What is the best Medicare Advantage plan in California?

There is no single best plan in a state this large, and any page naming one is guessing at your circumstances. California has more than fifty counties with materially different plan lineups, plus several California-only carriers that do not compete everywhere in the state. Kaiser Permanente has consistently rated well on CMS quality measures and is a strong fit for people comfortable with an integrated system. SCAN Health Plan was built specifically around Medicare members. The national carriers offer broader geographic reach. The best plan for you is the one that covers your doctors, covers your prescriptions at a workable tier, and sets an out-of-pocket maximum you could absorb in a bad year.

What company has the best Medicare Advantage plan for 2026?

On the most recent CMS star ratings, Kaiser Permanente placed at or near the top among large carriers on the share of members in 4-star-and-above plans, and it is widely available in California. But company-level averages are a blunt instrument. Ratings attach to individual contracts, so a highly rated carrier can offer a mediocre plan in your county and a lower-rated carrier can offer an excellent one. The 2027 ratings publish in October 2026 and could move these positions in either direction, so treat any company ranking as a starting filter rather than an answer.

Which Medicare Advantage plans are 5 star?

CMS awards 5 stars to a small number of individual contracts each year, not to companies, and the list changes annually. A 5-star plan also carries a practical advantage worth knowing about: you can switch into one using a Special Enrollment Period at almost any point during the year, rather than waiting for Annual Enrollment. To find out whether a 5-star plan exists in your California county, check the 2027 ratings when they publish in October 2026 through the Medicare Plan Finder.

Why do people say to stay away from Medicare Advantage plans?

The criticisms are real and worth understanding rather than waving away. Medicare Advantage plans use networks, so your preferred doctor may not be covered. Many require prior authorization for procedures Original Medicare would simply pay for. Costs arrive as copays during a bad health year rather than as a predictable premium. And the decision is easier to make than to reverse, because moving back to Original Medicare with a supplement later usually means medical underwriting, and the California birthday rule does not change that. The counterargument is equally real: every Medicare Advantage plan caps your annual out-of-pocket spending, which Original Medicare on its own does not, and many carry no additional premium.

How does the California birthday rule work?

If you already hold a Medicare Supplement policy, California gives you a 60-day window each year following your birthday to switch to a different supplement with equal or lesser benefits, from any carrier, with no medical underwriting. The window was 30 days until 2019 legislation extended it, effective 2020. Two limits matter: it does not let you move up to richer benefits without underwriting, and it does not let you leave a Medicare Advantage plan for a supplement without underwriting. It is a supplement-to-supplement rule.

Are Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California the same company?

No. They are two separate organizations, and California is one of the few states where both a Blue Cross and a Blue Shield plan operate independently. They have different Medicare Advantage plans, different provider networks and different costs. A practice that contracts with one may not contract with the other, so when you confirm coverage with your doctor office, name the specific plan rather than asking whether they take Blue.

What is a Medi-Medi Plan in California?

A Medi-Medi Plan is the California name for a Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan, a Medicare Advantage plan for people who qualify for both Medicare and Medi-Cal in which one organization manages both sets of benefits. California now only contracts with dual-eligible plans that have an affiliated Medi-Cal plan, and plans without one can no longer enroll new members. Availability is county-specific and has been expanding, so check what exists where you live. If you qualify, this is usually the first option to evaluate.

How many Medicare Advantage plans are available in California?

Statewide the number runs into the hundreds, but that figure is close to meaningless for any individual. What matters is your county, and the California range is extreme: dense Southern California and Bay Area counties offer many times what rural Sierra and far-northern counties do, and two California counties have no Medicare Advantage plan available at all. Overall, 99.9% of California Medicare beneficiaries have at least one plan available where they live.

When will 2027 California plan details be available?

