Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico is ending most Medicare Advantage plans in 2027

What BCBS of NM is doing

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico (BCBS of NM) is ending most of its Medicare Advantage plans. For 2027 it keeps one Medicare Advantage plan, only in Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance and Valencia counties, plus its Dual Plus special needs plan for people who have both Medicare and Medicaid. If you live in one of those four counties, read the letter BCBS of NM sent you to see whether your plan continues or changes.

Your deadlines

• Now through February 28, 2027: because your plan is ending, you can choose new coverage until the end of February. Through December 7 you use the Annual Enrollment Period; from December 8 you use a Special Enrollment Period for people whose plan is ending.
• By December 31, 2026 for no gap: choose by December 31 and your new plan starts January 1, 2027. Choose in January and it starts February 1; choose in February and it starts March 1. Until then you'd have Original Medicare without drug coverage.
• Up to March 4, 2027: you have a guaranteed right to buy certain Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policies with no health questions. Apply as early as 60 days before your plan ends and no later than 63 days after it ends on December 31.

If your BCBS of NM plan continues in 2027 in Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance or Valencia County, these special deadlines don't apply; the usual Annual Enrollment Period (October 15–December 7) and Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1–March 31) rules do.

What happens if you do nothing

You won't lose Medicare. If you don't join another plan, you'll have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) starting January 1, 2027. Original Medicare doesn't include drug coverage, so you'd also need a Part D plan, and it has no yearly limit on what you pay out of pocket unless you add a Medigap policy.

Five steps to take before December 31

1. Find your letter. Your plan sent an Annual Notice of Change or a non-renewal notice. Keep it handy.
2. List your doctors, hospitals and prescriptions, with the dose of each drug.
3. See what's offered in your county. Every New Mexico county still has Medicare Advantage plans in 2027, and you can also choose Original Medicare with a Medigap policy and a Part D plan.
4. Talk with a licensed insurance agent. An agent can check your doctors and drugs against each option at no cost to you. Call 505-MEDICARE (505-633-4227), TTY 711.
5. Enroll by December 31 so your new coverage starts January 1 with no gap. You have until February 28 if you need more time.

Where affected BCBS of NM members live

Other companies ending plans

• Presbyterian Health Plan: at least 29,728
• CHRISTUS Health Plan: at least 1,180
• SCAN Health Plan: at least 590
• All 2027 plan changes in New Mexico

I live in Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance or Valencia County. Is my BCBS of NM plan ending?

BCBS of NM keeps one Medicare Advantage plan in those four counties for 2027. Your plan may continue or change. Read your Annual Notice of Change or the non-renewal letter from BCBS of NM, and compare it with the other plans in your county. If your plan is ending, you have until February 28, 2027 to choose; if it continues, the usual Annual Enrollment (October 15 to December 7) and Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (January 1 to March 31) rules apply.

Will I lose my Medicare?

No. Only your Medicare Advantage plan is ending. If you don't choose a new plan, you'll have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) on January 1, 2027, but no drug coverage unless you join a Part D plan.

What is the deadline to choose a new plan?

Because your plan is ending, you have until February 28, 2027. Choose by December 31, 2026 and your new plan starts January 1 with no gap. If you choose in January, it starts February 1; in February, March 1.

Can I buy a Medigap policy without health questions?

Yes, for a limited time. When your Medicare Advantage plan leaves, you have a guaranteed right to buy certain Medigap policies if you switch to Original Medicare. Apply from 60 days before your plan ends until 63 days after it ends (by March 4, 2027).

Does it cost anything to talk with an agent?

No. Licensed insurance agents are paid by the insurance companies, not by you. You pay the same for a plan whether or not you use an agent.

Sources

Member counts are CMS's October 2026 enrollment in each carrier's regular (non-special-needs) Medicare Advantage plans, in counties where that carrier offers none in 2027. CMS hides counts of 10 or fewer, so the real numbers are a little higher.

• CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D Landscape files, 2026 and 2027
• CMS Monthly Enrollment by Contract, Plan, State and County, October 2026
• CMS Medicare Advantage Enrollment and Disenrollment Guidance, §30.4.3: SEP for non-renewals (requests December 8–31 start January 1)
• Santa Fe New Mexican / Searchlight New Mexico: New Mexico seniors face fewer Medicare choices as open enrollment begins (Oct. 2026)
• Albuquerque Journal: Thousands of New Mexicans to lose Medicare Advantage plans as open enrollment begins (Oct. 2026)