Additional Coverage:
- Major Medicare Advantage reductions are coming in 2026 — see if your county is on the list (marketrealist.com)
Major Cuts to Medicare Advantage Plans Loom for 2026, Impacting Millions
[City, State] – Millions of senior Americans could face a significant reduction in their Medicare Advantage (MA) benefits and a narrower selection of plans starting in 2026, even as they may be asked to pay higher premiums. This shift is a direct result of major insurers scaling back their offerings across the country.
According to recent reports, industry giants such as UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and Aetna (CVS Health) are set to discontinue Medicare Advantage plans in hundreds of counties nationwide. This widespread withdrawal means that individuals currently enrolled in MA plans, or those considering them, will need to pay close attention during the upcoming open enrollment season, as the impact will vary significantly from county to county.
An analysis of nearly 2,000 U.S. counties indicates that less densely populated rural and suburban areas will bear the brunt of these cutbacks. States like Minnesota and New Hampshire are particularly hard hit, with many counties facing the loss of up to 22 plans.
For instance, in Minnesota, St. Louis, Norman, Crow Wing, Otter Tail, Pennington, and Wadena counties are each slated to lose 22 plans.
New Hampshire faces a similar scenario, with Grafton County losing 22 plans, Sullivan County losing 23, and Carroll County losing 21. Brian Cronin, a licensed Medicare broker and owner of The Cronin Agency in New Hampshire, noted the stark reality for residents, stating, “there’s just not a lot of choice.” While beneficiaries will still be able to secure a plan, Cronin warns that these new options may not offer the same comprehensive benefits as their current plans.
However, the picture isn’t entirely bleak. The analysis also revealed that 798 counties are expected to gain at least one new plan.
The counties seeing the most additions are primarily in states with large populations, including Texas, Alabama, West Virginia, Oklahoma, and Florida. Cronin explained, “Medicare Advantage plans do better in environments like Florida with tons of population.”
UnitedHealthcare (UHC), the nation’s largest MA provider, is reportedly exiting 109 U.S. counties, affecting approximately 180,000 beneficiaries. Humana, the second-largest provider, is also reducing its national presence from 89% to 85% of counties. Additionally, CVS Health’s Aetna insurance business plans to cut its prescription drug plans in 100 U.S. counties next year.
For those enrolled in an MA Advantage plan through an insurer that is reducing its offerings, it is crucial to review their Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) to determine if their plan is being eliminated. Resources are available to assist citizens in finding new plans, including the Medicare.gov website. Beneficiaries can also contact their local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) office for guidance on Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans, and Medigap insurance.