HealthPlan MomsFall Open Enrollment opens October 15, and this year the headlines are a little confusing. CMS says Medicare Advantage is "stable" for 2027 and that average premiums are going down. At the same time, insurers are cutting plans, leaving entire counties, and raising out-of-pocket costs on many of the plans that remain.
Both things are true. Which one applies to you depends on your county, your carrier, and the specific plan you are in right now. Here is what the new 2027 numbers actually say, how to tell whether your plan is affected, and the deadlines that protect you if it is.
What CMS Released for 2027
On September 28, 2026, CMS published its 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape. The top-line numbers look calm:
- About 5,532 Medicare Advantage plans nationwide for 2027, down slightly from 5,553 in 2026.
- Average Medicare Advantage premium of $12.00 a month, down from $14.37.
- Average standalone Part D premium of about $36 a month, up less than $1 from $35.09.
- About 8 in 10 Advantage members can stay in their current plan at the same or a lower premium.
- 34 million people projected in Medicare Advantage in 2027, roughly 47% of everyone on Medicare and about 2 million fewer than this year.
Read the average with care
The $12.00 average is weighted by enrollment and includes Special Needs Plans, which tend to carry very low premiums. Analysts note it understates the increases many people in general Advantage plans will see. The only number that matters is the one in your own plan's letter.
The Other Side: Fewer Choices in Many Areas
The average person on Medicare can choose from about 35 Advantage plans in 2027, down from 39 this year. That still sounds like plenty, but the cuts are not spread evenly. In some counties, the choices are disappearing entirely.
Nearly every major insurer trimmed its footprint for 2027. Here is how many counties each one is leaving, according to KFF:
2027 Medicare Advantage County Exits by Insurer
Counties where each company will no longer offer a general-enrollment Advantage plan with drug coverage.
| Insurer | Counties exited | Counties added |
|---|---|---|
| HCSC (Blue Cross in IL, MT, NM, OK, TX) | 498 | 0 |
| Centene (Wellcare) | 359 | 15 |
| UnitedHealthcare | 228 | 9 |
| CVS Health (Aetna) | 186 | 63 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan | 177 | 1 |
| Elevance Health (Anthem) | 66 | 10 |
| Humana | 62 | 4 |
| Devoted Health | 0 | 342 |
A few companies are leaving the market completely. Molina Healthcare and Clear Spring Health are exiting the Advantage drug-plan market for 2027 (Molina still offers Special Needs Plans in many areas). Several hospital-owned plans are also closing their Advantage business, including Providence Health Plan, Christus Health Plan, Braven Health in New Jersey, WellSense in New Hampshire, Memorial Hermann, Aspirus, Sharp Health Plan, and Mass Advantage.
Even If Your Plan Stays, It May Cost More
Plans that are not going away are still changing. Industry analysts reviewing the 2027 filings found that, on average:
- Maximum out-of-pocket limits are up about 10%. That is the most you could pay for covered medical care in a bad year.
- Part D drug deductibles inside Advantage plans are up about 30%. UnitedHealthcare's average rose about 33% and Humana's about 30%.
- Fewer $0-premium drug plans are being offered, which pushes average Advantage drug plan premiums up a few dollars in many markets.
On the standalone drug plan side, the maximum Part D deductible rises to $700 in 2027 (from $615), and the annual out-of-pocket cap on covered drugs rises to $2,400 (from $2,100). A federal program that held down Part D premiums in 2026 is also ending, which is one reason some drug plan premiums are moving up.
Do not judge a plan by its premium alone
A plan that kept its $0 premium may have raised its out-of-pocket maximum, its specialist copays, or its drug deductible. Compare the total you would realistically spend in a year, not just the monthly bill.
Did You Get a Letter Saying Your Plan Is Ending?
If your Advantage plan is leaving your area or shutting down on December 31, it was required to mail you a non-renewal notice by October 2, 2026. If you are not sure whether you got one, check your mail pile now. It may look like routine plan paperwork.
