Plan Changes and What to Do Before December 7

Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs from October 15 to December 7, 2026, and any changes you make will go into effect for 2027.¹ Rising costs are only half the story. Plans change what they cover, which doctors and pharmacies they include, and sometimes whether they’re offered in your area at all.

Some Medicare Advantage Plans Are Changing or Leaving Certain Areas

For the third year in a row, some Medicare Advantage insurers are reducing the number of plans or areas they serve. Humana, for example, has announced plan exits that will affect roughly 600,000 members in 2027.² Other insurers are also making changes as rising medical and prescription drug costs, along with changes in how Medicare Advantage plans are paid, put pressure on plan costs.

On a positive note, average Medicare Advantage monthly premiums nationwide are projected to decrease from $14.37 in 2026 to $12 in 2027, according to CMS.¹ Keep in mind these are national averages. Your actual costs, benefits, and available plans will depend on where you live and the coverage you choose.

What matters most is what’s happening with your plan where you live. And even if your Medicare Advantage plan isn’t going away, don’t assume it will stay the same. For 2027, you could see changes such as:

• Reduced dental, vision, or hearing benefits

• A reduced or eliminated over-the-counter benefit

• Changes to your provider network

• Prescriptions moved to a different drug tier or removed from the plan’s formulary

• Higher copays or out-of-pocket limits

• Changes to additional benefits, such as grocery or other supplemental benefits

The important takeaway: don’t let your Medicare plan renew without reviewing what’s changing for 2027.

Watch for an Important Notice from Your Medicare Plan

Your current Medicare plan will send you information this fall explaining what will happen to your coverage in 2027. Don’t toss it aside. It may be one of the most important pieces of Medicare mail you receive all year.

If your plan is continuing in 2027, look for your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). It explains what’s changing with your plan for the coming year, including things like:

• Monthly premiums

• Deductibles and copays

• Prescription drug coverage

• Provider networks

• Dental, vision, and other benefits

• Out-of-pocket limits

Even if you’ve been happy with your plan, review this notice carefully. A plan that worked well for you in 2026 may not be the best fit in 2027.

If your plan is no longer available where you live, you’ll receive a notice explaining that your coverage will not continue in 2027 and outlining your options and deadlines.³

This doesn’t mean you’re losing Medicare. Your Part A and Part B coverage isn’t going away. It means you’ll need to decide how you want to receive your Medicare coverage in 2027. If your Medicare Advantage plan is not renewed and you don’t choose another Medicare Advantage plan before your current coverage ends, you’ll generally return to Original Medicare.³ You may need to enroll in a separate Part D plan to maintain prescription drug coverage. You may also have a Special Enrollment Period and certain rights to purchase a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy.

Pay close attention to the dates and instructions in the notice you receive, since your options and deadlines can depend on your situation.

Five Things to Do Before December 7

The most important thing is understanding what’s changing in your coverage and whether your current plan still meets your needs.

1. Find your plan notice. Review the ANOC or other notice you receive from your current plan.

2. Make a list of what matters to you. Include your prescriptions, doctors, preferred pharmacies, and the benefits you use most.

3. Don’t compare premiums alone. Look at deductibles, copays, prescription coverage, provider networks, benefits, and out-of-pocket limits, too.

4. Review your options before December 7. Even if you’re happy with your current coverage, make sure it still fits your health needs and budget for 2027.

5. Get help if you want it. A licensed insurance advisor can help you understand what’s changing, compare available options, and determine whether your current coverage still fits your needs.

SOURCES

1. “Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Programs Expected to Remain Stable in 2027.” CMS.gov, 28 September 2026, https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/medicare-advantage-medicare-prescription-drug-programs-expected-remain-stable-2027. Accessed 22 October 2026.

2. “Humana exit notices loom for 600,000 Medicare Advantage members.” Healthcare Finance News, 1 September 2026, https://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/humana-exit-notices-loom-600000-medicare-advantage-members. Accessed 22 October 2026.

3. “Plan Non-Renewal Notice.” Medicare.gov, https://www.medicare.gov/basics/forms-publications-mailings/mailings/costs-and-coverage/change-in-plan-availability. Accessed 22 October 2026.