Summary
Several health insurers plan to reduce their Medicare Advantage options next year due to the federal government lowering reimbursement rates. This change may limit health coverage options for many seniors who rely on these private Medicare plans.
Key Facts
- Medicare Advantage is a privatized version of Medicare run by health insurers.
- The federal government will lower payments for Medicare Advantage to save money.
- Nearly 70 million Americans rely on Medicare, with about half using Medicare Advantage.
- Insurers like Aetna, Humana, and UnitedHealth will reduce their plan availability in certain areas.
- Aetna plans to drop its prescription drug plans in 100 counties by 2026.
- Humana will reduce its coverage to 85 percent of counties, down from 89 percent.
- UnitedHealth will end its plans in 109 counties, impacting about 180,000 people.
- Insurers cite the combination of funding cuts and rising healthcare costs as factors in these changes.
