“Why fewer seniors are expected to enroll in Medicare Advantage next year – and opt for original Medicare instead,” by Jessica Hall, Morningstar
“Medicare Advantage may be less attractive for seniors next year – and its market share could suffer. Medicare Advantage may drop to 48% of the market in 2026. … Enrollment in Medicare Advantage is projected to be 34 million subscribers in 2026, a decrease from 34.9 million in 2025, according to plan forecasts provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. That marks a drop from 50% of the overall Medicare market in 2025 to about 48% in 2026, CMS said. … The insurers behind the Medicare Advantage market have been exiting certain unprofitable markets or discontinuing plans amid higher-than-expected medical expenses among subscribers and changes in government payments that have squeezed margins.”
LTC Comment, Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform:
As so often happens, government offers a sweet deal, the private sector dives in with both feet, consumers win at first, then government pulls the plug, companies try to manage for a time, but eventually give up, leaving consumers in the lurch. Round and round we go.