People search "which states is Aetna leaving" because a letter arrived, or a neighbor got one. The honest answer is that Aetna does not leave by state. It drops plans by county, and a state can lose plans in some counties while keeping them in others.
This page explains what the 2027 data shows, what you can and cannot know from public numbers, and the exact steps to take if your plan is ending.
Is Aetna leaving Medicare Advantage in 2027?
No. One broker summary of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) 2027 landscape data says Aetna is cutting back, not quitting. It reports Aetna is pulling standard Medicare Advantage plans from about 123 counties and cutting 20 PPO plans, while adding 29 chronic condition special needs plans (comparemedicareadvantageplans.org, October 2026).
The same summary reports that Aetna is leaving Maryland and New Hampshire entirely and will sell Medicare Advantage in 41 states, down from 43. That summary is a broker marketing site and does not name its source for the state count. Treat it as a lead to check, not as final.
Which states are affected by 2027 Medicare Advantage exits?
Exits are spread across the country, and no public source lists every Aetna county by state yet. BenefitsUSA counted CMS 2027 plan data and found 680 Medicare Advantage plans pulling out of at least one county across 45 states and Washington, D.C. (BenefitsUSA, 2026).
Aetna accounts for 1,288 of the 4,973 plan-and-county exits in that count. UnitedHealthcare has 1,394 and Humana has 669 (BenefitsUSA, 2026). Those are plan-county pairs, not members.
Table: 2027 Medicare Advantage exits by insurer (BenefitsUSA count of CMS data)
| Insurer | Plan-and-county exits |
|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | 1,394 |
| Aetna (CVS Health) | 1,288 |
| Humana | 669 |
The states with the most counties losing every regular Medicare Advantage drug plan are North Dakota (21 counties), Minnesota (15) and South Dakota (10), according to the same count. Those losses involve all insurers, not only Aetna.
How do I know if my plan is ending?
Your insurer must mail a non-renewal letter in early October if your plan is leaving your county. The notice has to arrive at least 90 days before the January 1, 2027 end date (BenefitsUSA, 2026, citing CMS rules).
If you have no letter, you can still check. Call the number on your member card, use Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Do not rely on a state-level list. Your county decides.
Plans that continue send an Annual Notice of Change by September 30 instead. That letter lists cost and benefit changes for 2027, so read it even if your plan stays.
If you live in Florida, see our separate guide on the Aetna Medicare Florida exit.
What are my options if my Aetna plan is ending?
You have three main choices: pick a new Medicare Advantage plan, return to Original Medicare with a Part D drug plan, or add a Medigap policy. Each has trade-offs on cost, doctor choice and drug coverage.
- Join another Medicare Advantage plan. Compare plans in your county for 2027, including whether your doctors are in network and your drugs are on the formulary.
- Switch to Original Medicare. You add a separate Part D plan for drugs. You can see any doctor who accepts Medicare.
- Add a Medigap policy. Medigap helps pay costs Original Medicare leaves. Insurers in most states can use medical underwriting, so ask about timing before you decide.
BenefitsUSA reports the Medigap window runs from 60 days before Medicare Advantage coverage ends through 63 days after (BenefitsUSA, 2026). Confirm your rights for your state with a licensed professional, because rules differ by state.
What are the key dates for 2027 Medicare plan changes?
The Medicare open enrollment period runs October 15 to December 7, 2026, and changes take effect January 1, 2027 (Medicare.gov, 2026). The plan must receive your request by December 7.
People whose plan is leaving their county also get a special enrollment period, reported as December 8, 2026 through the end of February 2027 (BenefitsUSA, 2026). The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, January 1 to March 31, applies if you are already in a Medicare Advantage plan (Medicare.gov, 2026).
Table: Key dates for people losing a Medicare Advantage plan
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Early October 2026 | Non-renewal letters should arrive |
| October 15 to December 7, 2026 | Open enrollment, changes start January 1 |
| December 31, 2026 | Your old plan coverage ends |
| December 8, 2026 to end of February 2027 | Special enrollment period if your plan left your county |
| January 1 to March 31, 2027 | Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period |
Waiting has a cost. A choice made after December 7 starts later, and you may have a gap in drug or doctor coverage. Pick before the deadline if you can.
Who can help me compare plans in my county?
A licensed insurance professional can compare plans in your county for free to you, because carriers pay licensed professionals, not you. Summit Health Benefits connects Medicare shoppers with licensed professionals who check county availability, doctors and drug lists.
If you are under 65 and losing employer or individual coverage instead, see health insurance open enrollment dates and changes or the Summit health membership for individuals and families.
Talk to a Licensed Professional About Your Ending Medicare Plan
A licensed professional will check which plans are available in your county and walk you through your options before the enrollment deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states is Aetna leaving for Medicare Advantage in 2027?
Is Aetna leaving Medicare Advantage entirely?
What happens if my Medicare Advantage plan is discontinued?
When is the deadline to change my Medicare plan for 2027?
Can I keep my doctor if my Aetna plan ends?
Do I need a Medigap policy if my plan is leaving?
Sources: BenefitsUSA, "680 Medicare Advantage Plans Are Pulling Out of Counties" (2026, citing CMS 2027 landscape files); comparemedicareadvantageplans.org, "Is Aetna Leaving Medicare Advantage in 2027?" (October 2026); Medicare.gov, joining a plan and enrollment periods (2026); 1-800-MEDICARE.