Medicare Advantage plans are not going away, but the programs available to you may change year to year
Medicare Advantage (also called Part C) remains a permanent part of Medicare. The federal government continues to approve and fund these plans, and millions of people are enrolled in them. However, individual plans do shut down, insurers withdraw from certain regions, and the benefits offered in your area can shift from one year to the next. What matters to you is not whether the program exists nationally, but whether the plan you have — or want — will still be available where you live.
The confusion often comes from news about plan closures or insurer exits from specific markets. When an insurer stops offering Medicare Advantage in your county, it can feel like the whole program is disappearing. It is not. It means you need to find a different plan, usually during the annual open enrollment period from October 15 to December 7.
Key Takeaways
- Medicare Advantage plans are a permanent Medicare option and are not being eliminated by the federal government.
- Individual plans and insurers do withdraw from specific regions, so the plans available to you may change each year.
- You can switch plans during open enrollment (October 15 to December 7 each year) if your current plan is no longer offered or if you want different coverage.
- Checking your plan's status and available alternatives before open enrollment ends helps you avoid a gap in coverage.
- If your plan closes mid-year, Medicare automatically assigns you to another plan in your area, but you can request a different one.
Why individual plans close and insurers leave markets
Insurers make decisions about which regions to serve based on enrollment, costs, and profitability. A plan might close in your county because the insurer lost money there, because enrollment was too low to sustain it, or because the insurer decided to focus on other states. These are business decisions, not policy decisions from Medicare itself.
When an insurer exits a region entirely, all of its Medicare Advantage plans in that area close. This happens most often in rural counties where there are fewer enrollees spread across a larger geography. Urban and suburban areas typically have more plan options and more stability, though closures happen there too.
The federal government does not force plans to close. It also does not prevent them from closing. Medicare's role is to approve new plans that want to enter a market and to manage the enrollment process when plans leave.
How to learn about your plan is closing
Your insurer is required to notify you by October 31 if your plan is closing for the following year. The notice comes by mail and explains what happens next. Read it carefully — it will tell you whether you are being moved to another plan automatically or whether you need to choose a new one yourself.
You can also check your plan's status on Medicare.gov. Go to the "Find Care Providers" section, enter your zip code, and search for your current plan by name. The site will show you whether it is still available for the coming year. If you do not see it listed, it is closing.
Do not wait for a notice to arrive. If you are concerned about your plan, check Medicare.gov in September. That gives you time to research alternatives before open enrollment begins on October 15.
What happens if your plan closes mid-year
If a plan closes after you are already enrolled (which is rare), Medicare automatically moves you to another Medicare Advantage plan in your area on January 1 of the following year. You will receive a notice explaining which plan you have been assigned to and what your new benefits are.
You do not have to accept the automatic assignment. You can request a different plan instead. Contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or go to Medicare.gov to make a change. You have until December 31 to switch to a plan of your choice.
Your options during open enrollment
Open enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. During this window, you can switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, or from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) plus a Medigap or Part D plan. Changes take effect on January 1.
If your current plan is closing, you have the same rights as anyone else during open enrollment. You can choose any plan available in your zip code. If you want to stay with the same insurer, that company usually offers at least one other Medicare Advantage plan in your area, though the benefits and costs may be different.
Compare plans on Medicare.gov using the "Plan Finder" tool. Enter your zip code, current medications (if any), and preferred doctors and hospitals. The tool shows you which plans cover those providers and what your out-of-pocket costs would be under each one. This is the fastest way to see your real options.
Switching to Original Medicare if Medicare Advantage is not working for you
If you have been in a Medicare Advantage plan and want to switch to Original Medicare, you can do so during open enrollment without any penalty. You will need to enroll in Part D (prescription drug coverage) at the same time, and you may want to buy a Medigap policy to cover costs that Original Medicare does not pay.
Switching from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare is permanent for that year. You cannot switch back to Medicare Advantage until the following open enrollment period. If you are thinking about making this change, understand the differences in cost and coverage before you decide.
Some people switch because their Medicare Advantage plan's network is too narrow or because they want more flexibility in choosing doctors. Others switch because the plan's costs are rising. There is no single right answer — it depends on your health, your doctors, and what you can afford.
What to do now if you are worried about your plan
Check whether your plan is still available for next year by visiting Medicare.gov or calling your insurer directly. If it is closing, start comparing alternatives in September, before open enrollment begins. Make a list of your current doctors and hospitals, and check whether they are in-network for any plans you are considering.
If you take prescription medications, use the Plan Finder tool to see which plans cover them and at what cost. Copays and deductibles for drugs can vary widely between plans, so this step matters.
Mark your calendar for December 7 — that is the important date to make changes for the coming year. If you miss it, you are locked into your current plan (or the plan Medicare assigns you to if yours closes) until the next open enrollment period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medicare Advantage being discontinued?
No. Medicare Advantage is a permanent part of Medicare and the federal government continues to fund it. Individual plans do close, and insurers do leave certain regions, but the program itself is not going away.
What happens to my coverage if my plan closes?
If your plan closes, you will receive a notice by October 31. You can choose a new plan during open enrollment (October 15 to December 7), or Medicare will automatically assign you to another plan in your area if you do not choose one yourself.
Can I switch plans if my Medicare Advantage plan is closing?
Yes. A closing plan gives you the right to switch to any other Medicare Advantage plan in your area, or to Original Medicare, during open enrollment. You can also request a different plan if Medicare assigns you to one automatically.
How do I know if my plan is still available next year?
Check Medicare.gov using the Plan Finder tool, or call your insurer directly. Your insurer must notify you by October 31 if your plan is closing. Do not wait for the notice — check in September so you have time to research alternatives.
What should I do if I want to switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare?
You can switch during open enrollment (October 15 to December 7) without penalty. You must enroll in Part D at the same time. Consider buying a Medigap policy to cover costs that Original Medicare does not pay. The switch takes effect January 1.