If you have Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug coverage in Texas, 2027 could bring some of the biggest changes you've seen in years.
Insurance companies are discontinuing plans, withdrawing from certain counties, and restructuring benefits. For thousands of Texans, the plan they've relied on may no longer be available January 1.
The numbers are significant: approximately 201,000 Texas Medicare Advantage members are enrolled in plans that will no longer be offered in their counties for 2027.
Whether you're enrolled with UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Wellcare, or another carrier, now is the time to review your coverage.
What's Happening to Texas Medicare Plans?
According to an October 2026 analysis of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) data, approximately 8.9% of Texas Medicare Advantage members are enrolled in plans that will not be sold in their counties next year.
Meanwhile, CMS reports that Texas will have 421 Medicare Advantage plans available for 2027, compared with 423 in 2026.
That seemingly small statewide difference doesn't tell the whole story. Individual plans are disappearing, service areas are shrinking, and replacement plans may offer different provider networks, prescription coverage, or out-of-pocket costs.
In some situations, beneficiaries will be transferred to successor plans. In others, they'll need to select new coverage themselves.
Which Insurance Companies Are Making Changes?
Several familiar Medicare carriers are involved.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
One of the most significant announcements is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas ending its Medicare Advantage, MedicareRx prescription drug, and Dual Care Plus Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan offerings for 2027.
Affected members must arrange replacement coverage. This does not mean Blue Cross is eliminating all Medicare products; Medicare Supplement coverage remains a separate product category.
UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare is discontinuing selected plans and reducing service areas across Texas. These changes affect certain AARP Medicare Advantage PPO plans and specialized Medicare Advantage products.
However, UnitedHealthcare continues to offer other Medicare plans in Texas. Whether your specific plan is affected depends on its plan number and county.
Humana
Humana is also discontinuing selected Medicare Advantage plans and withdrawing particular products from some counties. Examples include certain HumanaChoice PPO, Humana Value Choice PPO, and Humana Gold Choice PFFS plans.
Humana is not leaving the entire Texas Medicare Advantage market.
Aetna, Wellcare, and HealthSpring
These companies are also making targeted changes, including plan terminations, service-area reductions, and product restructuring.
For example, selected Aetna Medicare Enhanced and Signature PPO plans, Wellcare Giveback plans, and HealthSpring True Choice Savings plans are ending in certain Texas counties.
CHRISTUS and Memorial Hermann
Regional health plans are also affected. CHRISTUS Health Plan and Memorial Hermann Health Plan are among the organizations exiting Medicare Advantage offerings for 2027.
The important takeaway: a familiar insurance company name does not guarantee that your existing plan will continue next year.
Where Are Texas Medicare Members Most Affected?
The disruption stretches across urban, suburban, and rural communities.
Estimated affected Medicare Advantage members include:
Harris County: 26,999
Tarrant County: 18,435
Dallas County: 17,899
Bexar County: 14,373
Denton County: 11,163
Closer to home, the changes deserve particular attention.
Burnet County: Approximately 1,759 members, or 36.6% of Medicare Advantage enrollment, are in affected plans.
Travis County: Approximately 1,683 members, or 3.5%, are affected.
These figures illustrate why Medicare coverage decisions need to be evaluated locally. A plan available in Austin may not be offered in Marble Falls, Spicewood, or another nearby community.
What Happens If Your Medicare Plan Is Terminated?
If your Medicare Advantage plan isn't renewing and you don't select another Medicare Advantage plan, you'll generally return to Original Medicare on January 1, 2027.
That change can have important consequences.
Original Medicare typically covers 80% of Medicare-approved Part B expenses after the deductible, leaving you responsible for the remaining 20%, with no annual out-of-pocket maximum under Original Medicare.
Prescription drug coverage also requires attention.
If your existing Medicare Advantage plan included prescription benefits, you may need a standalone Part D plan when returning to Original Medicare.
You may also qualify for special guaranteed-issue rights to purchase certain Medicare Supplement policies without medical underwriting.
Don't assume your coverage will automatically transfer with the same benefits.
Five Steps Every Medicare Beneficiary Should Take
Read your Annual Notice of Change. Determine whether your plan is continuing, changing, or terminating.
Confirm your doctors and hospitals. Provider networks can change even when your insurance company remains the same.
Review your prescriptions. Check formularies, pharmacy networks, deductibles, and estimated annual medication costs.
Compare your alternatives. Evaluate Medicare Advantage against Original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement and Part D coverage.
Act before December 7. Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7, 2026, for coverage beginning January 1, 2027.
If your plan is not renewing, additional enrollment rights may apply, including a Special Enrollment Period extending through February 28, 2027. However, waiting can complicate your transition and create coverage concerns.
You Don't Have to Navigate These Changes Alone
At Michael Binns Insurance, I understand how confusing Medicare decisions can become, especially when coverage you've trusted for years is suddenly changing.
As an independent Texas insurance broker, my role is to help you understand your options, compare available carriers, and find coverage that fits your doctors, medications, healthcare needs, and budget.
My guidance comes at no cost to you, and there's never an obligation to enroll.
Whether you're losing your current plan, considering a Medicare Supplement, or simply wondering whether your 2027 benefits are still competitive, I'm here to help.
Call Michael Binns Insurance at 512-778-8099 or visit MichaelBinnsInsurance.com.
Don't wait until your plan disappears. Let's make sure you're prepared for 2027.
Michael Binns Insurance is an independent insurance agency and is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Plan availability and benefits vary by county and eligibility. Not all plans are represented.
