BIG Medicare Advantage news that is expected to impact approximately 390,000 members…
UnitedHealthcare (UHC) recently announced that it will be dropping some of its Medicare Advantage plans across the country in 2027 (affecting 140 counties). New information confirms that it will exit the state of Wyoming.
Here’s what to know.
What’s Happening
UnitedHealthcare confirmed it will reduce some service areas and discontinue some plans effective January 1, 2027, impacting approximately 390,000 members.
UnitedHealthcare will send non-renewal notices dated October 2, 2026, to affected members. Members can enroll in another Medicare Advantage plan between October 15 and December 31, 2026, for coverage starting January 1, 2027.
Members who do not enroll will automatically return to Original Medicare on January 1, 2027, and will have a special election period to choose a new Medicare Advantage plan until February 28, 2027.
The good news is, there could be many other UnitedHealthcare plans to choose from in your area, so it’s worth checking to see what else they have available.
The Impact by State:
- Wyoming: UnitedHealthcare is exiting Wyoming in 2027.
- Counties: UHC is leaving 34 counties entirely and pulling standard plans from 140 counties, leaving most of those counties with only its special needs plans.
- Plan Types: UHC will offer 852 Medicare Advantage plans in 2027, up from 846, as it reduces its PPO plans by 34 and adds 40 special needs plans.
Bobby Hunter, president of UnitedHealthcare, recently announced that the company will exit some areas where it offers a higher share of PPO plans.
These changes will primarily affect members in PPO plans. In 2027, 66% of UnitedHealthcare members will have access to both an HMO and a PPO option, compared to 70% in 2026. The specific plans affected vary by state and county.
In 2027, about 34 million Americans are expected to be enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, approximately 47.4% of all Medicare enrollees.
This decision comes as UnitedHealthcare says Medicare Advantage funding has not kept pace with medical and pharmacy costs.
In the second quarter of 2026, UnitedHealth Group reported revenues of $112.0 billion and earnings from operations of $8.0 billion. Its medical care ratio (the share of premium revenue spent on medical costs) was 86.7%, compared to 89.4% in the second quarter of 2025.
UnitedHealthcare President Bobby Hunter pointed to four factors affecting healthcare costs:
- Funding pressures
- Rising medical costs
- Rising drug costs
- Increased use of medical services
Which States Are Most Affected?
UHC’s service area reductions are not uniform, with some states seeing a much more significant impact than others. The company is:
- Exiting the entire state of Wyoming.
- Pulling standard plans from 140 counties, while offering Medicare Advantage plans in 2,791 counties across 47 states and Washington, D.C., up from 2,787 counties in 2026.
Despite these changes, UHC projects that its plans will remain available to more than 94% of Medicare-eligible individuals nationwide in 2027. About 95% of Medicare-eligible individuals in UHC’s footprint will have access to a Medicare Advantage HMO plan in 2027.
What Are Medicare Advantage Plans?
Medicare Advantage plans (also called Medicare Part C) are an alternative way to get Medicare benefits through private insurance companies approved by Medicare.
Instead of having Original Medicare (Parts A and B) plus a separate prescription drug plan, Medicare Advantage plans often bundle everything together into one plan.
These plans may include:
- Hospital coverage (Part A)
- Medical coverage (Part B)
- Prescription drug coverage (Part D)
- Potentially additional benefits like dental, vision, or hearing aids
The key difference is that with Medicare Advantage, you’re getting your Medicare benefits through a private insurance company rather than directly through the government. These companies receive payments from Medicare to provide your coverage.
Medicare Advantage plans often have networks of doctors and hospitals you need to use, and they may require referrals to see specialists. However, they also frequently offer lower monthly premiums and additional benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover.
With about 34 million Medicare beneficiaries expected to be enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans in 2027 (roughly 47.4%), they’ve become an increasingly popular plan option.
Need Help With Medicare?
If you have any questions about this situation or you’d like help finding another UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan, our licensed insurance agents are standing by.
Simply call us at +1 877-360-6565 (TTY: 711) or click the button below to schedule an appointment.
Calvin Bagley is the founder of PlanFit, The Medicare Store, and Nuvo Health. He and his team have helped over 60,000 people navigate Medicare options, and he’s a nationally recognized speaker in the Medicare industry. Most importantly, he’s someone who believes every American deserves clear, honest information without pressure.