2026 Medicare Alert: 16 Major Health Systems to Drop Medicare Advantage Plans.

 The senior healthcare is changing under the feet of millions of people. With the new year of 2026 approaching, an increasingly long list of high-profile

medical facilities is abandoning Medicare Advantage (MA) schemes.1 What was previously touted as a low-price, one-stop shopping, solution to the aged is already experiencing a provider stampede.

 Starting with the Mayo Clinic to Mount Sinai, these hospitals are citing a paperwork tax and high denial rates as the two major reasons to walk away.2 This year, your favorite doctor or specialist may officially be out-of-network in an MA plan.

 The Master List: MA Health Systems Dropping Plans in 2026.

 As Becker Hospital Review has recently reported, and highly compensated industry insiders have confirmed, at least 16 health systems are cancelling or drastically reducing their involvement in Medicare Advantage contracts.

 Why Are Hospitals saying No to Medicare Advantage?

 The tug-of-war between insurers and providers has been taken to its limit. In the case of hospitals, it is not just a matter of money as to why they should abandon such plans, but rather the quality of care.

 1. Prior Authorization Refusals. Hospitals cite statistics that indicate that close to one out of every five requests that are rejected by MA insurers is indeed medically necessary. This is because hospitals were aware of it, patients required it but the insurers said no anyway according to Michael Ryan, who is a finance expert with MichaelRyanMoney.com.

Although 82 percent of such denials are reversed on appeal, the delay offers a paperwork tax, which slows patient recovery.

 2. Slow Reimbursement Rates Several health systems, especially the rural healthcare centers are grappling with reimbursement rates that are much lower than the customary Medicare. Others are receiving a mere 90 percent of traditional rates, and it is financially impossible to continue keeping the doors open.

3. Narrower Networks In a bid to remain profitable, insurers such as UnitedHealthcare and Humana are abandoning PPOs in favor of more restrictive HMO designs that literally force seniors to drive hours to find a specialist who was in-network last year.

 The Elderly Version of the Bait-and- Switch.

To most beneficiaries, the Medicare Advantage was attractive due to the extras, the gym memberships, dental cover, and zero premiums. Nevertheless, analysts caution it can be a bait-and-switch on a bigger scale. Ryan explained to Newsweek that the specialist that saved his life is out-of-network, something he had planned with the dental and gym membership. This loss of access to high-level providers such as Mayo Clinic can lead to huge out-of-pocket expenses on persons with chronic illnesses.

 What You Can Do Now: Your 2026 Action Plan.

In case your health system has canceled your plan, it does not leave you in that situation. You have certain windows in order to change:

 • Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP): January 1 through March 31, you may switch to another MA plan or go back to Original Medicare.4

• Special Enrollment Period (SEP): In case your plan ends its contract with your provider, you can look to take out an SEP to get another plan that will cover your doctor.

 • Think about Medigap: In case you get back to Original Medicare, consider a Medigap policy (Medicare Supplement). Note that medical underwriting may happen to you unless you have a guaranteed issue right.

Steps to Take Today:

1. Make a call to the office of your doctor: Verify that they are still accepting your plan in 2026.

 2. Check the Evidence of Coverage (EOC): Check annual notice offered by your insurer on changes under the network.

 3. Contact a Medicare Specialist: Triple-check provider lists by the March 31 deadline using the MA Open Enrollment Period.

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 The news data in this paper is informed by relevant and available reports. The updates provided by the official news media should be cross-checked by the readers.