Susan Jaffe | November 5. 2012 | Kaiser Health News produced in collaboration with 

Medicare officials are trying a novel approach during this open enrollment season to gently nudge a half million beneficiaries out of 26 private drug and medical plans that have performed poorly in the past three years. It begins with letters informing seniors they are enrolled in a plan that received low ratings.

The effort marks the first time that Medicare officials have tried to steer beneficiaries away from some private drug and medical plans, while still allowing them to operate. Officials have also warned the plans that they might be canceled in the future. [More]    [List of the 26 plans and areas served available here].