Medicare Advantage Satisfaction Falls Again as Trust and Value Decline

Overview

• JD Power’s 2026 U.S. Medicare Advantage Study, released Aug. 18–19, found average member satisfaction fell to 611 on a 1,000-point scale, down 12 points from 2025 and 41 points since 2024.
• The largest two-year drops were in helping members save time and money (−51 points), level of trust (−49 points), and whether product coverage meets needs (−47 points), with fewer than half of members saying their plan is a trusted partner.
• Plans that use structured onboarding and proactive communication scored materially higher on member understanding, preparedness and trust, with well‑onboarded members far more likely to say their plan anticipates needs.
• High-touch Special Needs Plans, including dual-eligible and chronic-condition SNPs, delivered substantially higher satisfaction and trust by offering care coordination, dedicated advocates and tailored in-home support.
• JD Power identified regional leaders such as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee (top score 690), and the report warns that falling satisfaction could hurt retention, raise regulatory attention and push plans to invest in member navigation and outreach.