Medicare Advantage Enrollment 2026: Growth Slows, SNPs Rise to 35 Million
The Centers for Medicare &. Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released data offering a snapshot of Medicare Advantage enrollment as of February 1, 2026. The data reveal continued, though slowing, growth in overall enrollment, alongside a significant shift in the types of plans attracting beneficiaries. These trends follow projections from last fall indicating that insurers anticipated a more moderate enrollment increase in 2026 compared to the previous year.
Medicare Advantage Enrollment Trends
As of February 2026, just over 35 million people are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans – a rise of 1.1 million since February 2025, representing 3% year-over-year growth. While enrollment has steadily increased from 8 million in 2007 to 34 million in 2025, the rate of growth is decelerating. In 2025, enrollment grew by 4%, a slower pace than the average 9% annual increase seen between 2007 and 2024.
The Rise of Special Needs Plans
A key driver of the recent enrollment increase is the growth of Special Needs Plans (SNPs). These plans cater to beneficiaries with specific health needs or those eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. SNP enrollment has climbed to over 8 million as of February 2026, an increase of nearly 900,000 since the prior year. This accounts for 83% of the total Medicare Advantage enrollment growth over the last year.
In contrast, enrollment growth in traditional individual Medicare Advantage plans was more modest, increasing by 224,000 people. Enrollment in employer- and union-sponsored group plans saw a slight decline of approximately 40,000 enrollees, though a decrease of 1.2 million in group MA-PDs was offset by a 1.1 million increase in employer MA-only plans.
Insurance Provider Performance
The performance of individual insurers varied. Humana Inc. And Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. Were the only two of the five largest insurers to experience enrollment increases. Humana added 1.2 million enrollees, while Kaiser Permanente gained 64,000.
UnitedHealth Group, Inc., the largest Medicare Advantage insurer, lost over 530,000 enrollees. CVS Health Corporation saw a decrease of 29,000 enrollees, and Elevance Health Inc. Experienced a decline of 368,000. Smaller insurers, those with fewer than 1 million enrollees, collectively increased enrollment by 734,000, with growth observed across SNPs, individual plans, and group plans.
Medicare Advantage plans generally offer benefits beyond traditional Medicare, including reduced cost-sharing, coverage for vision, dental, and hearing, and often, no premium beyond the standard Part B premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Advantage is a private plan alternative to traditional Medicare, providing coverage for Medicare Part A and Part B benefits.
What are Special Needs Plans (SNPs)?
SNPs are Medicare Advantage plans that limit enrollment to beneficiaries with specialized health needs or those who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.
How many Medicare Advantage plans are available to beneficiaries in 2026?
The average Medicare beneficiary can choose from among 32 Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage in 2026.
As the Medicare Advantage landscape continues to evolve, it will be important to monitor how these trends impact access to care and the overall quality of healthcare for seniors and individuals with disabilities.