Five steps before December 31
- Find your letter. A non-renewal notice confirms your plan ends December 31, 2026 and proves your special enrollment period and Medigap right. Keep it.
- List your doctors, hospitals and drugs. Include doses and clinic names, so you can check networks and drug lists.
- See what's offered in your county. Choices vary across Oregon; see your county's page. For 2026 and 2027, Grant, Harney, Lake, Umatilla and Union counties have no Medicare Advantage plan open to everyone.
- Compare both paths. Another Medicare Advantage plan, or Original Medicare with a Part D plan and, if you want it, a Medigap policy. See plans for your ZIP code.
- Enroll by December 31. Your new coverage starts January 1, 2027.
Your dates
| By | What happens |
|---|---|
| December 7, 2026 | Open enrollment ends, but your plan ending gives you more time. |
| December 31, 2026 | Last day to choose for coverage starting January 1 with no gap. |
| February 28, 2027 | Your special enrollment period ends. A January choice starts February 1; a February choice starts March 1. |
| March 4, 2027 | Last day of your Medigap guaranteed-issue right (63 days after December 31). |
If you want Medigap
Under Oregon's guaranteed-issue rule, OAR 836-052-0142, your plan leaving gives you the right to buy Medigap Plans A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M or N (C and F only if you were first eligible for Medicare before 2020) from any company that sells them in Oregon, without health questions. Apply before you lose coverage if you can, and join a Part D plan too, because Medigap doesn't cover drugs. See can I switch from Medicare Advantage to Medigap.
If you have OHP
Your OHP benefits continue whatever Medicare plan you choose, and your CCO doesn't change. Extra Help and full OHP also give you more chances to change plans during the year. See Medicare and OHP.
To compare plans from the companies they work with, you can request a call from a licensed insurance agent. The list of companies and counties is on plans ending in 2027.
Related questions
Which plans are ending in 2027?
Where to find the CMS-based list.
How do I choose a Medicare plan?
What to check first.
When can I switch plans?
Every window to change.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Special Enrollment Periods (plan contract not renewed)
- eCFR — 42 CFR 422.62, election of coverage under an MA plan
- Medicare.gov — When can I buy a Medigap policy?
- Oregon Administrative Rules — OAR 836-052-0142, guaranteed issue for eligible persons
- Oregon Health Authority — OHP and Medicare
More questions in this guide
- How do I choose a Medicare plan in Oregon?
- What are the Medicare deadlines in Oregon for 2027?
- What is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January to March)?
- When can I switch Medicare plans in Oregon?
- Which Medicare plans are ending in Oregon in 2027?
Part of the guide: Medicare Open Enrollment in Oregon (2027 Plans) · All questions
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I don't pick a new plan?
You go back to Original Medicare on January 1, 2027, without Part D drug coverage. You can still join a plan through February 28, 2027, but coverage starts the first of the next month.
Can I go back to Original Medicare and buy Medigap?
Yes. Because your plan is ending, you have a guaranteed right to buy certain Medigap policies without health questions. Apply from 60 days before to 63 days after your plan ends.
Do I need to tell Social Security or Medicare?
No. Joining a new plan automatically ends your old enrollment. If your premium was deducted from your Social Security check, check that the deduction changes.
Medicare in your Oregon county
Plans, local agents and help, county by county: Multnomah · Washington · Clackamas · Lane · Marion · Jackson · Deschutes · Linn · Douglas · Yamhill · Benton · Polk · Josephine · Umatilla · Klamath · Coos · Columbia · Lincoln · Clatsop · Malheur · All 36 counties →
