UnitedHealthcare, Aetna say 2027 Medicare Advantage plans to offer more limited provider networks
UNH•UnitedHealthcare and Aetna plan to shift toward Medicare Advantage offerings with more limited provider networks in 2027. About 34 million people are expected to be covered, down 6%, while the government expects average premiums to fall more than 16% to $12.
1. Narrower provider access
UnitedHealthcare and CVS Health’s Aetna said they will offer more Medicare Advantage plans that limit provider access in 2027. UnitedHealthcare plans to exit locations where it has a higher proportion of preferred provider organization plans, while Aetna said it is expanding health maintenance organization plans.
2. Coverage and enrollment
UnitedHealthcare said 66% of its members will have access to both an HMO and a PPO, down from 70% in 2026. Aetna will offer plans in 41 states in 2027, compared with 43 this year; an analyst estimated it will lose 950,000 enrollees as it withdraws from some states. Humana plans to offer coverage in more than 80% of U.S. counties, down from 85% in 2026.
3. Industry pressures
UnitedHealthcare cited funding pressures, rising medical and drug costs, and increased utilization. The government has cut payments to Medicare Advantage companies since 2024, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services expects average premiums to drop more than 16% next year, to $12 from $14.37. About 34 million people are expected to be covered by the plans in 2027, a decline of 6%.
