Setting the record straight on Medicare Advantage and cancer care in Western New York

Recent news about Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center’s decision to leave Independent Health’s individual Medicare Advantage network has understandably caused concern and confusion for many Western New Yorkers. We want to reinforce our commitment to ensuring our members–especially seniors on fixed incomes–have access to the high-quality care they need within their budgets.

Clarifying the situation

For months, we had active, good-faith discussions with Roswell Park to reach a new agreement for our individual Medicare Advantage plans starting January 1, 2026. Our goal was to keep Roswell and its providers in our network so our members could continue getting the cancer care they know and trust. Unfortunately, despite our efforts to find common ground, Roswell declined the structure of our offer and chose to leave the highest-rated Medicare Advantage plan in this market. We are hopeful Roswell’s leadership will reconsider their decision.

Putting it into perspective

It’s important to keep this issue in perspective. Roswell Park is out-of-network for nearly half of the individual Medicare Advantage plans available in Western New York, which amounts to 32 of the 69 plans offered by Independent Health and our competitors for 2026. Members affected by Roswell Park’s decision to not participate in our individual Medicare Advantage plans will still have access to an extensive network of high-quality, highly-regarded cancer care providers in this area, including Buffalo Medical Group, Catholic Health, Great Lakes Cancer Care Collaborative (which includes ECMC, Kaleida Health, UBMD, WNY Urology, and Windsong), and the Wilmot Cancer Institute at Strong Memorial Hospital.

Navigating a challenging environment

These developments come at a time when all Medicare Advantage plans nationwide are navigating significant challenges, from rising healthcare costs and changing reimbursement models to new federal mandates. For community-based, not-for-profit plans like Independent Health, these pressures are especially complex given our deep roots and long-standing commitment to Western New York.

Even in this environment, Independent Health continues to invest in our community and our members. For 2026, we’ve developed a range of Medicare Advantage plans that provide robust care options and ensure high-quality, affordable coverage.

National recognition for excellence 

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has recognized our Medicare Advantage offerings among the best in the nation. CMS recently awarded our Medicare HMO plans a 5-Star rating*, which is the highest rating possible. We are the only plan in Western New York to receive this distinction and one of just 18 nationwide. Our members also consistently give us exceptionally high marks through metrics that measure how likely they are to recommend our plans to friends and family–a reflection of the trust and satisfaction we work hard to earn every day.