By Amina Niasse

NEW YORK (Reuters) -UnitedHealth said it will stop offering Medicare Advantage plans in 16 U.S. counties in 2026, impacting 180,000 members, as the company balances higher costs with reimbursement pressure in the insurance program.

“The combination of (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) funding cuts, rising healthcare costs and increased utilization have created headwinds that no organization can ignore,” said Bobby Hunter, who runs the company’s government programs.

UnitedHealth is leaving the counties but will continue to operate in most states, he said in a Tuesday press briefing.

The government pays private insurers to operate the Medicare Advantage plans for people 65 and older or with disabilities. The company’s UnitedHealthcare insurance business has the

See Full Page