Why are people leaving Medicare Advantage plans?
Answered by 53 licensed agents
People don't understand the differences between Medicare supplement, Medigap, and Medicare Advantage. Of course, Medicare Advantage gets all the commercials, all the hype, and stuff in your mailbox. What we do here is explain to our clients both the advantages and disadvantages of Medicare supplement and Medicare Advantage. Whatever makes more sense for the client, we help them with that. So, work with someone who can offer you both Medicare supplement and Medicare Advantage. More importantly, work with someone who's dealt with it for years and knows the good and bad about both plans. These decisions are way too important to leave to chance or wait until the last minute. Let us help you. We'd be glad to.
Answered by Tony Capraro III on April 16, 2025
Agent Licensed in NH & ME
Answered by Gary Church on September 14, 2025
Broker Licensed in Ca, AZ, NV & TX
Answered by Steve and Sue Brauer on April 14, 2025
Broker Licensed in AZ & CA
Answered by Mike Alexander on March 17, 2026
Broker Licensed in TX, AL, AR & 16 other states
Answered by Daniel Brechin on November 3, 2025
Agent Licensed in AL, FL, KY, MS & TN
Answered by William Lawler on June 13, 2025
Broker Licensed in MO, FL, IA & 12 other states
Answered by Jonathan Potter on February 2, 2026
Broker Licensed in UT, AZ, CA & 14 other states
How it is Covered is different from plan to plan. Medicare Advantages have Extra Benefits like dental, vision, Hearing, and Over the Counter Items.
They can work out of state, out of network and out of country. Most plans do Not require a referral. Plans very from State to State so contact a local broker who can really educate you.
Answered by Tasha Riggs on June 12, 2025
Broker Licensed in CO, AZ, HI & 10 other states
Answered by Luke Rhoads on September 15, 2025
Broker Licensed in OK
Answered by Paul Potter on April 27, 2025
Broker Licensed in FL
Answered by Sandy Johnson on June 16, 2025
Broker Licensed in LA, AL, AR & 11 other states
a. When they need more medical care and they have selected an HMO plan requiring a referral from a Primary Care Physician to see a Specialist.
b. Their doctors and hospitals do not accept their Medicare Advantage plan.
Just note that if you want to change to Traditional Medicare with a Medigap plan, you often need to pass a health questionnaire to qualify for a Medigap plan. This applies when you have Medicare Part B for longer than 6 months or have your Medicare Advantage plan for longer than 12 months. Other situations may require that as well.
Talk to a Medicare agent to understand your options.
Answered by Annelies Van Schie on September 2, 2025
Broker Licensed in TX, AZ, FL, NC, OK & SD
They want broader provider choice. Many Medicare Advantage plans use provider networks, and people may switch if their doctors or hospitals are out of network or if they travel and want fewer network limits.
They run into prior authorization or coverage denials. Some members leave after delays or hassles getting approvals for services, rehab, imaging, or certain drugs.
Costs become less predictable than expected. Even with low or $0 premiums, members can face copays/coinsurance that add up, higher costs for frequent care, and hitting the plan’s annual out-of-pocket maximum.
Their plan changes from year to year. Networks, drug formularies, premiums, and cost-sharing can change annually, and a “good” plan one year may fit poorly the next.
They prefer Original Medicare’s structure. Some people switch because they want fewer plan rules, easier use of out-of-area providers, or the option to pair Original Medicare with a Medigap policy (when available/affordable).
They feel they enrolled based on confusing marketing. Some beneficiaries later realize key limitations (like networks or prior authorization) were not fully understood at sign-up.
One important caution is that switching from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare does not always guarantee you can buy a Medigap plan without medical underwriting, depending on your state and timing.
Answered by Richard Pagano on January 9, 2026
Agent Licensed in CA, AZ & OR
Answered by Bob Greco on August 28, 2025
Agent Licensed in MO, IA & IL
Another contributing factor to seniors leaving Medicare Advantage plans is the variability in plan benefits and coverage options. Many seniors are more aware of the complexities involved in making their healthcare choices, especially as they face chronic health conditions that require more comprehensive and specialized care. Some may find that the benefits offered by Medicare Advantage plans do not meet their specific needs, leading them to relook at their coverage. Furthermore, with the many annual changes in plan offerings and benefits, seniors sometimes feel compelled to explore alternatives that provide more predictable and comprehensive coverage, reinforcing their decision to transition away from Medicare Advantage in favor of plans that work better with their individual healthcare requirements.
