UnitedHealth drops 1 million seniors, the biggest Medicare purge in two decades.

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24. Health insurance companies terminate Advantage plans every year

This gives the enrollee an SEP (special enrollment period) of 1 month before and 2 months after the plan terminates where they can enroll with another Advantage plan or supplement plan, with guaranteed issue (no medical underwriting). If they do nothing, they will be enrolled with Original Medicare.

Enrollment in a new plan should be done before the plan terminates to avoid a coverage gap and possible enrollment penalties.

It’s also important to remember, Medicare requires creditable prescription drug coverage, either as part of an Advantage plan or with a standalone PDP (prescription drug plan), or there is a lifetime LEP (late enrollment penalty.

When insurance companies terminate Advantage plans, they generally add new ones.

All Advantage plans are available to view, with enrollment options, on the Medicare.gov website.

As long as a Medicare enrollment is completed by the last day of the month, coverage can be effective on the first day of the following month. If someone enrolls today, 12/31/25, their coverage can be effective 01/01/2026.