New Hampshire Insurance Department (NHID) is notifying Medicare Advantage plan enrollees about significant changes affecting Medicare Advantage options in the state. Several insurance carriers have announced they are exiting or reducing their participation in the Medicare Advantage market due to financial pressures and increased healthcare costs.

Based on data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for 2022-2023, around 44,000 seniors in New Hampshire – more than half of the state’s Medicare Advantage population – may need to choose a new plan or carrier.

This development is driven by rising healthcare costs and a federal decision that effectively reduced Medicare funding by 1.28% over the course of 2024-2025. While Medicare Advantage plans are federally regulated, the NHID has been closely monitoring the situation and is working to assist those affected.

“The NHID urges seniors across the Granite State to review their Medicare coverage options carefully during this critical transition period,” said New Hampshire Insurance Commissioner DJ Bettencourt. “Understanding the differences between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans, particularly in terms of provider networks and cost structures, will be crucial in selecting the right coverage for 2025.”

What This Means for New Hampshire Consumers:

Anthem, Martin’s Point, United Health Care, and WellSense will offer Medicare Advantage plans without reducing product offerings or availability.

Aetna will reduce both its Medicare Advantage product offerings and availability.

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Wellcare (Centene) will no longer offer any Medicare Advantage plans in 2025.

Humana will maintain its Medicare Advantage offerings but reduce availability in certain areas.

Seniors currently enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans that are being discontinued will need to select a new Medicare Advantage plan if they wish to remain enrolled in an MA plan. If they do not actively choose a new MA plan by the date that their current plan terminates, they may be automatically reverted to Original Medicare.

For those reverting to Original Medicare, it may be appropriate to consider a Medicare Supplement plan to help cover costs that Original Medicare does not. It is important to note that Medicare Supplement plans do not have network restrictions, which distinguishes them from many Medicare Advantage plans. Consequently, consumers should verify whether their current healthcare providers will remain in-network under any new Medicare Advantage plan they consider. Regardless of the type of plan chosen or the status of the provider network, emergency services will continue to be available to all enrollees. It is important to review both Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement options to determine the best fit for individual healthcare needs.

Consumers will receive a notification letter from their current plan provider detailing the changes and outlining the specific deadlines by which they must act. Failure to choose new coverage by these deadlines could result in a loss of coverage and potential late enrollment penalties, particularly for prescription drug coverage.

“The New Hampshire Insurance Department is working diligently to enhance resources for Medicare enrollees and will provide necessary guidance to help them navigate these changes smoothly,” said Deputy Insurance Commissioner Keith Nyhan. “Our priority is to ensure that New Hampshire’s seniors maintain access to the healthcare they need without unnecessary disruptions.”

consumerservices@ins.nh.gov. For more information, visit https://insurance.nh.gov/.

For additional resources and guidance, please contact the NHID’s Consumer Services unit at 603-271-2261 or visit https://insurance.nh.gov.