A new analysis from KFF (formerly the Kaiser Family Foundation) reveals that while Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment and plan availability have steadily increased, competition in local markets remains limited. In 2025, beneficiaries will have access to an average of 34 MA plans, nearly double the number available in 2018, with options typically offered by about eight firms per county.
Despite this growth, 90 percent of beneficiaries live in counties where just one or two insurers account for at least half of all enrollees. The study also found that in 2024, nearly 80 percent of counties had highly concentrated MA markets, with UnitedHealthcare and Humana dominating enrollment in most areas.
This high concentration may limit true choice for beneficiaries and poses broader implications for competition and pricing in the Medicare Advantage program. Read the full KFF report on Medicare Advantage market concentration for more details.