Getting a notice that your Medicare Advantage plan is changing can feel unsettling. You’re not alone — over 5.2 million Medicare members will see their plans change in 2025. Nearly 2 million people with Medicare Advantage plans and another 3.3 million with standalone Part D plans will move to new coverage through a process called “cross-walking.”
With more than half of eligible Medicare beneficiaries (54%) now choosing Medicare Advantage — that’s 32.8 million out of 61.2 million Medicare beneficiaries — these changes affect more Americans than ever before. While your insurance company aims to match you with similar coverage, the transition requires your attention, since the new plan may have different costs, networks, and benefits that affect your healthcare.
Read on to learn what Medicare Advantage plan crosswalk means for you, what to do if your MA plan is discontinued, what changes to watch for, and how to make sure you maintain the coverage you need. Most importantly, you’ll learn your options if the new plan doesn’t meet your needs.
It can be concerning to open the mail and find out your Medicare Advantage plan is ending. But here’s the good news: your coverage isn’t going away. Instead, insurance companies use a process called crosswalking to transfer you to a similar plan automatically.
Why does crosswalking happen? Your insurance company might need to make changes for a few reasons:
Watch your mailbox for something called an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). This letter breaks down exactly what’s happening with your coverage. But don’t just file it away.
Even though your insurance company works to find you similar coverage, small differences between plans can impact your care. A careful review now saves you from discovering changes the hard way — like at the pharmacy counter or during your next doctor’s visit. When you receive an MA plan discontinued notification, acting quickly protects your healthcare needs.
Your insurance company found you a similar plan, but “similar” doesn’t mean “identical.” Before assuming your crosswalked MA plan stays the same, grab your ANOC letter and check these key areas:
Let’s talk about costs first. A new plan might increase your monthly premium or change what you pay at appointments. Those small changes add up fast, especially if you see specialists or need frequent care.
Double-check your doctors, too. Just because they’re in your current plan doesn’t guarantee they’ll be in the new one. A quick call to your doctor’s office can confirm whether they’ll still take your insurance.
If you take prescriptions regularly, make sure your new plan covers them the same way. Sometimes, a plan will cover the same medications but charge different amounts or require extra steps for approval. This matters most if you take brand-name drugs or specialty medications.
Did you know that nearly 7 in 10 Medicare beneficiaries never compare their coverage options during enrollment? If your Medicare Advantage plan is crosswalked and no longer a good fit, you can choose different coverage during the Annual Enrollment Period between October 15 and December 7.
Take these steps to protect your coverage:
The key is to act before AEP ends. Missing this window means waiting another year to make changes, unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
Understanding Medicare Advantage plan crosswalk can be complex, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. If you’ve received an MA plan discontinued notice, our licensed insurance agents at SmartMatch can help you understand what it means for your coverage. We work with multiple insurance companies and know the available plans in your area.
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