Despite concerns raised by the industry, the Medicare Advantage market remains robust in terms of enrollment, plan choice, and extra benefits. Enrollment in Medicare Advantage surpassed 35 million people in February of 2026, as more than half of eligible beneficiaries receive their Medicare coverage from a private plan. The number of plan options has ticked down in recent years, but remains higher in 2026 than in 2022 and every year before. Virtually all Medicare beneficiaries have at least one zero-premium plan with prescription drug coverage to choose from (excluding the Part B premium that all beneficiaries pay). Almost all plans (at least 98%) offer vision, dental, and hearing – benefits that are not covered by traditional Medicare. At the same time, rebate payments to plans from the Medicare program, which must be used to lower cost sharing, pay for extra benefits, and reduce premiums, are expected to reach their highest level ever, averaging more than $2,600 per enrollee in 2026. ARTICLE
