Healthcare news for October 12, 2026
Your Social Security raise lands Wednesday, and Medicare open enrollment starts Thursday with fewer plans to pick from The 2027 cost-of-living raise is due Oct. 14. A day later, you can start comparing Medicare plans for next year, and the choices are thinner. The typical person has fewer Advantage and drug plans, fewer plans earned five stars, and millions whose plans are ending must choose something new by Dec. 7.
In 30 seconds
- Look for the 2027 Social Security raise on Wednesday. AARP projected about 3.6% from August data, but only SSA's number is official.
- Starting Thursday, compare your Medicare plan against others for 2027, even if you like it. Benefits, drug lists and star ratings change.
- Watch for a one-time $90 Medicare payment by direct deposit or check. People with IRMAA or Medicaid-paid premiums don't qualify.
- Measles cases have topped 4,000 nationwide this year. Check that you and your grandkids are up to date on the MMR shot.
Medicare & Seniors
Fewer Medicare plans and fewer counties with any Advantage plan in 2027
The typical enrollee will see 28 Advantage drug plans and 9 standalone drug plans, both down from this year. The number of counties with no Advantage plan at all jumps from 67 to 181.
Center for Medicare AdvocacyNew star ratings: Humana jumps, Aetna slips
Humana now has 93% of members in plans rated four stars or more, up from 20%. Aetna, UnitedHealthcare and Alignment Healthcare lost ground. Ratings show on Medicare's Plan Finder.
Fierce Healthcare$90 Medicare payments are going out to over 20 million people
The one-time payment is meant to help with Part B premiums and comes by direct deposit or mailed check. People who pay IRMAA or whose premiums Medicaid covers are left out.
The White House
Insurance & ACA
UnitedHealthcare leaves Georgia's ACA marketplace for 2027
The exit came after state regulators pushed back on a 54% rate request. Cigna is also leaving, so many Georgians must pick a new insurer. Final rates there average about 21% higher.
Medical DailyWho is getting the $500 ACA 'refund' checks
About 950,000 HealthCare.gov enrollees in 30 states are getting checks. People who got premium subsidies or used a state-run exchange don't qualify.
Advisory BoardMichigan sues Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan as an illegal monopoly
The attorney general says the insurer controls about 65% of the state market and used that power to raise premiums. The company says it was blindsided and disagrees.
Fierce Healthcare
Medicines & FDA
FDA approves a new pill for hard-to-treat herpes sores
Hovilpri is for adults with weak immune systems whose sores didn't heal on standard antivirals. In a trial, 63% healed fully by day 28 versus 34% on other drugs.
FDAImmunotherapy plus chemo approved after surgery for some colon cancers
Tecentriq is now approved with chemo for stage III colon cancer with a specific genetic feature (dMMR). Adding it cut the risk of the cancer returning by about half in a trial.
FDAPre-workout powder recalled over a banned stimulant
One lot of RAPTURE Pre Workout was found to contain DMAA, which the FDA says can cause serious heart problems. Stop using it if you have it.
FDA
Staying Well
US measles cases pass 4,000 in 45 states
About 1 in 10 young children with measles has been hospitalized. Experts warn the US may lose the measles-free status it has held since 2000.
ABC NewsPennsylvania's measles outbreak is the biggest in decades
The state has passed 1,000 cases this year, with Lancaster County hit hardest, and five deaths. Two MMR doses are about 97% effective.
The Philadelphia InquirerCDC: Flu activity is rising early but still low
About 3.6% of flu tests came back positive in the week ending Oct. 3. Nearly all cases are influenza A, so now is a good time for your flu shot.
CDC
Policy & Law
Refugees and asylum seekers lose Medicaid as new rules kick in
Under the 2025 budget law, many legally present immigrants lost Medicaid on Oct. 1. In Arizona, more than 20,000 people were affected, including some children. Emergency care is still covered.
KJZZBill would overhaul how surprise-billing fights get settled
Rep. Frank Pallone wants to replace the No Surprises Act's arbitration with payments based on typical in-network rates, paid within 30 days. He says it would ease premiums.
Fierce Healthcare
Hospitals & Business
Oracle Health breach may have exposed data on 20 million people
A Texas attorney general report says Social Security numbers and medical details may have been exposed in the 2025 hack of the hospital records vendor. At least 29 health systems were affected.
Fierce HealthcareMedicare fines 2,334 hospitals for readmissions
About 80% of hospitals reviewed will get smaller Medicare payments for a year because too many patients came back soon after discharge.
Becker's Hospital Review