If you’re on a Humana Medicare Advantage plan, you may get a letter this October that catches you off guard. Humana has confirmed it’s discontinuing some of its lower-performing Medicare Advantage plans for 2027 — affecting roughly 600,000 members nationwide. Non-renewal notices are required to go out by October 2, and if your plan is one of them, it simply won’t exist starting January 1, 2027.
I want to be upfront: as of this writing, Humana hasn’t released which specific plans or counties are affected, so it’s too early to say whether Southwest Florida plans are on the list. But given the scale of this change, it’s worth understanding your options now — before any letter shows up.
Why This Is Happening
This isn’t personal, and it isn’t because you did anything wrong. Humana is trimming plans that scored 3.5 stars or lower under Medicare’s rating system, as part of a broader push to improve profitability. This is the second year in a row Humana has pulled back plans, and other carriers may make similar moves for 2027.
What Losing Your Plan Actually Means
A plan ending does not mean you lose Medicare. It means you’ll need to actively choose new coverage before your current plan ends on December 31. If you don’t choose anything, you’ll generally default back to Original Medicare — which comes with its own coverage gaps you’ll want to plan for.
Your Two Main Paths
- Move to another Medicare Advantage plan in your area, ideally one that still covers your doctors and prescriptions.
- Return to Original Medicare and pair it with a stand-alone Part D drug plan — and, if it fits your situation, a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy to help cover the gaps Original Medicare leaves open.
The Medigap Opportunity — With Real Limits
Here’s the detail most people don’t know: federal law generally gives you a “guaranteed issue” right to buy certain standardized Medigap plans if your Medicare Advantage plan doesn’t renew its contract — meaning a company can’t turn you down or charge you more because of your health, during a specific window around your plan’s end date. That’s a real opportunity for people who’ve wanted a Medigap plan but were worried about medical underwriting.
But this isn’t an open invitation to shop any Medigap plan with no restrictions — it applies to specific plans, during a defined time window, only if your situation actually qualifies. This is exactly the kind of decision where a quick conversation can help you avoid a costly mistake.
Timeline to Watch
- October 2 — Non-renewal notices are legally required to go out (if your plan is affected)
- October 15 – December 7 — Annual Enrollment Period: compare and switch plans
- December 8 – end of February — A special enrollment period specifically for people whose plan didn’t renew
The Three Mistakes I See Most Often
- Assuming “no letter yet” means “no action needed.” Notices are still weeks away — start reviewing your options now, don’t wait for the letter to start thinking about it.
- Panicking and picking the first replacement plan that comes up. Not all Medicare Advantage plans cover the same doctors or drugs.
- Missing the Medigap guaranteed-issue window. These windows are time-limited — once they close, going back to full medical underwriting can mean paying more or being declined altogether.
I walk Southwest Florida clients through exactly this kind of change at no cost to you. No pressure, just education. Get a Free Consultation at 239-438-4435.