Aetna Medicare Advantage 2026: Dropping 90 Plans
Aetna has announced that it will cut nearly 10% of its Medicare Advantage plans in 2026, eliminating about 90 plan options nationwide.
While the company calls this a “streamlining” of its portfolio, the reality is that thousands of seniors will be forced to change coverage – often with little notice and even fewer good alternatives.
This matters because millions of retirees rely on Medicare Advantage plans for their doctors, prescription drug coverage, and supplemental benefits.
When a plan disappears, it’s not just an inconvenience – it can disrupt access to trusted providers, raise out-of-pocket costs, and leave beneficiaries scrambling during the short Annual Enrollment Period.
And Aetna isn’t alone. This move is part of a much larger trend. UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Cigna, and even local nonprofits like UCare in Minnesota are all scaling back their Medicare Advantage offerings heading into 2026.
The common thread is clear: when profit margins tighten, Medicare Advantage carriers don’t hesitate to withdraw from markets or cancel plans, leaving seniors caught in the middle.
Why Is Aetna Cutting Plans in 2026?
Aetna has framed its decision to drop nearly 90 Medicare Advantage plans in 2026 as a way to “streamline” its portfolio.
In plain terms, the company is cutting back on offerings that aren’t profitable or sustainable.
Many of the reductions are expected to hit PPO-style plans and certain stand-alone drug plans, both of which have been expensive for insurers to maintain.
This isn’t happening in a vacuum. Across the industry, insurers are facing rising medical costs, more expensive prescription drugs, and tighter Medicare reimbursement rates. When those numbers don’t add up, carriers respond by shrinking networks, reducing benefits, or eliminating plans altogether.
For beneficiaries, that translates to fewer choices and more instability year after year.
The reality is that Aetna’s 2026 cuts reflect a broader trend: Medicare Advantage carriers are prioritizing financial sustainability over member stability. It’s a business decision, but one that leaves seniors caught in the middle.
Who Is Most at Risk?
Not every Aetna member will feel the impact of these cuts the same way. Certain groups are more vulnerable and need to be especially proactive heading into 2026.
Seniors in rural areas are at the highest risk. PPO-style Medicare Advantage plans have historically been the lifeline for rural members, giving them at least some flexibility to see providers outside of their county.
With Aetna scaling back PPOs, many rural seniors may find their choices shrinking dramatically – and in some cases, disappearing altogether.
Another group affected will be enrollees in stand-alone Part D drug plans. Aetna has signaled that some of these plans will also be trimmed, which could leave members scrambling to replace their prescription coverage. For retirees managing multiple medications, this type of change can have serious financial consequences.
Finally, seniors with specialty care needs – such as those relying on specific hospitals or clinics – are at risk of losing access if those providers are dropped from Aetna’s reduced networks. These are often the people least able to easily switch care.
The most important step for all members is to review your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) as soon as it arrives in the fall. This document will spell out exactly how your coverage is changing, whether your plan is ending, and what you need to do to maintain access to care.
If you fall into one of these higher-risk groups, do not wait until the last week of the Annual Enrollment Period. Start reviewing your options early so you’re not caught off guard
How Aetna’s Cuts Fit the Bigger Medicare Advantage Picture
Aetna’s decision to slash 90 Medicare Advantage plans in 2026 isn’t an isolated event – it’s part of a nationwide trend that’s been building for years. Almost every major carrier has been forced to scale back as the economics of Medicare Advantage grow more difficult.
Take UnitedHealthcare, for example. In 2026, they’re cutting plans that affect over 600,000 members nationwide. Their CEO admitted that rising outpatient costs and unsustainable Medicare reimbursements are forcing them to drop coverage areas and shrink networks.
Humana is also pulling back, exiting 13 Medicare Advantage markets and displacing more than half a million seniors. For many of these members, that means losing trusted doctors or scrambling to replace their prescription coverage in just a few weeks.
And in Minnesota, UCare – the state’s largest nonprofit Medicare Advantage carrier – is walking away from the MA market altogether. Their decision means 158,000 Minnesotans will lose coverage at the end of 2025, sending them into the 2026 Annual Enrollment Period looking for alternatives.
For many, it’s the end of years of predictable, affordable coverage.
Even Aetna has acknowledged that it could lose up to 10% of its Medicare Advantage membership because of these cuts – a clear sign that this isn’t a small adjustment, but a major shift in strategy.
The big picture is undeniable: Medicare Advantage is unstable. When margins get tight, carriers don’t hesitate to cancel plans, trim provider networks, or raise costs.
Compare that with Medicare Supplement (Medigap), where benefits are standardized by law and guaranteed renewable for life. Once you enroll in a Medigap plan, you don’t face the same year-to-year uncertainty that defines the Medicare Advantage market.
Quick Snapshot: Medicare Advantage Cuts Heading Into 2026
- UnitedHealthcare: Dropping plans for over 600,000 members nationwide.
- Humana: Exiting 13 markets, displacing 500,000+ members.
- UCare (Minnesota): Exiting Medicare Advantage entirely, forcing 158,000 seniors to find new coverage.
- Aetna: Cutting 90 plans with an expected 10% membership loss.
What Should Aetna Members Do in 2026?
If you’re currently enrolled in an Aetna Medicare Advantage plan, the most important thing you can do is pay close attention to your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). This document arrives in the fall and outlines exactly how your plan will change for the upcoming year.
It will tell you if your plan is being discontinued, if your premiums are going up, or if your prescription drug coverage or doctor network is shrinking. Don’t ignore it – it’s your first warning sign.
