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Medicare Advantage Plans 2027: 4.3 Million People Are Losing Their Plan. Is Yours Ending?

Reviewed by Russell Noga, Licensed Medicare Insurance Broker (all 50 states) — Last updated October 27, 2026

Before Medicare Advantage plans 2027 coverage begins on January 1, about 4.3 million people will see their current Medicare plan shut down, according to a KFF analysis published October 27, 2026. If your plan is one of them, you can choose a new plan now through December 7, and you also get extra time and special Medigap rights.

Every fall a few plans close, but this year the cuts are bigger. Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna and Blue Cross in Minnesota are among the companies pulling plans. Most people affected still have other choices, but nobody will pick one for you.

Below we cover the KFF numbers, the difference between a closing plan and a merged one, and the deadlines and steps to take. For everything available next year, see our guide to Medicare Advantage plans 2027, and for the bigger trend, read are Medicare Advantage plans going away in 2027.

✔ Licensed in all 50 states
✔ Based on CMS 2027 data
✔ Free plan comparison

Key Highlights

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About 4.3 million people are in Medicare plans that end on December 31, 2026

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Humana, UnitedHealth Group, CVS Health (Aetna) and Aware Integrated make up about half of the drug-coverage MA cuts

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If your Medicare Advantage plan ends and you do nothing, you land in Original Medicare with no drug coverage

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You can switch now through December 7, and a special window runs through the end of February 2027

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What the New KFF Analysis Shows

KFF, a nonprofit health policy research group, reviewed federal plan data for next year. It found about 4.3 million beneficiaries are in a Medicare Advantage plan or stand-alone Part D drug plan that will not be offered in 2027.

4.3 million

People whose plan ends after 2026

3.1 million

In Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage

1.2 million

In stand-alone Part D drug plans

1.4 million

In MA plans being merged into another plan

Of the 3.1 million Medicare Advantage members losing a plan, about 2.8 million are in plans open to anyone. That is roughly 14% of people in those plans, up from 13% a year ago. About 300,000 more are in special needs plans.

Drug plans changed even more. About 6% of stand-alone Part D members are affected, double last year’s share. The biggest closure is CVS’s SilverScript Choice, with about 950,000 members, followed by HealthSpring Extra Rx at about 190,000. The typical person will have 9 stand-alone drug plans for 2027, down from 11.

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Which Insurers Are Cutting the Most Plans

Four parent companies account for about half of people losing a Medicare Advantage drug plan open to the general public.

Parent company Members losing a plan Share of these cuts
Humana About 530,000 19%
UnitedHealth Group (UnitedHealthcare) About 367,000 13%
CVS Health (Aetna) About 254,000 9%
Aware Integrated (Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota) About 249,000 9%

Source: KFF analysis of CMS data, October 27, 2026. Counts are people in individual Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage that end after 2026.

These companies are not leaving Medicare. Each still sells plans for 2027 in many areas, but it is closing specific plans or leaving certain counties, so your neighbor’s plan may be fine while yours ends. For carrier details, see is Humana leaving Medicare Advantage in 2027 and is Aetna leaving Medicare Advantage in 2027.

Good to know: KFF found the average person on Medicare has about 28 Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage for 2027, so most people losing a plan have options. Choices are thinner in some rural counties.

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Medicare Advantage Plans Ending 2027: Closed vs. Merged

Not every change is a full shutdown. Your letter says which of these is happening, and it affects your rights.

Plan terminated (non-renewed)

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The plan will not exist in your area in 2027

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You are not moved into a new Medicare Advantage plan

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You get a Special Enrollment Period to choose a new plan

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You get federal Medigap guaranteed issue rights

Plan consolidated (merged)

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About 1.4 million members are in this group

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You are moved automatically into another plan from the same insurer

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Your doctors, drugs and costs may change in the new plan

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You do not get the federal Medigap guaranteed issue right

If your plan is being merged, read the Annual Notice of Change. Premiums, copays, the network and the drug list can all be different, and you can still switch during Annual Enrollment.

What Happens If You Do Nothing

If your Medicare Advantage plan is terminated and you choose nothing, you still have Medicare. On January 1, 2027 you go back to Original Medicare, Part A and Part B.

Watch out: Original Medicare does not include drug coverage. If you default into it, you have no Part D plan until you enroll in one. Going 63 days or more without creditable drug coverage can trigger a lifelong Part D late enrollment penalty.

What changes if you default to Original Medicare

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No yearly out-of-pocket limit unless you add a Medicare Supplement plan

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Part B generally pays 80% of approved costs after the deductible

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Dental, vision and hearing extras from your old plan end

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You can see any doctor nationwide who accepts Medicare

If your stand-alone Part D plan is the one ending, your drug coverage stops on December 31 unless you pick a new drug plan or join a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drugs.

Key Deadlines for Medicare Advantage Plans 2027

You have more than one chance to act, but picking a plan by December 7 means new coverage starts January 1 with no gap.

