Health

Washington Post -  Medicare Advantage companies abandoned communities where their plans threatened profits or lost money. Hardest hit were a half-dozen rural states from New England to Idaho.

...Medicare Advantage plans — the privatized version of Medicare — surged in popularity in the last two decades as companies enticed enrollees with things like zero-premium plans, gym memberships, allowances for over-the-counter medical supplies and vision and dental coverage.

...But over the last year, insurers sharply retreated from the plans in some regions, saying rising health care costs and reduced government reimbursements have hurt profitability. That left Petchkis and millions of other elderly people scrambling to find alternatives.

The shift highlights one of the risks for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries, especially in rural areas where options tend to be meager: plans are under no obligation to offer coverage year-to-year. When profit margins are threatened, insurance companies can suddenly withdraw coverage. This year the churn reached a peak.