Medicare Advantage Non-Renewal Notice: What to Do

Here is what to do next

Opening a letter that says your Medicare Advantage plan won’t be available next year can leave you wondering what happens next. Will you lose your coverage? Can you keep your doctors? Do you need to choose another plan? If you’ve received a non-renewal notice, take time to read it carefully. You have options, and understanding your notice is the first step toward arranging coverage for the coming year.

What Is a Medicare Advantage Non-Renewal Notice?

A non-renewal notice is an official letter from your insurance company explaining that your current Medicare Advantage plan will no longer be offered for the upcoming year. This may happen because the plan is leaving Medicare or will no longer serve your area. Medicare lists October as the usual month for receiving these notices. The letter explains when your plan ends and what steps you can take to get other coverage.

A non-renewal notice means your current plan is ending not that your eligibility for Medicare is ending.

This is different from an Annual Notice of Change, or ANOC, which explains changes to a continuing plan’s costs and benefits.

Why Would an Insurance Company Stop Offering a Plan?

Insurance companies review their Medicare Advantage offerings each year. Rising medical costs, higher use of healthcare services, and decisions about which markets to serve can lead them to discontinue certain plans or leave some counties. An insurance company may continue offering other Medicare Advantage plans even though your particular plan is ending. The reason for your plan’s non-renewal should be confirmed with the company.

What Should You Do After Receiving the Notice?

1. Keep the letter and confirm your coverage end date

Save your non-renewal notice with your Medicare records. It contains information you may need when reviewing enrollment options or applying for other coverage. For a plan ending at the close of the calendar year, your existing coverage generally continues through December 31. Confirm the exact date in your letter.

2. Gather your doctors and prescription information

Before comparing plans, make a list of your:

• Doctors, specialists, and preferred hospitals.

• Prescription names, dosages, and how often you take them.

• Preferred pharmacies.

• Upcoming treatments or ongoing healthcare needs.

These details help you compare how another plan would work for you. A plan’s premium or extra benefits alone won’t tell you whether it fits your needs. You can compare plans with my quoting tool here. https://www.planenroll.com/?purl=Cheryl-Lockhart

3. Review your coverage options

Depending on what’s available where you live, you may consider another Medicare Advantage plan or Original Medicare with separate Part D prescription drug coverage. If your Medicare Advantage plan leaves Medicare or stops offering coverage in your area, you may have a guaranteed issue (GI) right to purchase certain Medicare Supplement policies, also called Medigap, when you return to Original Medicare. This means no medical underwriting. For an eligible policy, the insurance company cannot deny you coverage or charge you more because of your health history, and it must cover your pre-existing conditions. These rights have specific eligibility requirements and application deadlines, so keep your non-renewal notice. A licensed independent health insurance agent can help you understand which Medigap policies you qualify for and coordinate your coverage transition.

4. Understand your enrollment deadlines

The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7. Changes made during this period generally take effect January 1. When a Medicare Advantage contract isn’t renewed, Medicare also provides a Special Enrollment Period from December 8 through the last day of February. However, that additional time does not extend your old plan’s coverage. If you do not join another Medicare Advantage plan before your current plan ends, you will return to Original Medicare. You also need to address prescription drug coverage. Confirm your new coverage’s effective date before relying on it.

Why Can Guidance From an Agent Be Helpful?

Replacing a Medicare Advantage plan involves more than finding another plan with a similar name or monthly premium.

A licensed independent health insurance agent can help you:

• Understand your notice: Review what is ending, when it ends, and which enrollment opportunity applies.

• Check your providers: Verify your doctors and hospitals against a prospective plan’s current network.

• Review prescriptions: Check medication coverage, estimated costs, pharmacy options, and restrictions.

• Compare overall costs: Look beyond premiums to deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and medical out-of-pocket limits.

• Understand coverage differences: Discuss referrals, prior authorization, and how coverage works when you travel.

• Complete enrollment: Help with the application and explain what confirmation to expect.

For example, two plans may both have a $0 monthly plan premium but differ in specialist copays, hospital costs, prescription coverage, and provider networks. A careful review helps you understand those differences before enrolling. You must also continue paying your Medicare Part B premium. You aren’t required to use an agent. Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, and your State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP, are additional resources. An agent can offer personal guidance and compare the plans they’re authorized to represent.

Personal Help With Your Next Steps

If your Medicare Advantage plan is ending, you don’t have to sort through the notice and your choices on your own. I’m Cheryl Lockhart, a licensed independent health insurance agent with Coral Bay Insurance Services. I help people understand their Medicare options in plain language and compare available coverage based on their doctors, prescriptions, healthcare needs, and budget.

Keep your non-renewal notice handy, and visit coralbayins.com to schedule a conversation or all (656)228-4979. We can review what the letter means and discuss your next steps for 2027.

By calling this number or providing your information you agree to speak with a licensed insurance agent about Medicare Advantage, Part D Prescription Drug Plans or Medicare Supplements.  Not affiliated with any government agency including Medicare.