CMS to Sunset MMP Plans

June 9th, 2025

1 min read

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245,000 Reasons to Pay Attention This AEP

If you work in the Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (DSNP) space, this is either a helpful reminder—or big news. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is officially ending the Medicare-Medicaid Plan (MMP) Demonstration at the end of this year across all 11 participating states.
Read the official CMS memo here →

This shift marks a significant moment in the DSNP market, and as an agent, you need to be ready.

Why It Matters: Over 244,000 Members Affected

Roughly 245,000 MMP members will be impacted in 2026. These beneficiaries were originally auto-enrolled into their MMPs—without agent involvement. As the MMP demonstration concludes, members will either be:

Crosswalked into another plan by their current carrier
Required to make a new DSNP enrollment choice during the 2026 Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)

Either way, this means disruption—and opportunity. These individuals are about to re-enter the market for the first time in years, creating a major chance for agents to educate, support, and serve them with the right coverage.

Where the Opportunity Is: 11 Key States

Here’s where MMP is going away, along with how many members are currently enrolled:

State	MMP Enrolled
Illinois (IL)	75,378
Ohio (OH)	53,787
Massachusetts (MA)	39,927
Michigan (MI)	34,072
Texas (TX)	15,408
Rhode Island (RI)	10,858
South Carolina (SC)	7,990
New York (NY)	1,695
Kentucky (KY)	50
Indiana (IN)	46
Wisconsin (WI)	19

These members will need guidance navigating their new DSNP options—something only a knowledgeable, licensed agent can provide.

Get Ahead: Prep Your DSNP Strategy Now

As you gear up for 2026 AEP, this is the time to:

Prepare for the influx of dual-eligible members.
Understand DSNP differences and value props to better educate and enroll this audience.
Develop outreach strategies for communities where auto-enrolled MMP members may not even know what DSNP options are available.
Emphasize local knowledge—each state’s market varies, and carriers may approach this transition differently.

Make the Most of the Market Shift

This isn't just a compliance update—it’s one of the biggest DSNP opportunities we've seen in years. These 244,000+ dual-eligible members will need help making an informed decision during 2026 AEP. Agents who are prepared can make a meaningful impact—and build lasting relationships.

If you're serious about growth in the DSNP market, this is your signal to lean in.

Need support training agents or building a compliant DSNP sales strategy?
We’re here to help. Contact us today to start planning for the upcoming transition.

👉 An Agents Guide to DSNP Plans

Topics:

Medicare Advantage plans

Medicare Sales

CMS

Dual Eligibles

DSNP

LIS

medicare marketing guidelines

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