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US Medicare Advantage enrollment and cost shifts

Updated 6 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-23 21:03 UTC → 2026-10-24 14:48 UTC · added removed

The U.S. Medicare landscape continues to face significant shifts in enrollment and financial stability. While Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment has grown to 35.1 million—representing roughly 54% of the eligible population—the industry is seeing a contraction in plan availability and a pivot in enrollment drivers. Recent data indicates that Special Needs Plans (SNPs) have become the primary driver of MA growth. A KFF analysis shows SNPs accounted for 85 percent of net Medicare Advantage enrollment growth between 2025 and 2026, up from 48 percent the previous year. By 2026, total SNP enrollment reached approximately 8.2 million people, or 23 percent of all MA enrollees. As the 2027 open enrollment period (October 15 to December 7, 2026) progresses, beneficiaries face rising costs. The prescription drug maximum out-of-pocket deductible is increasing from $625 in 2026 to $700 in 2027, while the maximum out-of-pocket limit is projected to rise to $2,400 from $2,100. Experts advise consumers to evaluate the total cost of care rather than focusing solely on low premiums. Individual reports also indicate sharp premium increases, such as a 25% jump in a Medigap Plan N premium in Florida. Coverage disruptions are intensifying as major providers retract plans. Humana Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Centene, and UnitedHealthcare have announced they are discontinuing specific plans that will affect approximately 1 million seniors. Humana expects to affect roughly 600,000 enrollees, while UnitedHealthcare confirmed it is closing various state Blue Cross plans for approximately 390,000 members, citing rising costs and increased plan usage. These exits, alongside those from Aetna, could affect have shuttered certain policies, with estimates suggesting between 4 2 million and 5 million people, particularly in seniors will be impacted. Notably, the number of U.S. counties with no Medicare Advantage plans offered at all has risen to 193, up from 120 last year, primarily affecting rural areas. regions. Additionally, Molina Healthcare is ending its traditional Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage after 2026 to shift focus toward dual-eligible members.

Versions

  1. 2026-10-24 14:48 UTC US Medicare Advantage enrollment and cost shifts
  2. 2026-10-23 21:03 UTC US Medicare Advantage enrollment and cost shifts
  3. 2026-10-20 09:23 UTC US Medicare Advantage enrollment and cost shifts
  4. 2026-10-19 22:02 UTC US Medicare Advantage enrollment and cost shifts
  5. 2026-10-16 01:35 UTC US Medicare Advantage enrollment and cost shifts
  6. 2026-10-14 15:27 UTC US Medicare Advantage enrollment and cost shifts
  7. 2026-10-12 22:13 UTC US Medicare Advantage enrollment and cost shifts

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