Carriers publish 2027 plan details on October 1, 2026, two weeks before Annual Enrollment opens. Premiums, copays, networks, formularies and supplemental benefits are not final before that date, and several carriers have signalled reductions for 2027, so a plan available in your county this year may not return. Anything published about 2027 benefits ahead of October 1 should be treated as directional rather than confirmed.

Is Anthem the same as Blue Cross Blue Shield?

In 14 states, yes. Blue Cross Blue Shield is an association of independent local insurers rather than a single company, and Anthem's parent Elevance Health holds the Blue Cross and Blue Shield license in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin. In those states the company trades as Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, or Anthem Blue Cross in California. Everywhere else, the Blue Cross plan is a different company entirely and has no connection to Anthem. This matters if you move, because your plan does not transfer to another state's Blue licensee.

What states does Anthem offer Medicare Advantage plans in?

Anthem offers Medicare Advantage plans in parts of 14 states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin. Availability is set county by county rather than statewide, so large portions of several of those states have no Anthem Medicare Advantage plans at all. If you live outside the 14, Anthem is not an option for you regardless of what you find advertised nationally.

Is Anthem cutting Medicare Advantage plans for 2027?

Anthem has not announced any Medicare Advantage plan or county exits for 2027. It made its cuts a year earlier, exiting selected plans and counties plus the standalone Part D market for 2026, which affected roughly 150,000 members. On Elevance Health's second-quarter 2026 earnings call the company said the 2026 actions were performing as expected and that 2027 bids were submitted with a focus on sustainable margin improvement, with no footprint reductions announced. That is not a guarantee your specific plan renews, since individual plan consolidations are only disclosed in the non-renewal notices carriers must send by October 1.

How good are Anthem's Medicare Advantage star ratings?

Mid-pack in absolute terms, but improving faster than almost anyone. For 2026, 53% of Elevance's Medicare Advantage members are in plans rated 4 stars or higher, up from roughly 40% the prior year. Over the same period Humana fell to about 20% and Aetna fell to about 81%, while UnitedHealthcare held above 77% and Kaiser stayed near 100%. Star ratings are assigned per contract rather than per carrier, so check the rating on the specific plan available in your county rather than relying on the company average. The 2027 ratings publish in October 2026.

Does Anthem Medicare Advantage include prescription drug coverage?

Most Anthem Medicare Advantage plans include Part D prescription coverage, and every special needs plan is required to. This is now the only route to drug coverage through Anthem, because the company exited the standalone Part D market entirely for the 2026 plan year. If you want an Anthem plan and you take prescriptions, the coverage has to come bundled inside the Medicare Advantage plan. Check that each of your medications appears on that specific plan's 2027 formulary and at what tier, since formularies are rebuilt annually.

MediBlue is Anthem's brand name for its Medicare Advantage plans. You will see it as MediBlue HMO, MediBlue PPO and variants such as MediBlue Access. It is a marketing name rather than a plan type, so two MediBlue plans in different counties can have completely different premiums, networks and benefits. Anthem also offers dual-eligible, chronic-condition and institutional special needs plans, which may or may not carry the MediBlue name depending on the market.

How much do Anthem Medicare Advantage plans cost in 2027?

Individual 2027 premiums and copays are not available yet. Plan-level data for every 2027 Medicare Advantage plan publishes October 1, 2026, and any specific 2027 Anthem premium quoted before that date is an estimate rather than a rate. What is confirmed is federal: the Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,400, the maximum Part D deductible is $700, and the Medicare Advantage out-of-pocket maximum can reach $9,850 in network or $14,800 combined. Many Anthem plans carry a $0 monthly premium, but you continue paying your Part B premium regardless of which plan you choose.

What extra benefits do Anthem Medicare Advantage plans include?

Anthem names dental, vision and hearing coverage, monthly allowances for over-the-counter items and healthy foods, utility assistance allowances, and SilverSneakers fitness membership. Insulin is capped at $35 per month with no deductible applied. Depth varies enormously between plans and counties, and some benefits such as utility allowances are typically limited to special needs plans rather than offered across the board. Read the eligible-item lists and annual maximums rather than the headline figures, since that is where two plans advertising the same benefit differ most.

