Speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-833-641-4938

TTY user 711 Mon-Fri : 8am-9pm EST

Anthem Medicare Advantage Plans 2027

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

Anthem, part of Elevance Health, offers 308 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027, down from 345, and is pulling standard plans from 56 counties and leaving South Carolina, while expanding Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans into Colorado and Maine.

Elevance plans are sold under names including Anthem, Wellpoint, Freedom Health, Optimum HealthCare and Simply. Check which brand appears on your notices.

See Anthem Medicare Advantage plans 2027.

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

Key Highlights

✔

308 plans, down from 345.

✔

56 counties and South Carolina exited.

✔

C-SNPs expand to Colorado and Maine.

✔

Nationally, the average 2027 Medicare Advantage premium is $12 a month, down from $14.37 (CMS).

✔

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

Compare plans and enroll online

Anthem 2027 at a Glance

308 Plans

Down from 345.

56 Counties

Losing standard plans.

South Carolina

Leaving Medicare Advantage.

CO and ME

New C-SNPs.

Benefits Anthem Plans May Offer

Anthem Plans May Include

✔

Hospital and medical coverage matching Original Medicare Part A and B

✔

Part D prescription drug coverage on most plans

✔

Routine dental, vision and hearing benefits

✔

Fitness programs and over-the-counter allowances

✔

Telehealth visits and care coordination programs

✔

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.

Anthem Medicare Advantage Plans 2025 Understanding Anthem Medicare Advantage Plans

What Changed at Anthem for 2027

Keep an eye out: a non-renewal letter will arrive if your plan is ending. You stay covered through December 31, 2026. Taking no action sends you back to Original Medicare with no drug coverage.

Find & Compare Plans Online

Speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-833-641-4938TTY 711

Mon-Fri: 8am-9pm ET

Anthem Plan Types

HMO Plans

✔

Usually lower premiums and copays

✔

Use in-network doctors except emergencies

✔

May need referrals for specialists

PPO Plans

✔

See out-of-network doctors at a higher cost

✔

Usually no referrals needed

✔

More flexibility if you travel

How Medicare Advantage Works

Medicare Advantage, sometimes called Part C, lets you receive your Medicare benefits through a Medicare-approved private insurer. These plans cover everything Original Medicare Part A and Part B cover, with the exception of hospice care, which Original Medicare continues to pay for. Most also bundle Part D drug coverage, and many may tack on extras like routine dental, vision and hearing benefits.

In return, Anthem plans generally rely on networks of doctors and hospitals and may require prior authorization or referrals for certain services. Unlike Original Medicare, every Medicare Advantage plan caps what you pay out of pocket each year for covered medical care. You continue to pay your Part B premium, along with the plan’s premium if there is one.

Feature HMO PPO
Out-of-network care Not covered except emergencies and urgent care Covered at a higher cost
Referrals for specialists Usually required Usually not required
Premiums Usually lower Usually higher
Out-of-pocket maximum In-network limit In-network limit plus a higher combined limit
Best for Lower costs, local care Flexibility, travel, keeping specific doctors

Anthem Medicare Advantage Plans 2025 Comparing Anthem's HMO and PPO Medicare Advantage Plans

Pros and Cons of Medicare Advantage

Advantages

✔

Often a low or $0 premium

✔

A yearly out-of-pocket maximum

✔

Drug coverage usually included

✔

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

✔

One card and one plan

Tradeoffs

✔

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

✔

Prior authorization and referrals are common

✔

Copays add up if you use a lot of care

✔

Plans and networks can change every year

✔

Moving to Medigap later may involve health questions

Anthem Drug Coverage for 2027

Part D drug coverage comes with most Anthem Medicare Advantage plans. Every plan has its own formulary, drug tiers and pharmacy network, and costs are often lower at preferred pharmacies and by mail order. In 2027, a plan’s Part D deductible may be as high as $700, and out-of-pocket costs for covered drugs are capped at $2,400.

Tier Typical Drugs Typical Cost
Tier 1 Preferred generics Lowest copay
Tier 2 Generics Low copay
Tier 3 Preferred brand-name drugs Moderate copay
Tier 4 Non-preferred drugs Higher copay or coinsurance
Tier 5 Specialty drugs Highest coinsurance

Each plan sets its own tiers. Review every plan’s formulary.