If your plan is ending, you have extra protections that most people do not:
Your Options if Your Plan Is Not Renewing
These windows overlap, so you have more time than you might think. Earlier is still better.
| Window | Dates | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Open Enrollment | Oct 15 to Dec 7, 2026 | Pick any Advantage or Part D plan in your area. Coverage starts January 1, 2027, with no gap. |
| Non-renewal Special Enrollment Period | Dec 8, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Extra time to join a new Advantage or drug plan if your plan ended. Coverage starts the first of the month after you enroll. |
| Medigap guaranteed issue right | Up to 60 days before your plan ends through 63 days after | Buy certain Medigap supplement plans without health questions or higher prices for pre-existing conditions. For a December 31 end date, that is roughly early November through early March. |
The one thing not to do: nothing
If your plan ends and you do not choose a new one, you are moved into Original Medicare on January 1. That means no drug coverage and no supplement. If you go 63 days or more without creditable drug coverage, you can face a permanent late enrollment penalty on Part D.
That Medigap window is a big deal. Normally, if you have been in Medicare Advantage for years and want to switch to Original Medicare with a supplement, insurers in most states can ask health questions and turn you down. A plan exit is one of the few times you get that choice guaranteed. If you have ever wondered about going back to Original Medicare, this may be the year to look seriously.
A Little Good News for 2027
- Lower negotiated prices on 15 more drugs take effect January 1, 2027, under Medicare drug price negotiation. The list includes Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy, whose negotiated price for a 30-day supply drops to $274 from a list price of $959. What you pay at the pharmacy still depends on your plan.
- Medicare telehealth flexibilities are extended through December 31, 2027, so you can keep seeing many providers by video from home.
- Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov now flags changes to your current plan for 2027 and links directly to each plan's formulary and Summary of Benefits.
One Number We Are Still Waiting On
The 2027 Part B premium has not been announced yet. The 2026 Medicare Trustees Report projected it at about $209.50 a month, up from $202.90 in 2026. CMS typically confirms the official amount, along with the Part A and Part B deductibles, in late October or early November. Everyone on Part B pays this, whether you are in Original Medicare or an Advantage plan.
Your Game Plan Before December 7
For the full walkthrough with every date, see our Fall Open Enrollment step-by-step checklist.
- Find your plan letter. Look for either an Annual Notice of Change (your plan is continuing with changes) or a non-renewal notice (your plan is ending). Both should have arrived by early October.
- Check your doctors and hospital for 2027. Networks shift every year, and a carrier leaving or shrinking in your county often means a smaller network too.
- Check every prescription on the 2027 formulary. Confirm the drug is covered, the tier, and whether your pharmacy is still preferred.
- Compare the out-of-pocket maximum and drug deductible, not just the premium. These are where most of the 2027 increases are hiding.
- If your plan is ending, decide early whether to stay in Advantage or switch to Original Medicare with a supplement. Your guaranteed Medigap window has a firm end date.
- Get a second set of eyes. A licensed agent can compare every plan we offer in your county in one conversation, at no cost to you.
The Bottom Line
For a lot of people, 2027 will look a lot like 2026. For a meaningful number of others, their plan is ending or getting more expensive in ways the premium does not show. The difference is in the details of your own plan letter. Take ten minutes to find it, check your doctors and drugs, and make a decision before December 7. If your plan is ending, remember you have extra time and a guaranteed Medigap option, but only for a limited window.
Sources & Further Reading
- CMS, "Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Programs Expected to Remain Stable in 2027," September 28, 2026, cms.gov
- KFF, "Medicare Advantage Plan Availability Varies Widely by County for 2027," October 9, 2026, kff.org
- Healthcare Dive, "Here's how much insurers are cutting Medicare Advantage plans for 2027," September 29, 2026, healthcaredive.com
- Medicare Rights Center, "New Insights on 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Offerings," October 1, 2026, medicarerights.org
- Becker's Hospital Review, "Health system-owned insurers exiting Medicare Advantage in 2027," September 30, 2026, beckershospitalreview.com
- Kiplinger, "Changes Coming to Medicare in 2027," kiplinger.com
- MOAA, "Medicare Report Estimates Future Part B Premiums," June 2026, moaa.org
- Money Talks News, "Your Medicare Advantage Plan Won't Be Back in 2027? The Medigap Window That Protects You," moneytalksnews.com
Figures reflect publicly available data as of October 10, 2026. Plan availability, costs, and networks vary by county and carrier. Medigap guaranteed issue rights and plan options can vary by state. Confirm details at Medicare.gov, by calling 1-800-MEDICARE, or with a licensed agent.