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UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Aetna, and others are reducing plans or pulling out of some markets

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Some of the nation's largest health insurers are eliminating Medicare Advantage plans or withdrawing from hundreds of counties for 2027.

• Humana says its plan reductions will affect about 600,000 members, while UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, and Centene are also significantly shrinking their footprints.

• Seniors should carefully review notices from their current insurer and compare coverage during Medicare's annual enrollment period, which runs Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.

Millions of Medicare beneficiaries may find fewer choices when they shop for Medicare Advantage coverage for 2027, as some of the nation's largest health insurers continue to retreat from plans and markets that have become less profitable.

UnitedHealthcare, Humana, CVS Health's Aetna, Centene, and Elevance Health are among the major insurers reducing their Medicare Advantage offerings. At the same time, a number of smaller and regional insurers are leaving the individual Medicare Advantage business entirely.

The pullback comes as insurers contend with higher medical expenses, increased use of healthcare services by seniors, and changes in federal Medicare payments.

Data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) show that the total number of Medicare Advantage plans nationwide will decline only slightly, from 5,553 in 2026 to about 5,532 in 2027. More than 99% of Medicare beneficiaries will still have access to at least one Medicare Advantage plan and 97% will have at least 10 choices, according to CMS.

But those national numbers can obscure significant changes at the local level.

Big insurers shrink their footprints

UnitedHealthcare, the country's largest Medicare Advantage insurer, is dropping individual Medicare Advantage coverage in about 140 counties, according to an analysis of CMS data.

The company has also confirmed that it is discontinuing some plans and has sent non-renewal notices to affected members.

Aetna is reducing its individual Medicare Advantage footprint by about 123 counties, while Centene is pulling back from approximately 344 counties. Elevance Health, which operates many Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans, is reducing its footprint by about 56 counties.

Humana presents a somewhat different picture. Its overall geographic footprint is shrinking only modestly, but the company previously disclosed that plan exits would affect roughly 600,000 Medicare Advantage members. Humana has said it hopes to move about 40% of those affected customers into other Humana plans.

Among major carriers, Centene is making one of the largest percentage reductions, cutting its individual Medicare Advantage county footprint by nearly 20%.

Eleven insurers that offered individual Medicare Advantage coverage in 2026 are leaving that market completely for 2027, according to an analysis of CMS data. They include Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi's Medicare Advantage operation, Providence Health Plan, and several health system-owned plans. Some companies will continue offering specialized Medicare Advantage coverage.

Why insurers are pulling back

Medicare Advantage has historically been an attractive business for insurers because the federal government pays private companies to provide Medicare benefits. But the economics have become more challenging.

Older Americans have been using more medical services, pushing insurers' costs higher than many companies anticipated. At the same time, changes in federal reimbursement and Medicare's risk-adjustment system have put additional pressure on profit margins.

As a result, insurers have increasingly focused on keeping plans and markets where they believe they can earn acceptable returns.

The changes don't necessarily mean insurers are abandoning Medicare Advantage. In many cases, companies are eliminating one plan while continuing to sell another in the same area.

Insurers are also increasingly emphasizing Special Needs Plans, or SNPs, which serve people with certain chronic conditions, people who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, or people requiring institutional care. The number of Special Needs Plans is expected to rise about 9% in 2027, even as other Medicare Advantage offerings contract.

Plans that remain may also cost more to use

Losing a plan isn't the only issue beneficiaries should watch.

Some insurers are reducing supplemental benefits or increasing the amount members must pay when they receive care. An analysis of 2027 offerings found reductions in such benefits as dental allowances and Medicare Part B premium "givebacks."

Another analysis found that the average maximum out-of-pocket limit among Medicare Advantage plans is increasing about 9% for 2027.

That means consumers shouldn't judge a plan solely by its monthly premium. In fact, CMS projects the weighted average Medicare Advantage premium will fall from $14.37 a month in 2026 to $12 in 2027, a decline of 16.5%.

A plan with a low or zero premium, however, could still become more expensive if copayments rise, drug coverage changes, dental or vision benefits shrink, or the out-of-pocket maximum increases.

What Medicare beneficiaries should do now

People enrolled in Medicare Advantage should have received an Annual Notice of Change explaining how their existing plan will change in 2027. Consumers whose plans are being discontinued should also receive a non-renewal notice.

Those documents deserve close attention.

Consumers should check whether their doctors and hospitals will remain in the network, whether their prescription drugs are still covered, and what they will pay for specialist visits, hospital stays, and other services. Supplemental benefits such as dental, vision, hearing, and over-the-counter allowances should also be compared with this year's coverage.

