WASHINGTON (Azat TV) – Millions of older Americans are facing significant changes to their healthcare coverage as a growing wave of private insurers pulls back or shuts down Medicare Advantage plans heading into 2027. According to an analysis of federal data by NPR, 193 counties across the United States will have zero Medicare Advantage options available next year, up from about 120 counties previously.
The annual open enrollment period, which runs from October 15 through December 7, has brought difficult decisions for enrollees whose plans are disappearing. While preliminary estimates vary, analysis from the An Arm and A Leg podcast indicates that at least 2 million seniors will be affected by closures this year, following an estimated 2.9 million impacted last year.
Market Retrenchment in Rural and Metro Areas
The contraction is affecting both rural communities and major metropolitan centers. According to KFF, the zero-plan counties are predominantly rural, where private insurers have found markets unprofitable. Meanwhile, major urban centers including Dallas, Minneapolis, Seattle, Houston, and Portland are seeing between a quarter and a third fewer plan options offered to local residents.
Medicare Advantage allows private companies to administer Medicare benefits for the more than half of the 70 million eligible Americans who choose it over traditional government-run Medicare. While these privatized plans often bundle supplemental benefits like dental, vision, and Part D prescription drug coverage with lower monthly premiums, insurers maintain the flexibility to exit unprofitable markets annually.
Guaranteed-Issue Rights and Medigap Options
For enrollees whose plans are terminating at the end of 2026, navigating the transition requires understanding specific federal protections. According to AMAC Newsline, policyholders losing coverage due to plan discontinuation may qualify for a guaranteed-issue right. This provision allows returning beneficiaries to enroll in traditional Medicare and purchase certain Medicare Supplement, or Medigap, plans without facing medical underwriting or denial due to pre-existing conditions.
Beneficiaries generally have a 63-day window following their coverage termination to exercise this right, extending through March 4, 2027, for plans ending December 31, 2026. However, automatic transitions via a crosswalk process generally do not trigger these guaranteed-issue rights on their own.
Next Steps and Deadlines for Enrollees
Federal open enrollment runs until December 7, with coverage taking effect January 1, 2027. Enrollees whose plans are closing also qualify for a special enrollment period running through February 28, 2027.
Experts recommend that affected individuals review notices received in the mail, verify options on Medicare.gov, and consult free, unbiased resources such as state-level State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) to navigate enrollment and avoid potential coverage gaps.