Salem Radio Network News Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Health

CVS Health, Humana to reduce Medicare Advantage operations in 2026

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By Amina Niasse

(Reuters) -CVS Health and Humana will pull back Medicare Advantage offerings next year, the companies said Wednesday.

CVS Health’s Aetna insurance business will operate prescription drug plans in 100 fewer counties than 2025, and rival Humana will cut plans back to 85% of U.S. counties next year, down from 89% in 2025. The companies provide the plans on behalf of the U.S. government.

Humana and CVS Health have the second and fourth-largest Medicare Advantage business for people aged 65 and older or with disabilities, following UnitedHealth. Insurers this year have said unexpected use of medical services in their Medicare businesses have led to exits of less profitable markets.

The companies will also reduce operations by state, with Humana providing plans in 46 states in 2026, down from 48 this year. Aetna will provide plans in 43 states and Washington D.C. and 2,159 counties for 2026, down from 44 states and 2,259 counties in 2025.

Humana said it will offer new plan types in four states and 177 counties, and 83% of stand-alone prescription drug plans for 2026 will carry decreased premiums. For people who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid plans, funded for low-income Americans, CVS Health will expand offerings to 16 new states.

“For decades, Humana has been dedicated to making healthcare easy to navigate for Medicare beneficiaries, offering clear and consistent options that prioritize stability, quality and affordability,” said George Renaudin, president of insurance at Humana.

(Reporting by Amina Niasse in New York and Mariam Sunny in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri, Jan Harvey and Chizu Nomiyama )

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