Last fall, thousands of Granite Staters on Harvard Pilgrim Advantage and Wellcare Advantage plans found out their carriers were pulling out of offering their Advantage plans in New Hampshire — leaving many seniors scrambling for answers and new coverage options starting January 1, 2025.
While we hope this doesn’t happen again, Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are going through a lot of changes nationwide. That’s why we’re here to give you clear, simple guidance on what to do if your plan is ending, what your options are, and what important deadlines you need to know.

What To Do If Your Medicare Advantage Plan Is Leaving New Hampshire

You Are Not Alone — And You Are Not Without Coverage

First, you are not alone and you’re not stuck without coverage. If your plan leaves the state, Medicare provides you with a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) — a protected window of time to choose a new plan without gaps or penalties.

You Have Options:

• Enroll in another Medicare Advantage plan in your area.
• Switch back to Original Medicare (Parts A & B). (Note that this is basic coverage, ~80% only, and it does not have a stop-loss.) If you do decide to return to Original Medicare, you can also add a Part D prescription drug plan.
• Apply for a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plan.

Important: Know Your Rights with Medigap

With Medigaps, it’s important that you know your rights. A loss of an Advantage plan, qualifies you for guaranteed issue rights to buy a Medigap plan — meaning insurance companies can’t deny you coverage or charge more based on health conditions. This right typically lasts for 63 days after your current coverage ends, so it’s important to act promptly.

Let’s Talk Timelines and Scheduling

Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)

The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) begins on October 15th and ends on December 7th. During this time you can switch your current Advantage plan for a new Advantage plan.

Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

If you have lost your Advantage plan, this will open up a Special Enrollment Period from December 8th thru to the end of February, allowing you to:

• Select a new Advantage plan
• Switch back to Original Medicare
• Select a Medigap plan with guaranteed issue status

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period

Additionally, for those who decide to choose a new Advantage plan, you will also see the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period at the beginning of the following year. This period lasts the entirety of Q1 (Jan 1 thru March 31), and it allows you to:

• Switch one time from your current Advantage plan to a new Advantage plan
• Switch from your current Advantage plan back to Original Medicare
• Join a standalone prescription drug plan

What Should You Do Next?

Step 1: Book an Appointment

First, book an appointment with us right away. You can do that by clicking our booking calendar here.

Step 2: Review Any Letters From Your Current Plan

Next, read through any letters from your current plan carefully (keep these — we will want to check them).

Step 3: Gather Your Health Info

Then, take inventory of all of your doctors, prescriptions and important health needs that you want factored in shopping for a new health plan. Please use our form [here] to write these down and send them over to us, so we can begin working on shopping for a health plan for you.

Step 4: Sign the Scope of Appointment

Lastly, click through our Scope of Appointment compliance link and sign the Scope of Appointment 48 hours in advance of our meeting. This form gives us permission to speak with you about Medicare health plans.

Why Work With Woodpecker Insurance?

At Woodpecker Insurance, we specialize in Medicare health plans — and our help is always free to you. If your plan is ending, don’t worry, you have us — you have a woodpecker.

Contact Us Today!

As always, if you have additional questions, contact our team today! Call us at 603-499-4399 or email us at [email protected].