Helen Akabogu

If an MA-PD plan ends and no replacement is chosen, Original Medicare starts January 1 and drug coverage ends; Extra Help members may be reassigned.
Original Medicare brings no annual out-of-pocket cap. In 2026, Part B costs $202.90 monthly, with a $283 deductible and Part A deductible of $1.7K.
An insurer plans to end coverage for ~600K Medicare Advantage members in 2027, making early notice letters a prompt to review replacement options.
Medigap guaranteed-issue rights open 60 days before ending and last 63 days after; drug coverage lapses beyond 63 days can trigger permanent Part D penalties.
Choosing by December 31 keeps January 1 protection; review every prescription, tier, and pharmacy, then pick new Advantage or Original Medicare with Part D.

US Medicare Plan Ending Action Steps

Two retirees with matching $2.1M portfolios could face very different tax bills because early withdrawal choices shaped later RMDs and Medicare surcharges.
A portfolio split between taxable savings and a traditional IRA produced $117.4K yearly, yet asset location determined current efficiency and future tax pressure.
For 2026 joint filers, MAGI at or below $218K kept standard premiums; one dollar more lifted Part B near $284 plus Part D surcharges.
Draining taxable accounts first could let IRA balances compound into larger RMDs, while planned IRA withdrawals or conversions before RMD age may reduce future pressure.
Before year end, model RMD paths, keep conversions below the next IRMAA cliff, and review IRA holdings for floating-rate, leverage, and concentration risk.