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.

BCBS Medicare Advantage Plans 2027 by State

Q: What happens if my Medicare Advantage plan is ending?

Your plan will send a non-renewal notice, and your coverage continues through December 31, 2026. You can choose a new Medicare Advantage plan during Annual Enrollment or a Special Enrollment Period, and you generally have a guaranteed issue right to buy certain Medigap plans if you would rather switch to Original Medicare.

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

Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage changes for 2027 differ by state: three Blue companies leave Medicare Advantage, several cut counties or PPOs, and BCBS of New Mexico expands to all 33 counties.

If your Blue company is cutting back, you received a non-renewal letter and have guaranteed issue rights to certain Medigap plans, which many Blue companies also sell.

See is Blue Cross leaving Medicare Advantage.

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

Key Highlights

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3 Blue companies exit MA.

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HCSC cuts to about 478 counties.

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BCBS NM expands.

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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.

Compare plans and enroll online

Blue Changes by State

Blue Company	State(s)	2027 Medicare Advantage Change
Wellmark	Iowa, South Dakota	Leaving MA
BCBS North Dakota	North Dakota	Leaving MA
BCBS Mississippi	Mississippi	Leaving MA
HCSC	IL, TX, OK, NM, MT and others	948 to about 478 counties
Anthem (Elevance)	South Carolina	Leaving SC MA
Regence BCBS of Oregon	Southern Oregon	Leaving 3 counties
Excellus BCBS	Central NY	Ending MA PPOs
Horizon BCBS NJ	New Jersey	SNPs only

Benefits BCBS Plans May Offer

BCBS 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.

Understanding BCBS Medicare Advantage Plans

If Your BCBS 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.

Find & Compare Plans Online

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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, BCBS plans typically rely on doctor and hospital networks and may call for referrals or prior authorization before certain services. Unlike Original Medicare, every Medicare Advantage plan caps what you spend out of pocket each year on covered medical care. Your Part B premium still applies, along with the plan’s own 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

Types of BCBS Medicare Advantage Plans Available

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

BCBS Drug Coverage for 2027

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

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

A non-renewal notice should have arrived in early October if your BCBS plan is not available in your county for 2027. Coverage does not end immediately; it remains in place until December 31, 2026, which gives 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 BCBS 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

Check your state’s Blue company changes and compare during Annual Enrollment.

Compare plans and enroll online

Frequently Asked Questions

➤ Which Blue companies are leaving MA?

Wellmark, which serves Iowa and South Dakota, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi are exiting Medicare Advantage entirely for 2027. Other Blue companies are shrinking or restructuring rather than leaving, so check your plan’s Annual Notice of Change to see whether your coverage continues.

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

Blue plan shopping happens during Annual Enrollment, October 15 to December 7, 2026, and the coverage you select begins January 1, 2027. Current Medicare Advantage members get one additional chance to switch plans between January 1 and March 31, 2027, which can help if a Blue plan change catches you off guard.

➤ What happens if my Medicare Advantage plan is ending?

If your Blue plan is ending, it still covers you through December 31, 2026, and you should receive a non-renewal letter. You qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to choose another plan, and you generally get a guaranteed issue right to buy certain Medigap plans within 63 days after your coverage ends.

➤ Is HCSC cutting Blue Medicare Advantage plans in 2027?

Yes. HCSC, which runs Blue plans in Illinois, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Montana, is shrinking from 948 counties to 478 and cutting 48 PPOs. It is dropping Blue-branded Medicare Advantage in Texas and Oklahoma, while its New Mexico Blue plans expand to all 33 counties.

➤ Is Anthem leaving any states for 2027?

Yes. Elevance, which owns Anthem, is exiting Medicare Advantage in South Carolina and pulling plans from 56 counties for 2027. Its national plan count drops to 308 from 345, though its Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans are expanding into Colorado and Maine.

➤ Is Blue Cross of Idaho expanding in 2027?

Yes. Blue Cross of Idaho is expanding its Medicare Advantage footprint for 2027, reportedly growing from 24 to 35 counties. Idaho’s statewide plan count is dropping from 48 to 44, so compare the Blue options in your county against the remaining alternatives during Annual Enrollment.

➤ Is Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oregon leaving Medicare Advantage?

Regence is leaving Medicare Advantage in southern Oregon for 2027, affecting Jackson, Josephine and Douglas counties and about 12,000 people. Regence still offers Medigap coverage there, which may be an option alongside any remaining Medicare Advantage plans in those counties.

➤ Is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota changing its Medicare Advantage plans?

Yes. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is among the insurers pulling back or restructuring Medicare Advantage for 2027, along with Medica and HealthPartners. Minnesota’s plan count is falling from 68 to 53, so members should read their Annual Notice of Change and compare options early.

➤ Are Highmark Blue Medicare Advantage plans changing in 2027?

No specific 2027 Highmark changes have been verified, so read your Annual Notice of Change carefully. Highmark operates in Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia and parts of New York, and plan details can shift from year to year. Confirm your doctors and drugs are still covered before Annual Enrollment closes.

Have Questions?

Speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-833-641-4938

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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

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BCBS Medicare Advantage Plans 2027 by State

Key Highlights

Compare plans and enroll online

Blue Changes by State

Benefits BCBS Plans May Offer

If Your BCBS Plan Is Ending

Find & Compare Plans Online

Speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-833-641-4938TTY 711

Mon-Fri: 8am-9pm ET

Plan Types

How Medicare Advantage Works

Pros and Cons of Medicare Advantage

BCBS Drug Coverage for 2027

If Your Plan Is Ending

How to Compare BCBS 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

➤ Which Blue companies are leaving MA?

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

➤ What happens if my Medicare Advantage plan is ending?

➤ Is HCSC cutting Blue Medicare Advantage plans in 2027?

➤ Is Anthem leaving any states for 2027?

➤ Is Blue Cross of Idaho expanding in 2027?

➤ Is Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oregon leaving Medicare Advantage?

➤ Is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota changing its Medicare Advantage plans?

➤ Are Highmark Blue Medicare Advantage plans changing in 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