What Patients and Caregivers Need to Know This Open Enrollment Season
If you’ve turned on a TV lately, you’ve probably seen the flood of Medicare Advantage ads — thousands a day by some estimates. But behind the promises, many hospitals are quietly saying no to these plans.
Across the country, health systems report that Medicare Advantage’s growing administrative burden — from denied authorizations to delayed reimbursements — has become unsustainable. Some hospitals have already ended their contracts; others are limiting participation to only a few select plans.
For patients, this means that the hospital you think is covered under your plan might not be — especially if you need specialty care or ongoing treatment.
If you are considering a Medicare Advantage plan, check first to see if your preferred hospital still takes it!
Hospitals That Have Dropped or Limited Medicare Advantage Plans
(Note: this list may not be complete, do your own research to double-check.)
| Health System | State | Status |
| Mayo Clinic | MN + national | Dropping most United Healthcare & Humana MA (2026) |
| Johns Hopkins Medicine | MD / DC | Out of network with UHC MA (2025) |
| Scripps Health | CA | Ended all MA contracts (2024) |
| Kettering Health | OH | Ending Humana & Devoted MA (2025) |
| Northern Light Health | ME | Dropped Humana MA (2024) |
| Aultman Health System | OH | Ended Humana MA (2024) |
| St. Charles Health | OR | Ended Humana & Centene MA (2024) |
| MyMichigan Health | MI | Ended Aetna MA (2025) |
| LMH Health | KS | Dropping Aetna & Humana MA (2025) |
| Brookings Health System | SD | Dropped all MA plans (2024) |
Systems Reported to be Reconsidering or Narrowing, Medicare Advantage Plans
(Again, confirm with your own research. Change is a constant!)
| Health System | State | Signals / Notes |
| Blessing Health | IL | Limiting MA participation; keeping only select insurers |
| Genesis HealthCare System | OH | Ending Anthem BCBS & Humana MA contracts |
| ECU Health | NC | Ended Humana MA; reviewing others |
| Carson Tahoe Health | NV | Plan to drop UHC MA |
| Kimball Health Services | NE | Intends to end all MA contracts |
Q & A: Key to Your Decision – and Peace of Mind
As hospitals reassess their relationships with Medicare Advantage, patients and families need clear information to make confident decisions. The best defense is awareness — and partnership.
Check your coverage, ask questions, and share what you learn with others who may be confused by the pervasive advertising noise. By law, tradional Medicare cannot advertise, but that does not mean it’s not a good option!
When care and insurance policies align according to personal needs, preferences and risk tolerance, patients can feel assured they have access to care with costs covered as they expect — no surprises!
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