Medicare's annual enrollment period begins Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7, with coverage selections taking effect Jan. 1.

Beneficiaries can use the Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to compare available plans.

The recall involves seven lots of the popular pain reliever sold through Amazon

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• More than 112,000 bottles of Amazon-brand Extra Strength Acetaminophen are being recalled nationwide.

• The FDA says consumers complained about discolored tablets in the affected lots.

• The recall covers 200-, 500- and 1,000-count bottles of 500 mg acetaminophen sold through Amazon.

Consumers who keep a large bottle of generic pain reliever in the medicine cabinet should check the label and lot number.

Aurobindo Pharma USA Inc. is recalling more than 112,000 bottles of Amazon-brand Extra Strength Acetaminophen, 500 mg, after receiving consumer complaints about discolored tablets, according to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration enforcement report.

The recall was initiated Sept. 18 and involves products distributed nationwide by Amazon.com Services LLC. The FDA lists the reason for the recall as Discoloration: consumer complaints received for discolored tablets.

Acetaminophen is the active ingredient in Tylenol, but the recalled medicine is not Tylenol-branded medication. It is a generic acetaminophen product sold under Amazon's brand.

According to the FDA information, the recall involves approximately 112,932 bottles. The medicine was sold in three bottle sizes: 200 tablets, 500 tablets and 1,000 tablets.

Check these lot numbers

Consumers can determine whether they have recalled medicine by checking the lot number printed on the bottle.

The affected lots are:

200-count bottles
ACD125040A

500-count bottles
ACD124036A
ACD124030A
ACD124042A
ACD124048B
ACD125010A

1,000-count bottles
ACD124048A

The products carry NDC numbers 72288-692-20, 72288-692-50 and 72288-692-01, depending on bottle size.

The FDA enforcement information indicates the products were manufactured in India and distributed by Amazon.com Services LLC.

Recall has not yet been classified

As of the FDA's latest information, the recall is listed as not yet classified. That means the agency has not assigned it a Class I, II or III designation reflecting the level of potential health risk.

FDA explains that recall classifications are often made after a company has already begun removing a product from the market. A Class I recall involves a reasonable probability of serious health consequences or death, Class II generally involves temporary or medically reversible health consequences, and Class III involves products unlikely to cause adverse health consequences.

The available recall information does not identify an illness or injury associated with the affected acetaminophen. The stated reason for the recall is the consumer reports of tablet discoloration.

What consumers should do

Consumers with Amazon Extra Strength Acetaminophen should first check the bottle's lot number against the recalled lots.

FDA advises consumers dealing with a medication recall to follow instructions provided by the recalling company and to check the product's lot number rather than assuming that every package of the medicine is affected.

For prescription medicines, FDA cautions patients against simply stopping treatment without consulting a health care professional because suddenly discontinuing some medications can present a greater risk than continuing them. In this case, acetaminophen is an over-the-counter pain reliever and fever reducer.

Consumers who have one of the affected bottles can also check their Amazon account for recall information. Amazon has previously said that when products purchased through its site are recalled, it can notify affected customers and provide recall and product-safety information through their accounts.

The recall underscores an important distinction for consumers who may have seen reports referring to a Tylenol recall. Acetaminophen is commonly associated with the Tylenol brand, but many manufacturers sell generic versions of the drug. This recall applies to the specified Amazon-brand acetaminophen products and lots, not Tylenol products.

Recall expands to additional lots of blueberries and berry blends

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• A recall of frozen organic berries sold at Walmart has been expanded to include additional lots, while one lot sold at Trader Joes has also been recalled.

• The products may be contaminated with E. coli O145, which can cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting.

• Consumers are being urged to check their freezers and either throw away the recalled berries or return them to the store for a refund.

Consumers who keep frozen fruit on hand for smoothies and other foods may want to take a close look at what's in their freezers.

Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. of San Carlos, Chile, has expanded an earlier recall of frozen organic blueberries and berry blends because they may be contaminated with a potentially dangerous strain of E. coli. The recalls began in July.

The expanded recall includes additional lots of Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend and Great Value Organic Blueberries sold at Walmart, as well as one lot of Trader Joes Organic Mixed Berry Blend.

The recall is an expansion of actions that began July 3 and were expanded in September. The company said the latest action is being taken as a precaution after traceback information linked the products to frozen blueberries involved in the original recall.

