For Consumers

My Medicare Advantage plan is leaving Medicare

"Roses and rah rahs to SHIBA. What a relief to have someone actually in my corner."
~ D.S.
smiling woman

Every year, some Medicare Advantage plans may leave the Medicare program by Dec. 31. You should receive a letter from the plan by Oct. 2 explaining your options.

When can I join a new plan?

The three most common Medicare Advantage plan enrollment periods are the:

  • Initial Coverage Enrollment Period when you first join Medicare Parts A and B.
  • Annual Enrollment Period, Oct. 15 - Dec. 7.
  • Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, Jan. 1 - March 31 each year.

In addition to these three enrollment periods, because your plan is leaving Medicare, you also get a Special Enrollment Period in which you have two options:

  • Join a different Medicare Advantage plan from Dec. 8 to the last day of February.
  • Join a new Medicare Part D stand-alone plan (PDF, 193KB) from Dec. 8 to the last day of February (this automatically enrolls you in Original Medicare). This also allows you to enroll in a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plan (PDF, 219KB) within 63 days after your Medicare Advantage plan ends. The company offering the Medigap plan must take you if you choose a B-N plan and you don't have to take a health screen. Note:  If you're under age 65 on Medicare due to disability, you might not be able to get a Medigap.

Whichever option you choose, your new plan starts the first day of the month after you switch. To avoid a coverage gap you should sign up with a new plan before Dec. 31.