Medicare Advantage plans are disappearing for next year, leaving seniors in many areas with fewer options

A slew of Medicare Advantage plans are disappearing for next year, leaving seniors in many areas with fewer options. In 193 counties across the country, there will be zero Medicare Advantage plans offered, according to an analysis by the health policy research organization KFF. While these counties were mostly rural, the number of plans available in some large metro areas-including Dallas, Minneapolis, Seattle, Houston, and Portland-has shrunk by 25 to 30 percent. Medicare Advantage plans are run by private insurance companies and cover services like vision and dental, which are not included in traditional Medicare. The companies can choose which markets they enter, and when a market proves unprofitable, they can exit. If a senior's Medicare Advantage plan is closing, they have several options. They can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or enroll in traditional Medicare with a supplemental plan. If they take no action, the insurance company or government will assign them to a plan. Seniors whose plans are closing have a special enrollment period until February 28 to make their decision. They can seek assistance from State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP), which provide free, unbiased information on Medicare options.