Key takeaways
- If your plan is discontinued, you can choose another Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare with possible guaranteed-issue Medigap rights.
- Non-renewal notices arrive this fall. A plan closure and an automatic move into a replacement plan are different situations.
- Guaranteed-issue rights let eligible beneficiaries buy certain Medigap policies without medical underwriting, within 63 days of coverage ending.
- Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7, 2026. People with non-renewed plans may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period through February 28, 2027.
- Without supplemental coverage, Original Medicare has no annual out-of-pocket limit for Part A and Part B services.
If your Medicare Advantage plan is discontinued for 2027, you can choose another Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare. You may also have protected access to certain Medigap policies. Start with your plan’s non-renewal notice and arrange coverage for January 1.
December 7 is the regular Open Enrollment deadline, but people whose plans are not renewed have additional time to choose coverage.
How do I know whether my Medicare Advantage plan is ending?
Look for a non-renewal notice from your insurer this fall. It explains when coverage ends and what you can do next. A higher premium or reduced benefit does not, by itself, mean your plan is discontinued.
Read the notice carefully: a plan closure and an automatic move into a replacement plan are different situations. If anything is unclear, call your insurer or 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
What are my coverage options?
Choose another Medicare Advantage plan. Compare available plans through Medicare Plan Finder. Check your doctors, hospitals, prescriptions, pharmacies, prior authorization requirements, and total costs, not just the premium. A $0 premium does not mean $0 healthcare costs.
Return to Original Medicare. Parts A and B cover hospital and medical services. You can generally use any provider who accepts Medicare. Consider a Medigap policy to help pay covered out-of-pocket costs and a separate Part D plan for prescriptions, unless you already have other qualifying drug coverage. Budget for any applicable premiums, including Part B. For more detail, read our Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage comparison.
Can I get Medigap without medical underwriting?
A qualifying Medicare Advantage plan non-renewal gives eligible beneficiaries who return to Original Medicare guaranteed-issue rights to certain Medigap policies. The insurer cannot deny those protected policies or charge more because of your health.
This does not guarantee every Medigap plan. Your choices depend on when you first became eligible for Medicare and state rules. If you are under 65, check your state’s Medigap availability rules.
For an involuntary termination, the application window can begin when you receive notice and generally ends 63 days after your Medicare Advantage coverage ends. Keep the notice and confirm your deadline with your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Arrange the Medigap start date to match your return to Original Medicare.
What are the deadlines for 2027 coverage?
- October 15 through December 7, 2026: Regular Medicare Open Enrollment. Changes generally take effect January 1, 2027.
- December 8, 2026 through February 28, 2027: Special Enrollment Period for qualifying year-end plan non-renewals.
- December 31, 2026: If using that Special Enrollment Period, enroll by this date for January 1 coverage. Later enrollment generally starts the following month.
Medigap has a separate application deadline, described above. Confirm each coverage start date; having extra enrollment time does not prevent a gap in drug or supplemental coverage.
What happens if I do nothing?
If your plan ends December 31 and you are not enrolled in another Medicare Advantage plan, you generally return to Original Medicare on January 1.
Medigap is not added automatically. Do not assume your drug coverage will continue: some people receiving Extra Help are automatically reassigned to a Part D plan, but others must enroll themselves.
Without supplemental coverage, Original Medicare has no annual out-of-pocket limit for Part A and Part B services. For most Part B services, you generally owe 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the deductible.
What should I check before switching?
Make a list of your doctors, medications, pharmacies, equipment suppliers, and ongoing treatments. Confirm:
- Providers: Are your doctors and hospitals covered under the exact new plan?
- Prescriptions: Are your drugs covered, at what cost, and with what restrictions?
- Ongoing care: Will rehabilitation, home health, equipment rentals, or scheduled procedures need new approvals?
- Costs and timing: What are the premiums, deductibles, copays, and coverage start dates?
Ask your care team about transition arrangements before the new coverage begins.
Where can I get help?
For free, personalized Medicare counseling, contact SHIP or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Pinnie advocates can help organize your care needs, prepare questions, and coordinate with your providers during a coverage change. We do not sell insurance or enroll you in plans.
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