A drug you take may not be on a plan’s 2027 formulary, or it may come with a rule such as prior authorization. Even then, you have options:

If Your Drug Is Not Covered

1

Request a transition fill. During the first 90 days of a new plan or plan year, plans generally have to provide a temporary supply of a drug you already take, giving you time to change drugs or ask for an exception.

2

Talk to your doctor about other options. A covered drug from the same class could work just as well for less money.

3

Ask for a tiering or formulary exception. Your doctor sends a statement explaining why you need the drug or a lower copay. Plans have to decide within set time limits.

4

Challenge a denial. When the plan turns you down, you have the right to appeal through several levels of review.

See steps to appeal a Medicare Part D denial.

If Your Plan Is Ending

If your Anthem plan won’t be available in your county for 2027, a non-renewal notice should have arrived in early October. Your 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.

How to Compare Anthem Plans for 2027

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.

2027 Enrollment Dates

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.

Special Needs Plans

Special Needs Plans (SNPs) are Medicare Advantage plans designed for particular groups. Their benefits, networks and drug lists are shaped around the members they serve, and many come with care coordinators. In 2027, SNPs are one of the few places large insurers are adding plans, even while cutting PPOs.

Type Who Qualifies What Is Different
Dual Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) People with both Medicare and Medicaid Coordinates both programs; costs are often very low, with extra benefits
Chronic Condition SNP (C-SNP) People who have qualifying conditions like diabetes, heart failure or chronic lung disease Doctors, drugs and programs designed around the condition
Institutional SNP (I-SNP) People who live in a nursing home or need that level of care at home Care delivered where the member lives

Turning 65 in 2027

When you turn 65 in 2027, you get a seven-month Initial Enrollment Period: the three months before your birthday month, the birthday month itself and the three months that follow. If you sign up in the first three months, coverage begins on the first day of your birthday month.

Turning 65 Checklist

✔

Enroll in Part A and Part B, unless you have qualifying employer coverage and decide to postpone Part B

✔

Choose between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare plus Medigap

✔

Enroll in a drug plan, or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drugs, to avoid a late Part D penalty

✔

If you go with Medigap, purchase during your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period

Star Ratings

Each fall, Medicare gives every Medicare Advantage and Part D plan a rating of 1 to 5 stars, based on factors such as preventive care, how well chronic conditions are managed, member complaints, customer service and accuracy of drug pricing. You can see the ratings in Medicare Plan Finder.

Using Star Ratings

✔

Ratings of 4 stars or more are generally a good indicator of quality and service

✔

A special enrollment period lets you move into a five-star plan once during the year

✔

A new plan may not have a rating yet, and that alone isn’t a bad sign

✔

Ratings reflect the plan as a whole, not how well it covers your particular doctors and drugs

Medicare Advantage or Medigap?

Medicare Advantage Original Medicare + Medigap
Monthly premium Often low or $0 (2027 average $12, CMS) Higher; varies by plan letter, age and ZIP
Doctors Usually a network Any provider in the U.S. that accepts Medicare
Costs when you get care Copays and coinsurance up to a yearly maximum Low and predictable; on Plan G, little or nothing once the Part B deductible is met
Drug coverage Usually included Add a separate Part D plan
Dental, vision, hearing Many plans may include some coverage Not included
Changing later Every year during Annual Enrollment Health questions in most states once your Medigap Open Enrollment Period ends

Guaranteed issue: when your Medicare Advantage plan exits your area, you can generally purchase certain Medicare Supplement plans with no health questions asked, up until 63 days after that coverage ends.

Help Paying Medicare Costs

When your income and savings are limited, two programs can greatly lower your Medicare costs:

Medicare Savings Programs

✔

Run by your state Medicaid office

✔

May cover your Part B premium, and in some cases deductibles and coinsurance

✔

Income and asset limits vary by state

Extra Help (Part D)

✔

Run by Social Security

✔

Lowers Part D premiums, deductibles and copays

✔

Those enrolled in a Medicare Savings Program qualify automatically

If you qualify for both Medicare and full Medicaid, you may also be able to join a Dual Special Needs Plan. See help for low-income Part D beneficiaries.

