Is Your Medicare Advantage Plan Disappearing in 2027? What 4.3 Million Beneficiaries Need to Do Before December 7
If you have Medicare Advantage or a stand-alone Medicare Part D plan, check your 2027 coverage now. KFF reported on October 27, 2026, that about 4.3 million beneficiaries are enrolled in plans scheduled to end on December 31. Separately, a KFF analysis reported October 30 projects that stand-alone Part D premiums will average $51 a month in 2027, up from $34 in 2026, if current enrollees stay in their plans.
The good news: you can compare coverage and make changes during Medicare open enrollment, which ends December 7, 2026. Taking time now to review your notice, prescriptions, doctors, and costs can help you avoid an unwanted coverage change or a higher bill.
What KFF says about 2027 Medicare plan changes
According to KFF’s October 27 analysis, the plans ending at year’s end include:
- About 3.1 million people in Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage (MA-PDs).
- About 1.2 million people in stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDPs).
Among beneficiaries in individual MA-PD plans being terminated, KFF reports that Humana plans cover about 530,000, UnitedHealth Group plans about 367,000, CVS Health plans about 254,000, and Aware Integrated plans, sold under the Blue Cross name in Minnesota, about 249,000.
The number of options varies by location. On average, beneficiaries have 28 Medicare Advantage drug plan options and 9 stand-alone Part D options for 2027. That may sound like a lot, but plan availability, provider networks, and drug coverage differ by county and ZIP code.
Part D costs are changing, even if your plan continues
Plan terminations are not the only reason to review your coverage. KFF’s October 30 analysis projects that the average stand-alone Part D premium will rise from $34 to $51 a month in 2027 if enrollees remain in their current plans. KFF also reports that no zero-premium stand-alone plans are available for 2027, so people currently in a zero-premium PDP should check what their replacement options will cost.
Other projected changes include:
- The average deductible for stand-alone Part D plans is $643, up from $540 in 2026.
- The average deductible for Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage is $489, up from $360.
- Many enrollees may face coinsurance instead of fixed copays for some medicines. Coinsurance is a percentage of a drug's cost, so your out-of-pocket amount may be less predictable.
Premiums also vary widely from plan to plan. KFF projects that average monthly premiums for the eight national stand-alone Part D plans will range from about $6.50 to $204.50 in 2027, so the plan you keep or switch to can make a real difference in what you pay each month.
These are averages, not a guarantee of what any one plan will charge. Your costs depend on the plan you choose, the medicines you take, and the pharmacies you use. KFF’s $51 projection assumes current enrollees stay in their existing plans; comparing options may reveal lower-cost coverage.
A KFF Health News report described one Virginia beneficiary whose AARP-UnitedHealthcare drug plan premium was set to rise from $39.60 to $121.90 a month. After comparing options, he found a Humana plan for $19.30. That example is not a quote or guarantee for other people, but it illustrates why checking your own costs matters.
If your plan is terminated, take these steps before December 7
If your Medicare Advantage plan or Part D plan is ending, do not assume that your coverage will continue unchanged. Start with your plan’s notice, then compare replacement choices.
- Read your Annual Notice of Change and termination notice. Look for changes to premiums, deductibles, benefits, doctors, pharmacies, and drug coverage. If you do not see a termination notice, still review your Annual Notice of Change.
- Make a list of your needs. Include your prescriptions and dosages, preferred pharmacies, doctors, specialists, and any services that are important to you.
- Compare plans using the official Medicare Plan Finder. Check total estimated costs, not just the monthly premium, and confirm that your medicines, pharmacies, and providers work with the plan.
- Make your selection by December 7, 2026. Changes made during Medicare open enrollment generally take effect January 1, 2027. See Medicare’s open enrollment information.
If you do nothing after an MA-PD plan termination, you may be automatically moved to Original Medicare (traditional Medicare). Original Medicare does not include Part D drug coverage by itself. If you need prescription coverage, you may need to enroll in a separate Part D plan. Confirm what will happen to your coverage and take action before the deadline.
Understand your Medigap guaranteed issue rights
If your Medicare Advantage plan is terminated, you qualify for a federal special enrollment opportunity to apply for a Medigap policy with guaranteed issue rights. These rights generally mean an insurer cannot deny you a policy or charge you more because of a pre-existing health condition. Contact Medicare or a knowledgeable insurance professional promptly to understand which policies are available and the deadline that applies to you.
This protection is tied to termination, not every plan change. KFF reports that about 1.4 million beneficiaries are in Medicare Advantage plans consolidating with another plan from the same insurer and will be moved automatically. A consolidation is different from a termination: federal Medigap guaranteed issue rights do not apply just because your plan is consolidating. You can still compare plans during open enrollment, but do not assume the termination-related Medigap protection applies.
A note for Florida Medicare beneficiaries
Florida is one of the country’s largest Medicare Advantage markets, and Medicare Advantage plans in Florida vary by county and ZIP code. A plan available in one community may not be offered nearby, and a familiar insurer’s 2027 coverage may have different costs, networks, or benefits.
Whether you are comparing Humana Medicare Advantage, another Medicare Advantage plan, or Original Medicare with a Medigap plan and separate Part D coverage, review the specific options available where you live. Start with the Medicare Plan Finder, and use the Borde & Associates Medicare options page to learn about local guidance in the Melbourne area. Florida seniors can also get free, unbiased plan counseling through the SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) program at 1-800-963-5337.
A clear plan for the December 7 deadline
To stay organized, keep these items together:
- Your plan’s Annual Notice of Change or termination notice
- A current prescription list, including dosage
- The names of your doctors and preferred pharmacies
- Your monthly premium and expected deductible
- The plan’s provider directory, drug formulary, and out-of-pocket information
Compare the coverage you have now with the coverage you would have in 2027. If your plan is ending, make a replacement decision before December 7, 2026. If you are unsure whether your plan is terminating or consolidating, ask your plan or Medicare to clarify your status.
Talk with Borde & Associates in Melbourne
Borde & Associates PA is available to help you review Medicare coverage options and organize the questions you want answered. Contact the Melbourne team at 1900 S Harbor City Blvd. Ste 328, Melbourne, FL 32901, or call 321-36-BORDE (321-362-6733). You can also visit our Medicare options page.
We don’t offer every plan available in your area.
Submit your information and a licensed agent will contact you about your Medicare coverage options. This is a solicitation for insurance. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week.
Frequently asked questions about Medicare plans ending in 2027
When does Medicare open enrollment end?
Medicare open enrollment for 2027 coverage ends December 7, 2026. Changes made during this period generally begin January 1, 2027.
What happens if my Medicare Advantage plan is terminated and I do nothing?
You may be moved automatically to Original Medicare. Original Medicare does not include Part D prescription drug coverage by itself, so check whether you need to choose a separate drug plan.
Can I get Medigap guaranteed issue rights if my Medicare Advantage plan ends?
If your Medicare Advantage plan is terminated, you qualify for a federal special enrollment opportunity for Medigap with guaranteed issue rights. Contact Medicare promptly to confirm the rules and deadlines that apply to your situation.
Do I have Medigap guaranteed issue rights if my plan consolidates?
Not solely because of a consolidation. KFF distinguishes plan consolidations from terminations; federal guaranteed issue rights discussed for terminated plans do not automatically apply to members moved to another plan through consolidation.
Will my stand-alone Part D premium increase in 2027?
It depends on your plan. KFF projects the average monthly premium will rise from $34 to $51 if current enrollees stay in their plans, and no zero-premium stand-alone plans are available for 2027. Compare your actual plan choices and total drug costs.
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