What to Know About Medicare Advantage for 2026

A grounded introduction to Medicare, key changes, and what you must act on before Open Enrollment

The U.S. health-insurance market is shifting quickly. In 2026, leading carriers — UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and Aetna — are contracting or cutting back their Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, even as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implements significant payment and policy updates.

This article explains Medicare basics, outlines 2026 plan changes, and highlights critical Open Enrollment dates for 2025–2026.

Medicare and Medicare Advantage explained

Medicare remains the foundation of health coverage for most Americans age 65 and older, along with certain younger individuals with disabilities.

• Original Medicare includes Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance).

• Prescription coverage requires a standalone Part D plan.

• Medicare Advantage (Part C), offered by private insurers, bundles A, B, and often Part D, while sometimes adding vision, hearing, dental, and wellness benefits.

For a detailed overview, see the official Medicare.gov guide to plan options.

Enrollment in Medicare Advantage has surged over the last decade. Yet growth slowed in 2025, with membership increasing just 3.1%, down from double-digit gains in prior years, according to Stat News reporting on Medicare Advantage enrollment.

CMS 2026 policy updates

In April 2025, CMS finalized the 2026 Medicare Advantage and Part D Rate Announcement. The full policy details are available on CMS’s official 2026 policy update page.

Highlights include:

• Average Medicare Advantage premiums projected to drop from $16.40 in 2025 to $14.00 in 2026, according to Newsweek’s Medicare premium forecast.

• Higher Medicare Part B premiums and deductibles, offsetting some savings (see Investopedia’s breakdown of 2026 Medicare costs).

• New requirements for dual-eligible special needs plans (D-SNPs), including standardized ID cards and integrated care assessments, as outlined by Health Management Associates analysis of CMS rules.

How insurers are responding

The three biggest insurers are reshaping their plan portfolios:

• UnitedHealthcare will exit 109 counties nationwide, affecting about 180,000 enrollees, per Reuters reporting on UnitedHealthcare Medicare exits.

• Aetna plans to terminate nearly 90 Medicare Advantage PPOs across 34 states, according to Modern Healthcare’s coverage of Aetna plan cuts.

• Humana is streamlining plan benefits but also lowering premiums for several prescription drug plans, as reported by Reuters on Humana’s 2026 adjustments.

Analysts suggest these moves reflect rising medical costs and shrinking margins, forcing insurers to retrench into more profitable areas. (Tom Cismy Agent blog commentary on 2026 Medicare trends).

Key enrollment dates for 2026 coverage

The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs from October 15 to December 7, 2025. During this window, beneficiaries may:

• Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage

• Change Medicare Advantage plans

• Join, drop, or switch a Part D plan

• Return to Original Medicare

Plans selected during AEP begin January 1, 2026, as noted in the Health Compiler guide to Medicare Open Enrollment 2026.

For comparison shopping, use the Medicare Plan Finder tool on Medicare.gov.

Example case: A member’s decision

Mary, a 72-year-old living in a mid-sized county, learns her UnitedHealthcare plan is ending in 2026. If she takes no action, she defaults to Original Medicare, losing drug coverage.

Instead, she uses the Medicare Plan Finder during AEP to select a Humana plan that retains her cardiologist and provides bundled drug coverage. Her proactive enrollment ensures no gap in coverage on January 1, 2026.

Takeaway

The 2026 Medicare Advantage cycle marks one of the biggest shifts in years. With major plan exits, CMS rule changes, and shifting benefits, beneficiaries must carefully review their options this fall. Open Enrollment 2025 is not optional window dressing — it’s the only chance to safeguard your coverage.

Medical Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical or mental health condition. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional or licensed mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read here.