Some insurers are ending or scaling back Medicare Advantage plans in Maryland for 2027, and many residents are worried about what that means for their coverage. If your plan is one of them, you have protected options to replace it. Knowing whether your plan is leaving and taking the right steps now will help you stay covered.
Deadline reminder: The Annual Enrollment Period ends December 7. Choose your new coverage by then so it starts January 1, 2027, with no gap. Compare your plan options now.
Over the past several years, Medicare Advantage plans have grown rapidly. However, changes in how the federal government pays insurance companies and shifts in how Medicare Part D drug costs are shared are changing the financial picture for these companies heading into 2027. Major carriers are pulling back on which plans they offer in Maryland, while others are dropping specific options in certain counties.
Think of it like a landlord deciding not to renew a lease on an apartment building. They are giving you advance notice that you need to find a new place by the end of the year. By law, your insurance company had to send you a specific non-renewal letter by early October if your plan is ending.
If you did not receive a non-renewal letter but did receive an Annual Notice of Change, your current Medicare Advantage plan will likely still be available next year. Take a few minutes to review the notice carefully, paying close attention to changes in your monthly premium, out-of-pocket costs, and doctor networks.
If you did receive a non-renewal letter, keep it in a safe place. It confirms that your plan is ending and may help you qualify for special enrollment rights, giving you additional options to find new coverage without being penalized.
You have federal protections that prevent you from being trapped without health insurance options. You can choose from two main paths before the calendar year ends:
If you return to Original Medicare, keep in mind that it does not cover most prescription drugs. You will need to consider a standalone Part D drug plan. Because your previous plan was canceled, you receive a Special Enrollment Period that stretches through the end of February to add drug coverage.
If your plan is leaving and you do not pick a replacement, you will automatically return to Original Medicare on January 1. Your current Medicare Advantage plan will vanish, leaving you with only standard federal benefits. You will lose your extra benefits and your prescription drug coverage entirely, which could lead to a late enrollment penalty if you go without creditable coverage for too long.
Additionally, Original Medicare does not have an annual maximum out-of-pocket limit on your medical expenses. Under Medicare Part B, you are generally responsible for 20 percent of the Medicare-approved cost for outpatient services after meeting your annual deductible, with no annual cap on your out-of-pocket spending.
To review your options and protect your healthcare budget, compare plans with Senior Benefit Services or call 800-924-4727 to speak with an expert today.
By law, your insurance company was required to send you a specific non-renewal letter by early October if your plan is ending in your county. If you only received an Annual Notice of Change, your plan is likely staying available, though costs and benefits may change.
When your Medicare Advantage plan is discontinued in your area, you generally qualify for a Guaranteed Issue Right. This lets you purchase certain Medicare Supplement plans without answering health questions or going through medical underwriting.
You can review and select another Medicare Advantage plan during Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15 through December 7. Choosing a plan by December 7 ensures your new coverage starts January 1, 2027.
If you do nothing, you will automatically return to Original Medicare on January 1 and lose your extra benefits and prescription drug coverage. You will also lack an annual out-of-pocket maximum protection for medical expenses.
Yes. Because your previous plan was canceled, you receive a Special Enrollment Period that stretches through the end of February to add a standalone Part D drug plan.
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