Products included in the recall

The FDA says consumers should look for the following products:

• Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend, 10 ounces

  • UPC: 7874211226

  • Lot codes: 6 031 01 and 6 041 01

  • Best if used by: Jan. 31, 2028, and Feb. 10, 2028

• Great Value Organic Blueberries, 10 ounces

  • UPC: 7874211213

  • Lot codes: 6 019 01, 6 040 01 and 6 163 01

  • Best if used by: Jan. 19, 2028; Feb. 9, 2028; and June 12, 2028

• Trader Joes Organic Mixed Berry Blend, 12 ounces

  • UPC: 00977654

  • Lot code: 6 051 01

  • Best before: Feb. 20, 2028

The Great Value products were distributed to select Walmart stores in 30 states, as well as Puerto Rico. The Trader Joes product was distributed to stores in 26 states and the District of Columbia. Virginia is among the states where both brands were distributed.

Why E. coli O145 can be dangerous

The potential contaminant is E. coli O145, a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, or STEC.

Infection can cause severe stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea, which may be bloody. Most healthy people recover within about a week, but some infections can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS, a serious condition that can result in kidney failure.

Young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of serious complications.

What consumers should do

Because frozen fruit can remain in household freezers for months or even years, consumers should check packages even if they don't remember purchasing the berries recently.

Anyone who has one of the recalled products should not eat it. The FDA says consumers should discard the berries or return them to Walmart or Trader Joes for a full refund.

The Chilean supplier said it is working with regulators and its customers on the recall. Consumers with questions can contact the company at 336-899-5612, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time.

The previous maximum was $51

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Amazon has begun a new round of automatic refunds to Prime customers under its $2.5 billion settlement with the Federal Trade Commission.

• Eligible consumers can receive refunds of their Prime membership fees totaling as much as $200, and they do not need to file a claim or fill out paperwork.

• Payments are being sent by PayPal, Venmo, or mailed check, but consumers should watch the clock: payments expire 60 days after they are issued.

Amazon has begun sending another round of payments to consumers as part of its massive settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over the way it enrolled customers in Prime and handled cancellations.

The latest round began Oct. 1 and expands the number of Prime customers eligible to receive money. It also substantially increases the maximum amount an eligible consumer can receive.

Under a revised court order, eligible customers can receive refunds of Prime subscription fees totaling as much as $200. The previous maximum was $51.

The good news for consumers is that getting the money should require very little effort. Amazon is sending the new payments automatically.

Who qualifies?

The FTC says consumers must meet three requirements to qualify.

• They must have been U.S. Amazon Prime customers and signed up through one of the enrollment processes challenged by the FTC between June 23, 2019, and June 23, 2025.

• They must have unsuccessfully tried to cancel Prime through Amazon's online cancellation process between June 23, 2019, and June 23, 2025.

• They also must have used no more than 20 Prime benefits during any 12-month period after enrolling. Prime benefits can include services such as Prime Video and Prime Music that are offered free to Prime members.

The latest change is important because it brings another group of customers into the settlement.

The original refund program generally limited payments to consumers with relatively little use of Prime. Under the revised order, Amazon is now making automatic payments to millions of additional consumers who used between 11 and 20 Prime benefits during a one-year period. Those payments began Oct. 1.

Consumers don't have to file a claim

Perhaps the most important thing consumers need to know is what they don't have to do: There is no new claim form to fill out.

The FTC says eligible consumers don't need to submit a claim, respond to a notice, or complete additional paperwork. Amazon will automatically send the money by PayPal, Venmo, or mailed check.

Consumers should pay attention when a payment arrives, however. According to the FTC, payments expire 60 days after the issue date, meaning recipients shouldn't leave a check sitting unopened or ignore a legitimate electronic payment notification.

All eligible consumers are expected to receive their refunds by April 2027.

Some consumers could get more money

Consumers who have already received money from the settlement aren't necessarily finished.

The original settlement capped individual refunds at $51. The revised order raises the maximum total refund to $200.

If the amount of settlement money accepted by consumers hasn't reached the required threshold by February 2027, Amazon will make another round of automatic payments to consumers who previously received refunds. Those consumers could receive as much as another $149, bringing their total payment to $200. That round is scheduled to begin by April 2027.

Amazon had already issued more than $845 million in settlement payments as of September, according to the FTC. The settlement requires Amazon to provide up to $1.5 billion in consumer refunds in addition to paying a $1 billion civil penalty.

Why Amazon is paying consumers

The payments stem from the FTC's case accusing Amazon of enrolling millions of consumers in Prime without their knowledge or consent and then making the service unnecessarily difficult to cancel.

