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News
Medicare Advantage is getting a major shake-up for 2027. Major insurers are slashing plan offerings, shrinking geographic footprints, and hiking out-of-pocket costs as they chase margin recovery. The pivot is clear: HMOs are in, PPOs are out, and special needs plans are quietly becoming the industry's growth engine.
Medicare's open enrollment period (Oct. 15–Dec. 7) is arriving amid significant turbulence in the Medicare Advantage (MA) market. Facing years of unexpectedly high medical costs, major insurers are cutting plans, pulling back from counties, and raising cost-sharing for enrollees — all in a bid to restore profitability. The total number of MA plans nationally dips slightly from 5,553 in 2026 to 5,532 in 2027, but that headline number masks deeper disruption underneath.
The clearest strategic shift: insurers are doubling down on HMO plans and retreating from PPOs. UnitedHealthcare, the market's largest player, grew its HMO offerings from 6,462 to 7,009 plans even as it trimmed its overall MA portfolio. Humana and Elevance are similarly spotlighting special needs plans (C-SNPs and D-SNPs) as a growth area, given their higher per-enrollee margins and alignment with an aging population.
By the Numbers
Why it matters: Millions of seniors could find their current plans eliminated, benefits reduced, or cost-sharing significantly higher in 2027 — often without realizing it. The gap between CMS's "stability" messaging and the on-the-ground volatility could leave less health-literate beneficiaries caught off guard during enrollment season.
