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Optimum HealthCare Medicare Advantage Plans 2027: Plans, 4.5-Star Rating and Florida Coverage

Reviewed by Russell Noga, Licensed Medicare Insurance Broker (all 50 states) — Last updated October 10, 2026

Optimum HealthCare is a Tampa-based Medicare Advantage plan sold only in Florida. It’s owned by Elevance Health, the parent company of Anthem, and is a sister plan to Freedom Health, Simply Healthcare and HealthSun.

For 2027, Optimum earned 4.5 stars from Medicare, one of the highest ratings in Florida, and kept almost its entire plan lineup while the state lost more plans than any other. Annual Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, 2026, for coverage that starts January 1, 2027.

✔ Licensed across all 50 states✔ Built on CMS 2027 data✔ No-cost plan comparison

Compare Optimum HealthCare Medicare Advantage Plans for 2027

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Optimum HealthCare Medicare Advantage plans 2027 overview showing a 4.5-star rating, 13 plans, 6 regular HMOs and 7 special needs plans

Optimum HealthCare 2027 Plan Lineup

CMS’s 2027 plan data lists 13 individual Optimum HealthCare plans, down from 15 in 2026. The two dropped plans were regional versions of the Diamond Rewards chronic care plans. Every Optimum plan is an HMO.

2027 Plan Plan Type Who It’s For
Optimum Gold Plan, Gold Plus Plan and Gold Rewards Plan (Gold Rewards in 3 regional versions) HMO Anyone with Medicare Parts A and B in the service area
Optimum Platinum Plan HMO Anyone with Medicare Parts A and B in the service area
Optimum Diamond, Diamond Rewards and Diamond Savings (Rewards and Savings also come in COPD versions) HMO C-SNP People with qualifying chronic conditions
Optimum Emerald Full and Emerald Partial HMO D-SNP People with both Medicare and Florida Medicaid (full or partial)

Source: CMS 2026 and 2027 Plan Benefit Package data, contract H5594, individual (non-employer) plans.

Plans are sold in select Florida counties, and not every plan is available in every county. If you have Medicaid or a qualifying chronic condition, see our guide to Medicare Advantage special needs plans.

What Optimum HealthCare Plans May Include

Here’s what CMS’s 2027 benefit data shows for Optimum’s plans. Amounts and rules depend on the plan and county:

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An over-the-counter allowance on all 13 plans, for items like vitamins, first aid and pain relievers.

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Grocery and utilities help on the Emerald dual plans and several Diamond chronic care plans, for members who qualify.

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Dental, vision and hearing benefits may be included, depending on the plan.

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Prescription drug coverage built into the plan, so you don’t need a separate Part D plan.

Because every Optimum plan is an HMO, you’ll generally choose a primary care doctor and use the Optimum network. Learn more about how Medicare Advantage HMO plans work. Check each plan’s 2027 Summary of Benefits for exact premiums, copays and out-of-pocket limits.

Compare Optimum HealthCare Medicare Advantage Plans for 2027

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Florida 2027 Medicare Advantage star ratings chart comparing Optimum HealthCare with HealthSun, Devoted, Freedom, Simply, Wellcare, Florida Blue and HealthSpring

Optimum HealthCare 2027 Star Rating

Optimum HealthCare earned 4.5 stars for 2027, well above the national average of 3.99. Optimum has a long record of high ratings, including 5 stars for 2022. Here’s how it compares with other Florida carriers:

Florida Carrier (Contract) 2027 Overall Stars
Optimum HealthCare 4.5
HealthSun 4.5
Devoted Health (Florida) 4.5
Freedom Health 4
Simply Healthcare 4
Wellcare (Sunshine, Florida) 4
Florida Blue HMO 3.5
HealthSpring (Florida) 3

A high rating can also open a door later in the year. If a plan in your area earns 5 stars, Medicare lets you switch into it once during the year with a 5-star Special Enrollment Period. See every carrier in our 2027 Medicare Advantage star ratings.

Optimum vs Freedom Health, Simply and HealthSun

Elevance sells Medicare Advantage in Florida under several names, and they can show up side by side when you shop:

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Optimum HealthCare earned 4.5 stars and offers regular HMO, chronic care and dual plans.

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Freedom Health, Optimum’s Tampa sister plan, earned 4 stars and has a larger lineup, including HMO-POS plans.

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HealthSun earned 4.5 stars and focuses on Miami-Dade.

