Updated November 10, 2026

If you're one of the roughly 600,000 people whose Humana Medicare Advantage plan is going away, here's the short version: you are not losing Medicare, you have real options, and you still have time to act. You do need to act, though. This guide covers what's happening, the deadlines that are still open, and the steps to take so you don't end up with a gap in your coverage.

Deadlines still open

• December 7, 2026: Open Enrollment ends. Pick a new plan by this date and it starts January 1, 2027.
• December 31, 2026: The last day your current Humana plan covers you. Because your plan is being discontinued, you can still enroll in a new plan through December 31 and have it start January 1.
• February 28, 2027: Your Special Enrollment Period ends. A plan you choose in January or February starts the first day of the following month, so you'd spend part of the new year on Original Medicare with no drug coverage.
• About March 4, 2027: Your Medigap guaranteed-issue window closes (63 days after your plan ends). Check your letter for your exact dates.

What's actually happening

Humana is ending some of its Medicare Advantage plans after December 31, 2026. The plans being dropped are mostly ones rated 3.5 stars or lower, and they cover about 8% of Humana's roughly 7.2 million Medicare Advantage members. Humana expects to move about 40% of affected members into other Humana plans, which leaves many people shopping elsewhere.

For 2027, Humana's Medicare Advantage plans will reach just over 80% of U.S. counties, down from about 85% this year. Humana isn't alone, either. UnitedHealthcare is ending plans that cover about 390,000 members, and more than a million people nationwide need a new plan for 2027.

This is a business decision about specific plans, not a change to your underlying Medicare benefits. Here's the timeline:

• October 2, 2026: Humana's non-renewal letters were dated this day. If your plan is ending, you should already have one. Keep it, because it lists your plan details and your personal deadlines, and it's your proof for the Medigap protection described below.
• October 15 to December 7, 2026: Open Enrollment, the main window to choose new coverage.
• December 31, 2026: Your current Humana plan ends.
• January 1, 2027: Your new coverage begins, if you've chosen it by December 31.

A regular Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) is not the same thing. Plans that are continuing send an ANOC describing next year's changes. Only a non-renewal or termination letter means your plan is going away.

First: don't panic, and don't ignore it

The worst thing you can do is nothing. If your plan ends and you don't choose new coverage, you'll be moved to Original Medicare (Parts A and B) on January 1, 2027, with no prescription drug coverage and no supplemental (Medigap) plan. If you take regular medications or manage a chronic condition, that can mean real out-of-pocket costs. Treat the letter as a to-do item, not junk mail.

The good news: because your plan is ending through no fault of your own, Medicare gives you extra protections and more time than usual.

Your enrollment deadlines

You have two windows to make a change:

• Open Enrollment: October 15 to December 7, 2026. Anyone on Medicare can switch plans during this window. You can pick a new Medicare Advantage plan (from Humana or any other insurer) or move to Original Medicare with a standalone Part D drug plan, and possibly a Medigap policy.
• Your Special Enrollment Period: December 8, 2026 to February 28, 2027. Because your plan is not renewing, you get extra time after Open Enrollment closes. If you enroll by December 31, your new plan still starts January 1. If you wait until January or February, coverage starts the first of the month after you enroll, which means a stretch on Original Medicare without drug coverage. That's why it's worth deciding before the new year.

Your four main options

• Pick another Medicare Advantage plan. This could be a different Humana plan still offered in your area or a plan from another insurer. If you like the one-card setup, often with dental and vision extras and a $0 or low premium, this keeps things similar. Confirm your doctors, hospitals, and prescriptions are covered under the new plan before you enroll.
• Original Medicare plus a Part D drug plan. You can see any doctor or hospital nationwide that accepts Medicare, and you add a standalone plan for your medications.
• Original Medicare plus Part D plus a Medigap (supplement) policy. Medigap helps cover the deductibles and coinsurance Original Medicare leaves to you. It's often the most predictable option on cost, and right now you may have a special right to buy one (see below).
• Do nothing and land on Original Medicare with no drug coverage. This is the option to avoid.

The Medigap window you shouldn't miss

Normally, if you try to buy a Medigap policy after your first enrollment, insurers in South Carolina can ask health questions, charge you more, or turn you down. When your Medicare Advantage plan is discontinued, you generally get guaranteed-issue rights: for a limited time, insurers must sell you certain Medigap plans regardless of your health, and can't charge you more because of pre-existing conditions.

• When: You can apply as early as 60 days before your plan ends and no later than 63 days after it ends. For a plan ending December 31, 2026, that's about March 4, 2027.
• Which plans: Guaranteed-issue rights cover Medigap Plans A, B, D, G, K, and L. Plans C and F are also included if you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.
• The catch: This right only helps if you go back to Original Medicare. If you choose another Medicare Advantage plan instead, you won't be using it.

For many long-time Medicare Advantage members, this is one of the few chances to get a Medigap policy without medical underwriting. If you've been thinking about it, get quotes before you settle on another Advantage plan.

A simple step-by-step

1. Find your non-renewal letter (dated October 2, 2026) and set it somewhere safe.
2. List your doctors, any hospitals you use, and all your prescriptions with dosages.
3. Compare plans using the official plan finder at Medicare.gov, which lets you enter your drugs and check networks, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048), available 24/7.
4. Get free help comparing your options. Reach out to us at Mauldin Insurance Group. We work with multiple carriers, so we can compare plans across companies (not just Humana), check that your doctors and prescriptions are covered, and walk you through the Medigap decision. There's no cost to you. You can also use your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which offers free counseling in every state.
5. Enroll by December 7, 2026 if you can. If you need more time, enroll by December 31 so your new coverage still starts January 1.
6. If you want a Medigap policy, apply within your guaranteed-issue window so you can't be turned down for health reasons.

The bottom line

Losing a plan is stressful, but the rules are built to protect you. You keep your Medicare either way. The job in front of you is choosing replacement coverage that fits your doctors, your medications, and your budget, and doing it before December 31 so nothing lapses in January.

If you'd like a hand, the team at Mauldin Insurance Group is here to help. We'll review your non-renewal letter, compare your options across carriers, and help you land on coverage that works, with no gap in January.

This article is for general informational purposes and isn't a substitute for personalized advice. Confirm the details in your own non-renewal letter and consider speaking with a licensed Medicare counselor or agent about your specific situation.