More than 27,000 Maryland seniors face Medicare Advantage plan losses in 2027

Maryland Medicare Options says more than 27,000 residents will lose Medicare Advantage coverage next year as four major carriers exit affected plans. Baltimore City has the most terminations, and the agency is warning seniors to review replacement coverage and deadlines now.

Why it matters: - More than 27,000 Maryland seniors could lose their current Medicare Advantage coverage for 2027. - The disruptions are concentrated in major population centers, with Baltimore City hit hardest. - Affected beneficiaries may need to choose new coverage quickly to avoid gaps in doctors, prescriptions and cost protection.

What happened: - Maryland Medicare Options says termination letters have started arriving for members in plans ending after 2026. - Four major insurance carriers are discontinuing affected Medicare Advantage coverage in Maryland. - The Annapolis-based agency says its call volume and email volume have risen sharply as seniors react to the notices. - CEO Peter Palmiotto said the agency is seeing a surge in questions as termination letters reach mailboxes.

The details: - Baltimore City has more than 3,900 terminations. - Montgomery County has about 3,800 terminations. - Washington County has about 2,900 terminations. - Carroll County has about 2,600 terminations. - Frederick County has about 2,300 terminations. - Anne Arundel County has about 2,200 terminations. - Charles County has about 1,700 terminations. - Prince George's, Harford, Howard, Garrett and St. Mary's counties each have roughly 1,000 terminations. - Maryland Medicare Options helps beneficiaries compare replacement coverage and complete enrollment through MarylandMedicareOptions.com. - The agency says the right plan depends on health needs, medications, providers and budget. - Plan departures do not end Medicare eligibility. - Beneficiaries who do not enroll in another Advantage plan generally return to Original Medicare when their existing plan ends. - Some beneficiaries can move from Advantage to Original Medicare and add a Medicare Supplement plan, also known as Medigap, without medical underwriting. - Maryland Medicare Options says it works with more than 25 insurance carriers and serves more than 3,000 Maryland clients.

Between the lines: - The repeated plan exits point to continued instability in Maryland's Medicare Advantage market. - Palmiotto said the financial pressure on carriers is tied to Maryland's reimbursement structure, and some insurers are leaving the state. - For seniors who have had to switch plans multiple times, repeated disruptions can make Medicare shopping more confusing and more urgent. - Local brokers can reduce friction by translating notices, comparing provider networks and lining up the right effective dates.

What's next: - CMS gives beneficiaries in qualifying year-end nonrenewals a Special Enrollment Period beyond the standard Oct. 15-Dec. 7 annual window. - For plans ending Dec. 31, 2026, eligible members can enroll through Feb. 28, 2027. - Beneficiaries who want new coverage effective Jan. 1 should enroll before their current plan ends. - Waiting until January or February can create a coverage gap and expose seniors to medical bills. - Some beneficiaries will also have guaranteed-issue rights for Medigap policies, but those deadlines are separate and usually run up to 63 days after Advantage coverage ends. - Maryland Medicare Options is urging residents to gather their termination notice, medication list, preferred pharmacies and doctor names before a consultation. - Residents can call 410-896-1212 or visit Maryland Medicare Options for a free consultation.

The bottom line: - Maryland's 2027 Medicare Advantage shakeup is leaving thousands of seniors with less coverage choice and tighter deadlines, making early plan review essential.