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California Medicare Advantage plan exits (2026 AEP): what to do before January 2027

Medicare Advantage plans exiting California counties for 2027: what a plan exit means, which counties are affected and what to do before Dec 7.

(updated ) · Khoi Le · Doodle · 2026 plan year

The short answer

If your Medicare Advantage plan is exiting your county for 2026, that coverage generally ends on December 31, 2026 unless you enroll in other coverage during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP). Some exits have no automatic crosswalk - Medicare does not move you into a new plan for you. You (or a licensed agent you choose) need to pick and enroll in coverage that works for your county, doctors, and prescriptions.

AEP (for January 1, 2027 coverage): October 15, 2026 - December 7, 2026.

This guide is educational. It does not recommend a specific plan.

What a plan exit means

A plan exit (sometimes called non-renewal in a service area) means the plan will not be offered in your county for the next plan year (2027). Your current plan card and network rules apply through the end of the current year. Starting January 1 of the next year, that plan is no longer your coverage in that county.

You still have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) if you keep them. What you lose is that Medicare Advantage plan’s package of benefits and network for that county - unless you enroll in something else.

“No automatic crosswalk” in plain English

A crosswalk is when Medicare or the plan automatically places you into a replacement plan for the next year. No automatic crosswalk means that does not happen for this exit. If you take no action, you typically return to Original Medicare on January 1 (and you may not have Part D drug coverage unless you enroll in a drug plan or an Advantage plan that includes drugs).

That is why AEP timing matters for people in affected counties.

What to do during AEP

Use this checklist before December 7:

  1. Confirm the exit - Check plan mail, your plan’s member materials, or Medicare.gov for your county and plan year.
  2. List what you need - Doctors and specialists you want to keep, pharmacies, and prescription drugs (name, dose, frequency).
  3. Compare options available in your county - Medicare Advantage, Medigap (if eligible), and Part D drug plans. Availability and networks vary by county.
  4. Check doctors and drugs - In-network status and formulary coverage can differ by plan and county.
  5. Enroll during AEP - October 15 - December 7, 2026 for coverage that starts January 1, 2027.

If your plan is ending (not just changing), you also have a Special Enrollment Period from December 8, 2026 to February 28, 2027. A choice made in January or February starts the first of the following month, so choosing by December 31 keeps a January 1 start.

  1. Keep confirmation - Save enrollment confirmation and new member materials.

If you miss AEP, other enrollment periods may apply in limited situations (for example, certain loss-of-coverage rules). A licensed agent or SHIP counselor can help you check.

Prefer to talk it through? Call a licensed Doodle agent.

California counties called out for 2026 exits (this series)

These educational county pages explain what a plan exit means locally. They do not recommend a replacement product.

Alignment Health Honor+ (052) exits - no automatic crosswalk

Honor+ (052) is leaving these counties for 2027. There is no automatic crosswalk.

Honor+ is Alignment Health Honor+ Plan (CMS H3815-052).

Alignment Health My Choice Sutter PPO (003) exits - San Mateo and Sonoma

My Choice Sutter PPO (003) is leaving San Mateo County and Sonoma County for 2027. There is no automatic crosswalk.

My Choice Sutter PPO is an Alignment Health Plan product (CMS H4961-003); Sutter is the network partnership.

The ONE exit - Santa Clara (automatic crosswalk)

The ONE leaving Santa Clara County for 2027

Central Health Medicare Plan - leaving Medicare after 2026 (no automatic crosswalk)

Central Health Medicare Plan says all of its Medicare coverage ends December 31, 2026. Members are not moved into a new plan automatically. Central Health plans are ending in 23 California counties. Find your county on the page.

Providence Medicare Sycamore + Rx - Orange County (no automatic crosswalk)

Providence says its Medicare Advantage plans won’t be offered in 2027. In California, that affects Providence Medicare Sycamore + Rx (HMO) in Orange County.

Soft next step

If you want help sorting options for your county, doctors, and drugs, you can start a conversation with Doodle. We are a licensed Medicare brokerage. We do not offer every plan available in your area.

Common questions

Do I lose Medicare if my Advantage plan exits?

No. Original Medicare (Part A and/or Part B) continues if you keep it. You may lose that Advantage plan’s extra benefits and network unless you enroll in other coverage.

What if I do nothing?

With no automatic crosswalk, doing nothing usually means that Advantage plan ends December 31 and you are on Original Medicare as of January 1. Review Part D drug coverage separately if you need it.

Can I keep the same doctors?

Only if they accept the coverage you move to (and are in-network for an Advantage plan, if you choose one). Always verify with the doctor’s office and the plan for your county.

Is this page telling me which plan to buy?

No. These pages explain plan exits and AEP. Choosing a plan depends on your county, doctors, drugs, and costs. Talk with a licensed agent you choose, use Medicare.gov, or contact your SHIP program for personalized help.

About this page

Written for Doodle by Khoi Le. Educational overview for the 2026 Annual Enrollment Period (coverage year 2027).

This page is educational. It is not advice, a quote, or an invitation to enroll in a specific plan.

Sources