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.

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

Q: 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.

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.

Enter your ZIP code above to see the 2027 plans offered where you live, with premiums, star ratings, and benefits side by side. For the full guide to how coverage works, what it costs, and when you can enroll, see our complete breakdown of Medicare Advantage plans 2027.

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What's New for Medicare Advantage Plans in 2027

CMS released the 2027 Medicare Advantage landscape on September 28, 2026, plan-by-plan details went live on Medicare Plan Finder on October 1, and the 2027 Star Ratings followed on October 8. Here’s what the 2027 Medicare Advantage plans data shows:

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Premiums — the national average Medicare Advantage premium is $12.00 a month for 2027, down from $14.37, though plans in your county can still rise and out-of-pocket limits are rising for many plans

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Star ratings — the 2027 average dipped to 3.99 stars, only 15 contracts earned 5 stars (down from 22), and Humana jumped to about 95% of members in 4-star-plus plans. See the full 2027 Medicare Advantage star ratings

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Supplemental benefits — dental, vision, hearing, OTC and flex card benefits may be trimmed on some plans for 2027, so compare the actual dollar amounts

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Carrier changes — 5,532 plans are available nationally, with major carriers exiting some counties and others, like Devoted Health, expanding. See the best Medicare Advantage plans 2027

2027 plan details and star ratings are now on Medicare Plan Finder. Enroll during the Annual Enrollment Period, October 15–December 7, 2026, for coverage starting January 1, 2027.

From the Agent’s Desk

Medicare Advantage plans are approved and sold by county, so two people a few miles apart can see different plans, premiums and networks. Starting with your ZIP code narrows the list to plans actually available where you live, and the plan’s provider directory confirms whether your doctors are in network before you enroll.

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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

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.

Comparing carriers? See what is changing for 2027 in our guide to UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans 2027, including plan cuts, county exits and average cost increases.

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.