Answered by Jennifer Whitworth on September 21, 2025
Broker Licensed in MA, CT, FL & 5 other states
Answered by Nathan Danovski on August 29, 2025
Broker Licensed in NC, GA, SC & TN, VA, WV & WY
Answered by Jason Hark, MBA, CMIP on June 4, 2025
Broker Licensed in IL, AL, AR & 17 other states
1. In some areas, an Advantage Plan may have a limited provider network. This could lead to a limitation of access or lack of choices for both primary and specialist care.
2. Out-of-pocket costs can be escalate quickly, especially with inpatient care or chronic condition care. While there are no hidden costs, being unaware of certain copayments or coverage limitations can leave unexpected bills. However, CMS regulation mandates that all Advantage Plans have a Max-Out-Of-Pocket (MOOP) where all covered services are paid by the carrier once the MOOP is met.
3. Prior authorizations and denied claims for medical procedures may have more of an impact on satisfaction level for those on Advantage Plans.
4. Annual Plan Changes can be confusing and hard to follow. Some plan changes include network, out of pocket costs, MOOP changes, and formulary changes.
There are other reasons why some may decide that Advantage are not a good fit. The alternative is returning to Original Medicare that can be supplemented with a Part D drug plan and Medigap Supplement plan. Just like with Advantage Plans, there are pros and cons to this approach as well. Happy to go into details!
Answered by Gabriel Reinhardt on October 6, 2025
Broker Licensed in CO, KS, NC, TX, VA & WY
Answered by Steven Bleicher on May 20, 2025
Broker Licensed in AZ
Answered by Cindy Clonts on June 18, 2025
Agent Licensed in GA, AL, CA & 9 other states
Answered by Tammie Rutledge on April 9, 2025
Broker Licensed in WA, AZ, CA & 6 other states
I'm finding that I am getting more phone calls lately from people who have had Medicare Supplement plans for many years and want to change to a Medicare Advantage plan.
I think if we, as brokers, educate clients properly then they are able to make a clear, well thought out decision on which direction they want to go with their Medicare coverage; traditional Medicare and a Medicare Supplement or a Medicare Advantage Plan. There are benefits to both and there is a right answer for each person.
If we, as brokers, educate our clients well and then allow them to select the coverage that fits their personal financial situation and their personal value system then we will see a fairly even split between Medicare Supplements and Medicare Advantage plans.
Answered by Katheryn Evans on May 20, 2025
Agent Licensed in WA, AZ, CA & 13 other states
Answered by D. Scott Harrod on October 20, 2025
Agent Licensed in KY
Answered by Justin Kramer on October 2, 2025
Broker Licensed in IA
Answered by Michael Braun on April 9, 2025
Agent Licensed in PA, DE, FL, MD, NJ & SC
Answered by Gwendolyn Brown on January 1, 2026
Broker Licensed in OK, CA, GA & IL, LA, MI & TX
Answered by Andrew Kramer on August 18, 2025
Agent Licensed in FL
Answered by Carol Thompson on October 8, 2025
Broker Licensed in FL, LA, MI & NC, SC, VA & WI
Answered by Mike Henry on September 2, 2025
Agent Licensed in TX
Some people may try a Medicare Advantage plan and then decide to go back to a Medicare Supplement plan. As far as how many are on Medicare Advantage vs supplement, there are now more Medicare beneficiaries on Medicare Advantage than supplement plans across the US.
Answered by Deborah Webster on May 15, 2025
Broker Licensed in Ia & SC
Answered by Andrew Kelly on April 27, 2025
Agent Licensed in WA & OR
Answered by Jaye Maxx Alexander II on September 3, 2025
Broker Licensed in NC, AK, AL & 47 other states
Answered by Mel Stevens on April 6, 2025
Broker Licensed in AZ
In Arizona 85% of the market is on medicare advantage plans. In my professional opinion MAPD make sense all the way around.
The advantage for my clients having me as their no cost broker I can review plan options every year and recommend based on their needs and benefits to maximize all offerings.
Hope this answers your question!
Toni Chavez
Answered by Toni Chavez on June 22, 2025
Broker Licensed in AZ, CA, NM, NV & UT
You will need a licensed, AHIP certified person who knowledgeable and experienced to guide you through the rules and procedures that will clearly give you practical options and solutions.
