By Qamar S, 15 years in US medical billing · Last reviewed October 11, 2026
Several large insurers are shrinking their Medicare Advantage footprint for 2027. In CMS’s 2027 plan data, Health Care Service Corp., Centene, BCBS of Michigan, UnitedHealthcare and Aetna each dropped plans in dozens to hundreds of counties, and Molina is leaving individual Medicare Advantage entirely. Other insurers, such as Devoted Health, are expanding.
If your plan is leaving, you should have received a non-renewal letter by early October. You won’t lose Medicare. You can choose a new plan during Open Enrollment (October 15 to December 7) or a special period that runs through the end of February, and you get a guaranteed right to buy certain Medigap policies. See what to do if your Medicare Advantage plan is ending.
Insurer-by-insurer: counties with individual plans, 2026 vs 2027
| Insurer | 2026 counties | 2027 counties | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Care Service Corp. (BCBS in IL, MT, NM, OK, TX) | 948 | 450 | -498 |
| Centene (Wellcare) | 1,731 | 1,387 | -344 |
| BCBS of Michigan | 299 | 106 | -193 |
| UnitedHealthcare | 2,597 | 2,457 | -140 |
| Aetna (CVS Health) | 2,083 | 1,960 | -123 |
| Molina Healthcare | 75 | 0 | -75 |
| Humana | 2,655 | 2,598 | -57 |
| Elevance (Anthem) | 1,030 | 974 | -56 |
| Kaiser Permanente | 123 | 118 | -5 |
| Devoted Health | 999 | 1,341 | +342 |
| Singh Holdings | 71 | 116 | +45 |
| Essence Healthcare | 72 | 94 | +22 |
These figures cover individual Medicare Advantage and Medicare Advantage drug plans from CMS’s 2027 landscape data, as analyzed by Becker’s Payer Issues. They don’t include special needs plans. A county exit doesn’t always mean every plan in that county is gone, and smaller regional insurers like CDPHP may also change plans.
What else is changing for 2027
- Fewer $0 premium plans and higher costs in many plans. Analysts report average out-of-pocket maximums up about 10% and Part D deductibles up about 30% in Medicare Advantage drug plans.
- More special needs plans (SNPs) for people with Medicaid or certain chronic conditions.
- CMS says more than 99% of people with Medicare still have access to at least one Medicare Advantage plan, and most can stay in their current plan.
How to check if your plan is affected
- Look for a non-renewal letter from your plan, mailed by early October. It’s different from the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC), which you get if your plan continues with changes.
- Read your ANOC if your plan continues. Look at the premium, out-of-pocket maximum, drug deductible and doctor network.
- Search your ZIP code in the Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov to see which plans are available for 2027.
- Call the plan’s member services number on your card if you’re not sure.
If your plan is ending: your options
- Pick a new Medicare Advantage plan during Open Enrollment or the special period through February.
- Go back to Original Medicare and add a Part D drug plan, with a guaranteed right to buy Medigap Plans A, B, D, G, K or L, and C or F if you were eligible for Medicare before 2020 (some states offer more). See switching to Medigap.
- Do nothing: you’ll be moved to Original Medicare on January 1 without drug coverage, which can mean a late penalty. Don’t let this happen by accident.
From 15 years in billing: when a plan leaves, claims for services before January 1 still go to the old plan, even if they’re billed in February or March. Keep your old ID card and any open appeals. I’ve seen offices bill the new plan by mistake and patients get denial letters for care that was covered.
Frequently asked questions
Are Medicare Advantage plans ending in 2027?
Not overall, but many plans are leaving specific counties. Health Care Service Corp., Centene, BCBS of Michigan, UnitedHealthcare and Aetna cut the most counties, and Molina is leaving individual Medicare Advantage. Check your non-renewal letter or the Plan Finder.
Is Aetna leaving Medicare Advantage in 2027?
Aetna isn’t leaving Medicare Advantage, but it dropped individual plans in about 123 counties for 2027. If you’re in an Aetna plan, check whether you got a non-renewal letter.
What happens if I don’t choose a new plan?
You’ll be enrolled in Original Medicare on January 1 without drug coverage. You’d need to join a Part D plan or pick a new Medicare Advantage plan, ideally before December 7.
Do I get a guaranteed right to buy Medigap if my plan leaves?
Yes. When your Medicare Advantage plan leaves your area or stops offering coverage, federal law gives you a guaranteed issue right to buy certain Medigap policies without health questions, for a limited time.
Sources: Becker’s Payer Issues: MA insurers ranked by county entries and exits in 2027 · Healthcare Dive: How much insurers are cutting MA plans for 2027 · Medicare.gov: Plan Finder
This guide is educational and is not legal, financial or insurance advice. MedBillGuide is not connected to Medicare, CMS or any government agency, and we do not sell insurance. See our Disclaimer.