Attorney General Alert: Changes to Medicare Advantage plans dramatically changing care options for nearly 400,000 older Minnesotans

Nearly one-third of Minnesotans on Medicare, many in Greater Minnesota, will lose their Medicare Advantage plan in 2027 — 18 Minnesota counties will have no Medicare Advantage coverage, three will have only Original Medicare as an option

Attorney General Ellison alerts Minnesotans on Medicare to review their health care needs carefully and update their Medicare coverage no later than December 7

AG Ellison and Minnesota Aging Pathways urge Minnesotans with questions to call 1-800-MEDICARE for 24/7 assistance

November 2, 2026 (SAINT PAUL) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison today released an alert to Minnesotans on Medicare and their families about a significant challenge facing nearly 400,000 Minnesotans with Medicare Advantage health insurance plans. 

This year, many insurers are reducing or fully discontinuing certain offerings of Medicare Advantage plans across the U.S., including throughout Minnesota. Nearly one-third of the 1.2 million Minnesotans on Medicare will lose their current Medicare Advantage plan for 2027, with only a small fraction being automatically moved to another plan, which may not actually be a good fit.

Attorney General Ellison strongly urges all Medicare Advantage enrollees to review their plan information. If their Medicare Advantage plan is ending, they must find another Medicare Advantage or Part D plan during Medicare Open Enrollment, which began October 15 and runs through December 7. 

“Because it’s my mission to help Minnesotans afford their lives and live with dignity, safety, and respect, I must raise the alarm around some significant changes to Medicare Advantage Plans in Minnesota,” said Attorney General Ellison. “If you receive health insurance through Medicare, please spend some time reviewing your options now — well before December 7 — and please urge any friends, family, and loved ones on Medicare to do the same. I also encourage media and other creators to use their platforms to share this critical information far and wide to help ensure older Minnesotans know their options.”  

“It’s always important to review your Medicare plan each year, but this year it’s critical,” said Maureen Schneider, chair of the Minnesota Board on Aging. “Insurers have scaled back or completely eliminated Medicare Advantage plans in some counties. People need to act to make sure they have coverage for 2027.”

Options for Medicare coverage

During Medicare’s Open Enrollment period from October 15–December 7, people on Medicare can shop around for the health insurance plan that best meets their needs. Original Medicare covers things like hospital stays and outpatient care, with the option to add supplemental coverage for things like vision care, prescription drugs, and dental care. Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurers but approved by Medicare, and these plans bundle together original Medicare coverage with additional coverage in one plan. They typically offer a wider range of coverage with less flexibility about the providers you see. 

Medicare Cost plans, offered only in a smaller number of rural counties, are hybrid plans that require enrollees to use in-network providers for the most coverage; however, they may use providers outside of the network and Original Medicare Part A and B will cover the out-of-network care. Original Medicare covers Medicare Parts A and B and purchasing a stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan covers medications. Those opting for Original Medicare can also opt to add a Medigap policy, which helps to cover copayments, co-insurance, and deductibles. During open enrollment — that is, between now and December 7 — Medigap guaranteed issue rights are offered, which is an opportunity to purchase a Medigap policy without health screening (underwriting) for those who qualify. 

Who is affected?

Minnesota Aging Pathways (formerly known as Senior LinkAge Line) estimates that nearly 400,000 Minnesota Medicare beneficiaries are affected by this change. Attorney General Keith Ellison and the Minnesota Board of Aging, the agency that oversees Minnesota Aging Pathways, especially want to ensure this alert and the information in it reaches people in Greater Minnesota who may have a more limited set of options.

Some Medicare Advantage plans are reducing the number of counties where they offer their plans, while others are discontinuing plans completely. There are 15 Minnesota counties that will have no Medicare Advantage plan options in 2027 — Aitkin, Carlton, Chippewa, Cook, Goodhue, Koochiching, Lake, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Pine, Rice, Sibley, Stevens, and Yellow Medicine. However, in these counties, Medicare Cost plans and Original Medicare are available.

In three Minnesota counties — Crow Wing, Lake of the Woods and Wadena — there will be no Medicare Advantage or Medicare Cost plans in 2027, so Original Medicare is the only option for those enrollees. For people in these counties, they must select a Medicare Part D drug plan to ensure they have drug coverage for 2027. If they do not act, they will not have any prescription drug coverage.

Advice from Aging Pathways on actions Minnesotans on Medicare should take immediately 

1. Visit the Medicare Plan Finder at https://www.medicare.gov to review plan options to consider what plans are available to enroll in. 
   1. Create an account with a username and password. 
   2. Enter your current prescriptions. 
   3. Enter the pharmacy you use. 
2. Decide which plan(s) you want to explore further. 
3. Go to those plans’ websites and search the provider list to see if your provider(s) participate(s) with the new plan(s) you are interested in. You can also call the plan directly.
4. Enroll in the plan you choose by either calling the plan directly or enrolling online on the Medicare Plan Finder tool. 
5. If you have questions or need more help, you may call 1-800-MEDICARE (open 24/7) or Minnesota Aging Pathways at 800-333-2433, open Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 
   1. Please note that Minnesota Aging Pathways is experiencing very high call volume and wait times may be longer than normal. 

There are important factors to consider when looking for a new Medicare plan, including: 

• Are your medical providers/doctors covered in the plan’s network? 
• Will you be able to use your preferred pharmacy? 
• Are your medications covered and/or has the cost increased? 
• Will the premium(s) increase? 
• What will you pay in other out-of-pocket costs? 
• Do you plan to travel? 

About Minnesota Aging Pathways 

Minnesota Aging Pathways — formerly known as Senior LinkAge Line — is a free, statewide service of the Minnesota Board on Aging, in partnership with Minnesota’s area agencies on aging. Minnesota Aging Pathways helps older Minnesotans and caregivers find answers and connect to the services and support they need. It is Minnesota’s federally designated State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), offering unbiased help with Medicare statewide. 

Attorney General Ellison supports additional funding from the Legislature to increase staffing for Minnesota Aging Pathways’ call center to reduce wait times for people reaching out for assistance.