Serious diagnoses linked to switching Medicare Advantage plans — MarketWatch
In the United States, Medicare Advantage enrollees who receive complex medical diagnoses are more likely to leave their plans and switch to traditional Medicare. As MarketWatch reports, such a transition can be difficult and costly for patients.
Data from a new study
A new study published in JAMA Health Forum found that Medicare Advantage enrollees with new serious illnesses were more likely to leave the program than enrollees without new diagnoses.
The study concerns patients diagnosed with a heart attack, Alzheimer’s disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression, congestive heart failure, or stroke.
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Alzheimer’s disease
The development of Alzheimer’s disease was associated with the largest increase in switches by Medicare Advantage enrollees to traditional Medicare among the listed new diagnoses.
Medicare’s annual open enrollment period runs from October 15 to December 7. The MarketWatch article was updated on September 3, 2026.