Next, start comparing your options as early as possible. Too many beneficiaries wait until the last week of the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct 15–Dec 7), only to find themselves rushed into making a decision. By reviewing early, you’ll have more time to weigh your alternatives and avoid being forced into a plan that doesn’t truly fit your needs.
For many Aetna members, this is also the right time to look beyond Medicare Advantage. A Medigap plan (paired with a standalone Part D drug plan) often provides far greater stability: no networks, no prior authorizations, and benefits that don’t change from year to year.
Given how unpredictable the Medicare Advantage market has become, Medigap is worth serious consideration.
It’s also important to understand that if your Aetna plan is discontinued, you may qualify for Guaranteed Issue Rights. This special protection allows you to enroll in a Medigap plan without answering health questions or undergoing medical underwriting.
What Are Guaranteed Issue Rights?
Normally, when you apply for a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan outside of your initial enrollment window, you have to go through a process called medical underwriting. This means the insurance company can ask health questions, review your medical history, and even deny your application or charge you higher premiums if you have pre-existing conditions.
For many seniors, that’s a major barrier to switching into Medigap later in life.
Guaranteed Issue Rights change that. These rights give you special protection under federal law that allows you to buy certain Medigap plans without answering any health questions and without being turned down. Insurers must accept your application and can’t charge you more because of your health status.
You qualify for GI Rights in specific situations, and one of the most important is when your Medicare Advantage plan ends through no fault of your own. For example, if Aetna discontinues your plan in 2026, you automatically gain the right to purchase a Medigap policy – regardless of your current health.
Here’s why this matters:
- It may be your only chance to get into a Medigap plan if you’ve developed health issues over the years.
- GI Rights protect you from being denied coverage or locked into higher rates.
- The window is time-sensitive – usually lasting 63 days from the date your coverage ends – so acting quickly is critical.
In short, Guaranteed Issue Rights are a safety net for Medicare beneficiaries. If your Advantage plan disappears, you don’t have to risk being uninsured or stuck with limited options. You can step into the stability of Medigap without worrying about medical underwriting standing in your way.
Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement: Why Medigap Wins
As Aetna cuts 90 Medicare Advantage plans in 2026, it’s a good time to step back and ask:
Is Medicare Advantage really built for long-term stability?
The truth is, Medicare Advantage can look attractive on the surface with lower monthly premiums and bundled extras, but those savings often come with strings attached.
Medicare Advantage plans rely on networks, which limit the doctors and hospitals you can see. They frequently require referrals to specialists and prior authorizations for tests or procedures your doctor recommends. Worst of all, they can change every year – cutting providers, raising copays, or even disappearing completely, as Aetna members are now experiencing.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans work differently. Once you enroll, your benefits are guaranteed renewable for life as long as you pay your premium. There are no networks – you can see any provider nationwide who accepts Medicare.
You don’t need referrals, you don’t face prior authorization delays, and your core benefits never change from year to year. The only difference between carriers is the premium, not the coverage.
For many retirees, this means predictability and peace of mind. While Medigap premiums may be higher than Advantage, you know what to expect. No surprise copays, no scrambling to find a new plan during Annual Enrollment, and no losing access to trusted doctors.
Real-Life Examples: Advantage vs. Supplement
#1. Imagine a retiree in rural Minnesota who relied on an Aetna PPO Medicare Advantage plan to see a hospital 40 miles away. With Aetna’s 2026 cuts, that plan disappears. Their replacement options are all HMO plans that don’t include the hospital they’ve trusted for years.
Their access to care is disrupted overnight unless they move to a Medicare Supplement plan, which would cover that hospital (and any Medicare provider nationwide) with no network restrictions.
#2. Now picture a Florida snowbird who spends winters in Naples and summers back in Minnesota. On Medicare Advantage, they’re tied to a local network. That means they either pay out-of-network costs in the other state or switch doctors every six months.
With Medicare Supplement, the problem vanishes: patients can see providers in both states and receive the exact same benefits.
#3. Or take a retiree in Texas who suddenly needs cancer treatment at MD Anderson. Their Medicare Advantage plan requires prior authorization, delaying the process by weeks and creating stress when time is critical.
With a Medigap Plan G, as long as Medicare covers the service, it’s approved automatically. No delays, no red tape – just care when it’s needed most.
These examples show the core difference. Medicare Advantage members are at the mercy of changing networks, referrals, and cancellations. Medicare Supplement members have stable, nationwide coverage that prioritizes their needs.
Our Recommendation
If your Aetna Medicare Advantage plan is being discontinued in 2026, it’s important to remember that this isn’t the end of the road – but it does require you to take action.
Losing a plan can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve relied on it for years, but you do have options.
In many cases, you may qualify for Guaranteed Issue Rights, which allow you to move into a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan without answering health questions or going through medical underwriting. For seniors who have developed health conditions over time, this is a rare opportunity to secure long-term stability without fear of being denied.
We strongly encourage you to explore Medigap as an alternative. Unlike Medicare Advantage, Medigap plans don’t change from year to year, they don’t have networks, and they don’t require prior authorizations. Once you’re enrolled, your coverage is guaranteed renewable for life as long as you pay your premiums.
Pairing Medigap with a stand-alone Part D prescription plan can give you the comprehensive, predictable coverage that many retirees find more reliable than Medicare Advantage.
The takeaway: don’t wait until the last minute, and don’t assume you’re stuck. By taking action now, you can move from the uncertainty of Medicare Advantage into the stability and freedom of Medigap.
FAQs
- Why is Aetna dropping plans in 2026?
- Will my current plan be discontinued?
- What are Guaranteed Issue Rights and how do they apply?
- Should I switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or explore Medigap?
- When should I start comparing plans?
