Several splits take effect October 1, leaving retirees in Columbus, New York City, Kansas City, and other areas little time to check their hospitals.
At least 33 U.S. health systems have ended, or are preparing to end, in-network contracts with one or more Medicare Advantage insurers in 2026, according to a Becker's Hospital Review tracker updated on September 22. Several of those changes take effect October 1, two weeks before Medicare's annual open enrollment period begins on October 15.
Becker's notes that its list is not exhaustive. For an older adult in the middle of cancer treatment or waiting for surgery, a hospital leaving a plan's network can change what care costs or whether it is covered at all. Open enrollment, which runs through December 7, is the main chance most enrollees get to pick a 2027 plan that includes their hospital.
Medicare Advantage now covers more than half of eligible Medicare beneficiaries, so these contract disputes reach a large share of retirees. Health systems that drop plans often cite prior authorization denials and slow payment, Becker's reports, although in some cases the insurer ends the contract.
October 1 Exits Hit Columbus, New York, and Kansas City First
In Columbus, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, The James Cancer Center, and OSU-affiliated physicians will be out of network for Humana's individual Medicare Advantage members starting October 1. Humana notified the health system that it was ending the contract. A separate agreement keeps the same facilities in network for Humana Medicaid and group Medicare members in 2026 and 2027.
"Humana is focused on preserving access to care for our members," Adam Sayer, a Humana market president, said in Humana's statement on the Ohio State agreement. The insurer said individual members with certain medical conditions may qualify to keep seeing their current providers at the in-network benefit level for a set period.
In New York City, NewYork-Presbyterian's member notice says its hospitals and medical group practices will be out of network for most UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage members on October 1 unless the two sides reach an agreement by September 30. The dispute has been extended several times since the original January deadline. ColumbiaDoctors and Weill Cornell Medicine physicians remain in network, but tests, procedures, and hospital stays at NewYork-Presbyterian facilities may not be.
Also on October 1, NKC Health in North Kansas City, Missouri, and Valley Health System in Winchester, Virginia, go out of network with UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage. Norman Regional Health System in Oklahoma, which left Aetna's Medicare Advantage network in August, is set to leave UnitedHealthcare's in October.
Year-End Splits Stretch from Florida to Minnesota
A second wave arrives at the end of 2026. Lee Health in Fort Myers, Florida, will leave UnitedHealthcare's Medicare Advantage network, and Naples Comprehensive Health will leave Wellcare and HealthSpring plans. Endeavor Health, based in Evanston, Illinois, will no longer be in network with Aetna Medicare Advantage after 2026.
Sentara Health in Norfolk, Virginia, will go out of network with Anthem's Medicare Advantage plans at the end of 2026 if the two cannot reach a new deal. Genesis Healthcare System in Zanesville, Ohio, has told Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Medical Mutual, and CareSource that its Medicare Advantage contracts will end at the end of 2026 without new agreements. Minneapolis-based Fairview Health Services will stop scheduling UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage patients on January 1, 2027.
Other large systems split with insurers earlier. Mount Sinai in New York left Anthem's Medicare Advantage network in January, and Mayo Clinic is out of network with most UnitedHealthcare and Humana Medicare Advantage plans. Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa left Aetna's plans in December 2025 and Humana's on July 1.
Retirees in Active Treatment Carry the Heaviest Burden
The people with the most at stake are those in the middle of care, such as chemotherapy, dialysis, a planned joint replacement, or regular specialist visits. Members of HMO-style plans usually have little or no out-of-network coverage, so a network change can amount to a loss of coverage for nonemergency care at that hospital.
NewYork-Presbyterian's notice says UnitedHealthcare group retiree PPO plans are not affected by its dispute. Emergencies are also handled differently. Humana says its members should go to the closest hospital in an emergency and that emergency care will be covered at the in-network benefit level.
Many people do not shop around. A KFF analysis cited in medicareresources.org's open enrollment guide found that about 7 in 10 beneficiaries did not compare plans during a recent enrollment period, and relatively few Medicare Advantage enrollees switch plans in a typical year.
Steps to Take Before December 7
Start with the Annual Notice of Change your plan mails each fall, which lists premium, benefit, and network changes. Next, confirm your hospital and each of your doctors directly with both the hospital's billing office and the plan, using the plan's exact name. Then compare options on the Medicare plan finder once 2027 plans are posted.
A second window, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 through March 31, allows one plan change, with new coverage starting the first day of the following month. Free, unbiased counseling is available through each state's State Health Insurance Assistance Program, and 1-800-MEDICARE can explain local options.
Anyone in active treatment should ask the insurer about continuity-of-care coverage before deciding whether to switch or stay, and should not delay needed care while sorting out coverage.
MedicalDaily earlier reported that some Medicare Advantage insurers are exiting markets and are expected to trim 2027 benefits. Contract talks can still change this picture. NewYork-Presbyterian and UnitedHealthcare could announce another extension or a deal before September 30, and Sentara's status depends on its negotiations with Anthem. MedicalDaily will update this list as new contract decisions are confirmed.
Key Questions Answered
How many health systems are dropping Medicare Advantage plans? At least 33, according to a Becker's Hospital Review tracker updated September 22. The list is not exhaustive and includes contract breaks that took effect or were announced in 2026.
Which changes take effect October 1? Ohio State's Wexner Medical Center, The James, and OSU-affiliated physicians with Humana's individual Medicare Advantage plans; NKC Health and Valley Health System with UnitedHealthcare; and NewYork-Presbyterian with UnitedHealthcare unless a deal is reached by September 30.
When can I change my Medicare Advantage plan? Open enrollment runs October 15 through December 7, with coverage starting January 1. A second window from January 1 through March 31 allows one change.
Will emergency care still be covered? Humana says emergency care at the closest hospital is covered at the in-network benefit level. Check your own plan's rules, because nonemergency care is treated differently.
I am in the middle of treatment. What should I do? Call your insurer and ask about continuity-of-care coverage, and confirm your hospital's 2027 network status before choosing a plan. Do not delay needed care.
Where can I get free help? Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program offers unbiased counseling at no cost, and 1-800-MEDICARE can explain the plans available where you live.
Published by Medicaldaily.com
