Changes to Medicare Advantage plans for 2026

[rsmurano]

I have never been a fan of advantage plans and the future makes them even more bleak. Not only hospitals not accepting Advantage plan clients, insurance companies are folding their advantage plans starting next year. If you currently have an advantage plan or are going to turn 65 in the near future, look at this video, some people might be without insurance or having an insurance plan that doesn't look like the current plan you have.

https://youtu.be/8Pq6H7UZBbU?si=0swL3qWatf2Pf6rV

[tophcfa]

I have never been a fan of advantage plans and the future makes them even more bleak. Not only hospitals not accepting Advantage plan clients, insurance companies are folding their advantage plans starting next year. If you currently have an advantage plan or are going to turn 65 in the near future, look at this video, some people might be without insurance or having an insurance plan that doesn't look like the current plan you have.

https://youtu.be/8Pq6H7UZBbU?si=0swL3qWatf2Pf6rV

Interesting, but not surprising. At least there’s some good news for those folks who have their current Advantage plan discounted, it will give them guaranteed issue rights to switch to a supplemental plan without medical underwriting.

[Aces4]

I have never been a fan of advantage plans and the future makes them even more bleak. Not only hospitals not accepting Advantage plan clients, insurance companies are folding their advantage plans starting next year. If you currently have an advantage plan or are going to turn 65 in the near future, look at this video, some people might be without insurance or having an insurance plan that doesn't look like the current plan you have.

https://youtu.be/8Pq6H7UZBbU?si=0swL3qWatf2Pf6rV

And to top it off, traditional Medicare is beginning to "test" dropping some coverages on certain procedures in certain states. You have to "qualify" or be approved for the procedures. Tip of the iceberg I'm sure and when you think about all the free medical care that has been handed out and senior citizens need to worry about coverage. What a rat's nest!

[Debfrommaine]

Interesting, but not surprising. At least there’s some good news for those folks who have their current Advantage plan discounted, it will give them guaranteed issue rights to switch to a supplemental plan without medical underwriting.
Do you know if this includes supplemental Plan N by chance?

[Kelevision]

I have never been a fan of advantage plans and the future makes them even more bleak. Not only hospitals not accepting Advantage plan clients, insurance companies are folding their advantage plans starting next year. If you currently have an advantage plan or are going to turn 65 in the near future, look at this video, some people might be without insurance or having an insurance plan that doesn't look like the current plan you have.

https://youtu.be/8Pq6H7UZBbU?si=0swL3qWatf2Pf6rV

5.1 rate increase vs 2.2 rate increase. Unfortunately, more people wanted the 5.1 increase. Enjoy it!

[rsmurano]

Do you know if this includes supplemental Plan N by chance?

No supplemental plans are affected, only advantage plans. He referenced plan N as an alternative to plan G which is the GOLD standard supplemental plan, according to my broker. You can’t get plan F any longer, and plan N has different coverages. You can’t get different coverages with a plan G also.

[tophcfa]

Do you know if this includes supplemental Plan N by chance?

According to the video, guaranteed issue rights might not apply to Plan N in some states, but Plan G would be available (or Plan F if you became eligible for Medicare before 1/1/2020).

[biker1]

I believe she was asking whether there will be guaranteed issue rights to a Medicare Supplemental Plan N if her Medicare Advantage plan is cancelled. This is addressed in the video (which I also found the other day) and the answer appears to be "no" or perhaps "it depends". Regarding Plan F, you can still get Plan F if you became eligible for Medicare before Jan 1, 2020. If you are on Medicare with a different lettered Supplemental plan, or are on a Medicare Advantage plan, then a switch to Plan F could require underwriting. Some insurance companies, such as AARP/UHC, allow changes among the lettered Supplemental plans without underwriting (again, with Plan F you would need to have been eligible for Medicare before Jan 1, 2020). Regardless, Plan F might be a bad deal because the difference between Plan F and Plan G is the $257 Part B deductible (included with Plan F) but the premium difference might be greater than the Part B deductible. The plans are otherwise identical. Plan N might be the most cost effective if you don't have many Dr visits each year, that might have a copay. The difference between Plan G and Plan N is the possibility of copays and excess charges (pretty rare). Otherwise, they are identical regarding coverage but Plan N will have a lower cost.

No supplemental plans are affected, only advantage plans. He referenced plan N as an alternative to plan G which is the GOLD standard supplemental plan, according to my broker. You can’t get plan F any longer, and plan N has different coverages. You can’t get different coverages with a plan G also.

[kingofbeer]

I have never been a fan of advantage plans and the future makes them even more bleak. Not only hospitals not accepting Advantage plan clients, insurance companies are folding their advantage plans starting next year. If you currently have an advantage plan or are going to turn 65 in the near future, look at this video, some people might be without insurance or having an insurance plan that doesn't look like the current plan you have.

https://youtu.be/8Pq6H7UZBbU?si=0swL3qWatf2Pf6rV
Why are you trying to scare us?