The agency alleged that Amazon used manipulative website designs, sometimes called "dark patterns," to steer consumers into automatically renewing Prime subscriptions. The FTC also accused the company of deliberately complicating the cancellation process.

Amazon agreed in September 2025 to the $2.5 billion settlement, which included the $1 billion civil penalty and $1.5 billion earmarked for consumers.

Beware of Prime refund

With millions of dollars now being distributed, the FTC is also warning consumers to be alert for scammers trying to take advantage of publicity surrounding the settlement.

The agency says it is not contacting consumers about Amazon refunds. Anyone who calls claiming to represent the FTC and offers to arrange a Prime refund should be treated as a scammer.

Amazon also will never require consumers to pay a fee to receive settlement money. Consumers should not provide personal or financial information to someone who contacts them promising special access to a refund.

Consumers who believe they qualify but have questions about a payment can contact the settlement administrator at admin@SubscriptionMembershipSettlement.com or 1-888-999-8094. More information is also available through the FTC's official Amazon refund page.

Tests found the parasite in wastewater and a drainage ditch on a Mexican farm

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• FDA investigators found Cyclospora in two environmental samples collected in Mexico during their investigation of the massive summer outbreak.

• The outbreak linked to Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg lettuce ultimately sickened 12,883 people in 21 states, hospitalized at least 570 and was associated with two deaths.

• The FDA says the findings strengthen the link to the lettuce, but investigators still have not determined exactly how the contamination occurred.

Federal health investigators have found Cyclospora at locations in Mexico connected to the record-setting outbreak that sickened nearly 13,000 people in the U.S. this summer.

The Food and Drug Administration said Oct. 2 that testing detected the parasite in two environmental samples collected during inspections of Mexican lettuce growers and a processing facility identified through its traceback investigation.

One positive sample came from a tank holding outgoing wastewater at the Taylor Farms de Mexico processing facility. The other was collected from a drainage ditch at an iceberg lettuce farm identified during the investigation.

The findings are significant because they provide physical evidence that Cyclospora was present in the environment where lettuce associated with the outbreak was grown and processed.

However, the FDA stopped short of saying investigators have identified precisely how the lettuce became contaminated.

"While there is currently not enough evidence to conclusively determine how contamination occurred," the agency said, the environmental findings add to epidemiological and traceback evidence linking the outbreak to recalled shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico.

Nearly 13,000 illnesses

The outbreak was one of the largest Cyclospora outbreaks recorded in the United States.

The final count reached 12,883 confirmed illnesses in 21 states, with at least 570 hospitalizations and two deaths. Illnesses began June 14 and continued through Aug. 17. The two deaths were reported in Michigan.

The actual number of infections was probably higher because some people recover without seeking medical care and are never tested, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At the outbreak's peak, before the recall, more than 1,000 infections occurred in a single day.

Investigators eventually traced illnesses to processed iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico. Some of the lettuce was served at Taco Bell restaurants, while other affected products were sold through retail and food-service channels.

Taylor Farms de Mexico recalled iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico on July 17. The FDA later classified the recall as Class I, its most serious recall category, because exposure could result in serious health consequences or death.

The CDC declared the outbreak over Sept. 11, and the FDA says the recalled lettuce is no longer on the market.

What investigators found in Mexico

Working with Mexican authorities, FDA investigators inspected several farms and a processing facility connected to the lettuce supply chain. Samples were taken from water, soil, sediment and lettuce.

Two environmental samples came back positive for Cyclospora the wastewater tank at the processing plant and the drainage ditch at a lettuce-growing operation.

The FDA said genetic analysis of the samples has been completed and investigators are continuing to compare the results with genetic information from clinical specimens collected from people who became sick.

That work could provide additional clues about how the parasite moved through the growing or processing environment.

Cyclospora cayetanensis is a microscopic parasite that causes cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness. The most common symptom is prolonged or recurring watery diarrhea. Other symptoms can include loss of appetite, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea and fatigue.

FDA plans changes before next growing season

Although the outbreak investigation has formally ended, the FDA says its work isn't finished.

The agency announced 10 actions it plans to take before the 2027 growing season, including increased surveillance of foods historically associated with Cyclospora, additional work with growers to reduce contamination risks and an update to its Cyclospora prevention and response plan.

The FDA also plans to publish a report detailing its investigation and recommendations for preventing similar outbreaks.

For consumers, there is no continuing warning involving the lettuce from this outbreak. The products' use-by dates have passed, and federal health officials say the recalled lettuce is no longer being sold in stores or restaurants.