Nearly 77,000 New Hampshire Residents to Lose Medicare Advantage Coverage

Approximately 77,000 New Hampshire residents will be dropped from their Medicare Advantage plans as several major insurers withdraw from the state’s market, potentially impacting access to healthcare for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

The withdrawals, announced by Anthem, Martin’s Point, and UnitedHealth, stem from decreased federal payments and rising healthcare costs, according to the New Hampshire Insurance Department. In Cheshire County, only WellSense and Humana will continue to offer Medicare Advantage plans in 2026, but a contract dispute between Humana and Dartmouth Health means Cheshire Medical Center will be out-of-network for Humana plan holders, potentially requiring travel to Brattleboro Memorial or Monadnock Community Hospital for in-network care. This situation mirrors a national trend of insurers reassessing their Medicare Advantage offerings.

Richard Godek of Winchester, who has had a prescription for heart attack and stroke risk reduction covered by an Anthem Medicare Advantage plan for 18 months, received notice on October 2nd that his plan would not be offered in 2026. “Anthem dropped me like a hot potato,” Godek said, adding that without insurance, he would face monthly prescription costs of $427. Local hospitals are also feeling the strain, with Monadnock Community Hospital reporting $3 million in losses due to administrative burdens and claim denials from Medicare Advantage plans. You can learn more about Medicare and its various plans on the official government website.

The New Hampshire Insurance Department is directing beneficiaries to local Aging and Disability Resource Centers and the state’s Health Insurance Assistance program for guidance. Officials stated that the department is unable to regulate the insurers’ decisions, as Medicare Advantage is federally funded and regulated, but will continue to assist residents navigating the changes during the upcoming enrollment period.