Important Medicare Advantage Changes for 2027: What You Need to Know

Access to Medicare Advantage plan coverage is changing in 2027, and many Minnesotans may be affected. Insurance companies are reducing or discontinuing some Medicare Advantage plans, which means some individuals may need to make changes to their health insurance coverage before the end of the year.

For individuals in McLeod County, understanding these changes is especially important. Your insurance coverage can affect where you receive care, which providers you can see, what medications are covered, and how much you pay.

We want our patients and community members to have the information they need to make informed decisions about their healthcare coverage.

If you currently have a Medicare Advantage plan, take time to review your coverage for 2027. Your current plan may not be available next year, and other plans have different provider networks, benefits, and costs.

What is Medicare Advantage?

Medicare Advantage, also known as Medicare Part C, is a type of health insurance offered by private insurances companies that contract with Medicare.

These plans provide the benefits of Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) and often include additional benefits—such as prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and hearing services.

Unlike Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans generally use provider networks. This means you may need to receive care from doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers who participate in your plan network to receive the highest level of coverage.

Medicare Advantage plans vary by insurance company, location, and plan type.

What’s changing in 2027?

Across Minnesota and the country, insurance companies are making changes to their Medicare Advantage offerings for 2027. Some companies are discontinuing existing plans, reducing the counties where they offer coverage, or introducing new plans with different benefits and provider networks.

These changes are particularly significant in Greater Minnesota.

According to the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, nearly one-third of Minnesota’s Medicare enrollees’ beneficiaries may be affected by changes to Medicare Advantage coverage in 2027.

What does this mean for our area?

McLeod County is among 15 Minnesota counties that will no longer have Medicare Advantage plan options in 2027. However, Medicare Cost plans and Original Medicare will remain available.

This means individuals currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan may need to consider a different type of Medicare coverage for the upcoming year. It is important to understand that not every Medicare plan is ending. The changes depend on your insurance company, specific plan, and county of residence.

What are my options?

If your Medicare Advantage plan is ending or no longer available in your area, you have other Medicare coverage options to consider:

Original Medicare—Original Medicare is the traditional federal health insurance program administered by Medicare. It includes:

Medicare Part A: Helps cover inpatient hospital stays, skilled-nursing facility care, hospice care, and home healthcare.
Medicare Part B: Helps cover doctor visits, outpatient services, preventive care, and other medically necessary services.

Original Medicare allows you to receive care from any healthcare provider nationwide who accepts Medicare.

However, Original Medicare does not include most prescription drug coverage or have an annual out-of-pocket maximum for Part A and Part B services. You may want to consider additional coverage to help with these expenses.

Medicare Supplement Insurance—Medicare Supplement Insurance, also known as Medigap, is additional insurance offered by private companies that can help pay certain out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare, including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.

Medigap works alongside Original Medicare and can provide greater flexibility when choosing healthcare providers who accept Medicare.
Medigap does not include prescription drug coverage, so you may need a separate Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.

Eligibility, enrollment, and premiums vary. Minnesota has specific enrollment protections for certain individuals, so it is important to understand whether you qualify.

Medicare Cost Plans—Medicare Cost plans are another type of Medicare coverage available in some Minnesota communities.

These plans combine features of private insurance with Original Medicare. Members generally receive the most coverage when using providers within their plan network.
However, unlike Medicare Advantage, Original Medicare can help cover eligible services received outside the network.

Medicare Cost plans are not available everywhere, so check which plans are offered in your county using the Medicare’s plan finder tool.

Another Medicare Advantage Plan—If Medicare Advantage plans are still available in your county, you may be able to select a different plan offered by another insurance company.

Plan availability, provider networks, prescription drug coverage, premiums, and out-of-pocket costs can vary.

Before enrolling, make sure the plan includes your preferred healthcare providers, hospitals, pharmacies, and medications. It is also important to consider what happens if you have a complex, life-threatening illness or injury that requires care outside of your preferred health care provider. Do the larger health care systems in your geographic region also accept this plan?

What Should I Do Next?

If you currently have Medicare Advantage, don’t wait until the end of the year to review your coverage. Taking a few steps now can help you avoid unexpected changes to your healthcare coverage in January.

Review your current plan—Look for a letter or Annual Notice of Change from your insurance company explaining any changes to your coverage for 2027. Confirm whether your plan will continue next year.

Explore your available options—Visit Medicare.gov and use the Medicare Plan Finder to compare plans available in your county. You can enter your prescriptions and pharmacy to better understand your options.

Check your healthcare Providers—Before selecting a new plan, verify that your doctors, specialists, hospitals, and other providers are included in your plan network. Provider participation can change from one year to the next.

Review your prescription drug coverage—Make sure your medications are covered and understand any changes to copayment, deductibles, or pharmacy requirements.

Compare the costs—Look beyond monthly premiums. Consider deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximums, and any additional costs associated with your care.

Find help understanding options—You do not need to navigate these changes alone. Free, compassionate financial support is available through our Patient Financial Advocates or Minnesota Aging Pathways.

Where Can I Get Help?

Choosing the right Medicare coverage can feel overwhelming, especially when plans and benefits are changing. These are resources available for you to understand your options and make informed decisions.

Medicare.gov

Visit medicare.gov to compare available plans, review coverage, and explore your Medicare options.

Phone: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Website: Medicare.gov

Minnesota Aging Pathways

Minnesota Aging Pathways (formerly known as Senior LinkAge Line) provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling to Minnesota residents. Trained staff can help you understand your coverage, compare plans, and navigate enrollment options.

Phone: 1-800-333-2433
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Website: Minnesota Aging Pathways

Patient Financial Advocates–Glencoe Regional Health

We understand that navigating healthcare costs can be confusing. Our patient financial services department is committed to making the process as smooth as possible.