Memo: Analysis of the CMS 2026 Medicare Advantage Landscape File

Seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage will face higher out-of-pocket limits and fewer plan options in 2026, even as premiums remain stable, according to a new analysis by Avalere of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) 2026 Medicare Advantage Landscape File. The findings point to an affordability squeeze with real consequences for beneficiaries.

Key findings include:

• Rising out-of-pocket limits: The national median maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) will increase from $5,400 in 2025 to $5,900 in 2026—a 9.3% rise and nearly a $900 increase over two years.
• Fewer plan choices: There will be 335 fewer non–special needs plans offered in 2026, continuing a two-year trend of shrinking plan availability.
• Fewer plans offering lower MOOPs: 11% fewer plans will offer MOOPs below the CMS limit in 2026.
• Premiums stable, affordability pressure rising: While 59% of offerings remain $0-premium, higher MOOPs, fewer sub-limit MOOP options, and fewer overall plan choices mean beneficiaries may still face higher costs when they need care and fewer avenues to find lower-cost options.