UnitedHealth said it will stop offering Medicare Advantage plans in 109 U.S. counties in 2026, impacting 180,000 members, as the company balances higher costs with reimbursement pressure in the insurance program. 'The combination of CMS funding cuts, rising healthcare costs and increased utilization have created headwinds that no organization can ignore,' said Bobby Hunter, who runs the company's government programs. UnitedHealth is leaving the counties but will continue to operate in most states, he said in a Tuesday press briefing. The government pays private insurers to operate the Medicare Advantage plans for people 65 and older or with disabilities. The company's UnitedHealthcare insurance business has the most enrolled members, ahead of rivals CVS Health and Humana. UnitedHealth suspended its full-year guidance this year, after missing earnings for the first time since 2008. The company attributed the first-quarter earnings miss to unexpected costs in its Medicare Advantage business as members increased use of medical services.
In a social media landscape shaped by hashtags, algorithms, and viral posts, nurse leaders must decide: Will they let the narrative spiral, or can they adapt and join the conversation?
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