Medicare open enrollment begins: What are the deadlines to choose a new plan?

(FOX 9) - Medicare open enrollment begins on Wednesday, meaning Medicare Advantage members who are losing their plans next year can now start choosing new plans.

Insurers dropping Medicare Advantage

The backstory:

Several major insurers announced in recent weeks plans to scale back Medicare Advantage coverage in Minnesota and beyond.

UCare announced in September it would drop Medicare Advantage coverage entirely. UnitedHealthcare said it would reduce coverage from 72 counties in Minnesota to 27 counties. HealthPartners and Aetna also announced changes for Medicare customers. The changes are expected to impact 150,000 people.

People who lose Medicare Advantage will still retain standard Medicare coverage, but will lose the benefits that come with Medicare Advantage.

The companies