Minnesota Medicare Advantage Enrollees Face Plan Changes
Nearly 400,000 residents must choose new healthcare coverage for 2027 before the December 7 enrollment deadline.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Senior Health
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Nearly 400,000 Minnesotans must select new healthcare coverage as many Medicare Advantage plans are being discontinued or reduced across the state. The changes will affect coverage options for 2027, with 15 counties set to have no remaining Medicare Advantage plans.
Why it matters
The reduction in plan availability forces a significant number of seniors to navigate the Medicare enrollment process to ensure they maintain coverage for the upcoming year. Because provider offerings are shrinking, many residents must now compare alternative plans or Medigap options before the enrollment deadline.
Official data confirms that 392,000 Minnesotans will lose their current Medicare Advantage plans for 2027, with 15 counties set to have zero remaining options. It remains unknown why providers are withdrawing these specific plans from the state market.
The players
Medica
A health insurance provider that is currently offering the three remaining Medicare Advantage plans in Olmsted County.
Minnesota Aging Pathways
A support service providing free enrollment assistance to seniors managing the transition to new healthcare plans.
The details
Medicare Advantage providers are discontinuing their offerings or scaling back the number of counties they cover throughout Minnesota. As a result, beneficiaries in affected areas must switch to different plans or transition to Medigap policies to maintain their healthcare access. Coverage varies significantly by region, with some areas like Olmsted County retaining only three plan options, one of which excludes drug coverage entirely.
Timeline
October 15, 2026: Medicare open enrollment period began.
December 7, 2026: Medicare open enrollment period ends.
2027: Coverage changes take effect for enrollees.
Health Landscape
This contraction of insurance options marks a departure from the typical stability of the Medicare annual open enrollment period. It highlights a shift in market access for seniors as providers adjust their regional coverage strategies nationwide.
If you are among the 392,000 Minnesotans losing coverage, prioritize reviewing available options in your specific county immediately. Discuss your transition to a new plan or Medigap coverage with your doctor to ensure your current providers remain in-network.
The takeaway
The widespread reduction in Medicare Advantage plans makes reviewing your 2027 coverage options critical before the December 7 deadline. For assistance, Minnesotans can contact Minnesota Aging Pathways at 800-333-2433, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Further reading
For more on navigating coverage changes, visit Senior Health.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KDHL AM 920.
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