Medicare Plan Exits Mean More People Are Forced to Shop This Enrollment Season

Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs from October 15 through December 7. This year, many people aren’t shopping by choice. Insurers have scaled back Medicare Advantage offerings, and some beneficiaries need a new plan. With recent changes, it’s important to confirm that your plan is still available and to start comparing options early.

Key dates: AEP runs October 15 through December 7.

Where we see the least room to wait: Vermont, New Hampshire, and Minnesota.

Why We Say “Shop Now”

Medicare Advantage is the private-plan option within Medicare. For 2026, several large insurers scaled back or left certain markets, so some people can no longer keep the plan they had.

Our CEO, Steve Yi, explains what that means for people on Medicare:

“This year’s plan exits means a lot of people are being forced to shop, not just choosing to. Comparing options carefully during Annual Enrollment can help beneficiaries avoid a gap in coverage and can potentially save them over $1,800 a year in out-of-pocket costs, according to CMS estimates.”

The savings figure is an estimate from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Your own results will depend on your plan, your doctors, and your prescriptions.

Where to Start Comparing First

Plan losses are not spread evenly across the country. Sarah Graves, our VP of Demand Partnerships, points to the states with the sharpest losses:

“The states seeing the sharpest plan losses are exactly where we’d urge people to start comparing early, rather than waiting until their plan cancellation notice arrives. Beneficiaries in states like Vermont, New Hampshire, and Minnesota have the least room for a wait-and-see approach this year.”

How We See Medicare Shopping

MediaAlpha operates a marketplace that connects Medicare insurers with consumers who are actively comparing coverage. That gives us a firsthand view of how people shop for plans and how they respond when their coverage options change.

What You Can Do Before December 7

• Check that your plan still exists. Read any notice your plan sends about changes for next year.
• Don’t wait for a cancellation notice. Start comparing now, especially in the states named above.
• Compare plans side by side. Look at your doctors, your prescriptions, and your expected costs.
• Use trusted help. Medicare.gov and 1-800-MEDICARE are official resources, and a licensed agent can walk you through options.
• Mark the deadline. AEP ends December 7.