What will happen to Medicare Advantage in 2027?

The market is contracting rather than expanding. Roughly one in ten Medicare Advantage members is in a plan that will not be offered in 2027, with Humana alone exiting plans covering about 600,000 members. Carriers are concentrating on higher-rated, higher-margin plans because contracts at 4 stars and above earn bonus payments, and the effect falls hardest on rural counties where fewer carriers compete. Federally, the Part D out-of-pocket cap rises to $2,400 and the maximum deductible to $700. Anthem is one of the few large carriers with no announced 2027 reductions.

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

Annual Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7, 2026, for coverage beginning January 1, 2027. If you are already in a Medicare Advantage plan, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31, 2027 allows one further change. A Special Enrollment Period may apply if you move out of your plan's service area, become eligible for Medicaid or Extra Help, or your current plan is discontinued. If you are new to Medicare, your Initial Enrollment Period spans the three months before through the three months after the month you turn 65.

Compare Medicare Advantage Plans 2027: Benefits, Costs and Star Ratings

Comparing Medicare Advantage plans for 2027 starts with knowing what’s available in your ZIP code, since plan availability, premiums, and extra benefits like dental and vision vary by county and carrier.

This page walks through how 2027 Medicare Advantage plans work, what’s changing from 2026, the four main plan types, and how to enroll — plus a free way to see real 2027 plans in your area.

Comparing your options for the coming plan year? Start with the best Medicare Advantage plans for 2027, ranked by carrier.

What's New for Medicare Advantage Plans in 2027

Every fall, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalizes the next plan year’s Medicare Advantage details. Here’s what to watch for with 2027 Medicare Advantage plans:

Premium trend — Medicare Advantage premiums and plan costs can change each year and vary by carrier, plan, and service area.
Star ratings — CMS’s 2027 Star Ratings, released each fall, affect which plans qualify for year-round enrollment via the 5-Star Special Enrollment Period
Supplemental benefits — trends in dental, vision, hearing, OTC allowance, and flex card benefits for 2027
Carrier/network changes — any major carrier exits or expansions in your service area

2027 Medicare Advantage plan details become public during the Annual Enrollment Period, October 15–December 7, 2026, for coverage starting January 1, 2027.

Compare plans and enroll online

How to Compare Medicare Advantage Plans for 2027

To compare 2027 Medicare Advantage plans accurately, you’ll need to check:

Enrollment eligibility — that you have both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B in place
Service area — that you live within the plan’s network coverage area
Benefits — which supplemental benefits (dental, vision, hearing, OTC, transportation) matter to you
Provider network — whether your doctors and preferred hospitals accept the plan
Drug formulary — whether your current prescriptions are covered and at what tier
Star rating — CMS’s 1–5 star quality rating for the plan
Total cost — premium plus deductible, copays, and out-of-pocket maximum, not premium alone

How Medicare Advantage plans work in 2027

2027 Medicare Advantage Plan Comparison at a Glance

Plan Type	Network Rule	See Any Doctor?	Rx Included?	Referral Needed?
HMO	In-network only (except emergencies)	No	Usually yes	Often, for specialists
PPO	In-network preferred, out-of-network allowed at higher cost	Yes, at higher cost out-of-network	Usually yes	No
PFFS	Plan sets payment terms; provider must accept	Any Medicare-approved provider who accepts plan terms	Sometimes	No
SNP	Tailored network for qualifying condition/status	No	Usually yes	Often

Compare plans & benefits in your area

Or speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-855-454-9051TTY 711

Mon-Fri: 8am-9pm ET

Medicare Advantage Plan Enrollment Periods for 2027

New to Medicare?

If you’re new to Medicare, the best time to enroll in a 2027 Medicare Advantage plan is during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) — the 3 months before your 65th birthday month, your birthday month, and the 3 months after. Coverage begins the first of the month after you enroll.

