Millions of US Medicare Advantage Enrollees Forced to Switch Plans, Study Finds
February 18, 2026 – A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) has revealed that nearly three million Americans enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans—approximately 10% of all participants in the program—were compelled to change their health insurance coverage in 2026. The disruptions occurred amid a wave of market exits and reduced plan offerings from health insurers.
The Medicare Advantage program is a privately managed option within the broader Medicare system, offering benefits to more than 60 million Americans aged 65 and older, as well as people with disabilities. Roughly half of these individuals choose Medicare Advantage plans administered by major insurance companies, while the rest receive benefits through traditional, government-run Medicare.
According to the study, members residing in rural areas experienced plan cancellations at double the rate of those in urban locations. This disparity has raised significant concerns among experts about the potential loss of access to healthcare providers, specialty care services, and long-term treatment options for vulnerable populations.
Geographically, the impact was most severe in seven states where more than 40% of Medicare Advantage enrollees were left scrambling to find alternatives. Vermont was the hardest hit, with 92% of enrollees affected, followed by Idaho, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Maryland, and New Hampshire.
The study attributes the upheaval to health insurers’ responses to increasing costs and declining government reimbursements reported in 2025. As a result, many companies withdrew from certain markets or curtailed plan options in 2026. Smaller insurance carriers represented about half of those whose enrollees faced disruptions. Among the largest insurers, UnitedHealthcare, a division of UnitedHealth Group, accounted for nearly 14% of the disruptions. CVS Health’s Aetna and Elevance Health followed, responsible for approximately 8.65% and 8% of plan changes, respectively.
The research also noted that plans offering consumers greater choice in healthcare providers were disproportionately terminated. This development could further restrict beneficiary access to preferred physicians and specialist care.
Hannah James, a policy researcher at the RAND Corporation who penned an editorial accompanying the study, highlighted a critical flaw in the current Medicare Advantage payment model. She explained that government payments to insurers are pre-negotiated, incentivizing them to focus on attracting more profitable patients rather than aligning with the broad healthcare needs of beneficiaries.
“Policymakers should consider whether the current program design adequately aligns plan incentives with beneficiary needs,” James urged, emphasizing the importance of reevaluating the structure to safeguard patient access and continuity of care.
In 2025, UnitedHealthcare accounted for nearly one-third of all Medicare Advantage plans nationally, with Humana, CVS Health, and Elevance Health comprising 17%, 12%, and 7% of plans, respectively, according to analysis by the health policy organization Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF).
This study and accompanying commentary underline the challenges faced by millions of Medicare Advantage enrollees amid a shifting insurance landscape, especially in rural and underserved areas. The findings reignite debate over how best to ensure stable, affordable, and comprehensive health coverage for seniors and disabled Americans under the Medicare program.
Reporting by Amina Niasse in New York. Editing by Caroline Humer and Bill Berkrot.
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