Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is raising premiums and eliminating some Medicare Advantage plans in 2026 after losing $200 million last year, according to the Finger Lakes Times.
A 2023 federal change boosted payments to upstate hospitals but didn’t raise the funding insurers get for Advantage plans, leaving nonprofits like Excellus stuck paying 20–40% more without help. UnitedHealthcare also confirmed rising prices and benefit cuts.
Congress has yet to fix the funding gap. As enrollment opens Oct. 15, some seniors are already receiving letters that their $0 premium plans are ending.
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