Humana and UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Cancellations: What Members Need to Know for 2027
Thousands of older Americans are reviewing their health insurance options after Humana and UnitedHealthcare announced that certain Medicare Advantage plans will be discontinued for 2027. The changes are expected to affect approximately 990,000 members combined, making it important for beneficiaries to understand their options before the end of the 2026 Medicare Open Enrollment period.
According to reports published in October 2026, approximately 600,000 Humana members and 390,000 UnitedHealthcare members will be affected by the plan exits. The changes are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027.
However, these announcements do not mean that Humana and UnitedHealthcare are eliminating all their Medicare Advantage plans. The affected members need to check their individual notices, compare available coverage, and determine whether their current plan will be replaced or whether they need to select another option.
Here is what beneficiaries should know about the Humana UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage cancellations, why the changes are happening, and what steps they should take for 2027.
What Is Happening With Humana and UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Plans?
Humana and UnitedHealthcare are making changes to their Medicare Advantage offerings as insurers reassess healthcare costs, plan profitability, and the benefits they provide to members.
According to CBS News reporting published October 23, 2026, the two companies are discontinuing certain plans that collectively cover approximately 990,000 people.
The reported impact is as follows:
| Health insurer | Members affected | Main change |
|---|---|---|
| Humana | Approximately 600,000 | Certain Medicare Advantage plans will not continue in 2027 |
| UnitedHealthcare | Approximately 390,000 | Certain Medicare Advantage plans will be discontinued |
| Combined total | Approximately 990,000 | Members must review their coverage options |
The figures represent members enrolled in affected plans, not people losing all access to Medicare.
Both companies continue to offer Medicare Advantage coverage in many markets. However, the availability of a replacement plan, its benefits, and its provider network will depend on the member’s location and individual circumstances.
UnitedHealthcare has confirmed that it is discontinuing certain plans and making service-area changes effective January 1, 2027. Its provider notice says affected members will receive non-renewal notices explaining the changes and their options.
Why Is Humana Cancelling Medicare Advantage Plans?
Humana expects approximately 600,000 members to be affected by its 2027 Medicare Advantage plan exits. The company announced the expected impact during its July 2026 earnings call.
The decision is part of a broader effort to improve the financial performance of its Medicare Advantage business. Rather than cutting benefits uniformly across every plan, Humana has described a targeted approach that focuses on plans with weaker profitability and returns.
Several factors help explain this strategy.
1. Rising Healthcare Utilization and Medical Costs
Medicare Advantage insurers receive payments to provide covered healthcare services to eligible beneficiaries. When members use more healthcare services than anticipated, insurers may face higher medical costs.
Hospital admissions, specialist visits, diagnostic procedures, and other covered services can all affect the financial performance of a plan.
When medical expenses increase faster than expected, insurers may reassess their pricing, benefits, provider contracts, and geographic coverage.
2. Greater Focus on Profitability
Humana has been working toward more sustainable margins in its Medicare Advantage business. Discontinuing selected plans allows the company to concentrate resources on markets and products it considers more financially sustainable.
For affected members, however, the company’s financial objectives may translate into an immediate need to review other available plans.
3. Changes to Benefits and Plan Availability
Medicare Advantage plans can vary significantly by county, provider network, prescription drug coverage, premiums, and additional benefits.
When a particular plan is discontinued, a replacement option from the same insurer may not offer exactly the same coverage. Beneficiaries should therefore compare the full policy details instead of assuming that a new plan will be equivalent to their existing one.
Why Is UnitedHealthcare Discontinuing Medicare Advantage Plans?
UnitedHealthcare, one of the largest Medicare Advantage providers in the United States, is also changing its coverage options for 2027.
The company has reported that approximately 390,000 members will be affected by plan closures. UnitedHealthcare has cited higher healthcare costs and greater utilization as industry-wide pressures.
Its 2027 changes include service-area adjustments and the discontinuation of certain Medicare Advantage plans.
These decisions do not mean that UnitedHealthcare is withdrawing from the entire Medicare Advantage market. The company continues to promote coverage options for 2027, including plans with low or zero monthly premiums where available and specialized plans for qualifying beneficiaries.
Nevertheless, existing members should pay particular attention to the distinction between the company continuing to operate in their area and their specific plan remaining available.
A Medicare Advantage plan is defined by its benefits, provider network, cost-sharing structure, and service area. A different plan offered by the same insurer may have different doctors, prescription coverage, or out-of-pocket expenses.
Members can consult UnitedHealthcare’s official 2027 Medicare Advantage information and their individual plan notices for further details.
When Will the Medicare Advantage Cancellations Take Effect?
The changes discussed in the October 2026 announcements are scheduled for January 1, 2027.
The standard Medicare Open Enrollment period runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026. Beneficiaries can use this period to change Medicare Advantage plans, switch between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare, or make eligible prescription drug coverage changes.
The key dates are:
| Date | What it means |
|---|---|
| October 2, 2026 | Non-renewal notices for affected plans were generally scheduled to be dated |
| October 15, 2026 | Medicare Open Enrollment began |
| December 7, 2026 | Standard Open Enrollment deadline |
| January 1, 2027 | New coverage choices generally take effect |
Members who receive a plan termination or non-renewal notice should follow the instructions in that notice and confirm their enrollment choices with Medicare or their insurer.
Do not assume that your current benefits, doctors, or prescription drug coverage will continue unchanged into 2027.
For official enrollment dates and options, visit Medicare.gov’s Open Enrollment page.
