According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Medicare Advantage enrollment is projected to fall to 34 million in 2026, down from nearly 35 million this year. This marks the first decline in nearly two decades. Analysts suggest that health insurers are responding to shrinking profits by raising deductibles and out-of-pocket costs while cutting broker commissions on 15% to 20% of plans. Despite these challenges, CMS anticipates that enrollment will stabilize, with seniors having an average of 10 plans available. The open enrollment period starts on October 15, and seniors are encouraged to shop around for the best options, as some plans may see significant cost increases. The looming government shutdown is not expected to impact the enrollment process, as funding for Medicare services has already been allocated.