Rising medical costs and tighter federal scrutiny are prompting the biggest Medicare Advantage names to dial back benefits and discontinue some plans. UnitedHealth Group said it is shutting down plans that currently include about 390,000 members. Humana plans to reduce offerings that cover around 600,000 people.
After reviewing newly posted government data, Wall Street analysts say CVS Health's Aetna and Centene are cutting back options too. CVS declined to say how many members are in the plans it is closing, and Centene was not immediately available to comment. UnitedHealth, the top seller in Medicare Advantage, recorded its first earnings shortfall in over ten years last year after members used far more care than expected.
All told, at least one million seniors will have to move to different coverage next year. Some whose plans shut down will likely be assigned to other options automatically. In 2026, about 3 million people were enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans that closed.
Today, about half of eligible seniors are in Medicare Advantage. It used to be a steady profit engine, but slimmer economics have pushed insurers to scale back in less profitable markets and trim extras. As Raymond James analysts put it this week, "Most carriers are continuing to prioritize margin over growth."
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Expect fewer add-ons and some higher member costs. Piper Sandler analysts say premiums are generally rising for standard Medicare Advantage plans. Premiums are generally decreasing for special needs plans, which serve roughly one quarter of enrollees and encompass people with both Medicare and Medicaid, individuals with specific chronic conditions, or those receiving institutional care.
Analysts also report insurers are broadly increasing out-of-pocket maximums. The government's read is a bit different on price: according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the weighted-average Medicare Advantage premium is set to fall.
Sales for 2027 Medicare Advantage plans begin Oct. 15, and insurers can start advertising on Thursday. Investors will be watching the quality ratings known as Stars, typically posted in October, because they influence how much money plans receive from Medicare. For your wallet, the headline is simple: benefits are being trimmed, some premiums are higher, and out-of-pocket caps are climbing, so the coverage-cost tradeoff may not look like it did last year. Even if you are automatically moved to a new plan, a quick check of the details could keep surprises off your bills.
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