Medicare: Opciones para la reforma
Report:…
Medicare
Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage Enrollment Grew by About 1 Million People, Mainly Due to Special Needs Plans
Medicare Advantage enrollment rose to 35.1 million people as of Feb. 1, an increase of 1.1 million since February 2025. The 3% uptick belied Medicare Advantage insurers’ projections that overall enrollment would decline compared to 2025. It was the lowest annual percentage increase in two decades.
The latest increase was largely driven by rising enrollment in Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans (SNPs), which accounted for 83% of enrollment gains in 2026. However, three of the five largest Medicare Advantage insurers, including market leader UnitedHealth Group, Inc., experienced overall Medicare Advantage enrollment declines.
The latest increase was largely driven by rising enrollment in Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans (SNPs), which accounted for 83% of enrollment gains in 2026. However, three of the five largest Medicare Advantage insurers, including market leader UnitedHealth Group, Inc., experienced overall Medicare Advantage enrollment declines.
New & Noteworthy
What Medicare’s Temporary Program Covering GLP-1s for Obesity Means for Beneficiaries
CMS’s efforts to expand Medicare coverage of GLP-1s for obesity could provide substantial benefits to millions of Medicare beneficiaries, given the potential demand for these highly effective medications…There are potential drawbacks to the short-term program, however.
Examining the Potential Impact of Medicare’s New WISeR Model
A federal initiative to establish new prior authorization requirements in traditional Medicare, called the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) model, is likely to have only modest impact in its first year.
State Profiles for Dual-Eligible Individuals
This data collection draws on Medicare and Medicaid administrative data to present national and state-level information on people who are covered by both Medicare and Medicaid, referred to as dual-eligible individuals (also known as dually-enrolled beneficiaries).
Medicare Part D
Analyzing Changes in Medicare Part D Enrollment for 2026
Analysis of CMS data shows that 56.1 million people have Medicare Part D drug coverage as of Feb. 2026, with 56% of enrollees in Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage (MA-PDs) and 44% in stand-alone prescription drug plans (PDPs.)PDP enrollment increased, mainly due to the rise in enrollment in group employer/union plans for retirees.
Between 2025 and 2026, enrollment in group Medicare Advantage drug plans dropped for the first time since 2010, while group PDP enrollment rose by the largest amount Since 2013.
Between 2025 and 2026, enrollment in group Medicare Advantage drug plans dropped for the first time since 2010, while group PDP enrollment rose by the largest amount Since 2013.
Prescription Drugs
Recent Trends in GLP-1 Use and Spending in Medicare
Ahead of the Trump administration’s planned expansion of Medicare coverage for GLP-1s to treat obesity through temporary models and the availability of Medicare’s negotiated price for certain GLP-1 products beginning in 2027, new data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) shows that use and spending for these drugs under Medicare has grown substantially in recent years.
Data Visualization
The Facts About Medicare Spending
This interactive provides the facts on Medicare spending. Medicare, which serves 67 million people and accounts for 12 percent of the federal budget and 21 percent of national health spending, is often the focus of discussions about health expenditures, health care affordability and the sustainability of federal health programs.
Explore data on enrollment growth, Medicare spending trends overall and per person, growth in Medicare spending relative to private insurance, spending on benefits and Medicare Advantage, Part A trust fund solvency challenges, and growth in out-of-pocket spending by beneficiaries.
Related: FAQs on Medicare Financing and Trust Fund Solvency
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Medicare Open Enrollment
Beneficiaries Have 32 Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans Available, on Average, for 2026
The average Medicare beneficiary will be able to choose among 32 Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage for 2026, two fewer than in 2025. The number of MA-PD options has grown steadily since 2010, peaking in 2024 when the average Medicare beneficiary had 36 options. Open enrollment runs October 15 through December 7.
Also: Medicare Open Enrollment FAQs
Also: Medicare Open Enrollment FAQs
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