Dive Brief:

Medicare Advantage enrollment is set to decline next year , according to the CMS, marking the first time in years the privatized Medicare plans could enroll fewer beneficiaries.

Insurers project 34 million people will sign up for MA plans in 2026, falling from 34.9 million this year, the CMS said in a Friday release. Enrollment in MA will make up about 48% of the Medicare population next year, down from half in 2025.

Though the CMS anticipates premiums, benefits and plan choices will “remain stable” next year, analysts said they expect to see benefit reductions when the regulator releases its plan finder tool later this week.

Dive Insight:

The average monthly plan premium across all MA plans next year is estimated to fall to $14 from $16.40 in 2025, according to the CM

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