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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Medicare Advantage member satisfaction has dropped for the second year in a row, hitting 611 out of 1,000 in JD Power's 2026 study — down 41 points since 2024. Enrollees are losing trust and feel their plans aren't saving them time or money. Plans that invest in strong onboarding and clear communication are bucking the trend.
Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are losing the confidence of their members — and fast. JD Power's 2026 U.S. Medicare Advantage Study found overall satisfaction dropped to 611 out of 1,000, a 12-point decline from 2025 and a steep 41-point fall from 2024. Every aspect of the member experience saw declines, with trust, cost savings, and coverage flexibility taking the hardest hits.
The root of the problem? Members don't feel like their plans truly have their backs. Less than half of enrollees (43%) strongly agree that their plan is a trusted partner in their health and wellness — a troubling signal for an industry already navigating rising costs and growing complexity.
The bright spots? Plans with strong onboarding and consistent communication are outperforming peers. Special needs plans (SNPs), designed for members with complex chronic conditions or dual Medicare/Medicaid eligibility, are earning notably higher satisfaction and trust scores — suggesting that high-touch, personalized care coordination could be a model worth scaling.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: As MA enrollment grows, declining satisfaction could drive member churn and intensify regulatory scrutiny. Plans that fail to build trust risk losing members — and their bottom line.