Already Enrolled in Medicare?

If you already have Medicare and want to switch to or enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan (Medicare Part C), you can do so during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which runs October 15 – December 7, 2026, for coverage effective January 1, 2027.

Already in a Medicare Advantage Plan?

Current MA enrollees also get the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, January 1 – March 31, to switch to a different MA plan or return to Original Medicare — once per year.

Medicare Advantage Plan Types for 2027

There are four main types of Medicare Advantage plans, each offered by different insurance companies with varying networks, costs, and rules:

Health Maintenance Organization Plans (HMO)

Preferred Provider Organization Plans (PPO)

Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)

Special Needs Plans (SNPs)

Medicare Advantage plan types 2027: HMO, PPO, PFFS, and SNP

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plans

HMO plans generally require you to get care from a primary care physician and hospital within the plan’s network, except for emergency or urgent care. Many HMOs bundle in Part D prescription drug coverage — if your HMO includes it, you can’t also enroll in a stand-alone Part D plan.

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plans

PPO plans also use a network, but you can see out-of-network providers at a higher cost. Most PPO plans include prescription drug coverage — check your specific medications’ cost and confirm your doctors accept the plan. No primary care referral is required, and costs are typically lower when you stay in-network.

Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) Plans

With a PFFS plan, the plan — not a network — sets how much it pays providers, and the provider must agree to those terms for each visit. You can see any Medicare-approved provider who accepts the plan’s terms, but visiting a non-participating provider can mean significantly higher costs. Some PFFS plans include Part D coverage; if not, you can enroll in a stand-alone Part D plan.

Special Needs Plans (SNPs)

SNPs are designed for people with specific chronic conditions, institutional needs, or dual Medicare/Medicaid eligibility. You must meet the plan’s qualifying criteria to enroll, and benefits are tailored to the condition or situation the plan targets.

Compare plans & benefits in your area

What Do 2027 Medicare Advantage Plans Cost?

Monthly premium: many 2027 Medicare Advantage plans offer $0 premiums, but availability depends on your area and carrier — you’ll still pay your Medicare Part B premium
Deductibles & copays: vary by plan; always confirm against the plan’s Summary of Benefits before enrolling
Out-of-pocket maximum: all Medicare Advantage plans are required to cap your annual out-of-pocket costs, unlike Original Medicare alone
Extra benefits: dental, vision, hearing, OTC allowances, and fitness benefits vary widely by plan and ZIP code

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period - 2027

Medicare Advantage Plan open enrollment period 2027

There are three key windows to enroll in or change a 2027 Medicare Advantage plan – and knowing which one you’re in decides what you’re actually allowed to do. Here’s exactly when each period opens for the 2027 plan year, and what you can do during it.

Medicare Advantage Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15 – December 7, 2026

This is the main window to compare and choose your 2027 coverage. During the Annual Enrollment Period, anyone with Medicare can:

Join a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time
Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
Move between Original Medicare and a Medicare Advantage plan
Join, switch, or drop a Part D prescription drug plan

Any change you make during AEP takes effect January 1, 2027. This is the busiest – and most important – window of the year to review your options.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP): January 1 – March 31, 2027

If you’re already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan on January 1, 2027, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period gives you one more chance to adjust. During this window you can:

Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, or
Drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare – and add a stand-alone Part D drug plan if you need one

You can make only one change during this period, and it takes effect the first day of the following month. Keep in mind you can’t use the Open Enrollment Period to join Medicare Advantage for the first time from Original Medicare – that’s what the Annual Enrollment Period above is for.

New to Medicare?

If you’re just aging into Medicare, you don’t have to wait for these windows. You can enroll in a 2027 Medicare Advantage plan up to three months before your Medicare Part B effective date. Your Initial Enrollment Period runs seven months total – the three months before, the month of, and the three months after your 65th birthday.

