Blue Cross Texas, Presbyterian and HMSA end Medicare Advantage plans: what agents do now

Three more insurers have confirmed on their own websites that they are ending Medicare Advantage plans on Dec. 31. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is ending every Blue-branded Medicare Advantage, dual-eligible and standalone drug plan in the state. In New Mexico, Presbyterian is closing its Senior Care plans, and Blue Cross New Mexico is cutting its standard plan to four counties. In Hawaii, HMSA is closing its two richest plans.

Every client in these plans needs a new election by Dec. 7 to avoid a gap on Jan. 1. That includes clients who want to stay with the same insurer. Members who do nothing are returned to Original Medicare, without Part D drug coverage.

Texas: the Blue brand leaves Medicare

Blue Cross Texas says that effective Jan. 1, 2027 it will no longer offer Blue Cross Medicare Advantage, Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Dual Care Plus (HMO SNP) or Blue Cross MedicareRx (PDP) plans. Its parent, Health Care Service Corp., keeps a smaller Texas footprint through its HealthSpring brand: 47 counties, down from 229.

Non-renewal letters are going out this month. These clients have a guaranteed-issue right to buy certain Medigap plans from the date of the notice through 63 days after coverage ends, which is March 4, 2027 for a Dec. 31 end date.

New Mexico: two exits at once

Presbyterian Health Plan will no longer offer its Senior Care HMO and HMO-POS plans, including its employer group and retiree plans. Only its Dual Plus special needs plan continues, for members who are also in Presbyterian Turquoise Care Medicaid. About 30,000 people are affected, the Albuquerque Journal reported. For 2027, Presbyterian Medical Group is in network with Original Medicare and with Devoted Health, its only in-network individual Medicare Advantage plan.

Blue Cross New Mexico’s 2027 county list offers its standard plan only in Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance and Valencia counties. Its dual-eligible plans stay in all 33 counties. It is also ending its Blue Cross MedicareRx drug plans. In Bernalillo County, Devoted, HealthSpring, Humana, Molina and UnitedHealthcare still offer Medicare Advantage plans.

Hawaii: same names, higher premiums

HMSA is ending its Akamai Advantage Complete Plus and Standard Plus PPO plans, which cover about 16,000 members, The Garden Island reported. New plans with the same names replace them at $240 a month, up from about $150 to $160. HMSA is adding a $45 Select Plus HMO on Oahu, and its Complete PPO rises to $55 from $20. Members must actively enroll in a new plan to keep HMSA coverage.

What it means for your pay

Moving a client from a plan that is ending into another Medicare Advantage plan usually pays the renewal rate, not the initial rate, unless the move is the client’s first Medicare Advantage enrollment. Confirm the rate with the receiving carrier or your upline before you submit the application. A guaranteed-issue Medigap plan paired with a Part D plan pays under each carrier’s own commission schedule.