Healthcare news for October 19, 2026
About 3.2 million seniors must pick a new Medicare Advantage plan for 2027 Insurers are discontinuing plans that cover roughly 1 in 9 people in individual Medicare Advantage, based on an analysis of federal data, and more than a million people in stand-alone drug plans also need a new one. Even if your plan is staying, average out-of-pocket limits are rising about 10% and drug deductibles about 30%. Read your plan's change notice, compare options on Medicare.gov or with your free state SHIP counselor, and choose by Dec. 7. If your plan is ending, you have extra time, but picking early avoids gaps.
In 30 seconds
- On Medicare Advantage or a Part D plan? Open your Annual Notice of Change now. If your plan is ending or getting pricier, compare options on Medicare.gov or with a free SHIP counselor before Dec. 7.
- Medicare will never call you asking for your Medicare number. Hang up on unexpected callers and check anything suspicious at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
- Skip 'sexual enhancement' pills sold online like 10 Day Forecast. FDA found hidden sildenafil and acetaminophen that can be dangerous with heart medicines or for your liver.
- Measles cases are the highest since 1991 and West Nile is still turning up in some states. Check that you've had two MMR doses, and use bug spray from dusk to dawn until the first hard frost.
Medicare & Seniors
Michigan officials warn of Medicare scams during open enrollment
Scammers are posing as Medicare or insurers using faked caller ID, websites and official-looking mail. Officials stress that Medicare won't call to ask for your number. You can compare plans without giving it out, and suspected fraud can be reported to your state's Senior Medicare Patrol.
WKARMedicare Advantage looks steady for 2027, but plans are shifting underneath
Average Advantage premiums are projected to fall to about $12 a month, yet 12 insurers are leaving the program and 15 have capped enrollment on 65 plans. Humana says about 600,000 members are affected by its exits. Check both the premium and the out-of-pocket limit before you switch.
Becker's Payer IssuesWhere most Advantage plans are being cut
Centene is leaving 344 counties, CVS 103 and UnitedHealthcare 63, while Devoted Health is adding 336. CMS says over 99% of people will still have at least one Advantage plan to choose from.
Healthcare Dive
Insurance & ACA
Broker group sues to end freeze on new ACA agents
The National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals filed suit in federal court in Maryland over a CMS freeze that blocks nearly 19,000 new agents and brokers from selling HealthCare.gov plans for 2027. If you use an agent, confirm they're registered before open enrollment starts Nov. 1.
Healthcare DiveOhio ACA shoppers face 15% average hikes and two insurer exits
Ohio Marketplace insurers proposed raising 2027 premiums about 15% on average, after roughly 18% this year. CareSource and Molina are leaving the Marketplace, so about 54,000 Ohioans will need to pick a new plan. Sign up by Dec. 15 for coverage starting Jan. 1; free local helpers are listed on HealthCare.gov.
WOSUArizona Medicaid's sickest members face new paperwork under work rules
More than 100,000 Arizonans on expansion Medicaid likely have chronic or complex conditions that could exempt them from work rules starting Jan. 1. In the first year, people can declare themselves medically frail, but proof may be needed later. Keep records of your diagnoses and treatments.
Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting
Medicines & FDA
FDA warns about '10 Day Forecast' enhancement pills
FDA tests found undeclared sildenafil, the drug in Viagra, plus acetaminophen. Sildenafil can drop blood pressure dangerously when taken with nitrate heart medicines. The product has been sold on eBay and other sites. Don't buy or use it.
FDAFDA expands Anktiva for a hard-to-treat bladder cancer
Given with BCG, Anktiva is now approved for adults whose high-grade papillary bladder tumors haven't responded to BCG alone. FDA calls it the first treatment specifically for this group. In an earlier study, 62% of patients had a complete response.
FDAStomach drug metoclopramide recalled for mixed-up pills
Teva recalled about 240,000 cartons of 5 mg metoclopramide (generic Reglan) and American Health Packaging recalled 5,363 more after other tablets were found inside. Several compounded weight-loss shots were also recalled over sterility concerns. Ask your pharmacist if your supply is affected.
MedShadow
Staying Well
U.S. measles cases hit 4,410, the most since 1991
CDC added 330 cases in one week, and 451 people have been hospitalized this year. Pennsylvania's outbreak accounts for 1,260 cases and more than half of all hospitalizations. Two MMR doses give strong protection.
Medical DailyTwo West Nile deaths in North Carolina
State health officials confirmed two adult deaths in central North Carolina. Older adults and people with conditions like diabetes or cancer face the highest risk of serious illness. There's no vaccine, so use repellent and cover up from dusk to dawn.
Contagion LiveFrozen smoked salmon recalled in six states over Listeria
Starfish Seafood Premium Cold Smoked Norwegian Salmon (8-ounce packs, lot D080-148, best by Nov. 27, 2027) was recalled after New York state testing found possible Listeria. It was sold in Florida, New York, Georgia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Ohio. No illnesses are reported, but Listeria is especially risky for older adults and pregnant women, so return it for a refund.
CBS12
Policy & Law
HHS moves to loosen limits on compounded peptide shots
HHS sent the White House a plan that would let pharmacies temporarily make some popular peptides, including BPC-157, which FDA had called too risky to compound. FDA staff say none have been proven safe or effective in people. Be cautious with online peptide offers.
STATMaryland may tie state drug prices to Medicare's negotiated prices
Gov. Wes Moore says he'd sign a 2027 bill letting the state's drug affordability board adopt Medicare's negotiated prices for drugs like Ozempic and Jardiance, starting with state employee plans. Drugmakers oppose it.
Maryland Matters
Hospitals & Business
Epic to show patients drug prices before a prescription is sent
Epic, whose software runs many hospital records, is building a tool to compare pharmacy cash prices with your insurance price at the doctor's office. Amazon Pharmacy and Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs are partners. It's planned for summer 2027.
Healthcare IT NewsRush and Endeavor plan Chicago's biggest hospital merger
The combined system would run 12 hospitals and about 400 clinics, with a planned $1 billion investment in research and community care. It needs regulator approval and is expected to close in early 2027.
Healthcare DiveSanta Cruz hospice lays off nurses after merger
Hospice of Santa Cruz County, now affiliated with Florida-based Chapters Health, is cutting at least 11 jobs, mostly nurses, starting today. Staff say many palliative patients were discharged; leaders say care won't be interrupted.
Santa Cruz Local