Carriers & the market
KFF: Number of Counties With No Medicare Advantage Plan Rises 57 Percent for 2027, With UnitedHealth Group Exiting 228 Counties
A county-by-county KFF analysis released today finds 193 counties will have no Medicare Advantage drug plan for general enrollment in 2027, up from 123 last year, with the two largest insurers each departing far more counties than they are entering.
By the Goodsurance editorial teamOctober 9, 2026
A county-level analysis published by KFF on October 9, 2026 shows wide and worsening disparities in Medicare Advantage plan availability heading into the 2027 plan year. Drawing on official CMS 2027 landscape data, KFF found that 193 counties will have no Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan available for general enrollment, up from 123 counties in 2026. About 638,000 Medicare beneficiaries live in those counties, an increase of 239,000 from the prior year. The 193 counties without any option are spread across 16 states, including Alaska, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, and North Dakota. Much of the pullback reflects decisions by the two largest insurers. UnitedHealth Group is exiting 228 counties while entering just 9, shrinking its presence from nearly 80 percent of all U.S. counties in 2026 to about 70 percent in 2027. Humana is departing 62 counties and entering 4, maintaining a footprint in roughly 80 percent of counties. Rural areas are absorbing disproportionate reductions. In four Minnesota counties, each will lose three insurers that offered Medicare Advantage plans in 2026. Nationally, the average beneficiary still has 28 plan options, but KFF notes that figure is heavily shaped by urban markets. Beneficiaries in counties where no Medicare Advantage plan is offered retain access to original Medicare. Open enrollment runs October 15 through December 7, 2026.
193 counties will have zero Medicare Advantage plans in 2027, up from 123 last year, as UnitedHealth Group and Humana exit far more counties than they enter.
In plain words
A research group called KFF looked at which counties will have Medicare Advantage plans in 2027. It found that 193 counties will have no plan at all. That is up from 123 counties last year. About 638,000 Medicare members live in those areas. These counties are in 16 states. The two biggest insurance companies are pulling out of many counties. UnitedHealth Group is leaving 228 counties but only entering 9 new ones. Humana is leaving 62 counties but entering only 4. Rural areas are harder hit. In some parts of Minnesota, four counties will each lose three insurance companies at once. People who live in counties with no Medicare Advantage plan can still join original Medicare. Open enrollment goes from October 15 to December 7, 2026.
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Source: KFF
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