The Takeaway
- UnitedHealth will discontinue over 100 Medicare Advantage plans across 109 counties starting in January 2026.
- About 600,000 seniors will lose their current coverage and need to switch plans.
- Dropped regions include both urban and rural areas, often with few local alternatives.
- Non-renewal notices are being mailed this month, just before open enrollment (Oct. 15–Dec. 7).
- Consumer advocates urge seniors to compare plans early to prevent gaps in coverage.
If you’re one of the millions enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, your mailbox might soon bring bad news. UnitedHealth, the nation’s largest private insurer, confirmed it will drop more than 100 Medicare Advantage plans for 2026—a decision expected to affect roughly 600,000 seniors nationwide, according to The Sun.
The change comes as insurers face tighter federal audits and reimbursement cuts that are reshaping the once-booming Medicare Advantage market. For many older Americans, that means scrambling to find a new plan—or risk losing doctors and drug coverage when the new year begins.
What’s Happening
UnitedHealth’s pullback hits 109 counties across states including Texas, Florida, Ohio, Arizona, and Pennsylvania. The company says it’s “streamlining offerings” and leaving markets where plans have become “unsustainable.”
Translated: rising medical costs, lower government payments, and tougher oversight from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have squeezed profits.
“This is the first large-scale pullback we’ve seen since Medicare Advantage exploded in popularity,” said Tricia Neuman, senior vice president at KFF. “It signals a correction in a market that’s gotten both competitive and costly.”
What It Means for Seniors
Seniors whose plans are being discontinued will receive official non-renewal notices from UnitedHealth throughout October 2025. Those letters explain when coverage ends (Dec. 31, 2025) and list possible replacement options.
If beneficiaries do nothing, they’ll be automatically returned to Original Medicare—but without a Medigap supplement, that could mean higher out-of-pocket bills for hospital or specialist care.
The most affected will likely be those who:
- Depend on specific doctor networks tied to UnitedHealth.
- Use $0-premium or low-premium plans that will disappear.
- Rely on bundled extras such as dental, hearing, or vision benefits.
The Bigger Picture
Medicare Advantage now covers about half of all Medicare enrollees—over 33 million people. But its rapid growth has triggered concerns about billing practices, denied claims, and rising federal costs.
CMS has launched new audits and reduced certain bonus payments to insurers. UnitedHealth’s retreat may be the first of several industry consolidations as companies adapt.
Other major players—including Humana and CVS/Aetna—are already signaling they’ll trim or merge plan options for 2026, setting the stage for a turbulent enrollment season.
What You Should Do
- Check your mail. Look for a UnitedHealth non-renewal notice by Oct. 31, 2025.
- Review alternatives early. Open enrollment runs Oct. 15 – Dec. 7. Use Medicare.gov’s Plan Finder.
- Confirm your doctors. Verify that preferred providers are in-network before switching.
- Compare prescription coverage. Formularies differ widely between plans.
- Consider Medigap. If returning to Original Medicare, explore supplemental policies to limit costs.
“The worst thing you can do is assume you’ll be auto-switched to something equivalent,” said David Lipschutz, associate director of the Center for Medicare Advocacy. “Do your homework now so you’re not left without the care you rely on.”
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, insurance, or financial advice. Always consult your doctor, licensed insurance agent, or financial advisor before making decisions about your health coverage or benefits. Information reflects federal policies and market conditions as of October 2025 and may change.
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