Medicare
More than 3 million Medicare Advantage members must pick new plans for 2027 as insurers pull back
Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna and some Blue Cross plans are dropping coverage for about 11% of enrollees, many in PPOs, so affected seniors must choose new coverage before December 7.
Key facts
- CNN reported on October 15 that about 3.2 million Medicare Advantage enrollees, nearly 11% of the total, will see their plans end for 2027.
- That follows about 2.9 million and 2 million terminations in the previous two years.
- Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna and some Blue Cross Blue Shield plans are among the insurers pulling back, and many of the cancelled plans are PPOs, which let members see out-of-network doctors.
What happened
CNN reported on October 15 that about 3.2 million Medicare Advantage enrollees, nearly 11% of the total, will see their plans end for 2027. That follows about 2.9 million and 2 million terminations in the previous two years. Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna and some Blue Cross Blue Shield plans are among the insurers pulling back, and many of the cancelled plans are PPOs, which let members see out-of-network doctors.
Choice is shrinking too. The average beneficiary can pick from 28 Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage, down from 36, and about 638,000 people in 193 counties will have no such plan available. The average out-of-pocket maximum is rising about 9%, to $6,603. Open enrollment runs October 15 through December 7.
What it means for families
If a parent's plan is ending, they should have received a notice. Doing nothing does not keep the plan, and the replacement may have a different doctor network or drug list.
For example: a mother who has seen the same cardiologist through a PPO for years may find that the plans still offered in her county do not include that practice, which matters more than the premium.
What this means in New York: New Yorkers can get free, unbiased Medicare counseling through HIICAP at 1-800-701-0501, run with local Offices for the Aging.
What to do this week
- Check whether a parent received a plan termination or Annual Notice of Change letter, and read it with them.
- List their doctors, hospitals and drugs, then compare plans on Medicare's Plan Finder before December 7.
- Ask about Medigap guaranteed-issue rights if a plan leaves, since that window has deadlines.
Sources
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