March 31, also allows a person already enrolled in Medicare Advantage to switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare.
If a plan leaves Medicare or is no longer offered in the member’s area, a guaranteed-issue right to buy Medigap without medical underwriting may apply. The applicable deadlines and policy availability should be confirmed promptly.
3. A Replacement Plan May Continue Unless the Member Changes It
If an insurer assigns a member to another plan, that replacement may take effect automatically. A person who wants to keep it generally does not need to make a second enrollment just to remain in that plan. But an automatic transfer is not a review of whether the new premium, doctors, prescriptions, or coverage still fit.
The SEP gives affected members additional time to choose another plan or return to Original Medicare. It does not make the replacement plan identical to the former coverage. If a change is needed for January 1, completing the review by December 7 is the clearest route to a timely annual enrollment change.
Plan-Change Checklist for 2027
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Find the notice. Review the insurer’s plan-ending or nonrenewal letter and the Annual Notice of Change. Confirm whether the plan is ending completely, changing benefits, or leaving a service area.
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Check for an automatic move. Look for a new plan name on the January member card or enrollment notice. Confirm whether the insurer moved the member into another plan and whether it is an HMO or PPO.
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List doctors and medications. Write down current physicians, hospitals, pharmacies, and prescriptions before comparing plans. Check provider networks and each medication’s 2027 formulary and cost tier.
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Compare county-specific options. Use Medicare.gov Plan Compare with the member’s current ZIP code and prescriptions. Compare premiums, out-of-pocket limits, coverage rules, networks, and total estimated costs, not just monthly premiums.
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Contact the state SHIP. Every state has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program offering free, unbiased Medicare counseling. Use the SHIP directory to find the relevant state program. Appointment availability and wait times may vary during open enrollment.
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Verify any agent. Before discussing enrollment, ask for the agent’s active state license and National Producer Number (NPN). Verify current licensing with the relevant state insurance department. A directory listing alone does not confirm current licensure or plan appointments.
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Track the applicable deadline. December 7, 2026, is the end of annual open enrollment. A plan discontinuation SEP generally continues through February 2027. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs January 1 through March 31, 2027, for eligible members already in Medicare Advantage.
Choosing Between the Available Paths
If assigned to a replacement Medicare Advantage plan: Compare it with other county options. Decide whether to keep the replacement or select a different plan. Review its doctors, prescriptions, premium, and cost-sharing before deciding.
If defaulted to Original Medicare: Decide whether to add a stand-alone Part D plan and whether to apply for Medigap. If considering Medigap, verify whether guaranteed-issue rights apply, including the deadline and available policies. Also compare returning to Medicare Advantage during an applicable enrollment period.
If the county has no Medicare Advantage plans for general enrollment: Original Medicare with a stand-alone Part D plan is one standard alternative. Medigap may help with certain out-of-pocket costs, but eligibility and policy availability depend on the circumstances and state rules. Confirm available choices for the specific county.
Questions to Ask an Agent
Before an enrollment recommendation, record the answers to these questions:
- Are you licensed and appointed to sell this plan in my state? Can you provide your active license information and NPN?
- Which insurers and plans are you appointed with? Are you a captive agent or an independent agent?
- Will you check my doctors and prescriptions against the 2027 network and formulary?
- What happens to my coverage after December 7 if the insurer later exits my county?
- Will you provide the recommendation and the plan details in writing?
Insurance licensing is state-specific; there is no single national insurance license. Medicare plan sales agents must meet applicable state licensing and insurer appointment requirements. A profile on VerifiedAgent’s state pages can help locate agents by state, but the listing is not proof of current licensure, appointment, or plan availability. Confirm those details independently with the state insurance department and the insurer.
Key Dates and Record Limits
Annual Medicare open enrollment runs October 15 through December 7, 2026. The plan-discontinuation SEP generally runs through February 28, 2027. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs January 1 through March 31, 2027. Coverage effective dates depend on the enrollment action and timing.
Plan offerings, provider networks, prescription formularies, and enrollment records may change. NPR’s estimate of affected people is not an official final count. County and state averages do not establish which plans are available to a specific person. Confirm current options, enrollment status, and effective dates directly with Medicare, the insurer, or a SHIP counselor before making a coverage decision.
WordPress Excerpt: Health insurance agents near me can help compare 2027 Medicare plans, prescriptions, provider networks and deadlines when a current plan ends this year.
