Medicare supplement plan disaster the 1st week 2026

Medicare Supplement Plan Disaster – What Happened the First Week of 2026? The first week of 2026 has been rough for many people relying on Medicare, and the problems showed up fast. Seniors expecting a smooth start to the year instead ran into premium shocks, enrollment delays, and plan confusion involving some of the biggest names in the industry—including Cigna, AARP, Humana, and Wellcare. In this video, I explain why the first week of January 2026 felt like a disaster for so many Medicare beneficiaries—and why waiting until the new year turned out to be a costly mistake for some. What caught people off guard were Medicare Supplement (Medigap) rate increases, tighter underwriting, and fewer plan options than expected. Some carriers adjusted pricing overnight. Others quietly limited availability. And for people trying to enroll or switch plans, the process wasn’t nearly as simple as advertised. On top of that, prescription drug plans added another layer of stress. Many seniors discovered that their Part D coverage changed, formularies shifted, or premiums increased—right as they were picking up medications in early January. For people using both Medigap and drug plans, the coordination problems became obvious immediately. We’ll cover: Why Medigap premiums jumped in early 2026 How carrier decisions from Cigna, AARP-affiliated plans, Humana, and Wellcare affected availability What went wrong with prescription drug plans in January Why some Medicare choices made in December didn’t work out in January What you can still do now to avoid bigger problems later in 2026 If you’re on Medicare, helping a parent, or planning changes this year, this video is about protecting your coverage and your budget, not panic. The first week of 2026 exposed issues many people didn’t see coming—and understanding them now can save you real money and stress later. In early 2026, many people transitioning from "medicare advantage plans" to a "medigap plan g" or "medigap plan n" encountered significant delays. Insurance carriers like Cigna and Humana were overwhelmed, making it hard to get "medicare help" or confirm policy issuance. This surge in demand highlights the complexities of managing "medicare costs" and the need for clear, "medicare explained" guidance during enrollment periods. The question is who has the best medigap plan in 2026.