Category: Research & Data

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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)

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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

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Medicare Advantage Medicare Policy & Trends Research & Data

Medicare Advantage in 2026: Premiums, Limits, and Prior Authorization Trends

A recent analysis by KFF provides a comprehensive look at the Medicare Advantage landscape in 2026. While enrollment growth has slightly decelerated, a record 55% of all eligible Medicare beneficiaries are now enrolled in private plans.

For 2026, the average beneficiary has access to 39 different plan options, with 31 of those being zero-premium plans. The average out-of-pocket limit for in-network services sits at $5,421, providing a safety net for enrollees with high medical needs.

Despite concerns over tightening federal payments, the availability of supplemental benefits like dental, vision, and hearing has remained stable. However, prior authorization continues to be universally applied, with 99% of enrollees in plans that require approval for certain services.

Read the full KFF analysis here