[Mrprez]

Why are you trying to scare us?

Wait until they see the rate increases on supplement plans. If they wanted to, they could watch the video on the 20 costs of these plans.

[islandtiempo]

No supplemental plans are affected, only advantage plans. He referenced plan N as an alternative to plan G which is the GOLD standard supplemental plan, according to my broker. You can’t get plan F any longer, and plan N has different coverages. You can’t get different coverages with a plan G also.

This is your insurance broker? Would you please share their contact info? Thanks for the post.

[Normal]

We are going with a supplemental because United Healthcare doesn’t honor Medicare Advantage.

[ROCKETMAN]

So I guess the $1000.00 free golf between the two of us and the $120.00 over the counter between the two of us will be a thing of the past?

[rsmurano]

Everybody knew when you started Medicare, if you don’t go with a supplement plan initially, you have a slim chance of converting to 1 later on in life. If you have any medical issues in the last 2 years, these supplement plans will not accept you.

So if your advantage plan goes south, or they eliminate all the freebies or raise your prices, you should go thru the supplements normal underwriting procedures to see if you qualify.
Not all advantage plans are going south, so you still can get an advantage plan but probably without the freebies.

Also, I’ve heard plan f participants pay more that plan g participants because there are many more plan g clients to spread out the costs. A friend my age pays over 2x more for his plan f than I pay for plan g.

[wlasowicz]

Not sure how you have all the details for Medicare plans for 2026 when the insurance brokers who deal with all the plans will not have any information until close to open enrollment. Yes there will be changes what they will be we don't yet. We don't even know what exact cost Medicare part B premium will be yes there are estimates but not the exact dollar

[Mrprez]

I don’t think any supplement plan has to accept anybody if your advantage plan goes south and they shouldn’t. Everybody knew when you started Medicare, if you don’t go with a supplement plan initially, you have a slim chance of converting to 1 later on in life. If you have any medical issues in the last 2 years, these supplement plans will not accept you.

So if your advantage plan goes south, or they eliminate all the freebies or raise your prices, you shouldn’t get a free pass into a supplement plan, you shouldn’t go thru their normal underwriting procedures to see if you qualify.
Not all advantage plans are going south, so you still can get an advantage plan but probably without the freebies.

Also, plan f participants pay more that plan g clients because there are many more plan g clients to spread out the costs. A friend my age pays over 2x more for his plan f the Han I pay for plan g.

Those are the rules. Live with it.

[rustyp]

I don’t think any supplement plan has to accept anybody if your advantage plan goes south and they shouldn’t. Everybody knew when you started Medicare, if you don’t go with a supplement plan initially, you have a slim chance of converting to 1 later on in life. If you have any medical issues in the last 2 years, these supplement plans will not accept you.

So if your advantage plan goes south, or they eliminate all the freebies or raise your prices, you shouldn’t get a free pass into a supplement plan, you shouldn’t go thru their normal underwriting procedures to see if you qualify.
Not all advantage plans are going south, so you still can get an advantage plan but probably without the freebies.

Also, plan f participants pay more that plan g clients because there are many more plan g clients to spread out the costs. A friend my age pays over 2x more for his plan f the Han I pay for plan g.

Those are the rules. Live with it.

May I suggest you go back and watch the video. Pay close attention starting at minute mark 17.00. Sounds like some people are going to have the rules waived for 2026.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

We are going with a supplemental because United Healthcare doesn’t honor Medicare Advantage.

Are you confusing United Healthcare with University of Florida Health?

United Healthcare is an insurance company that offers regular (marketplace) health insurance, Medicare supplemental insurance, and Medicare Advantage insurance. UF Health is a medical provider group that might or might not accept various insurance plans.

[Cliff Fr]

Millions of new people added to the free health care rolls added over the previous 4 years has had a negative impact

[Dr.Butler]

Millions of new people added to the free health care rolls added over the previous 4 years has had a negative impact

Please explain. Free health care? Who in this country (Besides the military and they do pay in other ways) gets free healthcare?

[tophcfa]

Please explain. Free health care? Who in this country (Besides the military and they do pay in other ways) gets free healthcare?

It’s available through Obamacare and Medicaid for people who fall below certain income thresholds. But technically it’s not free, the people who get it for free are being subsidized by those who pay.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

It’s available through Obamacare and Medicaid for people who fall below certain income thresholds. But technically it’s not free, the people who get it for free are being subsidized by those who pay.

Personally I'd rather know that the cashier at the supermarket has free health care courtesy of the wealthy who can afford the premiums and other costs. The alternative might be that the cashier can't afford to go to the doctor, and show up at work with a communicable disease and infect everyone instead.

The health of EVERYONE is good for the collective. One sick person = the potential for another Typhoid Mary, or another pandemic.

[Dr.Butler]

It’s available through Obamacare and Medicaid for people who fall below certain income thresholds. But technically it’s not free, the people who get it for free are being subsidized by those who pay.