Reading Your Annual Notice of Change

Check Every Line

✔

Your 2027 premium and deductible

✔

Doctor, specialist and hospital stay copays

✔

The out-of-pocket maximum

✔

Updates to your formulary, drug tiers and coverage rules

✔

Whether your doctors, hospitals and pharmacy stay in network

✔

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.

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

✔

Available any time: Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov

✔

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

✔

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

✔

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

Anthem remains a major option for 2027 in many states. Confirm your county and compare during Annual Enrollment.

Compare plans and enroll online

Frequently Asked Questions

➤ How many Anthem plans are there for 2027?

Elevance, Anthem’s parent company, will offer about 308 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027, down from 345. Those plans are sold under brands including Anthem, Wellpoint, Freedom Health, Optimum HealthCare and Simply. Availability depends on your state and county, so check by ZIP code.

➤ Is Anthem leaving South Carolina?

Yes. Elevance is exiting the Medicare Advantage market in South Carolina for 2027. Members there should receive a non-renewal notice and will need to pick another Medicare Advantage plan or move to Original Medicare, possibly with a Medigap policy and a Part D plan.

➤ When can I enroll in an Anthem Medicare Advantage plan for 2027?

The window is Annual Enrollment, October 15 to December 7, 2026, with Anthem coverage taking effect January 1, 2027. Anyone already enrolled in Medicare Advantage can also make a single change from January 1 through March 31, 2027.

➤ What happens if my Medicare Advantage plan is ending?

Your plan will keep paying claims through December 31, 2026, and you will receive a notice that it is not renewing. Pick a replacement during Annual Enrollment or within your Special Enrollment Period. You generally also gain a guaranteed issue right to certain Medigap plans, typically within 63 days after the old coverage ends.

➤ Is Anthem pulling plans from counties in 2027?

Yes. Elevance is pulling Medicare Advantage plans from 56 counties for 2027, in addition to its South Carolina exit. If you live in an affected county, your Annual Notice of Change or a non-renewal letter will explain what happens to your coverage.

➤ Is Anthem adding any new plans for 2027?

Yes, in some areas. Elevance is expanding its Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans, or C-SNPs, into Colorado and Maine for 2027. These plans are designed for people with qualifying chronic conditions, so eligibility rules apply before you can enroll.

➤ What benefits might Anthem Medicare Advantage plans include?

Depending on the plan and area, Anthem plans may include dental, vision, hearing, fitness or over-the-counter benefits. Not all plans offer all benefits, and extras can change for 2027. Compare each plan’s Summary of Benefits and provider network before choosing.

➤ Is Wellpoint the same as Anthem?

Wellpoint is one of the brands Elevance, Anthem’s parent company, uses for Medicare Advantage plans in some markets. Elevance also sells plans under the Anthem, Freedom Health, Optimum HealthCare and Simply names. The brand on your card can differ by state, so confirm the plan details for your area.

( 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.

CompareMedicareAdvantagePlans.org
215 RR 620 South Austin, TX 78734

TERMS & CONDITIONS | PRIVACY POLICY
This website and Medicare Supplement Insurance plans are not affiliated or connected with the Federal Medicare program or any other government agency. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 193 organizations which offer 4,624 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options. Data represented is for the plan year 2027. Comparemedicareadvantageplans.org is a Website owned and operated by ZRN Health & Financial Services, LLC, a Texas limited liability company. *You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. $0 premium plans may not be available in all areas. Not all plans offer all benefits mentioned. By submitting your information in the form and clicking ‘Find Plans’, you agree to this site’s privacy policy and expressly consent to be contacted at the number entered in the form, (including a wireless number if provided) by insurance professionals or other partners offering related offers that might be of interest to me by phone or email. You understand that these calls may be generated using an automatic telephone dialing system, a pre-recorded message or artificial voice, or by sending SMS messages. Your telephone company may impose additional charges on the subscriber for such messages. You understand that you are not required to provide this authorization to purchase goods or services. Receiving quotes through our website is always free and you are under no obligation to purchase any goods or services as a result of this request. The Medicare plans represented are PDP, HMO, PPO or PFFS plans with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in plans depends on contract renewal. Enrollment in a plan may be limited to certain times of the year unless you qualify for a special period or you are in your Medicare Initial Election Period. Deductibles, copay and coinsurance may apply. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048) 24 hours a day/7 days a week to get information on all of your options. MMR-658-2023 _Medisupps LP_Final