What is Medicare Advantage?

Medicare Advantage, also called Medicare Part C, is a way to get your Part A and Part B benefits through a private insurance company approved by Medicare instead of directly from Original Medicare. Most plans also include Part D drug coverage, and many may include extras such as dental, vision and hearing.

Do I still pay Part B?

Yes. You keep paying your Part B premium after you join a Medicare Advantage plan, plus any premium the plan itself charges. The standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month in 2026, and the 2027 amount, projected at about $209.50, is expected to be announced in November.

Is there a yearly cap?

Yes. Every Medicare Advantage plan has a yearly out-of-pocket maximum for covered Part A and Part B services, a protection Original Medicare alone does not have. Once you reach it, the plan pays for covered services for the rest of the year; limits vary by plan, and PPOs usually have a separate, higher combined limit.

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

You can sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan for 2027 during Annual Enrollment, October 15 to December 7, 2026, and coverage starts January 1, 2027. If you are already in Medicare Advantage, you can make one more change from January 1 to March 31, 2027, and new enrollees can join when they first become eligible.

What is the difference between an HMO, PPO and SNP?

An HMO usually requires you to use in-network doctors and often needs referrals, while a PPO also covers out-of-network care at a higher cost. A Special Needs Plan, or SNP, is limited to people with certain chronic conditions, Medicaid eligibility or institutional care, and its benefits are tailored to those needs.

How much do Medicare Advantage plans cost in 2027?

CMS projects the average Medicare Advantage premium will be $12 a month in 2027, down from $14.37 in 2026, and you still pay your Part B premium on top of that. Your real costs also include copays, coinsurance and the plan's out-of-pocket maximum, so compare total yearly costs, not just the premium.

What is changing in Medicare Advantage for 2027?

The national average Medicare Advantage premium drops to $12 for 2027, from $14.37 in 2026, but the bigger story is retrenchment. Several large insurers are cutting PPO plans and leaving counties, so even if your premium looks stable, check your Annual Notice of Change for network and benefit changes.

How many people are in Medicare Advantage in 2027?

CMS projects about 34 million people will be enrolled in Medicare Advantage in 2027, roughly 47% of everyone with Medicare. They can choose from about 5,532 plans nationwide, slightly fewer than the 5,553 offered in 2026.

Which insurer is growing?

Devoted Health is one of the clearest growth stories for 2027, adding 342 counties and entering Connecticut, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey and New York. Expansion does not guarantee a plan in your area, so confirm availability and your doctors in Medicare Plan Finder.

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

Enrollment for 2027 opens October 15 and closes December 7, 2026, and your chosen plan starts January 1, 2027. People already in Medicare Advantage also get a second chance from January 1 to March 31, 2027, when they can make one switch to another plan or return to Original Medicare.

Will my Medicare Advantage premium go up in 2027?

For most people, probably not. CMS says about 8 in 10 Medicare Advantage members can keep their current plan at the same or a lower premium in 2027. You still pay your Part B premium, and copays, networks or drug coverage may change even when the premium does not.

What benefits do 2027 Medicare Advantage plans include?

Every plan covers what Original Medicare covers, and most include Part D drug coverage. Extras may include dental, vision, hearing, over-the-counter allowances or fitness benefits, but not all plans offer all benefits and amounts vary. Check each plan's Summary of Benefits for your county before deciding.

Aetna Medicare Advantage Plans 2026 vs 2027

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

Aetna grows to 654 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027 from 642, but pulls standard plans from 123 counties, leaves Maryland and New Hampshire, and cuts 20 PPOs while adding 29 Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans.

Your Annual Notice of Change lists what changes in your Aetna plan for 2027. If your plan is ending, you received a non-renewal letter.

See is Aetna leaving Medicare Advantage.

✔ Licensed across all 50 states

✔ Built on CMS 2027 data

✔ No-cost plan comparison

Key Highlights

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654 plans, up from 642.

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123 counties; MD and NH exited.

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20 PPOs cut; 29 C-SNPs added.

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

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

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Aetna 2026 vs 2027

Aetna	2026	2027
Medicare Advantage plans	642	654
Counties losing standard plans	n/a	123
Maryland and New Hampshire	Offered	Leaving
PPOs	n/a	20 cut
C-SNPs	n/a	29 added

Source: CMS 2027 landscape data, as reported by Becker’s on October 1, 2026.

Benefits Aetna Plans May Offer

Aetna 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.

Overview of Aetna Medicare Advantage Plans in 2026

If Your Aetna Plan Is Ending

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.

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.

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Aetna Plan Types

HMO Plans

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Usually lower premiums and copays

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Use in-network doctors except emergencies

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May need referrals for specialists

PPO Plans

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See out-of-network doctors at a higher cost

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Usually no referrals needed

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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, Aetna plans generally rely on networks of doctors and hospitals and may require referrals or prior authorization for certain services. Unlike Original Medicare, every Medicare Advantage plan sets a yearly out-of-pocket maximum 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

Key Benefits of Aetna Medicare Advantage Plans

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

Aetna Drug Coverage for 2027

Part D drug coverage is included in most Aetna Medicare Advantage plans. Every plan has its own formulary, drug tiers and pharmacy network, and plans often charge less through mail order and at preferred pharmacies. In 2027, the Part D deductible on any plan can be as high as $700, and covered drugs have a $2,400 out-of-pocket cap.

