2027 Group Medicare Advantage
Important: Providence Medicare Advantage plans won’t be available in 2027.
If you do not enroll in a new Medicare plan by December 31, 2026, you will automatically return to Original Medicare effective January 1, 2027.
Because you get your Medicare Advantage plan through your former employer, we strongly encourage you to contact the company retiree benefits administrator as soon as possible. They can provide information about any Medicare Advantage Group plans that may be available to you for 2027 and explain your enrollment options and timelines.
If you decide not to enroll in a group plan offered through your former employer, you may choose other Medicare coverage, including an individual Medicare Advantage plan available in your area through another health plan carrier. To compare plans and explore your options, visit Medicare.gov.
If you need assistance understanding your Medicare choices, you can find free local Medicare counseling and support at: https://healthcare.oregon.gov/pages/find-help.aspx.
Important dates
If you are electing coverage through your former employer, please refer to their enrollment deadlines to ensure you can make changes to your selection. If you choose NOT to enroll in a group plan offered by your former employer, please keep the following important deadlines in mind to ensure you have the coverage you need:
| Enrollment Period | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Enrollment Period | Oct. 15, 2026 | Dec. 7, 2026 |
| Special Enrollment Period1 | Nov. 1, 2026 | Jan. 31, 2027 |
1If you don’t sign up for a new plan by Dec. 31, 2026, you’ll automatically be switched to Original Medicare starting Jan. 1, 2027. You can change your mind during the
special election period if you decide you want a different plan.
What happens if I don’t choose a new plan?
If you do not enroll in a new Medicare Advantage plan by December 31, 2026, you will automatically return to Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B) beginning January 1, 2027. Original Medicare does not include Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, so you will need to enroll in a standalone Part D plan if you want prescription drug coverage.
In addition, Original Medicare can leave a gap in services and may not cover all costs. Some costs are your responsibility to pay, including deductibles, copayments, and costs beyond maximum coverage, and they can add up.
Review those costs at: medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs
Also, Original Medicare has no yearly limit on what you pay out-of-pocket unlike Medicare Advantage.
What’s the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage?
Original Medicare covers basic health insurance for hospital (Part A) and medical needs (Part B). It doesn’t include extras that Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) may offer, such as dental care, vision, hearing, gym membership, or prescription drug coverage (Part D).
| Original Medicare (Parts A & B) |
Medicare Advantage2 (Part C) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Who provides it | Federal government | Private insurance companies |
| What’s covered | Hospital insurance (Part A) and medical insurance (Part B) for things like doctor visits, tests and preventive care | Same as Original Medicare (Part A and B) |
| Prescription drugs (Part D) | Not included, must sign up for a separate Medicare Part D plan.3 | Usually included |
| Dental, Vision, Hearing | Not included | Most plans cover routine care for dental, vision and hearing |
| Additional benefits | Not included | May offer extras like gym memberships, telehealth, transportation, meal delivery and more |
| Doctors and Provider network | You can visit any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that takes Medicare | You usually must use doctors in the plan’s network |
| Out-of-pocket costs | No limit on what you pay out-of-pocket | Has a yearly maximum out-of-pocket limit on the amount you pay each year |
2You must have Parts A and B to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.
3If you don’t sign up for a separate prescription drug (Part D) plan or a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage, you may have to pay penalties. Learn more here.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Will I still receive my subsidy?
Subsidies are determined by your former employer. Please contact your former employer directly to confirm whether your subsidy will continue and to learn about any changes that may apply to your coverage.
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Is Providence offering Medicare Advantage Plans in 2027?
No. Providence will not offer Medicare Advantage plans in 2027. To maintain your Medicare coverage, you will need to enroll in a new plan with another carrier. You can explore plans available in your area at Medicare.gov. If you receive retiree benefits through a former employer, contact your former employer to learn about any Group Medicare Advantage plan options that may be available to you.
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What happens if I don’t find a new plan?
You have until December 31st to find a plan or you’ll be moved to Original Medicare starting January 1, 2027. After December 31st, you can still enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan during what is called a Special Enrollment Period. In this Special Enrollment Period, you can apply between November 1, 2026 and January 31, 2027 and your coverage will start the first of the following month of which the application is received. So, if you enroll in January, your coverage will begin February 1st.
If you do not enroll in a new Medicare Advantage plan, you will still have Original Medicare, which does not include prescription drug coverage.
Need more help?
- Learn more: Find out more about your Medicare options and compare plans.
- Still have questions? Call our customer service at 866-356-6654.
- Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Pacific Time) 7 days a week, October 1st through March 31st and Monday - Friday, April 1st through September 30th. We are closed on Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.