Window Dates What you can do
Annual Enrollment Period October 15 to December 7, 2026 Join, switch or drop a plan; coverage starts January 1, 2027
Special Enrollment Period for non-renewed plans December 8, 2026 to the end of February 2027 Pick a new Medicare Advantage or Part D plan if yours was terminated
Medigap guaranteed issue Generally up to 63 days after your old coverage ends Buy certain Medicare Supplement plans with no health questions
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment January 1 to March 31, 2027 One switch for people already in a Medicare Advantage plan

You can apply for Medigap as early as 60 days before your old plan ends. Enrolling during the special period after January 1 generally starts coverage the first of the next month, which can leave a short gap.

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Step-by-Step: What to Do Now if Your Plan Is Ending

1

Find your notice Look for a non-renewal letter or Annual Notice of Change. It says whether the plan is closing or being merged.

2

List what you use Write down your doctors, hospitals, pharmacy and every prescription with the dose.

3

Decide on the type of coverage Choose between a new Medicare Advantage plan or Original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement and a Part D plan.

4

Compare plans in your ZIP code Check premiums, the out-of-pocket maximum, drug costs and whether your doctors are in network.

5

Enroll by December 7 Joining a new plan ends the old one, and coverage starts January 1, 2027. Watch for your new ID card.

Tip: If you want a Medicare Supplement, apply before your plan ends or within 63 days after. Outside that window, most states let insurers ask health questions.

How to Compare 2027 Plans by ZIP Code

Plans are sold by county, so the only list that counts is the one for your ZIP code. Search the Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov or compare options with a licensed agent, and have your drug list ready.

What to check in each 2027 plan

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Monthly premium, on top of your Part B premium

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Out-of-pocket maximum for medical care

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Yearly drug cost, capped at $2,400 under Part D in 2027

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Whether your doctors and hospitals are in network

Look closely at extras this year. Many insurers are trimming them, and Medicare Advantage plans 2027 may include dental, vision, hearing or over-the-counter allowances depending on the plan and area. Not all plans offer all benefits, so confirm amounts in each Summary of Benefits. The national average premium for 2027 is projected at $12.00 a month, down from $14.37.

Comparing Medicare Advantage plans 2027 side by side is the best way to avoid a surprise in January. Focus on what you would pay in a bad year, not only the premium.

Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

About 4.3 million people with Medicare will lose their current plan when 2026 ends, led by cuts at Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna and Blue Cross in Minnesota. Doing nothing leaves you in Original Medicare with no drug coverage. Compare Medicare Advantage plans 2027 in your ZIP code and enroll by December 7.

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Frequently Asked Questions

➤ How many people are losing their Medicare plan for 2027?

KFF estimates about 4.3 million people. That includes about 3.1 million in Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage and about 1.2 million in stand-alone Part D plans.

➤ How will I know if my Medicare Advantage plan is not renewing?

Your plan must mail you a notice in the fall saying it will not be offered in 2027. If unsure, call the number on your member ID card.

➤ Is my plan ending if it is being merged with another plan?

Not exactly. A merged plan moves you into another plan from the same insurer automatically, but costs, network and drug list may change. Review it before December 7.

➤ What happens on January 1 if I do not pick a new plan?

If your Medicare Advantage plan was terminated, you return to Original Medicare with no Part D drug coverage until you enroll in a drug plan.

➤ What is the last day to choose a replacement plan?

Choose by December 7, 2026 for coverage on January 1. People whose plan was terminated also have a Special Enrollment Period that runs through the end of February 2027.

➤ Can I switch to a Medicare Supplement without health questions?

Yes, if your plan is terminated. Federal rules give you a guaranteed issue right to certain Medicare Supplement plans, generally from 60 days before until 63 days after your coverage ends.

➤ Which companies are dropping the most Medicare Advantage plans?

Humana, UnitedHealth Group, CVS Health (Aetna) and Aware Integrated, parent of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, account for about half of the individual drug-coverage plan cuts.

➤ Will my extra benefits carry over to a new plan?

Not automatically. Extras vary by plan and area, and not all plans offer all benefits. Check each plan’s Summary of Benefits.

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Compare 2027 Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage from several insurance companies in one call.

☎ 1-833-641-4938

TTY users 711  |  Mon–Fri: 5am–7pm, Sat–Sun: 7am–4pm CT

No obligation to enroll

Find & Compare Plans Online

Speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-833-641-4938TTY 711

Mon-Fri: 8am-9pm ET

ZRN Health & Financial Services, LLC, a Texas limited liability company

Russell Noga, licensed insurance agent
( Medicare Expert )

Russell Noga is the CEO of ZRN Health & Financial Services, and head content editor of several Medicare insurance online publications. He has over 15 years of experience as a licensed Medicare insurance broker helping Medicare beneficiaries learn about Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medigap insurance, and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.