Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

UnitedHealth Cuts Medicare Advantage Plans in 109 Counties

10/1/2025

25 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

UnitedHealth Cuts Medicare

UnitedHealth will stop offering Medicare Advantage plans in 109 U.S. counties in 2026, affecting 180,000 members.
The decision follows funding cuts, rising costs, and higher service use, with rural areas impacted.
CVS Health's Aetna will operate in 100 fewer counties, while Humana will cover 85% of counties.
Insurers cite lower government reimbursements and higher-than-expected medical service use.

Summary

Kettering Ends Medicare

Kettering Health will end Medicare Advantage contracts with Humana and Devoted Health on Jan 1, 2026, due to operational and payment issues.
Negotiations since May failed to yield an agreement; Kettering Health is collaborating with RetireMed to guide affected patients.
Patients may switch plans during the Coordinated Election Period (Oct 15–Dec 7, 2025) and Open Enrollment (Jan 1–Mar 31, 2026).

History

Historical Context

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), enacted in 2010, aimed to reduce Medicare costs, including a $200 billion cut to Medicare Advantage payments over ten years. This led to insurers like UnitedHealth withdrawing from 109 counties, affecting 180,000 members. The trend of insurers exiting rural markets reflects ongoing challenges in maintaining Medicare Advantage stability, forcing patients to seek new options during enrollment periods.

1 of 3

UnitedHealth Cuts Medicare

UnitedHealth will stop offering Medicare Advantage plans in 109 U.S. counties in 2026, affecting 180,000 members.
The decision follows funding cuts, rising costs, and higher service use, with rural areas impacted.
CVS Health's Aetna will operate in 100 fewer counties, while Humana will cover 85% of counties.
Insurers cite lower government reimbursements and higher-than-expected medical service use.

1 / 3