UnitedHealthcare and Humana to Drop Medicare Plans
Changes to Medicare Advantage plans will affect nearly one million members starting on January 1, 2027.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Healthcare
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UnitedHealthcare and Humana are set to discontinue specific Medicare Advantage plans and reduce service areas, impacting a total of 990,000 members. These changes are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027.
Why it matters
The adjustments to plan availability require hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries to transition to new insurance coverage. This shift comes as the industry recalibrates offerings ahead of the upcoming benefit year.
Humana plan exits account for 600,000 impacted members, while UnitedHealthcare changes affect 390,000. The projected weighted average monthly premium for Medicare Advantage is set to be $12.00 for 2027, down from $14.37 in 2026.
The players
UnitedHealthcare
This entity is a major American managed health care company that provides insurance coverage and health care services.
Humana
This company is a prominent health insurance provider in the United States that specializes in Medicare Advantage plans.
The details
Affected UnitedHealthcare members must either select an alternative Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare. Those whose plans are not renewed will be eligible for a special enrollment period from December 8, 2026, through February 28, 2027.
Timeline
Oct. 2, 2026: Notices were sent to affected UnitedHealthcare members.
Oct. 15, 2026: Medicare open enrollment began.
Dec. 7, 2026: Medicare open enrollment ends.
Jan. 1, 2027: Plan closures take effect.
Feb. 28, 2027: Special enrollment period ends.
Market Landscape
These plan exits underscore the ongoing volatility in the Medicare Advantage market as private insurers balance profitability with federal regulatory requirements. This trend reflects a broader industry movement toward consolidation and service-area optimization.
Members facing plan non-renewals must proactively review new coverage options during the open enrollment period to ensure continuity of care. Failing to act by the end of the special enrollment window could result in a lapse in specialized insurance benefits.
The takeaway
Beneficiaries should review their current insurance status carefully during the open enrollment window to avoid unexpected coverage gaps. Monitoring official communication from insurers is essential for those impacted by network or plan changes.
What happens next
Members affected by plan terminations can utilize the special enrollment period beginning December 8, 2026, to secure new coverage, which remains available until February 28, 2027.
Further reading
For more on evolving insurance coverage, visit Healthcare.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TokenPost.
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