If you’re helping a parent with Medicare, there’s a decent chance a letter like this showed up in early October: “Your plan will not be offered in 2027.” Maybe your mom mentioned it on the phone. Maybe you found it under a stack of catalogs on the counter.
Don’t panic, and don’t toss it. Your parent isn’t losing Medicare. They’re losing one private plan, and they have more options and more time than the letter makes it sound. But the best options come with deadlines, and the first one is December 7.
This guide walks through what the letter means, what happens if you do nothing, and how to pick the next step. It’s written for families in Illinois, with the local rules and free help that apply here.
Why so many plans are ending this year
You’re not imagining it. About 3.2 million people nationwide are losing their Medicare Advantage plans for 2027, up from 2.9 million last year and 2 million the year before. Insurers are pulling out of counties where the plans stopped making money.
The big names are behind most of it. According to KFF, UnitedHealth is leaving 228 counties for 2027 and Humana is leaving 62, with several other large insurers cutting back too. Clear Spring Health, which sold plans in Illinois, is leaving the Medicare Advantage drug-plan market entirely.
Illinois feels it too. The number of Medicare Advantage plan options in the state is dropping from 157 to 136 for 2027. That’s still a lot of choices in Cook County and the collar counties, but it means some of your parent’s neighbors, doctors, and pharmacies are reshuffling at the same time.
First, read the letter for three things
The notice is called a non-renewal letter. Plans have to mail it at least 90 days before coverage ends, which put the deadline at October 2 for plans ending December 31. Pull it out and look for:
- The date coverage ends. Almost always December 31, 2026.
- Whether the whole plan is ending or just leaving your county. Sometimes the insurer still offers a different plan in your area. That’s useful to know, but it doesn’t mean the replacement is a good fit.
- Whether drug coverage is part of the plan. Most Advantage plans include Part D drug coverage. When the plan ends, so does the drug coverage. This is the part that can cost your parent money if it slips.
If the letter is gone, call the member services number on the back of your parent’s plan card and ask them to confirm the end date in writing.
What happens if your parent does nothing
This is the question most families ask first, so here’s the plain answer.
If your parent doesn’t pick a new plan, they’re automatically moved back to Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) on January 1. Their hospital and doctor coverage continues. They don’t lose Medicare.
What they do lose:
- Drug coverage. Original Medicare doesn’t cover most prescriptions. Without a separate Part D plan, your parent pays full price at the pharmacy starting in January. If they go 63 days or more without drug coverage, they can also face a permanent late enrollment penalty added to future Part D premiums.
- The extras. Dental, vision, hearing, gym memberships and similar benefits that came with the Advantage plan go away.
- The out-of-pocket cap. Original Medicare has no yearly limit on what your parent pays for medical care. Advantage plans do. Without a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy, your parent pays the 20% coinsurance on doctor and outpatient bills with no ceiling.
So “do nothing” is a real option, but only half of one. If your parent ends up in Original Medicare, they need a Part D plan and should seriously consider a Medigap policy.
The two paths, side by side
Your parent has two basic choices for 2027.
Path 1: Pick a different Medicare Advantage plan
This keeps things closest to what they have now: one card, one plan, drug coverage built in, and usually a low or $0 premium. CMS projects the average Advantage premium will drop from $14.37 a month in 2026 to $12 in 2027.
What to watch for:
- Networks. Check that your parent’s primary care doctor, specialists, and hospital are in the new plan’s network. In the Northwest Suburbs, ask specifically about the hospital your parent uses (Northwest Community, Advocate Lutheran General, Ascension Alexian Brothers, or whichever it is).
- HMO vs. PPO. Many people whose PPO is ending will find mostly HMOs left. HMOs usually require referrals and don’t cover out-of-network care except emergencies.
- Costs that went up. KFF found the average in-network out-of-pocket limit for 2027 Advantage plans is $6,603, up 9%. Drug deductibles in these plans rose 23% on average, to $509.
- Drugs. Run every prescription through the plan’s drug list. A plan that looks cheap can put one of your parent’s medications in a high tier.
Path 2: Go to Original Medicare, plus a Part D plan and a Medigap policy
This is the “pay a predictable premium, see almost any doctor” path. Original Medicare is accepted by nearly every doctor and hospital in the country that takes Medicare, with no networks or referrals. A Medigap policy covers most or all of the 20% coinsurance and deductibles.
The catch has always been getting a Medigap policy. Normally, after your first enrollment window at 65, insurers can ask health questions and turn you down or charge more. That’s why the next section matters.
The Medigap window this letter opens up
When your parent’s Advantage plan leaves, they get a guaranteed issue right to buy certain Medigap policies. Insurers can’t turn them down or charge more because of health conditions.
The timing, per Medicare.gov rules:
- The window opens 60 days before the Advantage coverage ends. For a December 31 end date, that’s early November.
- It closes 63 days after the coverage ends. For a December 31 end date, that’s early March 2027.
- Keep the non-renewal letter. Insurers may ask for a copy as proof.
The guaranteed issue right covers specific Medigap plans, including Plans A, B, D and G, plus C and F for people who were eligible for Medicare before 2020. Some carry eligibility limits, so ask the insurer or a SHIP counselor which plans apply to your parent.
Illinois has extra protections worth knowing
Illinois goes further than federal law in two ways:
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois offers certain Medigap plans on a guaranteed issue basis to Illinois residents 65 and older outside the usual windows. Terms can change, so confirm current plans and pricing directly.
- An annual birthday window for ages 65 to 75. Illinois Medigap policyholders in that age range can switch, within 45 days after their birthday, to another Medigap plan from the same insurer (or an affiliate) with equal or fewer benefits. It’s not a way to upgrade, but it can lower premiums down the road.
