In 2026, UnitedHealthcare is reducing its Medicare Advantage footprint by exiting 109 counties across 16 U.S. states, impacting approximately 180,000 members. Major reductions include a full exit from Vermont and significant cuts in Minnesota, where they are reducing coverage from 72 to 27 counties. These changes are driven by federal funding cuts and rising costs.
People enrolled in these UHC plans in Kings, Fresno, Madera, Nevada, Amador, El Dorado, Lake, Mendocino, Merced, and Tulare counties will be assigned a new in-network provider and medical group, members will be assigned a new in-network provider.
Yes, UnitedHealthcare (UHC) is reducing its Medicare Advantage (MA) presence in 2026 by exiting 109 U.S. counties and discontinuing some plans, impacting about 180,000 members, mainly PPO plans in rural areas, due to rising healthcare costs and funding pressures, though they still aim to cover 94% of Medicare-eligible individuals with updated offerings. Affected members received notices in October 2025 to switch to remaining UHC plans (like HMOs) or find new coverage during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP).
UnitedHealth has been trying to exit Latin America since 2022 and had previously sold its businesses in Brazil and Peru.
Yet even as costs surge, the companies and the investors who profit from this business are also struggling financially. Shares in UnitedHealth Group, the giant conglomerate that owns UnitedHealthcare and that plays a key role in the larger stock market, have plunged 44% from a year earlier.
UnitedHealth's stock crash from over $600 to around $310-$320 (nearly 50% down) in the past year, isn't just market noise. It's a fundamental breakdown driven by one metric: the Medical Care Ratio (MCR). And here's the kicker—even Optum, the segment that was supposed to save the day, is struggling, too.
UnitedHealth is dropping a million seniors from Medicare Advantage as it aims to restore its 'swagger' UnitedHealth Group is dropping some of its Medicare Advantage plans. UnitedHealth Group announced last month that it plans to drop 1 million Medicare Advantage members.
The best Medicare Advantage plans for seniors in 2026 vary by individual needs, but top-rated companies consistently include UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Wellcare (Centene), and Kaiser Permanente, often praised for large networks, low costs, or patient satisfaction. Key factors to consider are your preferred doctors, prescription drug needs, and the plan's network size, costs (premiums, copays), and extra benefits, using tools like Medicare.gov to compare specific local options.
According to the index, Singapore ranks first for healthcare, followed by Japan in second place and South Korea in third. In contrast, the United States ranks much lower, coming in at 69th place in this assessment. The full rankings are listed below.
Major Insurers Are Pulling Back on Medicare Advantage in 2026. Most major health insurers, including Aetna-CVS Health, UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Anthem, have announced at least some cutbacks to their 2026 MA plan offerings in recent months.
Canada has a universal health care system funded through taxes. This means that eligible residents of a province or territory can apply for public health insurance to access publicly funded health care services.
UnitedHealth Group is projecting its Medicare Advantage enrollment will decrease by 1 million people in 2026. That estimate is up from a 600,000-member decrease it projected in July. UnitedHealthcare CEO Tim Noel said on the company's Oct.
While industry insiders are generally cautious, few expect a crash. Morgan Stanley notes “continued equity gains in 2026” with modest growth, as a lot of good news is already priced in. Fidelity's 2026 outlook is that it “could be another positive year” for the market — but investors shouldn't ignore risks.
Winnipeg's Health Sciences Centre has earned the dismal distinction of being the worst-performing hospital in Canada. The province's largest hospital has the highest standardized mortality ratio in the country, according to data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information.
Family physicians in rural communities serve many roles, making them vulnerable to overwork and burnout that drives them to relocate or retire. In addition to adult medical care, they often provide emergency care and maternity care, including cesarean deliveries, as well as pediatric care.
Becker's has reported on 23 hospital and emergency department closures in 2025: Editor's note: This article will be updated continuously.