Medicare Advantage Plans for 2027 - What's Changing and How to Compare Plans in Your Area

Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7, and it's the main time each year to review your coverage and switch plans for the year ahead.

For 2027, several changes affect prescription drug costs and premiums, and Medicare Advantage plans can change their benefits, costs and networks every year. This guide explains the key 2027 changes, how to find the Medicare Advantage plans available in your area, what to compare, and where to get free help choosing a plan.

Key Medicare Changes for 2027

Some of the biggest 2027 changes involve prescription drug coverage, which is included in most Medicare Advantage plans as well as in standalone Part D plans.

• Higher out-of-pocket cap for drugs. The yearly cap on out-of-pocket Part D drug costs rises to $2,400 in 2027, up from $2,100 in 2026.
• Higher maximum deductible. The maximum Part D deductible rises to $700 in 2027, up from $615. Your plan may charge less.
• End of a temporary premium subsidy. A temporary federal program that helped hold down Part D premiums ends after 2026, which may lead some plans to raise premiums.
• New negotiated drug prices. Medicare-negotiated prices take effect for another group of 15 drugs in 2027, including some widely used diabetes and weight-loss medications.

Part B premiums and deductibles for 2027 are typically announced in the fall, so check Medicare's website for the final amounts. Your own plan's changes are listed in its Annual Notice of Change, which plans send to members each fall. Read it carefully before deciding whether to stay or switch.

What Medicare Advantage Plans Offer Seniors

Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. They cover everything Original Medicare covers and often add benefits such as:

• Prescription drug coverage
• Routine dental, vision and hearing benefits
• Fitness programs
• A yearly limit on what you pay out of pocket for covered medical services

In exchange, most plans use provider networks, and some require referrals to see specialists. There isn't a single "Medicare plan that covers everything." Each plan balances premiums, out-of-pocket costs, networks and extra benefits differently, so the best plan depends on your doctors, prescriptions and budget.

How to Find Medicare Advantage Plans in Your Area

The plans available to you depend on your ZIP code or county. To see your options:

1. Use Medicare's online Plan Finder to enter your ZIP code and see the Medicare Advantage and drug plans available where you live.
2. Enter your prescriptions to estimate your yearly drug costs under each plan.
3. Check your doctors and hospitals in each plan's provider directory, or call the plan to confirm.
4. Compare star ratings, which Medicare gives plans based on quality and member experience.

What to Compare Before You Choose

• Monthly premium, including whether you'll still pay your Part B premium (most people do)
• Yearly out-of-pocket maximum for medical care
• Copays and coinsurance for doctor visits, specialists and hospital stays
• Drug coverage, including whether your medications are on the plan's formulary
• Provider network and whether you need referrals
• Extra benefits such as dental, vision and hearing, and their annual limits

Many plans include extras that seniors don't always expect. Our articles on vaccine coverage under Medicare and Medicare lift chair coverage show how coverage details vary.

Medicare Eligibility and Enrollment Periods

Most people become eligible for Medicare at 65. If you're new to Medicare, your Initial Enrollment Period is a seven-month window around your 65th birthday. After that, these periods matter most:

• Open Enrollment (October 15 to December 7): switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, change Medicare Advantage plans, or change drug plans. Changes take effect January 1.
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (January 1 to March 31): if you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to another one or return to Original Medicare once.
• Special Enrollment Periods apply after certain life events, such as moving or losing other coverage.

Where to Get Free Medicare Help

• Speak to a Medicare representative at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), available 24 hours a day, every day except some federal holidays.
• Contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free, unbiased one-on-one counseling. SHIP counselors don't sell insurance.
• Ask about help paying costs. If your income is limited, programs such as Extra Help and the Medicare Savings Programs can lower your premiums and drug costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Medicare Advantage plan for 2027?

There's no single best plan. The right one depends on your doctors, medications and budget, and plans vary by area. Compare plans in your ZIP code using Medicare's Plan Finder.

Do I have to switch plans every year?

No. If you don't make a change, you'll usually stay in your current plan. But plans change each year, so review your Annual Notice of Change.

Are there Medicare Advantage plans with no monthly premium?

Many areas have plans with no added monthly premium, though you'll usually still pay your Part B premium, and copays and other costs still apply.

This article is general information, not insurance advice. Costs, benefits and plan availability vary by location and can change, so confirm details with Medicare or the plan before enrolling.