Is your Medicare Advantage plan ending in 2027? What to do before Dec 7

Humana and UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans ending in 2027

If you received a non-renewal letter from Humana or UnitedHealthcare, your Medicare Advantage plan is ending December 31, 2026. You are not alone. About 1 million people are in the same position, and you have clear options. The key is choosing before December 7 so your new coverage starts January 1 with no gap in between.

Humana is ending plans that cover roughly 600,000 members. UnitedHealthcare is closing one plan affecting about 390,000 members, most of them in PPO (preferred provider organization) plans. If you do nothing, you will be defaulted to Original Medicare without any prescription drug coverage starting January 1, 2027.

How to know if your Medicare Advantage plan is ending

The clearest signal is a non-renewal letter from your insurer. Federal rules require insurers to send these notices. Keep the letter once it arrives; it is proof of your qualifying event if you need the special enrollment period later.

The letter may list replacement plans the same company offers in your area. Read those options carefully rather than assuming the replacement is automatically the right fit. A plan from the same insurer may not cover your current doctors, match your preferred pharmacy, or place your medications on the same drug tier (the pricing category that determines your copay).

If you are not sure whether your plan is affected, call 1-800-MEDICARE or log in to medicare.gov to check your plan's 2027 status directly.

Dec 7 deadline vs. the special enrollment period

Both dates matter, but they carry different consequences.

Choosing by December 7, the end of open enrollment, is the cleanest path. Missing it does not eliminate your options, but enrolling under the special enrollment period (Dec 8 through Feb 28, 2027) means your new coverage starts on the first day of the month after you enroll, which could leave weeks without active plan coverage.

Going back to Original Medicare: Part D and Medigap

Original Medicare covers hospital and doctor visits but does not include prescription drug coverage. If you return to it, you need two additional pieces:

• Part D drug plan: A standalone plan that covers prescriptions. Without it, you pay full retail price for every medication.
• Medigap policy: Supplemental insurance that covers costs Original Medicare leaves to you, such as deductibles and coinsurance.

Your Medigap guaranteed issue rights

Because your plan is ending through no fault of your own, you have a guaranteed issue right for certain Medigap policies. This means insurers cannot reject you or charge more based on your health history. Eligible plans under federal rules are A, B, D, G, K, and L. Plans C and F are only available to people who first became eligible for Medicare before 2020.

Apply for Medigap as early as 60 days before your plan ends and no later than 63 days after it ends. This right disappears if you choose another Medicare Advantage plan instead of returning to Original Medicare. Some states offer broader Medigap protections beyond the federal baseline, so check your state's rules.

How to compare Medicare plans before Dec 7

Before opening any comparison tool, write down three things: your current doctors, every prescription you take (with dosage), and your preferred pharmacy. Plans vary significantly on which providers are in-network and how they price specific drugs.

Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov lets you enter your medications and location to see which plans cover your specific drugs and at what cost. When comparing plans, look past the monthly premium:

• Annual deductible: What you pay before the plan starts covering costs
• Copays and coinsurance: Your share of each visit or service
• Drug tier placement: Your medications may cost more on one plan's formulary than another's
• Network restrictions: HMO plans typically limit you to in-network providers; PPO plans offer more flexibility at higher cost

Availability has also narrowed in some areas. In 2027, 193 counties will have no Medicare Advantage drug plan open to general enrollment, up from 123 counties previously. The average beneficiary has 28 Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage to choose from in 2027. If you live in a smaller market, your options may be more limited than they were last year.

Free help choosing a new Medicare plan

Insurer letters and TV ads are not the place to start your research. Two free resources exist specifically for this situation.

1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) connects you with trained representatives who can walk through your options. They do not sell plans.

SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) provides free one-on-one counseling from local advisors in your state. A SHIP counselor can sit with you (in person or by phone) and review Plan Finder results, explain cost differences, and help you weigh your choices without pushing any particular insurer.

For health questions that come up during this transition, Doctronic's medical AI is free and available 24/7, and you can see a licensed doctor in a $39 video visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find out if my Medicare Advantage plan is being cancelled for 2027?

Look for a non-renewal letter from your insurer. Insurers are required to send these. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE or log in to medicare.gov to check your plan's status for the coming year.

If my plan ends, do I have to pick a new plan by December 7?

You do not have to, but choosing by Dec 7 is strongly advisable. If you miss it, a special enrollment period runs Dec 8 through Feb 28, 2027, though coverage may start later and a gap in coverage is possible.

Can I be turned down for Medigap if my Medicare Advantage plan is cancelled?

No. A plan non-renewal triggers a guaranteed issue right, meaning insurers cannot deny you certain Medigap policies or charge more based on health. This right lasts up to 63 days after your plan ends.

Will Humana or UnitedHealthcare automatically move me to a new plan?

Not automatically. Humana says most affected members will be offered an alternative. UnitedHealthcare says affected members may move to another of its plans. Neither guarantee a switch happens without your active enrollment.

What prescription drug coverage do I have if I go back to Original Medicare?

None, unless you add a standalone Part D drug plan. Without Part D, you pay full price for prescriptions. Enroll in Part D at the same time you enroll in any Medigap policy to avoid a coverage gap.

The Bottom Line

If your Medicare Advantage plan is ending, this situation is stressful but solvable with the right steps in the right order. Prioritize the Dec 7 open enrollment deadline to avoid any gap in coverage starting January 1, 2027. If you miss it, you still have a special enrollment window through Feb 28, 2027, though later choices may delay when new coverage begins. Do not default to Original Medicare without adding a Part D drug plan, or you risk paying full price for every prescription. If you are returning to Original Medicare, use your time-limited guaranteed issue right to apply for Medigap within 63 days of your plan ending. For plan-specific guidance, SHIP counselors and 1-800-MEDICARE offer free, unbiased help. For health questions that come up during this transition, Doctronic's medical AI is free and available 24/7. This article is informational and is not a medical diagnosis. Confirm coverage decisions and any health concerns with a licensed clinician, especially for new, worsening, or high-risk symptoms.