UnitedHealth to Exit 109 U.S. Counties in 2026, Impacting 180,000 Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries
UnitedHealth, the leading Medicare Advantage provider, has announced it will cease operations in 109 U.S. counties starting 2026. This move, affecting around 180,000 people, is part of a broader trend of insurers exiting less profitable markets. CVS Health's Aetna and Humana are also reducing their Medicare Advantage offerings.
The decision by UnitedHealth, CVS Health, and Humana to scale back their Medicare Advantage plans is driven by higher-than-expected medical service use and reduced government reimbursement. UnitedHealth, the market leader, will still operate in three counties in 2023, but it's unclear which ones. Humana's coverage will decrease to 85% of U.S. counties, down from 89% in 2025. Meanwhile, CVS Health's Aetna is reducing its prescription drug plan coverage by 100 counties.
These changes, effective in 2026, will impact beneficiaries in numerous counties across the U.S. The insurers' decisions highlight the financial pressures they face in the Medicare Advantage market. Beneficiaries affected by these changes should explore other plan options during the annual enrollment period.
