Medicare Advantage plans (often referred to as Medicare Part C) provide benefits for Medicare Part A (hospital insurance), Medicare Part B (medical insurance), and in most cases Medicare Part D (prescription drugs). These plans are regulated by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. While the Bureau of Insurance does not regulate these plans, it cautions consumers to be aware of changes planned for plan year 2027.
Several health insurers are reducing the number of Medicare Advantage plans they offer in Maine for plan year 2027. Insurance companies are required to notify affected members about the changes. Affected members who receive such notice should keep the document for their records.
Members enrolled (“enrollees”) in a Medicare Advantage plan that will not be offered in 2027 will remain covered under their existing plan through December 31, 2026. When a Medicare Advantage plan is no longer available, enrollees affected have two primary options:
- They may choose a new Medicare Advantage plan during the annual enrollment period, which runs from October 15 through December 7, with coverage effective January 1; or
- They may return to Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and have the option to select a state-regulated Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan. Affected enrollees have until March 31, 2027 (90 days) to select any Medicare Supplement plan on a guaranteed issue basis (without medical underwriting). Enrollees affected will also need a separate Part D plan if they want prescription drug coverage.
The Bureau of Insurance strongly encourages members of discontinued plans to select a new Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plan to ensure they are fully covered. Medicare Supplement plans, which have no network restrictions, are accepted everywhere Medicare is accepted. Information on these plans can be found on the Bureau’s website.
Before selecting a new Medicare Advantage plan, affected enrollees are encouraged to carefully review the details of the plan, including the following criteria:
What Providers are Included: Enrollees should make sure their doctors, other health care providers, and hospitals are in the health plan’s network, as not all Medicare Advantage plans have the same networks of health care providers.
What Drugs are Covered: Enrollees should also make sure their prescription drugs are covered, as not all Medicare Advantage plans cover prescription drugs.
Whether enrolling in either a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Supplement plan, enrollees are reminded to share information about their new health insurance plan with all their health care providers immediately to be sure all claims are processed correctly.
Need Help?
Medicare beneficiaries can get help choosing or enrolling in a plan from several sources, including:
The State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) at the Area Agencies on Aging at 1-877-353-3771 or TTY: 711, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm Monday-Friday.
The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) (part of the federal government) Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or TTY: 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Information is also available on CMS’s website at https://www.medicare.gov/, under “Find Plans Now.”
State-licensed insurance agents if they need help signing up for a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Supplement plan.
If a Medicare beneficiary believes that their Medicare Supplement plan application was incorrectly denied, they should file a complaint with the Bureau by either calling the Bureau at 1(800)300-5000 and requesting a complaint form or filing a complaint online at the Bureau’s website, under “File a Complaint/Dispute.”
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