The year ahead is expected to be financially challenging for health plans and healthcare systems, with economic pressures dominating the industry landscape.
Industry indicators suggest the current financial environment is among the most severe seen in decades, with negative trends from 2025 projected to accelerate in 2026. Insurers, in particular, showed clear signs of strain last year—exiting regional markets, reducing or withdrawing earnings guidance, discontinuing certain Medicare Advantage plans, and experiencing credit rating downgrades and declining stock prices. These actions reflect sustained margin compression and, in some cases, operating losses.
Download the 2026 outlook to explore detailed insights, emerging industry trends, and expert analysis on what lies ahead.
