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2027 Medicare Advantage Health Insurance Plans

Reviewed by Russell Noga, Licensed Medicare Insurance Broker (all 50 states) | Last updated October 8, 2026

For 2027, there are about 5,532 Medicare Advantage health insurance plans, the average premium falls to $12 a month, and about 8 in 10 members can keep their plan at the same or lower premium.

Behind those averages, many large insurers are cutting PPOs and leaving counties, so some members will need new coverage. The Annual Enrollment Period is October 15 to December 7, 2026.

See Medicare Advantage plans 2027 and find Medicare Advantage plans by ZIP code.

✔ Licensed across all 50 states
✔ Built on CMS 2027 data
✔ No-cost plan comparison

Key Highlights

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About 5,532 plans for 2027.

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Average premium $12.

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8 in 10 keep same or lower premium.

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The Annual Enrollment Period is October 15 to December 7, 2026.

Compare plans and enroll online

2027 by the Numbers

$12 a Month

Average Medicare Advantage premium for 2027, lower than $14.37 in 2026 (CMS).

About 34 Million

CMS projection of people in Medicare Advantage in 2027, about 47% of Medicare.

About 5,532

Medicare Advantage plans across the nation for 2027, almost unchanged from 5,553.

8 in 10

Members able to stay in their current plan at an equal or lower premium (CMS).

2027 Figure Value
Medicare Advantage plans About 5,532 (from 5,553)
Average monthly premium $12 (from $14.37)
Projected enrollment About 34 million (about 47% of Medicare)
MA-PD drug portion average $7 (from $11.32)
Part D deductible maximum $700
Part D out-of-pocket cap $2,400

Types of 2027 Medicare Advantage Plans

Plan Type How It Works Good For
HMO Network care, often a primary care doctor Lower costs if your doctors are in network
PPO Out-of-network care covered at a higher cost Flexibility; PPOs being cut for 2027
Special Needs Plan (SNP) For duals, chronic conditions or institutional care People who qualify
MA-only (no drugs) Medical coverage without Part D Veterans with VA drug coverage and others

Overview of 2026 Medicare Advantage Plans

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Key Insurer Changes for 2027

Insurer Key 2027 Changes
UnitedHealthcare 852 plans (846 last year); about 140 counties lose standard plans; exiting Wyoming; 34 PPOs eliminated
Humana 861 plans, compared with 887; exiting Minnesota and 57 counties; 37 PPOs eliminated; about 600,000 members losing their plans
Aetna (CVS Health) 654 plans (compared with 642); standard plans withdrawn from 123 counties; exiting Maryland and New Hampshire; 20 PPOs eliminated; 29 C-SNPs introduced
HCSC (including HealthSpring) Down from 948 counties to roughly 478; exiting CT, KS, MT, NY, OR, UT and D.C.; 48 PPOs dropped
Centene (Wellcare) Standard plans removed from 344 counties; exiting Hawaii, Oklahoma and Tennessee
Elevance (Anthem) Standard plans removed from 56 counties; exiting South Carolina
Devoted Health Entering CT, MI, NH, NJ and NY; adding 342 counties

Source: company announcements and CMS 2027 landscape data reported by Becker’s on October 1, 2026. For 2027, Wellmark, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi are exiting Medicare Advantage as well.

Benefits Plans May Include

Medicare Advantage Plans May Include

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Hospital and medical coverage matching Original Medicare Part A and B

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Part D prescription drug coverage on most plans

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Routine dental, vision and hearing benefits

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Fitness programs and over-the-counter allowances

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Telehealth visits and care coordination programs

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A yearly out-of-pocket maximum on every plan

Benefits are not offered by every plan. They differ by plan and county and may change for 2027. Review the Evidence of Coverage for each plan before enrolling.

If Your Plan Is Ending

A non-renewal notice should have reached you in early October if your plan won’t be available in your county for 2027. Coverage doesn’t end immediately; it runs through December 31, 2026, which gives you time to decide.

If Your Plan Is Ending

1

Review your non-renewal letter. It verifies that your plan is ending and lays out your choices.

2

Write down your doctors and drugs. Comparing replacement plans requires them.

3

Compare your 2027 plan choices. Look at networks, drug coverage and the out-of-pocket maximum, not only the premium.

4

Pick a plan by December 31 to avoid a gap. If you enroll during Annual Enrollment by December 7, your coverage starts January 1, 2027.

5

Rely on your Special Enrollment Period if necessary. If your plan is ending, you generally have until the end of February 2027 to make a choice.