So here is what I see is right in your statement:
Medicaid: Correct that low-income individuals can qualify for free or very low-cost coverage. (Keep in mind in 2027 there will no longer be Medicaid)

Subsidies: Also correct that “free” coverage isn’t truly free; costs are covered by taxpayer funding.
Here is what needs correction:

Obamacare (ACA) ≠ Free Healthcare


The Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides marketplace health insurance.

Premiums can be reduced via tax credits if your income is below a certain level.

Only a small subset of people, typically those with very low incomes, might qualify for $0 monthly premiums.

Most people still pay something for deductibles, copays, or prescriptions.


Other Groups Get Free or Nearly Free Healthcare


Children in Low-Income Families → Covered under CHIP.

Native Americans & Alaska Natives → Free services via the Indian Health Service (IHS).

Emergency Care → Hospitals must stabilize anyone regardless of ability to pay under EMTALA (but bills often follow).

Community Clinics & Federally Qualified Health Centers → Free or sliding-scale services for uninsured individuals.

[SaucyJim]

Why are you trying to scare us?

Raising concerns for us through the process of informing us, perhaps. Scare us? I'm not seeing it.

This video was timely for us, as my wife is in her enrollment period and now we need to rethink our original strategy. Unfortunately, because I thought we knew our choice after hours of research, I threw away all of my notes. Fortunately, a neighbor recommended SHINE, which gives free, unbiased Medicare advice at various recreation centers on an ongoing basis. We're going that route and will see if they are up to speed on this upcoming circumstance.

Not scared. Concerned. Informing ourselves to move forward with as much information as possible. The unsupported (by links) evidence on this site is not going to be our primary methodology for obtaining said knowledge.

[Road-Runner]

Spoke with my Florida Blue rep yesterday about this, and I'm no longer concerned about our Medicare Advantage plans. He himself will be going on the exact same plan as ours in April when he turns 65 which I really don't think he would do if it was going away or changing significantly as people are saying here.

[Mrprez]

If you bought your MA plan from a TV ad featuring Jimmie Walker, you might be worried.

[Road-Runner]

So here is what I see is right in your statement:
Medicaid: Correct that low-income individuals can qualify for free or very low-cost coverage. (Keep in mind in 2027 there will no longer be Medicaid)

Subsidies: Also correct that “free” coverage isn’t truly free; costs are covered by taxpayer funding.
Here is what needs correction:

Obamacare (ACA) ≠ Free Healthcare


The Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides marketplace health insurance.

Premiums can be reduced via tax credits if your income is below a certain level.

Only a small subset of people, typically those with very low incomes, might qualify for $0 monthly premiums.

Most people still pay something for deductibles, copays, or prescriptions.


Other Groups Get Free or Nearly Free Healthcare


Children in Low-Income Families → Covered under CHIP.

Native Americans & Alaska Natives → Free services via the Indian Health Service (IHS).

Emergency Care → Hospitals must stabilize anyone regardless of ability to pay under EMTALA (but bills often follow).

Community Clinics & Federally Qualified Health Centers → Free or sliding-scale services for uninsured individuals.


The Obamacare law significantly expanded Medicaid in those states dumb enough to take the temporary (five years?) additional Federal funding. After that period the extra costs were totally the states to cover. Florida was one of the many states that said "No thanks" and we should be very glad they did.

[Dr.Butler]

The Obamacare law significantly expanded Medicaid in those states dumb enough to take the temporary (five years?) additional Federal funding. After that period the extra costs were totally the states to cover. Florida was one of the many states that said "No thanks" and we should be very glad they did.

Just to clarify, the ACA’s Medicaid expansion funding wasn’t only temporary. The federal government initially covered 100% of the costs from 2014 to 2016 and now permanently covers 90% of expansion costs. States only pay 10%. Florida opted out, so it didn’t receive that federal funding, which is why many low-income residents here remain uninsured.

[kkingston57]

So I guess the $1000.00 free golf between the two of us and the $120.00 over the counter between the two of us will be a thing of the past?

Good one! Better question is how does playing golf help you out physically? Bet more people hurt themselves (requiring medical attention) than helping people?

[eyc234]

The Obamacare law significantly expanded Medicaid in those states dumb enough to take the temporary (five years?) additional Federal funding. After that period the extra costs were totally the states to cover. Florida was one of the many states that said "No thanks" and we should be very glad they did.

People not having medical insurance or care is not anything to be glad about. Your information is not correct as well.

[Ohiogirl]

I have never been a fan of advantage plans and the future makes them even more bleak. Not only hospitals not accepting Advantage plan clients, insurance companies are folding their advantage plans starting next year. If you currently have an advantage plan or are going to turn 65 in the near future, look at this video, some people might be without insurance or having an insurance plan that doesn't look like the current plan you have.

https://youtu.be/8Pq6H7UZBbU?si=0swL3qWatf2Pf6rV

Per a good friend who sells Medicare policies in Ohio, drug plans are changing pretty drastically for those with Supplement plans.