Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Plans 2027

Reviewed by Russell Noga, Licensed Medicare Insurance Broker — Last updated October 14, 2026

KEY TAKEAWAY

Blue Cross is a federation of about 34 separate companies, so the plan, price and 2027 star rating you get depend on your state. For 2027, several local Blue plans earned 4.5 stars while most Anthem contracts landed at 3 to 3.5. Compare the specific Blue plan in your county, not the brand.

Blue Cross — formally known as Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) — is one of the largest names in Medicare Advantage, offering 2027 Medicare Advantage plans through regional affiliates across roughly 31 states, with a mix of HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, and, in select areas, PFFS plans.

Because Blue Cross operates through independent regional companies rather than one single national insurer, what’s available may vary more by state than it does with some other carriers.

This page walks through how Blue Cross Medicare Advantage works, what to expect for 2027, how it has performed on recent quality ratings, and what coverage typically costs.

For the full picture on how Medicare Advantage works, plan types, star ratings, and enrollment timing across every carrier, see our complete 2027 Medicare Advantage guide. Ready to compare BCBS against other carriers in your ZIP code? Use the button below to see 2027 plans in your area.

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blue cross Medicare Advantage plans 2027

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2027 STAR RATINGS UPDATE — OCTOBER 9, 2026

Blue Cross 2027 star ratings split sharply by state. Several local Blue plans earned 4.5 stars, while many Anthem and HCSC Blue contracts landed at 3 to 3.5.

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4.5 stars: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, Highmark, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah, Capital Health Plan in Florida, and contracts from BCBS of Massachusetts and BCBS of North Carolina.

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4 stars: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, and contracts in Minnesota, Rhode Island, Idaho and Washington.

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3 to 3.5 stars: most Anthem contracts, Florida Blue, BCBS of Texas, Illinois and New Mexico, Tennessee, Arizona and South Carolina.

Figures elsewhere on this page are 2026 ratings. The Blue brand tells you little on its own; check the 2027 rating on the specific plan in your county. See the full 2027 Medicare Advantage star ratings.

In Michigan? See our guide to Medicare Plus Blue, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s 4.5-star PPO plans for 2027, plus BCN Advantage HMO plans.

Understanding Blue Cross Blue Shield: A Federation of Companies

Unlike a single national carrier such as Aetna or Humana, “Blue Cross Blue Shield” refers to a federation of roughly 34 independent, regionally licensed companies — including well-known names like Anthem (now branded as part of Elevance Health), Highmark, and individual state Blue Cross organizations.

Each operates its own Medicare Advantage plans, sets its own premiums and benefits, and earns its own CMS star rating.

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Regional coverage: BCBS Medicare Advantage plans are available in roughly 31 states through local affiliate companies

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Plan types offered: HMO, HMO-POS, and PPO plans in most areas, with PFFS plans in select states

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What this means for you: the specific BCBS plan, premium, and benefits available depend entirely on which regional affiliate serves your ZIP code — a Blue Cross plan in one state may differ significantly from a Blue Cross plan in another

Because of this regional structure, it’s especially important to compare the specific BCBS plan available where you live rather than assuming benefits or ratings are the same nationwide.

Because each Blues plan is its own company, the one available to you depends entirely on your state. Florida Blue, the Blue Cross plan in Florida, is a good illustration — roughly 111,000 Medicare Advantage members, its own BlueMedicare product line, and star ratings that differ from the Blues plans in other states.

The mid-Atlantic works the same way. CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield is the Blues licensee for Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia, and the largest not-for-profit insurer in the region with about 3.5 million members. Its Medicare Advantage lineup is built mostly on PPOs rather than HMOs, and its individual plans are offered in Maryland and D.C. but not in the Virginia portion of its service area — a distinction that catches out plenty of Northern Virginia residents. See CareFirst Medicare Advantage plans for how its PPO network and plan options compare.

Highmark shows how far a single Blues licensee can stretch. It covers roughly 7 million people across Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia and parts of New York, and it operates Pennsylvania through two separate entities — Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield in the west and north-east, Highmark Blue Shield in the centre and south-east. It has also confirmed it will continue to operate in every state and county it served in 2026, which makes it one of the few carriers not exiting markets for 2027. See Highmark Medicare Advantage plans for the full plan lineup and service area.

