The Workers Rights 
One of the nation’s largest Medicare insurance providers is exiting a handful of markets, impacting approximately 600,000 Medicare members and changing what plans are offered in your locale in 2027. Here are some of the changes and what they mean to you before the Medicare Initial Enrollment Period begins.
Quick Facts
| Detail | What You Need to Know |
| Members affected | ~600,000 members in impacted plans |
| Why it’s happening | Measures taken to reduce the least-profitable markets to achieve a margin of 3%+ by 2028. |
| Notification timeline | It is expected that letters will be sent to affected members in September 2026. |
| Your enrollment window | For the 3 months prior to your 65th birthday through 3 months after your 65th birthday. |
| Annual switch window | October 15 – December 7 is the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. |
| Plans retained | There are ~6.6 million Humana members in plans that are not part of the alliance. |
Why Humana Is Cutting Plans — And Why It Affects You
Humana’s Q2 2026 earnings call says the company will wind down approximately 600,000 of its Humana Medicare Advantage members—roughly 8% of the membership—by phasing out its least profitable plans. The goal: to achieve a sustainable pre-tax margin of at least 3% by 2028. Humana’s margin, in comparison, had slipped to 1.8% in Q2 2026, versus 6.7% in 2020.
It’s not only a Humana story. Other health plans have also recently exited Medicare Advantage markets due to increasing Medicare costs and CMS reduced Star Rating incentive payments. Multiple large insurers, such as UnitedHealth and Aetna, have also withdrawn from Medicare Advantage markets in recent years. In 2026 alone, an estimated 10% of Medicare Advantage plan members were forced to search for alternative Medicare Advantage plans.
You are entering the market at a time when it is both an uncertain and volatile time of life for workers turning 65. Plan options available today may differ when coverage becomes available in 2027.
What Workers Turning 65 Need to Check Now
1. Be aware of your enrollment deadline
The Medicare Initial Enrollment Period begins 3 months before and ends 3 months after your 65th birthday. If you miss this window, you could lose coverage and permanently have to pay higher premiums on Medicare Part B.
Employer Plan still in place? You can enrol later if your employer has 20+ employees; enrollment is not penalised — but check with HR to see if your plan fits the “creditable” coverage requirements.
2. Check Plan Availability in your area
Humana is not going away from Medicare; it’s going away from certain markets. Humana Medicare Advantage plans will continue to be offered and competitive in many areas.
However, it is important to confirm:
- Are there plans for Humana in your county for 2027?
- Identify in-network doctors and hospitals.
- The plan’s Star Rating (which represents stability and quality)
3. Take into account Prescription Drug Coverage.
Many Medicare Advantage plans include Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D) and have different drug lists that are covered (formulary). The drug coverage options that are left after Humana’s portfolio is whittled down will be different from previous years. Double-check any medication plan with the current medications.
5 Steps to Protect Yourself Before Enrollment Opens in 2027
- Be specific about when you enroll. Your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period is set when your birthday arrives — mark it on your calendar.
- Use the Medicare Plan Finder. Visit Medicare.gov to find out which plans are offered in your zip code for 2027.
- Make calls to doctors’ offices. Inquire if they will accept the plans you’re thinking about — changing networks is the most disruptive part of any plan exit.
- Visit Humana – don’t eliminate Humana. Humana continues to be a significant player in markets where it still has plans in place, and its primary care network is growing.
- Be familiar with the annual window switch. The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is for enrolling or changing plans once a year (from Oct 15th to Dec 7th).
FAQs
Will Humana Medicare Advantage be around in 2027?
Yes — Humana is seeking to surgically remove certain low-margin markets, but not all markets from Medicare Advantage. There are approximately 6.6 million members who remain in Humana plans.
How can I determine if my plan is ending?
Letters are sent to affected members in September 2026. For new enrollees, check plan availability in their county during open enrollment.
Can I switch if my plan is cut?
Yes — if the plan is discontinued, then there is a Special Enrollment Period for changes outside the normal enrollment period.
Am I no longer allowed to stay on my employer plan at 65?
Not if you are employed by an organisation with 20+ workers. However, Medicare will be primary at age 65 regardless of whether your employer has fewer than 20.
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