Feeling Frustrated With Your Medicare Advantage Plan? You’re Not Alone — Member Satisfaction Fell For the Second Year
Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Part C, offer beneficiaries an alternative to original Medicare and have successfully enrolled millions of eligible Americans. However, 2026 was another tough year for Medicare Advantage plans and their customers, with many beneficiaries expressing their frustrations. Factors driving the dissatisfaction include narrower access to provider networks and higher prescription drug and outpatient care costs.
"While some stand-out performers are driving improvements in member satisfaction despite the challenges, the majority of plans are struggling to build a strong sense of patient advocacy and trust among their members,” said Meaghan Hafner, senior director of healthcare solutions at JD Power.
J.D. Power's 2026 U.S. Medicare Advantage Study showed a 12-point drop in overall customer satisfaction. The study highlighted sharp two-year declines across several key metrics, led by how well plans help members save time and money (down 51 points), member trust (down 49 points), and whether coverage offerings meet member needs (down 47 points).
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