The 2026 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) will go down as one of the most disruptive in the program’s history. Benefit cuts, market exists, shifting plan designs, and competition led to client confusion and movement across the market.
Now that the February enrollment files have been released, we can take a clear look at which carriers saw the most enrollment growth this AEP…and more importantly, why.
For agents, the takeaway is simple: Benefit stability drives clients to switch – and the carriers who increased benefits in 2026 earned the biggest enrollment gains.
Below is everything you need to know to understand the market, guide your clients, and prepare for 2027 AEP with confidence.
Data Delay and Why it Matters for Agents
Normally, 1/1 enrollment data arrives in late January, followed by an update in late February to correct system errors and last-minute processing issues. This year’s delay created a frustrating situation for those who were trying to understand:
- Which carriers grew
- Where members switched
- How benefit changes impacted behavior
For agents, the unknown meant:
- Tougher conversations with clients
- Difficulty planning future strategy
- Unclear notes about which markets and carriers will be strong in 2027
But one tool predicted which carriers would see the most growth, months before AEP even began…
Deft Research’s MAPD Distruption Tool
In October, Deft Research released its MAPD Distruption Tool – designed to identify which plans improved or worsened in the benefits categories that influnce switching.
The tool uses the Member Plan Stability Index (MPSI), which considers what consumers care about, including:
- Premium changes
- Copays (including Rx)
- OTC, grocery, dental, and flex allowances
- Vision/Hearing enhancements
- Part B givebacks
The tool correctly predicted the top carriers who increased benefits for AEP 2026. Out of the top 50 non-SNP MA carriers, three who improved their year-over-year aggregate value include:
- Devoted
- Clover
- Humana
Let’s take a look at how each grew.
2026’s Biggest MA Enrollment Carriers
Devoted Health (The #1 Fastest-Growing Carrier +121% Growth)
Devoted massively increased benefits in 2026.
Agents reported:
- Bigger flex cards
- Better Rx cost-sharing
- Stronger dental
- Competitive Part B givebacks
- Simplified plan designs
Clover Health (+36% Growth)
Clover was one of the carriers that improved benefits in 2026.
Agents saw:
- Lower copays
- Stronger supplemental benefits
- Competitve PPO options
Humana (+21% Growth)
Humana delivered one of the largest raw enrollment gains of any carrier in the entire MA market.
Agents saw success due to:
- National brand recognition
- Strong PPO expansion
- Reliable supplemental benefits
- Improved value in urban markets
Note: If you don’t currently have contracts for these top-performing carrier products, you can through us! Our online contracting system makes it simple and easy to add value to your portfolio.
What This Means for Agents Going Into AEP 2027
If you want to stay ahead of next year’s trends, here’s what this AEP proved…
- Benefit Stability = Member Stability
- When carriers decrease benefits, members switch.
- When carriers improve benefits, they grow.
- The Benefits that Drive Enrollment Changes
- Members move based on actuarial changes. Here are some to focus on in appointments:
- OTC & flex
- Dental
- Part B givebacks
- Copays
- Premium changes
- Members move based on actuarial changes. Here are some to focus on in appointments:
- Market Disruptions Create Opportunities
- Market exists reshuffle enrollment, and agents who stay on top of these changes saw increased business.
- Be on your toes for more shifts in 2027, the market is always evolving.
- Early Insights Give Agents an Advantage
- Agents who used early benefit-predictive tools (like Deft’s MAPD Disruption Tool) understood the market months in advance – and positioned their conversations and clients accordingly.
- Tidewater Management Group has access to Deft’s MA data and insights. As a result, Tidewater partners gain access to the Deft Research MA Growth Tracker – a powerful tool that lets you see how all carriers performed by plan, geography, and benefits. Plus, partners get free access to Deft’s MAPD Distribution Tool for 2027. With this tool, you won’t have to wait five months for CMS enrollment files to understand what happened. Instead, you’ll know where members are likely to switch, and which carriers they’re moving to – a few days after October 1, long before the first AEP application is written.
- Agents who used early benefit-predictive tools (like Deft’s MAPD Disruption Tool) understood the market months in advance – and positioned their conversations and clients accordingly.
Prepare Now for AEP 2027
The 2026 AEP changed the MA landscape. The carriers who saw the most enrollment growth protected benefits, simplified plan design, strengthened supplemental offerings, and made plans easier for clients to understand.
For agents, the message is this – early visibility into benefit stability and switching patterns is so important for your business. Tools like the MA Growth Tracker and MAPD Disruption Tool are becoming essential for agents who want to stay competitive and ensure clients get the best coverage. Luckily for you, you have an FMO ready to equip you with access to those tools – and more that will help you get ahead and drive growth all year long.
Resources:
Post from George Dippel, President at Deft Research
MA Growth Tracker: Now Updated with 2026 CMS Enrollment Data
