Your deadlines
| Date | What it means |
|---|---|
| December 7, 2026 | Open enrollment ends. You can choose any plan sold in your county. |
| December 31, 2026 | Last day to choose for coverage starting January 1, 2027, with no gap. Your old plan ends this day. |
| February 28, 2027 | Your special enrollment period ends. Coverage starts the first of the month after you choose. |
| 63 days after your plan ends | Last day to apply for Medigap with guaranteed-issue rights. |
What to do now
- Keep your non-renewal letter. Medigap companies may ask for it as proof of your guaranteed-issue right.
- List your doctors, hospital, pharmacy and drugs. Bring the list when you compare.
- Decide which path you want. Another Medicare Advantage plan in your county, or Original Medicare with a standalone Part D plan and, if you choose, a Medigap policy. Every Ohio county still has Medicare Advantage plans in 2027.
- Compare and enroll. See plans for your ZIP code, use Medicare's Plan Finder, or request a call from a licensed insurance agent.
- Watch for your new ID card. Use your old card through December 31 and the new one from January 1.
Why the Medigap right matters more in Ohio
Ohio has no Medigap birthday rule, so outside your first 6 months with Part B at 65, a Medigap company can usually ask health questions and turn you down. A plan ending is one of the few times that changes. Because your plan is leaving, you can buy Medigap Plan A, B, D, G, K or L (or C or F if you were eligible for Medicare before 2020) from any company selling it in Ohio, with no health questions and no pre-existing condition waiting period. Apply as early as 60 days before your plan ends and no later than 63 days after (OAC 3901-8-08(O)).
Questions or complaints about a Medigap company go to Ohio Department of Insurance Consumer Services at 1-800-686-1526. More on Medigap in Ohio.
If you have Medicaid or retiree coverage
- Ohio Medicaid: with full Medicaid, you can change plans once a month; call the Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline at 1-800-324-8680. See MyCare Ohio.
- Retiree group plans: if your plan comes through a former employer or a retirement system, ask them what replaces it before you join an individual plan.
See which plans end, by county, on Ohio plans ending in 2027.
Related questions
Which companies are leaving Ohio?
Where to find the CMS-based list.
Do I get guaranteed Medigap?
How the 63-day right works.
Can I switch to Original Medicare?
When and how.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Special Enrollment Periods (plan contract not renewed: December 8 to the last day of February)
- Medicare.gov — When can I buy a Medigap policy? (60 days before to 63 days after)
- eCFR — 42 CFR 422.62(b)(1), special election period when a plan is discontinued
- Ohio Administrative Code 3901-8-08, Medicare supplement (guaranteed issue for eligible persons)
- Medicare.gov — Avoid late enrollment penalties
More questions in this guide
- Can I change my Medicare plan after open enrollment ends?
- Can I switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare in Ohio?
- Do I get a guaranteed right to buy Medigap if my plan leaves Ohio?
- What is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?
- What is the Medicare Annual Notice of Change?
- When is Medicare open enrollment in Ohio?
- Which Medicare companies are leaving Ohio in 2027?
Part of the guide: Medicare Open Enrollment in Ohio (2027 Plans) · All questions
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I do nothing?
On January 1, 2027 you go back to Original Medicare automatically, but without Part D drug coverage. You can still join a plan through February 28, 2027, with coverage starting the first of the month after you enroll.
Will I pay a Part D late penalty if I have a gap?
A late enrollment penalty can apply if you go 63 days or more in a row without creditable drug coverage. Choosing by December 31 avoids any gap.
Can my doctor still see me in January?
If you choose Original Medicare, any doctor who accepts Medicare can see you. If you choose a new Medicare Advantage plan, check that your doctors and hospital are in its 2027 network before you enroll.
Medicare in your Ohio county
Plans, local agents and help, county by county: Franklin · Cuyahoga · Hamilton · Summit · Montgomery · Lucas · Butler · Stark · Lorain · Warren · Delaware · Lake · Mahoning · Clermont · Trumbull · Licking · Medina · Greene · Fairfield · Portage · All 88 counties →