Answered by Dominic Javier on April 15, 2025
Broker Licensed in TX
Answered by James Wareheim on August 4, 2025
Agent Licensed in FL, GA, NC, NV & SC
Answered by Blaine Shipe on October 19, 2025
Broker Licensed in AZ, CA, CO & VA
Answered by Chauncey Bragg on August 25, 2025
Broker Licensed in OH
Answered by Mark Walker on January 5, 2026
Agent Licensed in FL
Answered by Theodore Carpenter on August 25, 2025
Broker Licensed in IA, AZ, IL & TN
Answered by Elizabeth Henderson on November 11, 2025
Broker Licensed in TX, AZ, CA & 11 other states
Answered by Larry Plyler on March 9, 2026
Broker Licensed in SC, NC & TN
About 2.9 million enrollees were forced to disenroll from MA plans in 2026 — roughly 10% of all MA beneficiaries. The average forced disenrollment rate was just 1% from 2018–2024, making this an unprecedented spike.
Why insurers are pulling back
Government reimbursement to MA plans is estimated to have fallen 20% from 2023 levels by 2026. Combined with rising healthcare costs and higher post-pandemic utilization, insurers like UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and Aetna are cutting plans in less profitable regions.
Why beneficiaries are choosing to leave
4 out of 10 disenrollees cited prior authorization delays as their “breaking point.” Network shrinkage is also a major factor — several large hospital systems in the Midwest and Southeast have stopped accepting MA plans entirely.
In 2026 alone, 21 major health systems have dropped MA plans, citing frustrations with prior authorization denials and slow insurer reimbursements.
The “ghost network” problem
A 2025 audit found that up to 35% of doctors listed in MA plan directories were either not accepting new patients or had left the network entirely.
What happens when a plan disappears
If an MA plan is terminated, enrollees are automatically moved to traditional Medicare — but that switch comes with no out-of-pocket maximum, and getting Medigap after the fact can be difficult or expensive due to medical underwriting.
Answered by John Hawk on May 18, 2026
Broker Licensed in NJ, NY, PA & SC
Answered by Alexander Lehn on June 6, 2025
Agent Licensed in NV, CA, FL & TX
2. Prior Authorization Delays and Denials: MA plans frequently require prior authorization for treatments, which can delay or deny care.
3. Plan Terminations and Market Exits
4. Difficulty Switching Back to Original Medicare:
Answered by Diana Pedersen on April 17, 2025
Agent Licensed in WA & ID
However if they do leave it is because the plans were not fully explained to them
or they did not receive good customer service
or their enrolling broker was no where to be found when a problem arose.
My job is to put my clients first.
So when my Knoxville Tennessee Client falls and breaks her Hip in Texas, I worked with the Insurance company and Client to get the Medical benefits covered in Network.
OR
Pointing my Clients to Special Programs like Special Veterans programs or Hotlines .
I am Medicare Broker all the time 7 days a week 365
Answered by Bill Holland on March 23, 2026
Broker Licensed in TN
Some choose to leave because their doctors, medications, local hospital, copays, etc have changed. Other times (more rare) is there plan is no longer available in their area.
Keep in mind that Medicare Advantage isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Even when some plans leave, there is a reason for it, and other plans are generally still available in that area.
People are still joining MA in huge amounts each year. The main thing we as agents aim to do, is to have a yearly review with each client to make sure their current plan still makes sense based on their individual needs. MA can be a great option for the right person, but it's not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Answered by Andrew Dooly on May 18, 2026
Broker Licensed in NC, CT, GA & 6 other states
Answered by Lara Goulson on August 13, 2025
Agent Licensed in CA
Remember, if you are not in your initial election period you will have to go through underwriting when going with a Medigap plan to pair with Original Medicare.
Answered by Toni Johnson on May 14, 2025
Agent Licensed in FL, IN, MO & 5 other states
Answered by Maria Pantall on December 8, 2025
Broker Licensed in IN & MI
Answered by Casey Peterson on April 9, 2025
Broker Licensed in ID, AZ, CO & 6 other states
Answered by Blake Beecher on November 10, 2025
Agent Licensed in MT
I think some people are leaving because their doctors and hospitals are not in network because of the new restriction and the difficulties . Also, the cost of some medicines make play a factor and having to get pre-authorization.
Thank you for your question, Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have anymore questions.
Best Regards
Dee
Answered by Demetrus Morton on June 23, 2025
Broker Licensed in GA, FL, MD, MI, SC & TX
Tags: Medicare Advantage
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