Medicare Advantage Enrollment Grew by About 1 Million People, Mainly Due to Special Needs Plans

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the latest Medicare Advantage enrollment data following the 2025 Open Enrollment Period. Overall, the data show that total Medicare Advantage enrollment continued to increase, albeit at a slower rate than in prior years. Medicare Advantage enrollment increased to 35 million, up 3% (1.1 million) since February 2025.

The increase in 2026 was largely driven by increased enrollment in Special Needs Plans (SNPs), which comprised 83 percent of the increase in enrollment. Insurers' decisions to expand SNP offerings have led to enrollment growth in that segment. Enrollment in individual plans increased, but at a slower pace than in any year between 2007 and 2025. Enrollment changes varied across private insurers that sponsor Medicare Advantage plans, with some plans experiencing more rapid growth while others saw enrollment decline.