Step-by-Step Action Plan to Protect Your Coverage
Facing a plan cancellation requires methodical execution. Follow these concrete steps to safeguard your medical access and prevent unintended gaps in your insurance protection.
Confirm Non-Renewal Versus Plan Consolidation
Examine your notice to confirm that your plan is actually exiting your county. Guidelines from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) differentiate terminations from plan consolidations.
If an insurer merges your plan into another internal option, they perform a plan crosswalk. Crosswalked enrollees are moved automatically and do not receive non-renewal SEPs or Medigap rights.
Catalog Your Medications and Providers
Write down every prescription you take, including exact dosages and monthly fill counts. List your primary care physician, medical specialists, preferred physical therapists, and local hospital systems.
Compare Your Options Using Official Tools
Use the official Medicare.gov Plan Finder to compare every Medicare Advantage and standalone Part D plan in your ZIP code. The tool provides personalized estimates based on your exact drugs.
If you need personalized assistance, contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) online or by calling 1-877-839-2675. SHIP counselors provide free, unbiased guidance without commercial bias.
You can also reach federal Medicare representatives directly by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) around the clock. TTY users can dial 1-877-486-2048.
Worked Example: Margaret Replaces Her Terminated Plan
Margaret is a 71-year-old resident of Franklin County, Ohio. In late September 2026, she received a certified non-renewal notice stating her Medicare Advantage HMO was leaving her area.
Margaret manages rheumatoid arthritis and high blood pressure, taking two maintenance medications. She visits a rheumatologist every quarter and wants to continue receiving care at her local academic hospital.
First, Margaret checked surviving Medicare Advantage HMO options in her county and found they excluded her rheumatologist. She decided to return to Original Medicare with Medigap Plan G.
Because she possessed guaranteed issue rights, insurers could not deny her application or charge extra for arthritis. She paired Medigap Plan G with a standalone Part D prescription plan.
Her drug costs fell well beneath the $2,400 out-of-pocket maximum for 2027. Margaret submitted her applications in mid-November, securing complete, seamless coverage starting January 1, 2027.
