➤ What will happen to Medicare Advantage in 2027?
Medicare Advantage is contracting for 2027 rather than expanding. Major carriers are exiting counties, and roughly one in ten current members is expected to see their plan go away. The average premium falls to $12.00 a month, but out-of-pocket maximums and drug deductibles are rising, the Part D cap rises to $2,400, and only 15 contracts earned five stars for 2027. If your plan is not renewing, you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to choose new coverage.
➤ What is the Medicare Part D out-of-pocket cap for 2027?
The 2027 annual out-of-pocket cap for prescription drugs is $2,400, up from $2,100 in 2026. Once you reach it, you pay nothing more for covered formulary drugs for the rest of the calendar year. The standard Part D deductible for 2027 is $700, up from $615, though many Medicare Advantage plans set a lower drug deductible or none at all.
➤ How much do Medicare Advantage plans cost in 2027?
The national average Medicare Advantage premium for 2027 is $12.00 a month, and many plans carry a $0 premium, but premium is only one of five cost components. You’ll also pay your Medicare Part B premium, plus copays, drug costs up to the $2,400 cap, and potentially up to your plan’s medical out-of-pocket maximum. 2027 plan premiums are now on Medicare Plan Finder.
➤ Which carrier has the best Medicare Advantage plans for 2027?
It depends on what you’re optimizing for. UnitedHealthcare leads on network size and national availability at roughly 26% market share. Humana competes on supplemental benefits and now has about 95% of members in 4-star-plus plans for 2027. Aetna’s CVS integration helps on pharmacy costs, with more than 69% of members in 4-star-plus plans, and Kaiser leads on quality where it sells. Verify plan quality in your own county.
➤ What company has the highest rated Medicare Advantage plans for 2027?
Among large national carriers, Humana has the highest share of members in 4-star-plus plans for 2027, at about 95%. Kaiser Permanente had 100% of its contracts at 4 stars or higher for 2026 and has a 5-star Nevada contract for 2027, but it sells only in limited regions. Ratings apply to a contract, so the highest rated carrier nationally is not automatically the highest rated plan where you live.
➤ Are Medicare Advantage benefits being cut in 2027?
On many plans, yes. 2027 plan details went live on October 1, 2026, and industry analysts report out-of-pocket maximums up about 10% and Part D deductibles up about 30%, with supplemental benefits trimmed on many plans. Confirm every benefit you rely on in the plan’s official 2027 Summary of Benefits rather than assuming it carried over from 2026.
➤ Is a $0 premium Medicare Advantage plan actually free?
No. You still pay your Medicare Part B premium, and a $0-premium plan can carry copays, a drug deductible up to $700, and a higher medical out-of-pocket maximum than a plan charging a monthly premium. Compare total expected annual cost, meaning premium plus copays plus drug spend, rather than the premium line alone.
➤ What changed in Medicare Advantage star ratings for 2027?
CMS added two drug-safety measures, tripled the weight of the physical and mental health improvement measures, updated the colorectal cancer screening measure and retired a few others. The average rating dipped to 3.99 and five-star contracts fell to 15 from 22. Because the measure set changed, compare plans against each other within 2027.
➤ Are there any 5-star Medicare Advantage plans for 2027?
Yes. Fifteen Medicare Advantage contracts earned 5 stars for 2027, down from 22 for 2026, though they aren’t offered in every county. Five-star plans carry an enrollment advantage: the 5-Star Special Enrollment Period lets you switch into one once between December 8, 2026 and November 30, 2027. Check whether your doctors participate first.
➤ Do I still have to pay the Part B premium with a Medicare Advantage plan?
Yes. Medicare Advantage replaces how your Part A and Part B benefits are delivered, but you remain enrolled in Medicare and continue paying the Part B premium. Some plans offer a Part B premium giveback that reduces this amount, but that’s a specific plan feature and not a general rule.
➤ What is the out-of-pocket maximum on a Medicare Advantage plan?
Every Medicare Advantage plan caps your annual in-network medical spending, one of the structural advantages over Original Medicare, which has no cap. For 2027 the federal ceiling is $9,850 in-network and $14,800 combined, and individual plans often set lower limits. It’s separate from the $2,400 prescription drug cap, so budget for both.
➤ When can I enroll in a 2027 Medicare Advantage plan?
The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7, 2026, for coverage effective January 1, 2027. If you’re already in a Medicare Advantage plan, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31, 2027 allows one additional switch. If you’re new to Medicare, your Initial Enrollment Period runs three months before through three months after your 65th birthday month.
