Got a Letter That Your Medicare Advantage Plan Is Ending? Here’s What to Do

Mitch Lyman

Oct 5

3 min read

Every fall, a few Medicare Advantage plans stop being offered for the next year, or pull out of certain counties. If that happens to your plan, the insurance company sends you a letter saying your coverage ends on December 31. Some people call it a non-renewal letter.

I’ve walked plenty of Treasure Valley clients through this, and the first thing I tell them is: don’t panic, and don’t ignore it. You have good options and more time than you might think. Here’s what the letter means and what to do next.

What the Letter Means (and What It Doesn’t)

You are not losing Medicare. Your Part A and Part B stay in place. What ends is the plan itself: its network, its extra benefits, and the drug coverage that was built into it.

If you don’t choose something new, you’d generally be left with Original Medicare on its own starting January 1, without the extra coverage you’re used to. That’s the situation we want to avoid.

Your Deadlines

When a plan leaves Medicare, you get some extra protections. Here’s how the timeline works:

October 15 – December 7: Open Enrollment. Pick a new plan in this window and your coverage starts January 1, with no gap. This is the window I recommend.
Through the last day of February: Because your plan is leaving, you have a special right to join another Medicare health plan. It’s a safety net if you miss December 7, but waiting can mean a stretch with only Original Medicare.
Medigap: You may have a right to buy certain Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policies within 63 days after your plan coverage ends.

You can read more about the season on my Medicare Open Enrollment page.

Your Two Main Paths

1. Choose another Medicare Advantage plan. This is the most common move. Several carriers offer Medicare Advantage plans in Ada and Canyon counties, and the right one depends on your doctors, hospitals, and prescriptions. If you have both Medicare and Medicaid, a Dual Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) may also be an option.

2. Switch to Original Medicare with a Medigap policy. Normally, when you move from Medicare Advantage to a Medigap policy outside your first enrollment window, the insurance company can ask health questions and may turn you down. A plan leaving Medicare can give you a guaranteed right to buy certain Medigap policies, which is an opportunity some people only get once. With this path you’d also add a separate drug plan.

Not sure how these differ? My Medicare plan types page lays them out side by side.

What to Check Before You Pick a New Plan

Your doctors and specialists. In the Treasure Valley, networks matter. Confirm each doctor is in network for 2027, not just this year.
Your hospital. Know which hospital system you’d want to use and make sure the plan includes it.
Your prescriptions and pharmacy. Have your full list ready, with doses.
Anything coming up. A planned surgery, ongoing treatment, or therapy should be part of the conversation, so nothing gets interrupted.
Travel. If you spend part of the year out of state, that affects which path fits you best.

If you received your plan’s Annual Notice of Change instead of a non-renewal letter, my post on what to check in your Medicare plan letter is the better place to start. And my 2027 Open Enrollment prep checklist will help you get organized either way.

You can also compare plans yourself with the Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov.

How I Can Help

As an independent broker, I work with several insurance companies, including Blue Cross of Idaho, Humana, UnitedHealthcare, and St. Luke’s Health Plan, so I can compare more than one company’s options for you. There’s no charge for my help, and most of my clients take care of everything with me by phone.

If your plan is ending, let’s talk before the December rush. Bring your letter, your doctor list, and your prescriptions, and we’ll find a plan that fits. Call or text me at (208) 963-0333, or reach out through my contact page. You can also read why clients choose to work with me.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 8 organizations which offer 23 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.