Undoubtedly there are thousands of NRLN members with Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. Four MA insurance companies who provide MA plans have announced they will drop over 1 million enrollees across the nation in 2025.

Humana has told investors that the company expects to lose about 560,000, about 10% of its MA enrollees next year after it exits 13 unprofitable markets and trims its plan options. CVS Health Aetna will force 420,000 members to find other coverage. Centene – Wellcare announced in August it will be ending plans which will impact roughly 37,000 enrollees. Up to 5,395 Cigna beneficiaries will have to find new plans. UnitedHealthcare has not announced whether it will drop MA enrollees.

There have been news reports that MA insurers will be adding or raising premiums and increasing the out-of-pocket amounts due to higher expenses and lower profits as MA plan enrollees get older and have more healthcare costs. If your plan is discontinued, it is an opportunity to give thought to whether you want to continue in an MA plan (Part C) or enroll in original Medicare (Parts A and B) and a Medigap plan.

If you have not heard from your MA insurer about the status of your plan for next year, you should immediately contact your MA plan provider or your insurance agent to learn whether your plan will be continued. 

If your plan is going to end on December 31, 2024, you should be sure to obtain a letter or email from your MA plan provider that states, as federal law requires, that you have a Guaranteed Issue Right (GIR) to get another MA plan or go into Original Medicare. 

With a GIR you can acquire an MA plan or enroll in an Original Medicare, and if you choose, buy a supplement policy (Medigap) to cover the 20% that Medicare does not pay. The GIR provides you 63 days after your current MA Plan coverage ends to obtain other healthcare coverage. The upcoming Medicare Open Enrollment period October 15 – December 7 will be available to enroll in a new plan. 

During the 63-day window, you cannot be denied for an MA plan or Original Medicare with a Medigap plan due to a pre-existing medical condition or face underwriting due to your medical history. 

If your MA plan ends and you do not take action to acquire a different MA plan or enroll in Original Medicare you will be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare, but without a Medigap plan. Your MA plan that may be ending could have included Medicare Part D for prescription drugs. If so, it would be wise to shop for and purchase a Medicare Part D plan or an MA plan that includes Part D coverage. 

Keep any letters, notices, or emails from your MA plan stating that your plan will be discontinued. You may need the information to prove your coverage ended to gain a GIR.