87,000 Iowans face Medicare plan cancellations

Iowa officials are warning more than 87,000 Iowans they face cancellation of their Medicare Advantage or Part D plans for 2027.

In the lead-up to open enrollment, Iowa's Senior Health Insurance Information Program and Senior Medicare Patrol notified Iowa Medicare beneficiaries of the plan cancellations and changes.

The state insurance division programs, which provide information about Medicare and protection against fraud and abuse, are advising affected Iowans to find new coverage options before Dec. 31 to avoid coverage gaps.

"It's more important than ever that Iowa Medicare recipients open and read mail from their Medicare plan to understand changes to their coverage and explore their 2027 options," Kristin Griffith, director of the programs, said in a news release. "SHIIP-SMP is stepping up to empower Iowans with the knowledge, confidence, and support they need to find coverage that best serves them at the lowest possible cost."

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 and older, as well as some younger people with disabilities. Medicare Advantage plans are alternatives to traditional Medicare coverage. Offered by private companies, they include some additional benefits.

Every year, plans may change benefits, premiums and services, or terminate their contracts with Medicare, resulting in plan cancellations.

One of the major changes Iowans will see in 2027 is the termination of Medicare Advantage plans that provide in-network coverage with the Mayo Clinic. The change was the result of the cancellation of both Wellmark and Medica's Medicare Advantage preferred provider organization coverage, according to SHIIP-SMP.

Iowans with canceled plans qualify for a "guaranteed issue" right, allowing them to switch to Original Medicare and purchase an available Medicare Supplement, or Medigap, policy. The switch will come without medical underwriting, barring insurers from denying coverage or charging higher premiums due to pre-existing conditions.

The state urges Iowans to open all mail as plans send notices about coverage changes.

"Having the ability to switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare with guaranteed issue is a rare opportunity that isn't typically available to Medicare Advantage enrollees," Griffith said. "It is vital for Iowans to weigh all their options given these significant changes."

The dates for Iowa Medicare beneficiaries are: „

•Oct. 15 — Medicare open enrollment for 2027 begins. „

•Dec. 7 — standard open enrollment deadline for comparing and selecting 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D plans. „

•Dec. 31 — deadline for individuals losing their plan to select new coverage without experiencing a gap in coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2027.

„ •Feb. 28 — deadline for those whose plans were canceled to make changes under a special enrollment period.

Iowans facing plan cancellation have two options: find a new Medicare Advantage plan or switch to Original Medicare. SHIIP-SMP advises Iowans to keep their plan non-renewal notices received through the mail as proof of their options.

Some plans completely cancel coverage for everyone in the plan, while other plans may make service area reductions and stop coverage for members in specific counties.

Coverage has been completely canceled for Iowans under:

„• AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC IA-1 HMOPOS H5253-209.

• „ Humana Full Access PPO H5216-411. „

•Medica Advantage Preferred PPO H8889-011. „

•Medica Advantage Select PPO H8889-015. „

•Medica Advantage Solution PPO H8889-009. „

•Medica Advantage Value PPO H8889-010. „

• (Wellmark) Blue Medicare Advantage PPO H5900-001. „

• (Wellmark) Blue Medicare Advantage Valor PPO H5900-006.

Coverage has been canceled or changed for Iowans under the following Medicare Part D plans: „

•Aetna SilverScript Choice (S5601-050).

„•HealthSpring Extra Rx (S5617-375). This plan is moving its members to HealthSpring Assurance Rx, resulting in a $117.10 premium increase in 2027. Current enrollees may either enroll in a new drug plan or move to HealthSpring Assurance Rx coverage.

A full list of plan terminations by county due to service area reductions can be found on the SHIIP website at shiip.iowa.gov under the "Understand Coverage" tab.

Ahead of the open enrollment deadline, SHIIP-SMP is offering self-service resources and 1-on-1 counseling for Iowa Medicare beneficiaries. Here are the resources Iowans can access:

• Online self-service resources. The SHIIP-SMP website offers answers to frequently asked questions and instructional video guides on creating a Medicare.gov account using the Medicare Plan Finder tool and comparing Part D or Medicare Advantage plans. „

•24/7 National Helpline. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) for help comparing plans.

•„ Local one-on-one assistance. Visit the "Find a Counselor" page at shiip. iowa.gov or call 800-3514664 to connect with a local SHIIP-SMP site. Counselor availability is limited and appointments fill up quickly.

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