If you take no action: on January 1, 2027, you go back to Original Medicare, and you will have no drug coverage unless you pick a Part D plan. Being without drug coverage may result in a late enrollment penalty.

Medigap rights: if your Medicare Advantage plan exits your area, you generally get a guaranteed issue right, lasting up to 63 days after your coverage ends, to purchase certain Medicare Supplement plans with no health questions.

Understanding Prescription Drug Coverage in 2026

How to Compare

How to Compare

1

Review your Annual Notice of Change. It spells out every 2027 change to the plan you have now.

2

Verify your doctors and hospitals. Make sure every provider is in the 2027 network, not only the 2026 network.

3

Review your prescriptions. Verify every drug, the tier it falls on and any step therapy or prior authorization rules.

4

Look at the full annual cost. Total up the premium, usual copays and drug costs, and review the out-of-pocket maximum.

5

Look at star ratings. Medicare scores plans on quality and service using a 1 to 5 star scale.

6

Sign up by December 7. Coverage under your new plan begins January 1, 2027.

Enrollment Periods

Enrollment Period Dates What You Can Do
Annual Enrollment Period October 15 to December 7, 2026 Join, change or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan effective January 1, 2027
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment January 1 to March 31, 2027 In Medicare Advantage, you can change to another plan or go back to Original Medicare one time
Initial Enrollment Period 7 months around your 65th birthday month Sign up for Medicare and choose your first plan
Special Enrollment Periods Varies Switch plans after events such as a move, a loss of other coverage or your plan exiting your area

Annual Enrollment is when most people make changes. If you like your current plan, no action is needed; it renews on its own. Even so, review your Annual Notice of Change, since networks, premiums, copays and drug lists can all change on January 1.

Reading Your Annual Notice of Change

Check Every Line

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Your 2027 premium and deductible

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Doctor, specialist and hospital stay copays

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The out-of-pocket maximum

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Updates to your formulary, drug tiers and coverage rules

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Whether your doctors, hospitals and pharmacy stay in network

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Updates to dental, vision, hearing and other extras

The Annual Notice of Change must reach members by September 30. It is the most useful single document you receive each fall, since it spells out exactly how your plan will change on January 1.

Special Enrollment Periods

Outside of the fall and early-year windows, changing plans generally requires a Special Enrollment Period. Typical reasons include:

You May Qualify If

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Your plan is leaving your area or ending

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You move outside your plan’s service area

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You lose employer or union coverage

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Your Medicaid status changes, or you qualify for a Medicare Savings Program or Extra Help

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You want to join a 5-star plan, once a year

Every Special Enrollment Period has a separate time limit, so move as soon as the event occurs.

Prior Authorization and Referrals

Prior authorization is required by most Medicare Advantage plans for certain services, including some surgeries, advanced imaging, skilled nursing stays and some drugs. While your doctor usually submits the request, ask whether a scheduled service needs approval so you are not caught off guard by a denial.

You or your doctor can appeal a denied request. Medicare rules give plans deadlines for decisions, and those deadlines are shorter when a wait could seriously harm your health.

Emergency, Urgent and Out-of-Area Care

Emergency and urgent care are covered by every Medicare Advantage plan anywhere in the U.S., whether in or out of network, and an emergency does not require prior approval. Routine care while traveling is different: HMOs generally do not cover it, and PPOs cover out-of-network care at a higher cost.

If you’re away from home for months each year, ask every plan how it covers care where you stay. This is among the most frequent reasons people change plans partway through the year.

Appeals and Complaints

You have the right to appeal if your plan denies a service, a drug or payment for care. The denial notice from the plan explains the process. Appeals have several levels, beginning with the plan and moving on to independent reviewers.

If your issue isn’t about coverage, such as wait times or customer service, you can file a grievance with your plan. For help, you can also reach out to 1-800-MEDICARE or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program.

The 2027 Part B Premium

Of the major figures, only the Part B premium is not published alongside the plans. CMS typically announces it in November. Projections in the 2026 Medicare Trustees Report put the 2027 standard premium at about $209.50 a month and the deductible at about $292, up from $202.90 and $283 in 2026. You continue paying it even with Medicare Advantage.

If You Miss December 7

Miss the Annual Enrollment deadline and your current plan automatically renews for 2027, including the changes listed in your Annual Notice of Change. Medicare Advantage members get one more opportunity, from January 1 to March 31, 2027, to change Medicare Advantage plans or go back to Original Medicare and join a Part D plan.

