Month: August 2026

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Medicare Policy & Trends resources-finance

Health Plans Anticipate 14% Premium Hikes for 2027 Amid Rising Costs

Health insurers are preparing to propose a median premium increase of 14% for the 2027 plan year, marking a second consecutive year of double-digit growth, according to an analysis shared by the American Hospital Association (AHA).

While this primarily targets ACA Marketplace plans, Medicare beneficiaries should also brace for ripple effects in Medicare Advantage and Part D supplemental premiums. Insurers cite a combination of pressures driving the hikes: the explosive demand and cost of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) weight-loss drugs, broader economic inflation, and ongoing labor shortages in the healthcare sector.

As federal policy changes—including the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits—take effect, seniors and younger enrollees alike will need to shop their coverage carefully during the upcoming fall open enrollment season.

Read the AHA news summary

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Medicare Advantage Research & Data

Putting 2026 Medicare Advantage Plan Changes into Context

Despite headlines about insurers pulling back from certain markets, a report by Arnold Ventures reveals that the Medicare Advantage market remains highly robust in 2026. According to the data, over 99% of Medicare-eligible individuals still have access to at least two plan options.

While the average number of plans available per beneficiary slightly decreased from 2025, seniors still choose from an average of 39 plans, a massive 67% increase compared to 2019. Insurers have primarily reduced redundant plan variations rather than exiting major geographical footprints altogether.

However, the report notes that roughly 165,000 beneficiaries in highly specific rural counties in states like Vermont, Colorado, and Minnesota did face meaningful reductions in options, highlighting the ongoing disparity between urban and rural Medicare Advantage access.

Download the full brief from Arnold Ventures (PDF)

Categories
Medicare Policy & Trends Research & Data

What’s in the 2026 Medicare Trustees Report?

The Bipartisan Policy Center has published an in-depth summary of the 2026 Medicare Trustees Report, underscoring the pressing financial challenges facing the program. The report projects that the Medicare Hospital Insurance (Part A) Trust Fund will be depleted by 2033.

According to the Trustees, an aging demographic and rising per-beneficiary spending are placing immense pressure on the system. Medicare expenditures are projected to nearly double as a share of the U.S. economy over the next 25 years, rising from 3.9% of GDP to 6.5% by 2050.

Policymakers are increasingly focused on bipartisan reforms to address the $4.2 trillion long-term unfunded obligation before the 2033 insolvency date triggers automatic cuts to provider payments.

Review the Bipartisan Policy Center’s analysis