More than 36,000 residents of Maine are set to lose their Medicare Advantage plans in January due to insurers withdrawing from specific areas of the state or discontinuing certain plans entirely. This situation, confirmed by the Maine Bureau of Insurance, has prompted a call for affected individuals to remain vigilant regarding their coverage options.
Insurance companies are expected to notify individuals about changes to their plans. Those receiving termination notices are encouraged to keep them as a record. The bureau advised that anyone whose plan is expiring should take action to enroll in new Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plans during the upcoming open enrollment period, which runs from October 15 to December 7. This is crucial to ensure that there is no gap in coverage.
According to Joanne Rawlings, director of the bureau’s consumer health care division, at least 36,875 Mainers will be affected by these cuts. This number accounts for approximately one in every six Medicare Advantage members statewide. Data from the Kaiser Family Foundation indicates that around 212,000 residents were enrolled in these plans for the year 2024.
The majority of terminations are attributed to Martin’s Point Health Care, which will discontinue plans, including Generations Advantage Prime, Generations Advantage Value Plus, and Generations Advantage Select, impacting over 28,000 members. As of the latest reports, a spokesperson from Martin’s Point has not provided an explanation for the decision to terminate these plans.
For those impacted by the changes, the Bureau of Insurance has made it clear that a variety of Medicare Advantage plans will continue to be available. A detailed list of these plans, organized by county, can be accessed on the bureau’s official website.
Additionally, affected individuals may consider enrolling in Medicare Supplement plans, also known as Medigap, which can assist in covering out-of-pocket expenses not covered by original Medicare.
Residents with inquiries are encouraged to contact the State Health Insurance Program at 1-877-353-3771 during weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or reach out to the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services at 1-877-486-2048, available 24/7.
