CDPHP Drops Otsego, Other Counties’ Medicare Advantage Coverage

MVP Also Eliminates Some Coverage

By ERIC SANTOMAURO-STENZEL
UPSTATE NEW YORK

The Upstate New York health insurance provider Capital District Physicians’ Health Plan Inc. has announced reductions in service. Come 2026, four Medicare Advantage plans will no longer be offered: CDPHP Value Rx, CDPHP Focus, CDPHP Vital Rx and CDPHP Complete Rx.

“CDPHP also carefully evaluated our Medicare Advantage service area for operational efficiency,” a company spokesperson wrote, “and will no longer offer Medicare Advantage plans in Allegany, Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Delaware, Herkimer, Madison, Monroe, Oneida, Ontario, Otsego, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, and Yates counties.”

“The pressure rising healthcare costs is putting on regional, not-for-profit health plans like CDPHP has resulted in difficult but necessary changes,” a spokesperson said.

“CDPHP is committed to providing high quality, affordable healthcare coverage to communities across Upstate New York and is proud to offer four Medicare Advantage plan options in 18 counties in 2026,” the spokesperson said. “Our plans for 2026 offer varying price points and benefit levels, including one with a monthly premium starting at $0.”

“However, across the country, rising healthcare costs—especially for hospital services and prescription drugs—continue to put pressure on Medicare Advantage plans, including CDPHP, which has required difficult but necessary changes to health plan offerings for 2026. To ensure our long-term strength and viability, CDPHP has made the difficult decision to reduce our plan offerings from seven plan offerings to four plan offerings for the 2026 plan year,” the spokesperson said.

Locals began posting on social media about receiving notices in the mail earlier this month.

“This leaves thousands of seniors scrambling to find replacement coverage,” one Facebook post read.

The Otsego County Office for the Aging has been receiving many calls from residents about the changes.

Tamie Reed, the office’s director, told AllOtsego, “We are also aware that MVP has dropped several plans in our area. However, our office is happy to help people find a new plan.”

“There are other plan options available, and we are happy to assist any Medicare beneficiaries with this process,” Reed said. “We have five staff who are trained and certified as Medicare counselors who can provide unbiased information about all plans available in Otsego County.”

Reed encouraged people to call (607) 547-4232 as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. She also pointed to www.medicare.gov for Medicare beneficiaries.