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Humana Says 2027 Open Enrollment Is Ahead of Plan and Expects Medicare Advantage Membership to Grow
Weeks after non-renewal notices went out to members in dozens of exited markets, Humana told investors that early annual enrollment period data show better-than-expected retention and new sales, pointing to 2027 membership growth.
By the Goodsurance editorial teamNovember 9, 2026
Humana told investors on November 6 that its early enrollment data from the ongoing Medicare annual enrollment period are running ahead of internal expectations, and the company now anticipates that its individual Medicare Advantage membership will increase in 2027. The outlook marks a turn from earlier projections that had suggested roughly flat or uncertain enrollment after Humana chose not to renew dozens of plan contracts for 2027, triggering non-renewal notices to hundreds of thousands of members.
Executives on the third-quarter earnings call cited two factors behind the stronger-than-expected start: retention is high among members whose plans are ending, with many choosing other Humana plans still offered in their areas, and new sales are running above internal targets.
Humana says 2027 open enrollment is running ahead of plan and the insurer now expects Medicare Advantage membership to grow.
Humana reported that its individual Medicare Advantage membership grew about 23 percent from the same point a year earlier, driven largely by gains during the 2026 enrollment season. The company also said its Medicare stand-alone prescription drug plan membership expanded significantly over the same period.
The company raised its 2026 adjusted earnings guidance, citing medical costs at or below expectations and better-than-expected results from its prescription drug plans. For 2027, Humana said its priority is margin improvement rather than membership expansion for its own sake, with a goal of reaching a sustainable individual Medicare Advantage margin by 2028.
The annual enrollment period, during which Medicare beneficiaries can compare and switch plans, runs through December 7, 2026.
In plain words
Humana is one of the biggest Medicare Advantage insurance companies. This fall, it stopped offering some plans in many areas. Members in those plans got letters saying their coverage would end. But on November 6, Humana told investors that many of those people are picking other Humana plans. Early enrollment data looks better than the company expected. Humana now thinks it will have more members in 2027, not fewer. It also said its costs this year are lower than it planned. The Medicare open enrollment window runs through December 7. During that time, anyone with Medicare can compare plans and make changes for 2027.
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Source: Health Care Dive
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