Curated coverage of Medicare policy changes, enrollment trends, industry shifts, and what it all means for beneficiaries in 2026.
📡 Updated February 9, 2026Historic price negotiations slash costs on Eliquis, Jardiance, Xarelto, and 7 more common drugs. See which medications are affected and how much you'll save — discounts from 38% to 79%.
See all 10 drugs & savingsWhat seniors need to know about switching plans during OEP (through March 31), CMS rate proposals for 2027, UnitedHealth pullback, and key enrollment deadlines.
Read our analysisThree big wins for Medicare beneficiaries signed Feb 4: Telehealth flexibilities extended through 2027, hospital-at-home gets 5-year extension, and pharmacy benefit manager reforms tackle drug pricing. Here's what each change means for you.
Read full analysisMedicare Part D spending on GLP-1 drugs increased five-fold from 2019 to 2024, reaching $27.5 billion gross ($14B net after rebates). Two million enrollees took Ozempic in 2024, up from fewer than 150,000 in 2019. Trump administration plans obesity coverage expansion through BALANCE model in 2027.
Read full articleMA insurers denied 7.7% of prior auth requests in 2024 (4.1M denials). Just 11.5% of denials were appealed, but 80.7% of appeals overturned the initial denial. Wide variation across insurers: UnitedHealth denied 12.8% vs Humana 5.8%. Traditional Medicare had far fewer requests but higher denial rate (22.9%).
Read full articleMonthly premiums for many Part D stand-alone prescription drug plans dropped in 2026, despite fears of increases after Trump administration scaled back premium subsidies. Total number of PDPs fell for third year in a row to 360 (down from 464 in 2025) as insurers exit market or scale back offerings under redesigned benefit.
Read full articleNY Assemblyman Scott Bendett argues Medicare Advantage provides affordable, dependable coverage for New York's growing senior population. He warns that CMS's nearly flat advance rate notice threatens benefits and services seniors depend on, calling for bipartisan action to protect program funding.
Read full articleCMS proposes to exclude unlinked chart review diagnoses from 2027 risk calculations, targeting long-criticized coding practices. The agency accepts comments until February 25, with final rates due April 6, 2026.
Read full articleThe proposed 0.09% payment increase for 2027 marks a dramatic shift from the 5.06% finalized for 2026. Lower-than-expected traditional Medicare spending projections drive the near-zero growth rate, alongside updated risk adjustment models.
Read full articleOriginal Medicare premiums and deductibles increased for 2026. Seniors on any of the 10 negotiated prescription drugs may see lower costs now, and there's still time to switch Medicare Advantage plans through March 31.
Read full articleMolina Healthcare announced it will not sell standard Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage in 2027. The exit follows a surprise Q4 loss and projected 2026 earnings of just $5 per share — well below the $13.76 analyst consensus.
Read full articleMolina stock plunged 27% after reporting a surprise Q4 loss and slashing 2026 profit guidance by 64%. Rising medical costs, Florida Medicaid contract implementation, and California utilization trends pressured results and forced a strategic MA exit.
Read full articleThe 2027 Advance Notice maintains some disappointing patterns but contains an important proposal to reduce MA overpayments. Stakeholder comments are due February 25, ahead of the April 6 final rate announcement.
Read full articleCMS's proposed policies for 2027 project a net 0.09% payment increase, totaling more than $700 million. The announcement outlines risk adjustment changes, Part D parameters, and Star Ratings measures for the upcoming contract year.
Read full articleFitch Ratings warns that the proposed 0.09% payment increase will likely force Medicare Advantage insurers to scale back supplemental benefits and exit additional markets. Insurers are already adjusting plan offerings and networks for 2027.
Read full articleOpen enrollment runs through March 31, giving MA members a chance to switch plans. UnitedHealthcare may lose 1.3–1.4 million members as competitive pressure increases and beneficiaries shop for better deals across an evolving landscape.
Read full articleCMS proposes new rules targeting upcoding practices that have led to billions in overpayments to MA insurers. AHIP warns the proposal could result in benefit cuts and higher costs for 35 million seniors when they renew coverage in October 2026.
Read full articleUnitedHealth Group projects its first revenue decline in almost 40 years, driven by competitive Medicare Advantage dynamics. Shares plunged alongside Humana (–20%) and CVS Health as investors reacted to the 2027 rate proposal and weak 2026 guidance.
Read full articleHealth insurer stocks cratered after CMS proposed a near-zero 0.09% increase in Medicare Advantage payments for 2027 — far below the 6% analysts expected. Humana dropped over 20%, hitting its lowest level since 2017.
Read full articleA tiny pay raise combined with aggressive new risk adjustment rules signal the Trump administration's openness to rein in MA insurer practices. New regulations specifically target upcoding — the practice of making patients appear sicker to boost payments.
Read full articleHumana is transitioning to a simplified plan design for its 5.8 million MA members, emphasizing stable benefits and expanded access to preventive care and wellness programs. The move comes as the competitive landscape intensifies.
Read full articleUnitedHealthcare reveals its 2026 MA plan updates, featuring $0 premiums, expanded benefits, and enhanced access to affordable healthcare. The changes come as CMS evolves drug pricing rules and telehealth policies across the program.
Read full articleCMS Administrator Mehmet Oz unveiled proposed 2027 payment policies aimed at modernizing risk adjustment and protecting taxpayers. The update reflects cost trends, 2026 quality ratings, and risk model changes — but insurers say it will hurt seniors.
Read full articleThe federal government will pay an estimated $76 billion more to cover MA seniors this year than if those same beneficiaries were in traditional Medicare, according to MedPAC. The finding fuels ongoing calls for payment reform.
Read full articleKFF's comprehensive analysis finds 89% of MA plans include prescription drug coverage, and the share of plans with $0 premiums beyond the Part B premium remains high. Average premiums and out-of-pocket limits see modest changes for 2026.
Read full articleAARP's comprehensive guide covers all 2026 Medicare changes: the Advantage plan pilot shutdown, limits on supplemental benefits for chronically ill enrollees, and automatic re-enrollment in the Prescription Payment Plan for Part D beneficiaries.
Read full articleAlignment Healthcare reports 275,300 members as of January 1, 2026 — a 31% year-over-year increase — as larger competitors like UnitedHealthcare and Humana exit hundreds of counties and scale back MA footprints.
Read full articleClever Care, a culturally sensitive Medicare Advantage plan, added nearly 15,000 new members during the Annual Enrollment Period. The culturally tailored approach continues to drive growth as beneficiaries seek plans that align with their backgrounds.
Read full articleAn analysis reveals UnitedHealthcare exited 225 counties while entering only 14, and Humana exited 198 while entering 5. The contraction leaves many beneficiaries with fewer MA options and may push some back to traditional Medicare.
Read full articleWhile investors focused on proposed near-zero Medicare Advantage rate increases, a second regulatory threat emerged: new federal scrutiny of PBM spread pricing practices that could squeeze insurer profits from both sides simultaneously.
Read full articleThe Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 delinks PBM compensation from Part D list prices and rebates, requiring flat administrative fees instead. The reform reduces incentives to favor higher-priced drugs — a major win for beneficiary pricing transparency.
Read full articlePress Ganey's analysis of the 2026 CMS Star Ratings reveals where plans are performing well, where member experience is trending, and which quality strategies are paying off. Most MA enrollees remain in 4+ star plans, but pressure is mounting.
Read full articleCVS Health's Aetna receives the Health Plan of the Year award, highlighting strong member experience, quality performance, and provider collaboration. The recognition reflects multi-year improvements in Medicare Star Ratings and CAHPS-linked initiatives.
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