Important Notice: Changes to your Medicare Advantage Coverage for 2027
Key Dates at a Glance
| October 15 – December 7, 2026 | December 31, 2026 | March 4, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare Open Enrollment – choose a new plan | Last day of coverage | Medigap purchase deadline |
A Message to Our Medicare Advantage Members
CHRISTUS Health Plan has made the decision to end our Medicare Advantage plans. Your current coverage, with either our Guardian (HMO) Medicare Advantage-only plan or our Plus (HMO) or Complete (HMO) plans, will end on December 31, 2026.
CHRISTUS Health is not going away. Although your CHRISTUS Health Plan Medicare Advantage coverage is ending, CHRISTUS hospitals, physicians, clinics, and healthcare services will continue to be available for your healthcare needs.
We are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible for you. This page gives you everything you need to know, from what is changing, where to find new options, and how we can help. Please make use of these resources to find a new Medicare plan that fits your needs to ensure you have coverage that works for you starting January 1, 2027.
What This Means for You
| What Is Changing | What Is NOT Changing |
|---|---|
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What To Do Next
You have options. Here are the steps we recommend to make sure you have health coverage starting January 1, 2027.
Review Your Options During Open Enrollment
Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7, 2026. During this window, you can compare Medicare plans and choose a new plan. Any plan you pick during Open Enrollment will start on January 1, 2027 so your coverage will be seamless.
Compare Plans Using Free Resources
Comparing plans can feel overwhelming. See the “Find a New Plan” section below for free tools and local counselors who can help you find the best option at no cost to you. Join another Medicare Advantage plan in your area, or return to Original Medicare, with optional Part D or a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy.
If Choosing Original Medicare, Act on Your Medigap Rights by March 4, 2027
If you plan to return to Original Medicare, you have a special guaranteed right to buy a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy. This right expires 63 days after your coverage ends, which means you must purchase a Medigap policy by March 4, 2027. Learn about your Medigap rights or visit Medicare.gov to learn more about Medigap.
Enroll in a New Plan by December 7, 2026
To make sure you have coverage on January 1, 2027, enroll in your new plan by December 7, 2026. If you have not enrolled by that date, you still qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) because your plan is ending. A SHIP counselor or licensed agent can help you understand your options.
Use Your Reward Dollars Before March 31, 2027
If you have earned reward dollars for health activities through our Rewards & Incentives Program, you have until March 31, 2027 to spend them. Rewards can no longer be earned after December 31, 2026, but the rewards can still be used. Log in to your Member Portal for more information.
Save Information from Your Portal
You will still have access to your Member Portal, including your claims history, Explanations of Benefits, and other documents, through March 31, 2028. We recommend downloading and saving any records you may need before that date.
What Happens If You Don’t Choose a New Plan by December 31, 2026
Medicare Plus (HMO) & Medicare Complete (HMO) Members: If you do not enroll in a new Medicare Advantage plan before December 31, 2026, you will lose your prescription drug coverage and will only be covered by Original Medicare beginning January 1, 2027.
Medicare Guardian (HMO) Members: If you do not enroll in a new Medicare Advantage plan before December 31, 2026, you will only be covered by Original Medicare beginning January 1 2027.
You still have time
If you choose to enroll in another Medicare Advantage plan, you may opt to enroll during a Special Enrollment Period that runs from December 8, 2026 through February 28, 2027. Important: If you join a new plan after December 31, 2026, your new coverage will not begin until the first day of he month after you enroll.
If you do not enroll in a plan with prescription drug coverage, such as a Part D Plan (PDP) or a Medicare Advantage Plan with Part D (MA-PD), by February 28, 2027, you may have to pay a lifetime Part D late enrollment penalty if you join a Medicare drug plan later.
Find a New Plan
There are Medicare plans available in your area. The free resources below can help you compare your options and find a plan that fits your doctors, your prescriptions, and your budget.
- Medicare Plan Finder – Visit Medicare.gov to compare Medicare Advantage and drug plans available in your ZIP code. Click the “Find Plans Now” tab.
- 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)– A Medicare representative can help you understand your options and help choose a new plan. Toll-free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) – Counselors are available to answer your questions, discuss your needs, and give you information about your options and Medigap policies. All counseling is free.
- Texas: Call 1-800-252-9240 (TTY 711) or visit hhs.texas.gov
- New Mexico: Call 1-800-432-2080 (TTY 711) or visit www.aging.nm.gov/consumer-and-elder-rights/medicare/
What Stays Available Online
Even after your coverage ends, you will still have access to your health records and the information you need. Here is the timeline of what changes to expect online.
| Resource | Available Until | |
|---|---|---|
| Rewards & Incentives Portal | March 31, 2027 | Rewards portal access and dollar redemption available through March 31, 2027. |
| Plan Documents & Member Resources | December 31, 2027 | Most website content and plan documents will remain available through the end of 2027. A detailed content schedule is available – contact Member Services for more information. |
| Member Portal | March 31, 2028 | Log in to access past claims, EOBs and documents. We recommend downloading important records before this date. |
| Member Services Phone Support | Will Remain Available | Our team will remain available to assist you. Call 1-844-282-3026, TTY 711 (Seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., local time) |
Frequently Asked Questions
If you take no action before your Medicare Advantage plan ends on December 31, 2026, you will automatically revert to Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) on January 1, 2027.
Yes. With your Medicare Advantage plan ending coverage, you automatically qualify for a federal Guaranteed Issue (GI) right to purchase a Medigap policy.
You can apply for Medigap as early as 60 days before your current Medicare Advantage coverage officially ends. Applying early ensures you avoid any gap in medical coverage. You must apply no later than 63 days after your Medicare Advantage coverage ends, which for our members will be March 4, 2027.
If you enroll in a new Medicare Advantage plan, you cannot also use Medigap.
Medigap policies do not cover prescription drugs, nor does Original Medicare. Members must enroll in a standalone Medicare Part D plan to maintain drug coverage and avoid late-enrollment penalties. If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan with Part D, you'll contact your new network pharmacy to move your active prescriptions, if necessary.
You are welcome to do so. When your current Medicare Advantage plan is discontinued, you receive a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that allows you to join another Medicare Advantage plan in your area. Choosing a new Medicare Advantage plan means you are not using your Medigap rights.
If you enroll in a new Medicare Advantage plan between October 15 (start of Open Enrollment) and December 31, your new plan will be effective January 1 with no gap in coverage.
If you enroll in a new Medicare Advantage plan between January 1 and February 28 (the end of your SEP), your new effective date will be the first of the month following your application date.
If you switch to Medigap or Original Medicare - In most cases, yes. Call your doctor's office before your appointment to confirm they accept Original Medicare and give them your new Medicare card and Medigap policy details.
If you switch to a new Medicare Advantage plan – Only if your doctors are in the new plan's provider network. Each Medicare Advantage plan sets its own network of participating doctors and hospitals. To avoid higher costs, or lack
Original Medicare and Medigap do not include routine ancillary benefits, like dental or vision, requiring separate standalone policies or out-of-pocket payment.
Other Medicare Advantage plans may have a variety of different supplemental benefits included. Reach out to any Medicare Advantage plans before enrolling to make sure they can fit your needs.
We’re Here to Help
We know you may have more questions, and we want you to feel supported every step of the way. Our Member Services team is ready to help you understand your options and make the transition as smooth as possible.
1-844-282-3026 (TTY 711)
Seven days a week, 8 am – 8 pm, local time