This is a pivotal year for our nation’s healthcare system, and one theme rises above the rest: affordability. Millions of older adults depend on Medicare Advantage for stability, simplicity, and support.
Why Affordability Must Be Our North Star
After nearly three decades in this work, I’ve learned that affordability is not just about numbers on a page. It’s about people. It’s about their security, their choices, their ability to live with dignity. And right now, many are feeling the pressure. Rising out-of-pocket costs, higher maximum limits, and fewer supplemental benefits mean too many seniors are being asked to shoulder more while receiving less.
This is not the future any of us want for Medicare Advantage.
The Challenge Before Us
The broader healthcare environment is undergoing rapid change. New regulatory requirements, shifting reimbursement structures, and increasing utilization are reshaping the economics of Medicare Advantage. After two years of federal funding cuts in 2024 and 2025, seniors have already felt the impact with fewer benefits, fewer choices, and higher costs.
The initial rate notice released at the end of January underscores that uncertainty still lies ahead. The proposal, which would essentially fund Medicare Advantage at current levels for 2027, fell far below underlying medical cost trends. This important program is incredibly popular with seniors. We also recognize that the federal government is dealing with significant fiscal pressure. Every administration wrestles with how to balance these two forces. We are sharing our perspective about the importance of this program for seniors with policymakers and advocating for an appropriate funding level that reflects the real cost of care. Once the final rate notice is released, we will adjust accordingly while keeping the health of our members at the center of every decision.
These aren’t abstract trends. They’re the forces influencing what coverage looks like for someone trying to manage a chronic condition, stay connected to their community, or simply afford their next prescription.
Our Responsibility Has Never Been Clearer
The best way to keep care affordable is to keep people healthy. Medicare Advantage does that through better prevention, coordination, and support.
At Humana, we’ve spent years building a Medicare Advantage program rooted in value-based care, a model that prioritizes coordinated care, whole-person health, and predictable costs. I’m proud of what our teams have built, and I’m grateful to have contributed to the foundation we now stand on.
We must continue to simplify the path to care, reduce barriers, and invest in innovations that make navigating the system easier for every member. We must also lead with clarity as policymakers evaluate new reforms. What seniors need most right now is stability and predictability, not additional cuts or disruptions that could threaten the affordability and access to care they depend on.
Moving Forward Together
Medicare Advantage works because it’s competitive. Competition fuels affordability, innovation, and access. We must protect that environment.
This is a moment for all of us — industry leaders, policymakers, clinicians, and advocates — to come together around a shared goal: protecting and advancing affordability for older adults.
Because affordability isn’t merely a policy issue. It’s a humanity issue. And it’s one we must get right.
