12/22/2025
The news out of Minnesota should stop every Medicare Advantage enrollee in their tracks. The Mayo Clinic, one of the most respected hospitals in the world, is walking away from UnitedHealthcare and Humana’s Medicare Advantage networks starting January 1, 2026.
Tens of thousands of seniors who counted on Mayo’s care will find themselves locked out unless they change plans. And this time, there’s no clear explanation.
UnitedHealthcare confirmed the split for its individual Advantage members but kept its employer retiree plans intact. Humana blamed Mayo’s “significantly higher reimbursement rates” for making costs unsustainable. Mayo’s statement was simple, they’ll keep accepting Original Medicare. Translation, if you want guaranteed access to Mayo, you need traditional Medicare with a Medicare Supplement, not an Advantage plan.
Let that sink in. Two of the biggest private Medicare insurers couldn’t make the numbers work with one of America’s best hospitals.
This is not a Minnesota problem, this is a warning shot.
Across the country, insurers are tightening networks, raising out-of-pocket costs, and switching to HMOs to control rising expenses. The federal government’s own projections show premiums jumping almost 18 percent next year in some states, while the number of plan options shrinks. Advantage plans may still look cheaper on paper, but the fine print, prior authorizations, narrower networks, and reduced benefits, keeps getting worse.
The Mayo decision exposes the flaw baked into Medicare Advantage. These plans depend on negotiated contracts and cost controls, not patient freedom. When hospitals or doctors can’t afford the deal, the door closes on the patient.
Original Medicare, paired with a solid Med Supp plan, doesn’t play that game. No networks, no pre-approvals, no surprises when you need world-class care.
Agents should pay attention. This story will be repeated in other states, with other major hospitals. The message for your clients is clear, if they want the freedom to choose their care, especially from places like Mayo, Cleveland Clinic, or MD Anderson, they need to stay in control of their Medicare, not turn it over to a private insurer.
The Mayo Clinic didn’t change, the math on Medicare Advantage did
LinkedIn: Jamie Sarno