What Should Humana and UnitedHealthcare Members Do Now?
If your Medicare Advantage plan is being discontinued, taking action before the transition date can help you avoid unexpected changes to your healthcare coverage.
Step 1: Read Your Non-Renewal Notice
Check whether your exact plan is ending, when coverage ends, and what alternatives are available.
Your notice should explain the change and provide information about obtaining other Medicare coverage. Keep the letter for reference and contact your insurer if anything is unclear.
Step 2: Compare Replacement Plans
Do not choose a replacement based only on its monthly premium.
Review the following details:
- Whether your current primary care doctor and specialists are in the network.
- Whether your hospitals and preferred medical facilities are covered.
- Whether your prescription medications are included in the plan’s formulary.
- Monthly premiums, deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.
- Annual out-of-pocket maximums and referral requirements.
- Dental, vision, hearing, transportation, or other supplemental benefits that matter to you.
A plan advertised with a zero-dollar monthly premium can still involve significant healthcare expenses.
Step 3: Decide Between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare
Beneficiaries may be able to select another Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare, subject to applicable enrollment rules.
Original Medicare generally allows beneficiaries to use Medicare-participating providers nationwide, but it does not automatically include every supplemental benefit commonly associated with Medicare Advantage.
You may need a separate Part D prescription drug plan. You may also wish to explore Medicare Supplement Insurance, known as Medigap, although eligibility, underwriting, and guaranteed-issue rights depend on your circumstances and applicable rules.
Before making this change, investigate your options carefully so that you understand both the coverage and the potential out-of-pocket costs.
Step 4: Complete Enrollment on Time
The regular Medicare Open Enrollment deadline is December 7, 2026.
Most enrollment changes made during this period take effect on January 1, 2027. Beneficiaries whose plans are not renewed may also have special enrollment rights, depending on the specific circumstances.
Read your notice and confirm any deadline that applies to your situation.
Step 5: Get Free, Unbiased Assistance
Medicare beneficiaries who need help comparing plans can use the official Medicare Plan Finder or contact Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
They can also contact their State Health Insurance Assistance Program, commonly known as SHIP, for free counseling about Medicare coverage choices.
These resources can be especially valuable for people managing several prescriptions, ongoing medical treatment, or multiple specialist relationships.
Will Everyone Lose Their Humana or UnitedHealthcare Coverage?
No. The changes apply to specific plans and service areas, not every Medicare Advantage member enrolled with either company.
Humana and UnitedHealthcare continue to offer other Medicare Advantage products in many locations. Some affected members may have access to another plan from the same insurer, but the availability and suitability of those alternatives will depend on individual circumstances.
The important distinction is between losing a particular insurance plan and losing access to Medicare itself.
If your current Medicare Advantage plan ends and you do not select another Medicare Advantage plan, you will generally return to Original Medicare when the old plan ends. Your individual notice and Medicare’s enrollment rules determine the applicable process, so confirm the outcome rather than relying on assumptions.
What Do the 2027 Medicare Advantage Changes Mean for Seniors?
The Humana and UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage cancellations reflect continuing changes in the private Medicare insurance market.
Insurers are reviewing costs and profitability while adjusting their plan offerings, benefits, and provider networks. At the same time, federal officials have emphasized that beneficiaries should continue to have access to Medicare Advantage choices in 2027.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has projected that more than 99% of Medicare beneficiaries will have access to at least one Medicare Advantage plan in 2027, with 97% having access to ten or more options.
However, broad market availability does not guarantee that every beneficiary will find a replacement with the same doctors, medications, and additional benefits.
For individuals affected by a plan closure, the practical priority is to compare the actual options available in their county and choose coverage that meets their healthcare needs and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Humana Medicare Advantage plans being cancelled in 2027?
Humana expects approximately 600,000 members to be affected by selected Medicare Advantage plan exits in 2027. This does not mean that all Humana Medicare Advantage plans are ending.
Is UnitedHealthcare cancelling Medicare Advantage plans?
Yes. UnitedHealthcare has confirmed the discontinuation of certain plans and service-area changes effective January 1, 2027, affecting approximately 390,000 members.
When is the deadline to choose a new Medicare Advantage plan?
The standard Medicare Open Enrollment deadline is December 7, 2026. Changes made during this period generally take effect on January 1, 2027. Additional enrollment rights may apply to people whose plans are discontinued.
Will members automatically receive a replacement plan?
Not everyone should assume that a replacement will be identical or automatic. Read the non-renewal notice and contact the insurer or Medicare to confirm your options and what happens if you do not enroll in another plan.
Can I switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare?
Eligible beneficiaries can generally switch to Original Medicare during Medicare Open Enrollment. If you do so, consider whether you need a separate prescription drug plan and whether you can obtain Medigap coverage under the applicable rules.
Conclusion
The Humana and UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage cancellations are expected to affect approximately 990,000 members ahead of the 2027 coverage year. The announcements reflect changes to particular plans rather than the end of Medicare Advantage coverage as a whole.
Affected beneficiaries should read their non-renewal notices, compare replacement plans, verify their doctors and medications, and review premiums and out-of-pocket expenses before choosing coverage.
With the Medicare Open Enrollment deadline set for December 7, 2026, reviewing the available options now can help beneficiaries prepare for the transition to January 1, 2027.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute insurance, legal, or financial advice. Plan availability and enrollment rights vary by location and individual circumstances. Confirm coverage details with Medicare and your insurer before making decisions.