Medicare Advantage Can No Longer Cover These Items in 2026
New CMS rules are imposing new restrictions on Medicare Advantage Plans.
By Christy Bieber – Jan 4, 2026 at 9:00AM EST
Key Points
- In 2018, Medicare Advantage coverage was expanded.
- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is now imposing new restrictions.
- If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you need to know which items can no longer be covered.
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About the Author
Christy Bieber is a contributing Motley Fool retirement and Social Security expert covering retirement planning, 401(k)s, IRAs, and other personal finance topics. Christy has written about finance since 2008 and previously taught business courses at Bryant & Stratton College. She holds a law degree from UCLA and a bachelor’s degree in English, media, and communication with a certificate in business management from the University of Rochester. In law school, she earned three CALI Awards for Excellence for the highest scores in civil procedure and contract law exams.
Medicare Advantage Plans can sometimes provide broader coverage than traditional Medicare.
However, some changes were made in 2026 that will restrict certain services Advantage Plans have been able to cover for years.
Here's why the changes are happening, along with a list of things that can no longer be covered.
Image source: Getty Images.
Why are Medicare Advantage rules changing in 2026?
Medicare Advantage Plans are changing in 2026 because the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) created a new rule, changing one put in place in 2018.
In a statement announcing the change, CMS stated, "We believe that codifying a nonexhaustive list of examples of items or services that do not meet these standards will provide transparency and greater certainty for MA organizations and enrollees about the rules that govern these benefits."
What is Medicare Advantage no longer allowed to cover?
The specific listed services Medicare Advantage is no longer allowed to cover under the new CMS rule include:
Medicare Advantage members should know the new rules
Medicare Advantage plan members should understand coverage changes. Because neither traditional Medicare nor Advantage plans cover all that retirees need, it's important to save and invest dedicated funds for healthcare services. Wisely investing to pay for care as a senior helps you ensure you can afford the services you require.