Medicare Advantage Cuts Push Enrollees to Switch Plans

Some insurers, including Excellus, are trimming Medicare Advantage offerings for 2026 amid reduced reimbursements and rising care and drug costs. Affected members received termination notices and must select new coverage by year-end or revert to Original Medicare—often without Part D drug benefits unless they enroll separately. Excellus cited a 2023 Medicare wage-index change that it says costs upstate nonprofit plans tens of millions annually, while stressing it will still offer $0 premium options with preventive benefits. Independent advisors urge beneficiaries not to panic, to evaluate 2026 medical needs, and to switch before December to avoid last-minute stress. The shakeup underscores the pressure on MA plans balancing richer extras with tighter margins and may spur broader policy debate over hospital reimbursement formulas impacting regional insurers.

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Source: Rochester First