If your Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MA-PD) plan is ending and you haven’t selected a replacement, keep in mind that Original Medicare will take over automatically on January 1—but prescription drug coverage will end unless you choose a new Part D plan. For those receiving Extra Help, you may be reassigned, but it’s important to review your options carefully.
One key difference: Original Medicare does not include an annual out-of-pocket maximum. In 2026, you can expect Part B to cost $202.90 per month with a $283 deductible, and the Part A deductible will be $1,700. These numbers matter when you’re planning your finances and healthcare for the year ahead.
With one major insurer discontinuing coverage for about 600,000 Medicare Advantage members in 2027, those early notice letters are a good reminder to review your plan choices well before any changes take effect. You have Medigap guaranteed-issue rights from 60 days before your plan ends until 63 days after. But if you go longer than 63 days without drug coverage, you could face permanent Part D penalties.
To stay protected starting January 1, make your choice by December 31. Take time to review every prescription, the drug tiers, and your preferred pharmacy. Then select either a new Advantage plan or Original Medicare with Part D.
As someone who helps people navigate these changes every day, I know how overwhelming it can feel. My goal is always to make your Medicare decisions simpler and more comfortable—so you can focus on what matters most: your health and peace of mind.
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