Medicare Advantage Plan Gaps to Widen in 181 Counties by 2027
The number of U.S. counties with no Medicare Advantage options is nearly tripling, leaving millions of seniors with fewer choices.
The number of U.S. counties offering no Medicare Advantage plans is set to jump sharply, rising from 67 in 2026 to 181 in 2027, according to new data — a development that could significantly narrow coverage options for millions of older Americans during the upcoming open enrollment period.
The expansion of coverage gaps signals growing strain on the Medicare Advantage market, where private insurers contract with the federal government to deliver Medicare benefits. When insurers exit or decline to enter certain counties, beneficiaries in those areas are typically left with only traditional fee-for-service Medicare as an alternative.
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The trend is particularly significant because Medicare Advantage plans have grown in popularity over the past decade, attracting enrollees with benefits that standard Medicare does not cover, such as dental, vision, and hearing services. Losing access to those plans can mean losing those supplemental benefits entirely, unless enrollees purchase separate Medigap or standalone supplemental coverage.
For seniors in affected counties, the shift underscores the importance of carefully reviewing plan availability during open enrollment, when beneficiaries can compare options and switch coverage. Those in areas losing Advantage coverage may need to evaluate whether original Medicare combined with a Part D prescription drug plan meets their needs.
The near-tripling of counties without any Medicare Advantage offering in a single year represents one of the sharpest contractions in plan availability in recent memory and is expected to draw scrutiny from policymakers and patient advocates alike. Continue reading at MarketWatch.com
