ArcaMax

Hello Toni:

On October 5, I received a termination letter from the Medicare Advantage HMO I’ve been enrolled in for five years. The letter stated that the termination is taking place on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026.

Currently, I am having cancer treatment in my right lung, with chemotherapy starting in two weeks. I do not want to change my hospital or doctors. I would like to apply for a Medicare Supplement but have been told that I will not pass health underwriting.

Can you please explain what my options are since Medicare’s Open Enrollment begins Oct. 15? What plans can I enroll in? Thanks, Toni.

—Jim from Denver

Hi Jim:

I have been writing about Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans since the summer of 2006, when Medicare Part D prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage (MA) HMO and PPO plans began. I have never before witnessed such a massive number of terminations to MA plans. This is a first, and knowing what the rules and your federal rights are is vitally important.

Jim, just sit back and I will explain what your federal rights are regarding the Oct. 2 Medicare Advantage termination or nonrenewal letter. Normally, before the Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) one receives an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC), but this year those whose MA plans were ending effective Dec. 31 received a termination letter that was mailed out instead of an ANOC.

These termination letters used statements such as "will not be offered," "will not renew" and "coverage will end" beginning Dec. 31. But if, like Jim, you’re one of the 2.9 million Medicare beneficiaries from about 680 MA plans that were terminated, there’s good news. A federal law that took effect in 2018 helps those in that situation, especially those with health issues like Jim.

First, take note of these important Medicare dates and timelines during OEP:

—Open Enrollment Period (OEP): Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 is the time to pick and enroll in a new Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, which will start Jan. 1, 2027.

—Special Enrollment Period (SEP): Runs from Dec. 8 through the end of February and gives you extra time to explore a plan if your MA plan was terminated or nonrenewed.

—Medigap Guaranteed-Issue Rights: Jim, this is the good news I was discussing earlier in the article, because losing your plan triggers a federal right to buy a Medicare Supplement policy without medical underwriting. All you have to do is switch to Original Medicare within the protected window that is the SEP. Be sure to keep your termination letter as official proof of loss of coverage to attach to the application when purchasing a Medicare Supplement plan.

With a Guaranteed Issue plan, an insurance company must do the following:

—Sell you a Medicare Supplement/Medigap policy. Specifically, you have the right to buy Medicare Supplement/Medigap plan A, B, C, F, K or L that’s sold in your state by any insurance company, with a few exceptions. The Medicare beneficiary whose Medicare Part A began after January 1, 2020, is eligible for Plan G but not Plan F or C for a guaranteed issue plan. The beneficiary whose Medicare Part A began prior to Jan. 1, 2020, is not eligible for Plan G but has the option of Plan F or C. *Remember that you have a 63-day window to apply without having to answer underwriting questions.*

—Cover all your preexisting health conditions. (Jim, this is a great policy given your health issues.)

—Refrain from charging you more for a Medigap/Medicare Supplement policy because of past or present health problems.

Good luck, Jim!

Remember … with Medicare, what you don’t know WILL hurt you!

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Toni King is an author and columnist on Medicare, Social Security and long-term care issues. She has spent nearly 30 years as a top sales leader in the field. If you have a Medicare question, email info@tonisays.com or call 832-519-8664. Sign up for the Toni Says newsletter at www.tonisays.com to keep up to date on Medicare changes.

©2026 Toni King. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Copyright 2026 Toni King, Distributed by Counterpoint Media