Keep in mind that 2027 Medicare Advantage benefits – things like dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drug coverage – may vary by plan and by location and can change from one year to the next, so it’s worth comparing the plans available in your area before you enroll.

Compare 2027 Medicare Advantage plans in your area by ZIP code above, or speak with a licensed insurance agent at 1-855-454-9051 (TTY 711), Monday–Friday 8am–9pm EST.

Medicare Advantage Plans 2027 — Frequently Asked Questions

➤What’s new for Medicare Advantage plans in 2027?

Each fall, CMS finalizes updated premiums, star ratings, and supplemental benefits for the coming plan year. 2027 plan details are released to the public during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, October 15–December 7, 2026, with coverage starting January 1, 2027.

➤How much do Medicare Advantage plans cost in 2027?

Many Medicare Advantage plans offer $0 monthly premiums, though availability depends on your ZIP code and the carriers in your area. You’ll still need to pay your Medicare Part B premium regardless of which plan you choose.

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

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs October 15 through December 7, 2026, for coverage effective January 1, 2027. If you’re new to Medicare, you can also enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period.

➤What’s the difference between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans?

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans bundle Part A, Part B, and often Part D and extra benefits into one plan, typically using a provider network. Medicare Supplement plans work alongside Original Medicare and generally don’t use networks, but don’t include extra benefits or drug coverage.

➤Can I switch Medicare Advantage plans every year?

Yes. You can switch during AEP (October 15–December 7). There’s also a Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31 for current MA enrollees to make one additional switch.

New to Medicare?

If you are new to Medicare, then you can enroll in a 2027 Medicare Advantage plan up to three months prior to your Medicare Part B effective date.

Call one of our licensed insurance agents to see what the best time frame is for you to enroll, based on your current situation. You can contact them at 1-855-454-9051 (TTY 711), Mon–Fri 8am–9pm EST.

Have Questions?

Speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-855-454-9051

TTY users 711

Mon-Fri: 8am-9pm ET

Compare plans & benefits in your area

Or speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-855-454-9051TTY 711

Mon-Fri: 8am-9pm ET

RussellNoga

Russell Noga is the founder of CompareMedicareAdvantage.org, and is a Medicare insurance broker licensed in all 50 states. He works with other licensed insurance agents and partners to keep plan information accurate and current for the 2027 Medicare Advantage enrollment season and beyond.

that cover doctors & Rx drugs

1-855-454-9051 TTY 711

Compare Medicare Advantage Plans 2027: Benefits, Costs and Star Ratings

What's New for Medicare Advantage Plans in 2027

Compare plans and enroll online

How to Compare Medicare Advantage Plans for 2027

2027 Medicare Advantage Plan Comparison at a Glance

Compare plans & benefits in your area

Or speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-855-454-9051TTY 711

Mon-Fri: 8am-9pm ET

Medicare Advantage Plan Enrollment Periods for 2027

New to Medicare?

Already Enrolled in Medicare?

Already in a Medicare Advantage Plan?

Medicare Advantage Plan Types for 2027

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plans

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plans

Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) Plans

Special Needs Plans (SNPs)

Compare plans & benefits in your area

What Do 2027 Medicare Advantage Plans Cost?

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period - 2027

Medicare Advantage Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15 – December 7, 2026

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP): January 1 – March 31, 2027

New to Medicare?

Medicare Advantage Plans 2027 — Frequently Asked Questions

➤What’s new for Medicare Advantage plans in 2027?

➤How much do Medicare Advantage plans cost in 2027?

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

➤What’s the difference between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans?

➤Can I switch Medicare Advantage plans every year?

New to Medicare?

Have Questions?

Speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-855-454-9051

TTY users 711

Mon-Fri: 8am-9pm ET

Compare plans & benefits in your area

Or speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-855-454-9051TTY 711

Mon-Fri: 8am-9pm ET