Many Montezuma County residents received a letter from United Healthcare informing them that their Rocky Mountain Medicare Advantage plan will end Dec. 31, 2025.
If you received this letter, do not ignore it. If you fail to act before Dec. 31, you will lose your prescription drug coverage and will only be covered by original Medicare beginning Jan. 1, 2026. You will have no drug coverage, will be responsible for Medicare Part B expenses, including all deductibles, and may have to pay a lifetime penalty for a lapse in drug coverage.
Cancellation of this plan by the insurance company gives you two options: 1) You can choose another Medicare Advantage plan – be sure drug coverage is included; or 2) You can opt to participate in original Medicare and are again eligible to purchase a Medigap policy without having to go through underwriting. This means you are eligible for coverage regardless of any preexisting condition.
Sorting out the details of a new health care plan is time consuming and often frustrating, but United Healthcare’s decision to leave Montezuma County may be a good thing as you now have additional options.
The letter you received provides several resources. Linda Looman is the local State Health Insurance Assistance Program Medicare Coordinator and can be reached at (970) 403-6759. We also suggest you contact a local insurance agent – Katrina Weiss or Sam Jarvis – rather than a company advertised on TV. Their job is to sell you their company’s policy and do not have your best interests at heart.
Karen Sheek, Chair, Montezuma County League of Women Voters
Karla Demby, M.D.
Cortez
