October 1 Exits Push the 2026 Hospital Departure Count to at Least 33 as Open Enrollment Nears

The number of hospital systems that severed or reduced Medicare Advantage contracts in 2026 reached at least 33 as a new set of exits took effect on October 1, according to tracking by Becker's Hospital Review. Among the hospitals that left a major Medicare Advantage network on October 1 is NKC Health in North Kansas City, Missouri, which ended its contract with UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans on that date.

The departures are concentrated among large regional systems that cite inadequate reimbursement rates, the administrative burden of prior authorization, and the cost of managing appeals as the primary reasons for leaving. October 1 is a common contract break date because it precedes the Medicare annual enrollment period, which opens October 15, giving affected members a structured window to switch to a 2027 plan that retains their hospital in network.

For Medicare Advantage members whose hospitals left the network on October 1, options vary by plan. Some plans offer out-of-network benefits that cover care at a higher cost-sharing level. Plans that make a significant network change midyear may also trigger a special enrollment period for affected members, though the process is not automatic and requires contacting the plan or a State Health Insurance Assistance Program counselor.

With open enrollment running October 15 through December 7, 2026, members who want to confirm their hospital will be in-network for 2027 should verify provider directory status through the Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov before selecting a plan, rather than relying solely on plan marketing materials.