
By Marc Gilman
Questions?
Call (800) 927-9326 or email
Key Takeaways
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New Hampshire’s Medicare Advantage market is getting smaller for 2027. According to a report citing the NH Insurance Department, three organizations will offer Medicare Advantage in the state: Humana, UnitedHealthcare and Devoted Health, which is new to New Hampshire.
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Some members must choose a new plan. Plans from CVS Health (which includes Aetna) and WellSense end December 31, 2026. The report says more than 14,200 current members are affected.
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Coos County is reported to have no Medicare Advantage plans for general enrollment in 2027. In 2026 it had two options.
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Annual Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, 2026.* If your plan is ending and you take no action, you will be moved to Original Medicare on January 1 without supplemental coverage.
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Check your plan and your county now. Availability, benefits, networks and drug coverage vary by county and plan.
What Is Changing in New Hampshire’s Medicare Advantage Market for 2027?
New Hampshire has had a steady stream of exits. For 2026, Anthem and Martin’s Point left the individual Medicare Advantage market and Aetna cut its footprint to Hillsborough and Rockingham counties. For 2027, Live Insurance News reported on October 12, 2026, citing New Hampshire Insurance Commissioner D.J. Bettencourt and the NH Insurance Department, that the market has narrowed again.
According to that report:
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Staying: Humana and UnitedHealthcare.
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New: Devoted Health, a national insurer entering New Hampshire for the first time. The report says it is entering parts of the state, not every county, so your county decides whether it is an option. We cover where in our post on Devoted Health.
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Leaving for 2027: CVS Health and WellSense end their New Hampshire Medicare Advantage plans on January 1, 2027. The report also says Aetna has exited entirely and that Harvard Pilgrim, WellCare, Martin’s Point and Anthem were out of the individual market before 2027.
The report puts Medicare Advantage at about 31% of New Hampshire’s roughly 357,500 Medicare beneficiaries as of February 2026, compared with about 51% nationally. It also cites a CMS statewide projection of 18,104 fewer Medicare Advantage enrollees in 2027. Commissioner Bettencourt called the withdrawals “real challenges for impacted consumers.”
What About Coos County?
The report says Coos County will have zero Medicare Advantage plans available for general enrollment in 2027. In 2026 it had two options, WellSense and Humana, and Devoted Health isn’t serving the county. For Coos County residents, the realistic route is Original Medicare with a mandatory standalone Part D drug plan with or without an added Medicare supplement (Medigap). If you or someone you know lives there, please share this post.
What Happens If My Plan Is Ending?
Your plan has to send you a notice. If it is leaving, you will usually be told that you must choose new coverage. Several things matter here:
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If you do nothing, your Medicare Advantage plan ends on December 31, 2026. You will be on Original Medicare on January 1, with no supplement, and if your plan included drug coverage, you would no longer have it.
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You can pick a different Medicare Advantage plan if one is available in your county. Compare doctors, hospitals, prescriptions, pharmacies and total costs. Don’t assume the plan that is staying has your doctors.
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You may have extra time. People whose plan is leaving generally get a Special Enrollment Period to choose new coverage. We recommend not waiting for it. Confirm your dates in your plan’s notice or with Medicare.
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You can return to Original Medicare. Then you need two other pieces: a Medicare supplement (Medigap) and a standalone Part D plan.
Can I Get a Medigap Plan If My Medicare Advantage Plan Ends?
When a Medicare Advantage plan leaves your area, federal rules give you guaranteed issue rights for a Medigap policy for a limited time. The report says it is 63 days after your coverage ends. Within that window, insurers can’t deny you coverage or charge more for health conditions for the plans they are required to offer. Outside it, you could face medical underwriting.
Some points to know:
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Plan availability: Medigap Plans A, B, D, G and others are available. Plans C and F aren’t available to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.
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Timing: A policy applied for in January might not start until February 1, so plan ahead to avoid a gap in coverage.
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Drug coverage: You will need a separate Part D plan. If you go more than 63 days without creditable drug coverage, you may face a permanent late enrollment penalty.
What Should I Do Right Now?
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Read your Annual Notice of Change or non-renewal notice. Plans must send these by September 30, so it may already be in your mailbox.
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Look up your county and your plan. Use Medicare.gov Plan Finder with your ZIP code. Other carriers may also have changed their service areas.
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List your doctors, hospitals, medications and pharmacy. Check each against any plan you are considering.
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Compare total yearly costs, not just the premium. Look at deductibles, copays, out-of-pocket maximums and extra benefits.
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Make your decision before December 7.* Don’t leave it to the end of the window.
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Get free, unbiased help if you want it. New Hampshire’s SHIP counselors can be reached at 1-866-634-9412 or through servicelink.nh.gov, according to the report.
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Call us. We can compare what’s available in your county side by side.
Where Does Insurance Planning Fit In?
A plan leaving the market is stressful, especially if you have a doctor you want to keep or a medication that is costly. We start with the care and prescriptions that matter to you, then compare the plans available in your county and show you the trade-offs, including how Original Medicare with a supplement and a drug plan would compare. We aren’t able to offer every plan in every county, and we’ll tell you if the best fit for you isn’t one we offer. For more on what could change in 2027, see our posts on what may change in your Medicare Advantage plan and what to do before December 7.
What To Do Next
If your plan is leaving, or you aren’t sure whether it is, we’re happy to walk through your options with you. You can also request our free 2027 AEP Self-Service Guide.
Questions? Call (800) 927-9326 or email
Prefer we reach out to you instead? Complete our Permission to Contact form and a licensed Gilman Agency agent will follow up.
*Some 2027 Medicare Advantage plans may set enrollment caps and could close to new enrollment before December 7. Check with the plan.
Sources: Ben Jones, “New Hampshire Is Down to 3 Medicare Advantage Carriers for 2027 — and One County Has None,” Live Insurance News (Oct. 12, 2026), which cites the New Hampshire Insurance Department and CMS; Gilman Agency, “Is Your Medicare Advantage Plan Changing for 2027? What NH Medicare Members Need to Know” and related posts. Carrier participation, counties and enrollment figures are as reported and can change; confirm with the plan and Medicare.gov.
Gilman Agency is not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare, the New Hampshire Insurance Department, CMS or the federal government. This article is for general educational purposes and is not an offer of coverage or a recommendation of any specific plan. Plan availability, benefits, networks and enrollment rights depend on your county and individual situation, and CMS and your plan make final determinations. We do not offer every plan available in your area. For more information, contact Marc Gilman, licensed insurance agent, at (800) 927-9326, or call 1-800-MEDICARE for a full list of your options.


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