Telehealth

Many Medicare Advantage plans may cover telehealth for some services, at times with a lower copay than an in-person office visit. It is handy for follow-ups and minor problems, but you still need to confirm that your regular doctors are in network.

Pros and Cons of Medicare Advantage

Advantages

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Often a low or $0 premium

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A yearly out-of-pocket maximum

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Drug coverage usually included

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Dental, vision and hearing benefits may be included in many plans

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One card and one plan

Tradeoffs

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Networks; except for emergencies, HMOs require in-network care

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Prior authorization and referrals are common

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Copays add up if you use a lot of care

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Plans and networks can change every year

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Moving to Medigap later may involve health questions

Getting Help

You do not need to compare plans by yourself, and help should not cost you anything. Here are the free options:

Free Help Comparing Plans

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Available any time: Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov

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1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), reachable 24 hours a day on all seven days of the week

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Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which provides free, unbiased counseling

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A licensed agent or insurance broker, who can compare plans across several insurers for free

Gather your Medicare card, a list of your drugs and doses, your doctors and your preferred pharmacies before you call. That way a long conversation becomes a quick one.

Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

2027 Medicare Advantage plans offer a lower average premium, but insurer changes mean you should compare plans in your county before December 7, 2026.

Compare plans and enroll online

Frequently Asked Questions

➤ How many Medicare Advantage plans are available for 2027?

There are about 5,532 Medicare Advantage health insurance plans for 2027, down slightly from 5,553 in 2026, according to CMS. The number available to you depends on your county, so search by ZIP code. Rural counties usually have fewer choices than metro areas.

➤ What is the average Medicare Advantage premium for 2027?

The average 2027 Medicare Advantage premium is $12 a month, down from $14.37 in 2026, according to CMS. Many plans charge more or less than the average, and you still pay your Part B premium.

➤ Can I keep my Medicare Advantage plan for 2027?

Most members can. CMS says about 8 in 10 Medicare Advantage members can keep their plan at the same or lower premium for 2027. If your plan is not renewing, you will get a notice and a Special Enrollment Period.

➤ How many people are in Medicare Advantage for 2027?

About 34 million people are projected to be enrolled in Medicare Advantage for 2027, roughly 47% of people with Medicare. Enrollment has grown for years, though insurers are trimming some areas for 2027. The rest use Original Medicare, often with Medigap and Part D.

➤ Which insurers are cutting Medicare Advantage plans for 2027?

UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Aetna, HCSC, Wellcare and Elevance are all trimming counties, PPOs or states for 2027. Wellmark, BCBS North Dakota and BCBS Mississippi are leaving Medicare Advantage entirely. If your plan is ending, you will get a non-renewal notice, a Special Enrollment Period and generally a guaranteed issue right to certain Medigap plans.

➤ What changes for Part D drug coverage in 2027?

For 2027, the Part D deductible can be up to $700, up from $615, and the out-of-pocket cap on covered drugs rises to $2,400 from $2,100. The average MA-PD drug portion falls to about $7.

➤ What benefits might 2027 Medicare Advantage plans include?

Plans may include drug coverage, dental, vision, hearing, fitness, over-the-counter allowances or transportation. Benefits vary by plan and county, and not all plans offer all benefits, so read each plan summary. Compare dollar limits and networks for extras, not just whether a plan lists them.

➤ When can I enroll in a 2027 Medicare Advantage plan?

Annual Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, 2026, with coverage starting January 1, 2027. Medicare Advantage members also get one change from January 1 to March 31, 2027. People new to Medicare can enroll during their Initial Enrollment Period, and some events trigger a Special Enrollment Period.

➤ How do I compare 2027 Medicare Advantage plans?

Use Medicare Plan Finder with your ZIP code, drugs and pharmacy. Compare network, premium, out-of-pocket maximum, drug costs and star rating. A licensed broker or your SHIP can help at no cost. Use 2027 plan details, since benefits and networks can change from year to year.

Have Questions?

Speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-833-641-4938

TTY users 711

Mon-Fri: 8am-9pm ET

Find & Compare Plans Online

Speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-833-641-4938TTY 711

Mon-Fri: 8am-9pm ET

ZRN Health & Financial Services, LLC, a Texas limited liability company

( Medicare Expert )

Russell Noga is the CEO of ZRN Health & Financial Services, and head content editor of several Medicare insurance online publications. He has over 15 years of experience as a licensed Medicare insurance broker helping Medicare beneficiaries learn about Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medigap insurance, and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.