Why Your Medicare Advantage Plan May Disappear in 2026

Key Takeaways

• Some Medicare Advantage plans will not be available in 2026. 
• Even if your plan continues, benefits and costs may change.
• Review your ANOC carefully by September 30 to see if your plan is changing or ending.
• Talk to your Sams/Hockaday agent for guidance, side-by-side comparisons, and help enrolling in the Medicare plan that best suits your situation.

Medicare is going through big changes in 2026. 

These shifts are forcing insurance companies to make tough decisions about which plans they can keep offering—and which ones they’ll have to discontinue.

As a result, over a million people may find that their Medicare Advantage plan for 2025 isn’t being offered in 2026. 

Here’s what’s happening, why it’s happening, and what you can do to make sure you don’t lose coverage for next year.

Why Some Medicare Advantage Plans Are Going Away

Some plans are simply becoming too expensive for insurance companies to keep.

Instead of losing money, insurers are scaling back.

Here’s what that looks like:

• Big insurers are scaling back. Humana may drop plans for 500,000 members and UnitedHealthcare could drop 600,000 members as they cut plans that aren’t making them money.
• PPOs are taking the biggest hit. PPO plans give you more freedom to see out-of-network doctors, but they cost more to run. As a result, many PPOs are being dropped and replaced with HMO plans.
• Fewer overall choices. Years ago, if you lived in Central Illinois, you had 30 or more Medicare drug plan options in your area. Now, it may be closer to 15—and that number is still shrinking as companies combine or eliminate plans. Medicare Advantage insurers want to focus on a smaller portfolio of plans that they can manage sustainably, rather than lots of plans that might not cover their costs.
• Special pilot programs are ending. Some Medicare-Medicaid Plans (MMPs), designed for people eligible for both programs, are being phased out by the end of 2025. People who had those plans will need to move into something else for 2026.

Why Is This Happening?

In short, insurance companies are under a lot of pressure. They’re dealing with new laws, higher healthcare costs, and stricter rules from Medicare.

When expenses get too high, companies either raise prices, cut benefits, or stop offering certain plans altogether.

Here are the main reasons:

• New laws are shifting costs. A recent law (the Inflation Reduction Act) capped Medicare drug out-of-pocket costs at $2,000 (going up to $2,100 in 2026), which is great for seniors who take expensive medications. But insurers are now picking up more of the tab, so they’re raising premiums or cutting plan options to balance it out.
• Healthcare is more expensive across the board. Doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescriptions all cost more today than they did a few years ago. Insurers can’t keep giving the same benefits without raising prices—so many are trimming back.
• New Medicare rules add costs. Medicare has added stronger protections for patients, like better appeal rights and safeguards around hospital stays. These are important for you, but they also cost money to provide, which makes some plans less attractive for insurers to keep.

What This Means for Medicare Beneficiaries 

For beneficiaries, this boils down to fewer options and higher costs. Your plan may be discontinued—especially if it’s a PPO—or, if it stays, you may see higher premiums, deductibles, or copays.

So, it’s more important than ever to read your Annual Notice of Change this fall and compare your options before the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) ends on December 7.

Other Changes to Medicare in 2026

It’s not just Medicare Advantage plans that are changing—Parts B and D are also going up in cost.

• Part D (prescription drug coverage): Many drug plans that used to cost under $50 a month may as much as double. On top of that, some companies are cutting back on the list of drugs they’ll cover by as much as 40–50%—especially pricey brand-name medicines. That means you might need to switch to a generic, or pay more out of pocket.
• Part B (doctor visits and outpatient care): The monthly premium is expected to increase by 11.6%, reaching $206.50 in 2026—nearly double the increase we saw in 2025. Meanwhile, Social Security COLA is only expected to be 2.6–2.7%, which won’t fully cover the jump.
• Supplemental benefits may be scaled back: Medicare Advantage plans will face new limits on what perks they can offer under SSBCI, continuing a trend of insurers cutting extras like OTC allowances, transportation, nutrition support, and home-delivered meals.
• Higher-income enrollees: If you pay income-related surcharges (IRMAA), those amounts will also increase slightly—about 1% more for Part B and 6% more for Part D.

What You Should Do Next

The most important thing you can do is look for your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) this fall. 

Learn more: Understanding Your Medicare Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) Is Critical

Every Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plan is required to send this notice to members by September 30. It explains all the changes to your plan for 2026.

Your ANOC will tell you if your plan is being discontinued. It will also highlight other important updates, like:

• Premium increases
• Changes in covered medications
• Network updates (are your doctors and hospitals still included?)

If you don’t choose a new plan during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7), you risk entering 2026 without coverage.

Here’s how to prepare:

1. Read your ANOC carefully. Look for any mention of your plan ending or major benefit changes.
2. Compare your options early. Plan details are released October 1, giving you about two weeks before enrollment begins. Having a backup plan ready will help you act quickly if your current plan disappears.
3. Talk to a Sams/Hockaday agent. We can explain the differences between HMO and PPO networks, help you understand plan changes, and guide you toward the plan that best fits your needs.

Related: 8 Things to Look for In Your Medicare Annual Notice of Change

How Your Sams/Hockaday Agent Can Help

These changes can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure them out alone. Your Sams/Hockaday agent can:

• Walk you through your ANOC so nothing gets missed.
• Compare the available plans in your area side by side.
• Answer questions about networks, drug lists, and costs.
• Track important deadlines so you don’t miss your chance to enroll.
• Help you enroll in a new plan if your old one is ending, or discover if another would be better for your healthcare needs. 

Remember, Medicare Advantage formularies aren’t available until October 1, which gives everyone a short window to evaluate their options before enrollment begins on October 15. 

Starting the conversation early ensures you’ll be ready.

Final Thoughts

It can feel unsettling to learn that your Medicare Advantage plan may not be offered in 2026. 

But remember—you won’t be left without options. By carefully reviewing your ANOC this fall and talking with a Sams/Hockaday agent, you can make a smooth transition into a plan that works for you.