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

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.

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

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.

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

An Aetna plan that will not be offered in your county for 2027 should have triggered a non-renewal notice in early October. Coverage does not end immediately: it runs through December 31, 2026, giving you time to decide.

If Your Plan Is Ending

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

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

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

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.

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 Aetna Plans for 2027

How to Compare

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Choose between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare plus Medigap

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

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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

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

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

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

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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

Help Paying Medicare Costs

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

Medicare Savings Programs

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Run by your state Medicaid office

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

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Income and asset limits vary by state

Extra Help (Part D)

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Run by Social Security

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Lowers Part D premiums, deductibles and copays

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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.

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

Compare your 2027 Aetna plan against other options before December 7, 2026.

Compare plans and enroll online

Frequently Asked Questions

➤ What changed at Aetna for 2027?

Aetna is reshaping its Medicare Advantage lineup for 2027 rather than simply shrinking it. It is exiting 123 counties, leaving Maryland and New Hampshire, cutting 20 PPOs and adding 29 Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans, while its total plan count moves from 642 to 654. Check your Annual Notice of Change to see how your own plan is affected.

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

You can choose an Aetna plan for 2027 during Annual Enrollment, October 15 to December 7, 2026, and coverage starts January 1, 2027. If you are already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you also get one plan change during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31, 2027.

➤ What happens if my Medicare Advantage plan is ending?

Your current plan keeps covering you through December 31, 2026, and you should get a non-renewal notice explaining your options. You can choose a new plan during Annual Enrollment or use a Special Enrollment Period. You also generally gain a guaranteed issue right to buy certain Medigap plans, usually within 63 days after coverage ends.

➤ How many Medicare Advantage plans will Aetna offer in 2027?

Aetna is expected to offer about 654 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027, up from 642 in 2026. The higher total hides real cuts, because Aetna is leaving 123 counties and dropping 20 PPOs while adding 29 C-SNPs. Whether any of those plans are offered in your county has to be confirmed by ZIP code.

➤ Is Aetna leaving Maryland and New Hampshire?

Yes. Aetna is exiting Medicare Advantage in Maryland and New Hampshire for 2027. Members there keep coverage through December 31, 2026, and can choose a new plan during Annual Enrollment or a Special Enrollment Period, with a guaranteed issue right to certain Medigap plans in most cases.

➤ Which Aetna PPO plans are being cut for 2027?

Aetna is eliminating 20 PPO plans for 2027, but the specific plans depend on the market. The quickest way to know if yours is affected is to read the Annual Notice of Change mailed to you this fall. If your PPO is ending, compare replacement PPO and HMO options available in your county.

➤ What are Aetna’s new C-SNPs for 2027?

C-SNPs are Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans built for people with specific long-term conditions, and Aetna is adding 29 of them for 2027. To join one you must have a qualifying condition. Benefits and care coordination features vary by plan, so review each plan’s details before enrolling.

➤ Will my Aetna premium change in 2027?

It may. Premiums are set plan by plan, so your Annual Notice of Change is the place to see your exact 2027 amount. Nationally, the average Medicare Advantage premium is projected to drop to $12 from $14.37, and about 8 in 10 members can keep their plan at the same or lower premium.

➤ Should I stay with Aetna or switch for 2027?

That depends on what changed in your plan. Compare your 2027 premium, doctors, drug coverage and out-of-pocket maximum against other plans in your county before December 7, 2026. Provider networks and benefits vary, so confirm your doctors and prescriptions are covered under any plan you consider.

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

Russell Noga( 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.

that cover doctors & Rx drugs

1-833-641-4938 TTY 711

Aetna Medicare Advantage Plans 2026 vs 2027

Key Highlights

Compare plans and enroll online

Aetna 2026 vs 2027

Benefits Aetna Plans May Offer

If Your Aetna Plan Is Ending

Find & Compare Plans Online

Speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-833-641-4938TTY 711

Mon-Fri: 8am-9pm ET

Aetna Plan Types

How Medicare Advantage Works

Pros and Cons of Medicare Advantage

Aetna Drug Coverage for 2027

If Your Plan Is Ending

How to Compare Aetna Plans for 2027

2027 Enrollment Dates

Special Needs Plans

Turning 65 in 2027

Star Ratings

Medicare Advantage or Medigap?

Help Paying Medicare Costs

Getting Help

Bottom Line

Compare plans and enroll online

Frequently Asked Questions

➤ What changed at Aetna for 2027?

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

➤ What happens if my Medicare Advantage plan is ending?

➤ How many Medicare Advantage plans will Aetna offer in 2027?

➤ Is Aetna leaving Maryland and New Hampshire?

➤ Which Aetna PPO plans are being cut for 2027?

➤ What are Aetna’s new C-SNPs for 2027?

➤ Will my Aetna premium change in 2027?

➤ Should I stay with Aetna or switch for 2027?

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