If you’re one of the millions getting a Medicare Advantage termination letter for 2026, take a breath. It’s stressful, but you’ve got options. 

Losing your Medicare Advantage plan isn’t the end of your coverage. It just means you’ll need to decide what kind of health plan makes sense for you before your window to change closes.

Every year, major insurers like Aetna, Humana, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and UnitedHealth Group make strategic adjustments to their Medicare Advantage coverage. For 2026, some of those changes mean entire plans are going away, and Medicare beneficiaries will have to choose something new. 

Let’s walk through what’s happening, what it means, and how to avoid gaps in your Medicare coverage when your current coverage ends.

If your carrier sent you a letter saying your Medicare Advantage (MA) plan is ending, it’s usually for one of three reasons:

• The insurer is exiting your county or service area.
• Your specific plan is being replaced or merged with another plan.
• The plan failed to renew its Medicare contract with CMS for 2026.

These are called service area reductions or non-renewals, and they’re coordinated with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). In most cases, private insurance companies are making plan-based decisions to simplify their operations or focus on larger markets.

And while you might hear that this is happening “for administrative reasons,” the reality is that major insurers are scaling back or consolidating plans to manage plan payments, supplemental benefits, and the cost of delivering health care.

It’s not your fault—and you don’t have to stick with whatever “auto-mapped” plan your insurer suggests. You have the right to pick any plan available in your ZIP code for 2026.

When your coverage ends, two important timeframes matter most:

1. Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15 – December 7, 2025

This is when most people review current plans, compare options, and enroll for the following year. If you already know your plan is ending, this is the best time to sign up for your replacement coverage starting January 1, 2026.

2. Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for Non-Renewals

If your MA plan is being discontinued, you also get a Special Enrollment Period from December 8 through February 28, 2026.

That gives you extra time, but don’t sit on it. If you don’t act by February 28, you’ll revert to Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) only. That means no prescription drug coverage and no supplemental benefits like dental, vision, or hearing.

Bottom line: Don’t wait until your current coverage ends. The best time to make your move is during Open Enrollment, when you can see all available options side by side.

If you’ve been happy with Medicare Advantage coverage, there’s no reason you can’t stay with it—just shop smarter this time.

1. Start with your doctors and hospitals.

Use the plan’s lookup tool to confirm your access to your primary care doctor, specialists, and preferred hospitals. Networks are shrinking in 2026, and major insurers are limiting health care networks to cut costs. Don’t assume your doctor will still be covered next year.

2. Review your prescriptions.

Check your prescription drug coverage carefully. Formularies change every year, and some prescription drug plans now have stricter tiers or new copays for common medications. Even a small tweak can double what you pay.

3. Compare out-of-pocket limits.

Every plan sets a maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) cap. In 2026, many are around $8,000 or higher. That’s your ceiling for costs like co-payments or specialist visits. The lower the MOOP, the safer you are if you have a tough health year.

4. Look beyond the $0 premium.

As always, “$0 premium” doesn’t mean free. Look for increases in co-payments, higher deductibles, or potential changes in your benefits.

5. Evaluate the extras.

Many insurance companies use supplemental benefits like vision, dental, or gym memberships to stand out. Those additional benefits may shrink in 2026 as private insurers adjust their budgets.

If your providers are still in-network and your medications are covered, sticking with Medicare Advantage might make sense. But if you’re tired of network restrictions or changing costs, Medigap could be a better fit.

Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) pairs with Traditional Medicare (Parts A and B) to fill in the gaps. You’ll pay a monthly premium, but you’ll gain stability—no networks, no surprise co-payments, and broader access to care.

If your MA plan ends, you’ll also have a guaranteed issue right to buy a Medigap plan, meaning you can’t be turned down for health reasons. This protection lasts 63 days after your coverage ends—until about March 4, 2026, if your plan terminates December 31.

Why many seniors switch to Medigap after losing a Medicare Advantage plan:

• Freedom of choice: You can see any doctor who accepts Medicare nationwide.
• Predictable costs: You’ll know what you owe each year without surprise bills.
• Travel flexibility: If you spend part of the year in another state, Medigap covers you anywhere Traditional Medicare is accepted.`

The trade-off? Medigap premiums are typically higher, and you’ll need a separate prescription drug plan (Part D) for medications. But for many, that stability and flexibility are worth it.

When comparing Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap, think about your lifestyle and how often you use your coverage.

Medicare Advantage (MA) might fit best if you:

• Prefer bundled health insurance through private insurance companies.
• Want prescription coverage, dental, vision, and other extras all in one place.
• Rarely travel outside your local area.
• Prefer a lower or $0 monthly premium with variable costs as you go.

Medigap might be a better fit if you:

• Want to see any doctor who accepts Medicare.
• Want predictable costs and fewer midyear surprises.
• Travel often or live in more than one state.
• Want fewer potential changes year to year.

There’s no universal “best plan.” The right one is the one that fits your needs, your budget, and your peace of mind.

If your MA plan is ending:

• October 15 – December 7, 2025: Open Enrollment to choose a new plan.
• December 8 – February 28, 2026: Special Enrollment Period for non-renewals.
• Until March 4, 2026: Medigap guaranteed issue period (63 days after your plan ends).

After those dates, you could lose special protections or face higher premiums later.

Even if your insurer offers to automatically move you to another plan, don’t just sign. Review the notice carefully—these “crosswalk” replacements often come with potential changes in costs, networks, and additional benefits.

During Open Enrollment, most people use this time to research current plans, verify their access to care, and evaluate how major insurers like Aetna, Humana, or Blue Cross Blue Shield are adjusting their offerings for the following year.

This is not the year to go it alone. Between major insurers’ network cutbacks, rising plan payments, and disappearing supplemental benefits, it’s easy to miss something important.

A licensed Medicare advisor can help you:

• Review your notice of changes from your current insurer.
• Confirm your doctors, hospitals, and prescription coverage for 2026.
• Compare private insurance options and Traditional Medicare coverage.
• Explain how federal government rules for Medicaid services and Medicare program changes affect your options.

Your coverage decisions for 2026 are too important to rush. Take the time to understand your current coverage, weigh your health insurance options, and make an informed decision that protects your access to care.

Losing your Medicare Advantage plan for 2026 might feel like a setback, but it’s really a reset. Whether you move to a new plan through private insurance companies or switch to Traditional Medicare with Medigap, the key is to act early, ask questions, and compare carefully.

Don’t assume your coverage will roll over automatically. Read your notices, verify your doctors, and make sure you understand any potential changes in your health plan before AEP ends December 7.

If you’re unsure where to start, talk with a licensed Medicare professional. They can help you sort through the noise, understand your options, and make sure your Medicare coverage works for you next year.