Tejal Somvanshi
If you receive Medicare Advantage coverage through Humana or UnitedHealthcare, your plan may be discontinued before January 2027. Both insurers sent non-renewal notices to affected members on October 2, covering roughly one million enrollees. The annual open enrollment period runs October 15 through December 7, 2026 — and members whose plans are being discontinued also receive a Special Election Period running December 8, 2026 through February 28, 2027.
Humana is cutting approximately 600,000 members from plans rated 3.5 stars or below. UnitedHealthcare sent non-renewal notices to around 390,000 enrollees on October 2. Together, the two moves affect close to one million beneficiaries. Both companies cited higher-than-expected costs, utilization increases, and reimbursement pressure as factors behind the exits. Members of non-renewed plans have the Annual Enrollment Period through December 7 and a Special Election Period from December 8 through February 28, 2027. Members who enroll in a replacement plan by December 31 have new coverage starting January 1, 2027.
Anyone whose Medicare Advantage plan is terminated and who takes no action during the Annual Enrollment Period or Special Election Period will revert to Original Medicare. Original Medicare has no annual out-of-pocket cap and no built-in prescription drug coverage. Without a Medigap supplement, Original Medicare's lack of an annual out-of-pocket cap means costs for extended care can be substantially higher. Dental, vision, and hearing benefits included in most Advantage plans also disappear automatically — they are not part of Original Medicare's standard coverage.
Why Insurers Are Pulling Back — and What They're Replacing These Plans With
Under the Medicare star rating system, CMS pays insurers higher benchmark rates for plans rated 4 stars or above. Humana CFO Celeste Mellet confirmed on the company's Q2 earnings call that the carrier would exit plans rated below 3.5 stars to improve its quality portfolio and reduce exposure to high-cost patient pools. UnitedHealth Group disclosed its exit decisions alongside the October 2 member non-renewal notices.
Seniors enrolled in a terminated plan first have the Annual Enrollment Period from October 15 through December 7, 2026. After that closes, they receive a Special Election Period running December 8, 2026 through February 28, 2027. During this window, they can choose a new Medicare Advantage plan in their area or return to Original Medicare. A qualifying plan non-renewal can also trigger guaranteed-issue Medigap rights — meaning a supplemental insurance company cannot deny coverage or charge higher premiums based on health history. That right applies during and shortly after the termination window. Medicare Medigap coverage explained and how to compare Medicare Part D drug plans walk through the side-by-side cost differences.
Anyone who returns to Original Medicare without also enrolling in a Part D drug plan faces a late enrollment penalty of 1% per month for every month without creditable coverage. That penalty is permanent and adds up over time.
CMS's general open enrollment window runs October 15 to December 7, with coverage starting January 1, 2027. The medicare.gov plan finder allows comparison by zip code, drug formulary, and star rating. Medicare open enrollment checklist 2027 and Medicare Advantage vs. Original Medicare cost comparison cover the full switching process in detail.
What happens if my Medicare Advantage plan is canceled in 2027?
If your plan is discontinued, you have the Annual Enrollment Period from October 15 through December 7, 2026 to choose a replacement plan. Members of non-renewed plans also receive a Special Election Period from December 8, 2026 through February 28, 2027. A qualifying non-renewal can trigger guaranteed-issue rights for a Medigap supplemental policy, regardless of your health status. Consult Medicare.gov or your plan's non-renewal letter for your specific deadlines.
Termination notices from both insurers were dated October 2, 2026 and are currently being delivered to affected members. If you have not received one but are uncertain about your plan's status, call your insurer directly or check the CMS plan finder at medicare.gov. December 7 is the end of general open enrollment. Members with non-renewed plans have until February 28, 2027 under the Special Election Period, though enrolling by December 31 starts new coverage January 1.