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Simply Healthcare earned 4 stars, but for 2027 it only offers plans for people with both Medicare and Medicaid. See our guide to Simply Healthcare Medicare Advantage plans.

If you’re leaving a Simply plan for 2027, Optimum may be worth a look, but compare doctors, drugs and total costs in your county first. For Elevance’s full lineup, see our guide to Elevance Medicare Advantage plans.

Who Optimum HealthCare Fits

A good fit if you:

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Live in an Optimum service area in Florida and your doctors are in its network

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Want a highly rated plan, since Optimum earned 4.5 stars for 2027

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Have a qualifying chronic condition, such as COPD, and want a Diamond plan

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Have both Medicare and Medicaid and want an Emerald plan

Look harder at other options if you:

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Want a PPO with out-of-network coverage, since every Optimum plan is an HMO

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Spend long stretches of the year outside Florida

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Live outside Optimum’s service counties

For the full state picture, see our Medicare Advantage plans in Florida guide.

Before You Enroll: 2027 Checklist

1

Confirm your county. Optimum plans are sold in select Florida counties only.

2

Check your doctors and hospitals. HMO plans work best when your providers are in network.

3

Run your prescriptions. Compare drug costs across Optimum’s plans and other carriers.

4

Check special needs eligibility. Diamond plans require a qualifying chronic condition, and Emerald plans require Medicaid.

5

Read your Annual Notice of Change. Members of the two discontinued Diamond Rewards versions may be moved to another plan.

6

Mark the dates. Medicare Open Enrollment 2027 runs October 15 to December 7, 2026.

Optimum HealthCare Medicare Advantage Plans for 2027: Costs & Benefits

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Optimum HealthCare Medicare Advantage 2027 — Frequently Asked Questions

➤ What is Optimum HealthCare?

Optimum HealthCare is a Tampa-based Medicare Advantage plan sold only in Florida. It’s owned by Elevance Health, the parent company of Anthem, and offers HMO, chronic care and dual-eligible plans.

➤ What is the Optimum HealthCare star rating for 2027?

Optimum HealthCare earned 4.5 out of 5 stars for 2027, above the national average of 3.99. It’s tied with HealthSun and Devoted Health’s Florida contract among the highest-rated carriers in this comparison.

➤ What Optimum HealthCare plans are available in 2027?

CMS’s 2027 data lists 13 individual Optimum plans: Gold, Gold Plus, Gold Rewards and Platinum HMOs; Diamond, Diamond Rewards and Diamond Savings chronic care plans, including COPD versions; and Emerald Full and Emerald Partial dual plans.

➤ Is Optimum HealthCare the same as Freedom Health?

No, but they’re related. Both are Tampa-based Florida Medicare Advantage plans owned by Elevance Health. They have separate contracts, plan lineups and star ratings: 4.5 stars for Optimum and 4 stars for Freedom Health in 2027.

➤ Is Optimum HealthCare an HMO or PPO?

Every 2027 Optimum HealthCare plan is an HMO. You’ll generally choose a primary care doctor and use the Optimum network, except for emergencies and urgent care.

➤ Does Optimum HealthCare have an OTC card?

Yes. CMS’s 2027 data shows all 13 Optimum plans include an over-the-counter allowance. The Emerald dual plans and several Diamond chronic care plans also offer grocery and utilities help for members who qualify.

➤ What is the Optimum Diamond plan?

Optimum’s Diamond plans are Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans (C-SNPs) for people with qualifying chronic conditions. Diamond Rewards and Diamond Savings also come in COPD-specific versions. You’ll need to confirm your condition to enroll.

➤ What is the Optimum Emerald plan?

Optimum Emerald Full and Emerald Partial are Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans for people with both Medicare and Florida Medicaid. The Full and Partial versions match different Medicaid eligibility levels.

➤ Is Optimum HealthCare a good Medicare Advantage plan?

Optimum’s 4.5-star rating for 2027 puts it among Florida’s top-rated carriers. Whether it’s right for you depends on your county, doctors and prescriptions, so compare it against other 2027 plans in your ZIP code.

➤ When can I enroll in an Optimum HealthCare plan for 2027?

Annual Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, 2026, with coverage starting January 1, 2027. If you’re already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can also make one change from January 1 to March 31, 2027.

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 1-855-409-6195 (TTY 711), Mon–Fri 8am–9pm EST.

Have Questions?

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