Medicare Advantage Changes for 2027: What to Review
Article Summary
Some insurers are ending or changing Medicare Advantage plans for 2027. Use this checklist to review your plan, doctors, prescriptions and costs.
If you’ve heard that insurers are cutting Medicare Advantage plans for 2027, you may be wondering what that means for your coverage. The answer depends on your plan and where you live. Whether or not you’ve needed to make a change in years, now is a good time to take a closer look at your doctors, prescriptions, and costs.
Some insurers are ending certain plans, shrinking service areas, or changing benefits and costs for 2027. This isn’t the end of Medicare Advantage, and it doesn’t mean everyone needs to switch plans. Changes vary by carrier, county, and plan.
Know Which Change You’re Facing
These three situations are easy to confuse, and each calls for a different response:
- Your plan is changing. The plan continues, but benefits, premiums, or costs are different. Your Annual Notice of Change explains how.
- Your plan is ending. The insurer is discontinuing the plan or leaving your area. You’ll receive a separate non-renewal notice and will need to choose new coverage.
- A provider is leaving the network. Your doctor or hospital may leave a network even though your plan continues. This is not the same as your plan ending.
Read both the Annual Notice of Change and any non-renewal notice. They are different documents.
Your Review Checklist
| Checklist Area | Plan availability | Doctors and hospitals | Prescription coverage | Total annual costs | Personal fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| What to Verify | Is your specific plan continuing, changing, or ending? | Confirm that your preferred providers participate in the specific 2027 plan, not just with the carrier. | Check that your medications are covered, and look at their tiers, your pharmacy network, and any drug deductible. Also look for prior authorization, step therapy, and quantity limits, which can affect how and when you get a medication. | Look beyond the monthly premium. Consider deductibles, copays, coinsurance, hospital and specialist costs, and the annual out-of-pocket maximum. | Consider ongoing treatment, travel patterns, and any changes in your care needs. |
Important Cautions
If your plan is discontinued and you don’t choose new coverage, you will return to Original Medicare on January 1, 2027. Original Medicare does not automatically replace your discontinued plan’s prescription coverage or additional benefits. Drug coverage bundled with your plan ends with it, so you’ll need to arrange replacement coverage.
Reviewing your options doesn’t commit you to changing plans. It helps you make an informed choice and confirm that your coverage still meets your needs.
Questions About 2027?
Have questions about your Medicare coverage for 2027? OneDigital is an additional resource to help you understand plan changes, compare available coverage options, and review how your doctors, prescriptions, and costs fit your needs. Connect with a OneDigital Medicare advisor or your local OneDigital representative for personalized guidance.