A non-government resource for the Medicare community
Powered by Q1Group LLC
A non-government Medicare community resource
  • Menu
  • Home
  • Contact
  • MAPD
  • PDP
  • 2024
  • 2025
  • FAQs
  • Articles
  • Search
  • Contact
  • 2024
  • 2025
  • FAQs
  • Articles
  • Latest Medicare News
  • Search

Over 190,000 people are currently enrolled in non-renewing 2021 Medicare plans and will lose their 2022 Medicare plan coverage

Category: Annual Medicare Plan Changes
Published: Oct, 16 2021 02:10:57


Is your 2021 Medicare Part D prescription drug plan or Medicare Advantage plan still being offered in 2022?

Over 4.6 million people are currently enrolled in a 2021 Medicare Advantage plan (MA and MAPD) or Medicare Part D plan (PDP) that will no longer be offered in 2022 - and although most people will be automatically moved to a different 2022 Medicare plan, almost 190,000 people will lose their 2022 Medicare plan coverage - unless they enroll into another Medicare plan.

What are non-renewing Medicare plans?

Each year, Medicare plans have the option of not renewing the plan's contract with Medicare.  When this happens, the Medicare plan can be discontinued across the country or in a specific service area (such as a single state or ZIP code area).

If a Medicare beneficiary is enrolled in a non-renewing 2021 Medicare plan that is not automatically moving (or "crosswalking") their members to a different 2022 Medicare plan, members of the 2021 plan will be without Medicare plan coverage starting January 1, 2022 - unless they enroll in a different Medicare plan during the annual Open Enrollment Period (the AEP runs from October 15th through December 7th) or have access to a Special Enrollment Period allowing them to join a Medicare plan outside of the AEP.

Important:  Remember, there is a Service Area Reduction Special Enrollment Period (SAR SEP) starting on December 8th and continuing through the end of February allowing people enrolled in a terminated Medicare plan the possibility of enrolling in a new 2022 Medicare plan after the December 7th close of the AEP.

How many 2021 plan members will lose coverage in 2022 due to non-renewing Medicare plans?
  • Almost 190,000 people are losing their Medicare plan coverage if they do not select a new Medicare plan.

    Approximately 142,000 people are currently enrolled in 2021 Medicare Advantage plans that will be terminated in 2022 and an additional 43,000 people are enrolled in 18 non-renewing stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plans (PDPs). These plan members will NOT be crosswalked into another plan and will be without 2022 coverage if they do not actively enroll in a new Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D plan.
How will you know that your Medicare plan is being discontinued?

When a plan is no longer being offered in 2022, existing Medicare plan members will be notified in their Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) letter about the plan termination or consolidation - and be given the option to join another plan during the annual Open Enrollment Period.

Again, if current plan members do not join another Medicare plan, they may find themselves without 2022 Medicare plan coverage.

Need a fast way to see how existing Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plans are changing next year?

Our PDP-Compare and MA-Compare tools allow you to compare annual 2021/2022 changes in all stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDPs) or Medicare Advantage plans (MAs or MAPDs) across the country showing changes in monthly premiums and plan design changes, as well as changes in co-payments or co-insurance rates for different drug tiers along with the most recent Medicare quality star ratings.

Both the PDP-Compare and MA-Compare also show the Medicare Part D plans or Medicare Advantage plans that will be merged, discontinued, or added in 2022.


More about the 2021 Medicare Advantage plan (MA and MAPD) plan terminations

The chart below highlights counties with the highest number of non-renewing Medicare Advantage plans.



Not sure where to begin with all this information?

Medicare beneficiaries can telephone Medicare at 1-800-633-4227, speak with a Medicare representative, and learn more about their 2022 Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plan options.







Medicare Supplements
fill the gaps in your
Original Medicare
1. Enter Your ZIP Code:
» Medicare Supplement FAQs




Ask a Pharmacist*
Have questions about your medication?

» Answers to Your Medication Questions, Free!
Available Monday - Friday
8am to 5pm MST
*A free service included with your no cost drug discount card.