If your parent is under 65 and on Medicare because of a disability, the rules are different. Call SHIP before deciding anything.
Your deadlines, in order
Put these on the fridge:
- Now through December 7, 2026: Medicare Open Enrollment. Any plan your parent picks starts January 1 with no gap in coverage. This is the date to aim for.
- Early November 2026: The Medigap guaranteed issue window opens (60 days before a December 31 end date).
- December 8, 2026 through February 28, 2027: A special enrollment period for people whose plan didn’t renew. Your parent can still join a new Advantage plan or Part D plan, but coverage starts the first of the month after they sign up. Waiting means a stretch with no drug coverage.
- Early March 2027: The Medigap guaranteed issue window closes (63 days after a December 31 end date).
The special enrollment period is a safety net, not a plan. If your parent takes daily medications, get the new coverage in place by December 7.
A 30-minute game plan for this week
- Make a list. Every doctor, every specialist, every prescription with the dose, and the pharmacy your parent uses. This is the most useful 20 minutes you’ll spend.
- Run the list through Medicare’s Plan Finder at medicare.gov/plan-compare, or call 1-800-MEDICARE. Plan Finder shows estimated yearly drug costs for each plan, which tells you more than the premium does.
- Call Illinois SHIP at 1-800-252-8966 (TTY 711). SHIP is the state’s free Medicare counseling program, run by the Illinois Department on Aging. Counselors don’t sell insurance and aren’t paid by any plan. Many Northwest Suburbs senior centers host SHIP counselors during open enrollment, and AgeOptions can point you to sessions in suburban Cook County.
- Decide on a path (new Advantage plan, or Original Medicare with Part D and Medigap).
- Enroll and get it in writing. Ask for a confirmation number and a confirmation letter. Check in January that the new card arrived and the pharmacy has the new plan on file.
If you have power of attorney for your parent, keep a copy handy. Plans and SHIP counselors may ask for it before they’ll discuss the account with you. Our guide to power of attorney for aging parents explains what kind you need.
Watch out for the calls
Open enrollment is busy season for scams and for aggressive sales calls, and a plan ending makes your parent a target. Anyone calling to say your parent “must” switch today, or asking for a Medicare number to “keep coverage active,” should get a hang-up. Medicare doesn’t call to sell plans. If you want a person to help, call SHIP or 1-800-MEDICARE yourself.
Related reading
- Medicare Annual Notice of Change: the yearly review checklist
- Medicare 2027 by the numbers: premiums, deductibles and caps
- Which drugs get lower Medicare prices in 2027
- Medicare Open Enrollment guide
- Medicare vs. Medicaid: what’s different
This article is general information for caregivers, not legal, financial, or insurance advice. Medicare rules and plan details change. Confirm your parent’s options with Medicare, the plan, or a SHIP counselor before making a decision.
Rules for benefits and legal documents vary by situation and change over time. This is general information — consider talking with an elder law attorney or your local Area Agency on Aging for guidance specific to your family.
Editorial Review Status
Reviewed for: Medicare.gov special enrollment and Medigap rules, KFF 2027 plan availability data, Illinois SHIP contact details.
Elder care regulations, costs, and local provider availability change frequently. We commit to regular audits to ensure Gen X families have the most accurate data for the NW Chicago suburbs.
Disclaimer: This guide is educational only and is not legal, financial, medical, or tax advice. Confirm details with a qualified professional before making decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my parent lose Medicare if their Medicare Advantage plan ends?
No. They keep Medicare. If they don’t choose a new plan, they’re moved to Original Medicare on January 1. The catch is that Original Medicare doesn’t include drug coverage, so they’ll need to add a separate Part D plan to avoid paying full price for prescriptions.
What is the deadline to pick a new plan if my parent’s plan isn’t renewing?
The best deadline is December 7, 2026, the end of Medicare Open Enrollment. Coverage then starts January 1 with no gap. People whose plan didn’t renew also get a special enrollment period from December 8 through the end of February 2027, but coverage starts later and they may go weeks without drug coverage.
Can my parent get a Medigap policy without health questions?
Yes, during a limited window. When a Medicare Advantage plan leaves, your parent can buy certain Medigap plans with no health questions starting 60 days before the plan ends and up to 63 days after. For a December 31 end date, that’s roughly early November through early March. Keep the non-renewal letter as proof.
Does Illinois have any special Medigap rules?
Yes. Illinois Medigap policyholders ages 65 to 75 can switch to a plan with equal or fewer benefits from the same insurer within 45 days after their birthday each year. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois also offers certain Medigap plans on a guaranteed issue basis to residents 65 and older. Confirm current terms before relying on either.
Should my parent pick another Medicare Advantage plan or switch to Original Medicare?
It depends on their doctors, prescriptions, health and budget. Another Advantage plan usually costs less in premiums but has a network. Original Medicare with a Medigap policy and Part D costs more in premiums but lets them see almost any doctor and limits surprise bills. A free SHIP counselor can compare both using your parent’s actual medications and doctors.
Who can help us compare plans for free in Illinois?
Illinois SHIP, the Senior Health Insurance Program, offers free one-on-one Medicare counseling at 1-800-252-8966 (TTY 711). Counselors don’t sell insurance. You can also use Medicare’s Plan Finder at medicare.gov/plan-compare or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Sources: Medicare.gov (special enrollment and Medigap guaranteed issue rules); KFF, “Medicare Advantage Plan Availability Varies Widely by County for 2027”; CMS 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape release; WBEZ/Becker’s (Illinois plan counts); 24/7 Wall St. (3.2 million non-renewals); healthinsurance.org (Illinois Medigap rules); Illinois Department on Aging SHIP.