Tips & Disclaimers
  • Q1Medicare®, Q1Rx®, and Q1Group® are registered Service Marks of Q1Group LLC and may not be used in any advertising, publicity, or for commercial purposes without the express authorization of Q1Group.
  • The Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug plan data on our site comes directly from Medicare and is subject to change.
  • Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed the information on our site.
  • We provide our Q1Medicare.com site for educational purposes and strive to present unbiased and accurate information. However, Q1Medicare is not intended as a substitute for your lawyer, doctor, healthcare provider, financial advisor, or pharmacist. For more information on your Medicare coverage, please be sure to seek legal, medical, pharmaceutical, or financial advice from a licensed professional or telephone Medicare at 1-800-633-4227.
  • We are an independent education, research, and technology company. We are not affiliated with any Medicare plan, plan carrier, healthcare provider, or insurance company. We are not compensated for Medicare plan enrollments. We do not sell leads or share your personal information.
  • Benefits, formulary, pharmacy network, provider network, premium and/or co-payments/co-insurance may change on January 1 of each year. Our PDPCompare.com and MACompare.com provide highlights of annual plan benefit changes.
  • The benefit information provided is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. For more information contact the plan.
  • Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply.
  • We make every effort to show all available Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plans in your service area. However, since our data is provided by Medicare, it is possible that this may not be a complete listing of plans available in your service area. For a complete listing please contact 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov.
    Statement required by Medicare:
    "We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options."
  • When enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan, you must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium.
  • Medicare beneficiaries with higher incomes may be required to pay both a Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). Read more on IRMAA.
  • Medicare Advantage plans that include prescription drug coverage (MAPDs) are considered Medicare Part D plans and members with higher incomes may be subject to the Medicare Part D Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA), just as members in stand-alone Part D plans. In certain situations, you can appeal IRMAA.
  • You must be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. Members may enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan only during specific times of the year. Contact the Medicare plan for more information.
  • If you are enrolled in a Medicare plan with Part D prescription drug coverage, you may be eligible for financial Extra Help to assist with the payment of your prescription drug premiums and drug purchases. To see if you qualify for Extra Help, call: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov; the Social Security Office at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. TTY users should call, 1-800-325-0778; or your state Medicaid Office.
  • Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-Star rating system. Star Ratings are calculated each year and may change from one year to the next.
  • A Medicare Advantage Private Fee-for-Service plan (PFFS) is not a Medicare supplement plan. Providers who do not contract with the plan are not required to see you except in an emergency.
  • Disclaimer for Institutional Special Needs Plan (SNP): This plan is available to anyone with Medicare who meets the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) level of care and resides in a nursing home.
  • Disclaimer for Dual Eligible (Medicare/Medicaid) Special Needs Plan (SNP): This plan is available to anyone who has both Medical Assistance from the State and Medicare. Premiums, co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles may vary based on the level of Extra Help you receive. Please contact the plan for further details.
  • Disclaimer for Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan (SNP): This plan is available to anyone with Medicare who has been diagnosed with the plan specific Chronic Condition.
  • Medicare MSA Plans combine a high deductible Medicare Advantage Plan and a trust or custodial savings account (as defined and/or approved by the IRS). The plan deposits money from Medicare into the account. You can use this money to pay for your health care costs, but only Medicare-covered expenses count toward your deductible. The amount deposited is usually less than your deductible amount, so you generally have to pay out-of-pocket before your coverage begins.
  • Medicare MSA Plans do not cover prescription drugs. If you join a Medicare MSA Plan, you can also join any separate (stand-alone) Medicare Part D prescription drug plan
  • There are additional restrictions to join an MSA plan, and enrollment is generally for a full calendar year unless you meet certain exceptions. Those who disenroll during the calendar year will owe a portion of the account deposit back to the plan. Contact the plan provider for additional information.
  • Medicare beneficiaries may enroll through the CMS Medicare Online Enrollment Center located at www.medicare.gov.
  • Medicare beneficiaries can file a complaint with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services by calling 1-800-MEDICARE 24 hours a day/7 days or using the medicare.gov site. Beneficiaries can appoint a representative by submitting CMS Form-1696.