Regence is the same model in the west, and a useful warning about how differently two Blues licensees can behave. It runs four separate companies across Idaho, Oregon, Utah and select Washington counties, covering only about 73,000 Medicare Advantage members — and unlike Highmark it has trimmed its county footprint repeatedly in recent plan years. Its premiums also sit well above what most carriers charge in those markets. See Regence Medicare Advantage plans for the service area, plan lineup and an honest look at the costs.

California is the sharpest illustration of this. It is one of the few states where a Blue Cross plan and a Blue Shield plan operate as two entirely separate companies — Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California — with different Medicare Advantage plans, different provider networks and different costs. A practice that contracts with one may not contract with the other. Our guide to Medicare Advantage plans in California covers how the two compare there.

Ohio shows the regional structure working as intended. Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield competes statewide there against a deep bench of Ohio-only carriers built around individual hospital systems — Medical Mutual of Ohio in Cleveland, MediGold in Columbus, SummaCare in Akron. See Medicare Advantage plans in Ohio for how the Anthem plans stack up against them county by county.

Several licensees do not use the Blue Cross name on their Medicare Advantage plans at all. In Philadelphia, Keystone 65 from Independence Blue Cross is the brand you will see on the plan documents, and searching for the company name will not find it.

Blue Cross Medicare Advantage HMO Plans 2027

BCBS HMO Medicare Advantage plans generally require you to choose a primary care physician and get care from doctors and hospitals within the local affiliate’s network, except in an emergency. Referrals are commonly required to see specialists.

Many BCBS regional affiliates also offer HMO-POS plans — a variation that allows limited out-of-network care for certain services, offering a bit more flexibility than a standard HMO.

BCBS HMO plans tend to be a strong fit if you’re comfortable coordinating care through a primary doctor, want lower monthly costs, and your preferred doctors are in your local affiliate’s network.

Blue Cross Medicare Advantage PPO Plans 2027

BCBS PPO Medicare Advantage plans offer more flexibility than HMO options — you can see out-of-network providers at a higher cost, and referrals generally aren’t required to see specialists.

This makes BCBS PPO plans a common choice for people who travel, split time between states, or want a broader choice of doctors and hospitals.

PPO plans from BCBS affiliates typically carry a somewhat higher premium than comparable HMO plans in the same area, though availability and cost vary significantly by region. As with any PPO, staying in-network keeps your costs lowest, even though out-of-network care remains an option.

What BCBS Medicare Advantage Plans May Include for 2027

Like all Medicare Advantage plans, every BCBS Medicare Advantage plan is required to cover everything Original Medicare Part A and Part B cover. In 2027, BCBS affiliates may add on top of that baseline, depending on the plan, region, and local affiliate:

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Routine dental care, potentially including cleanings and more extensive dental work on some plans

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Vision coverage, which may include routine eye exams and an allowance toward glasses or contacts

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Hearing exams, and on some plans, an allowance toward hearing aids

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Fitness program membership on many plans, though the specific program varies by affiliate

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An over-the-counter (OTC) allowance on many plans

Exact benefits, allowance amounts, and whether a given plan includes each item depend entirely on the specific plan, region, and local affiliate, and not all plans offer all benefits — always confirm against the plan’s actual Summary of Benefits before enrolling.

BCBS additional benefits for Medicare Advantage in 2027

Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage Reviews for 2027

CMS released the 2027 star ratings in October 2026, and Blue Cross results split sharply by state: several local Blue plans earned 4.5 stars, while most Anthem and HCSC Blue contracts landed at 3 to 3.5 (see the 2027 update at the top of this page). For a longer view, here is how BCBS performed across its regional affiliates in the 2026 Star Ratings:

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Blue Cross plans earn an average CMS star rating of about 4.0 out of 5 for 2026, weighted by enrollment — nearly identical to the all-carrier industry average

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About 67% of BCBS Medicare Advantage members in rated plans are in plans rated 4 stars or higher for 2026

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Ratings vary meaningfully by plan type: HMO-POS plans perform strongest (averaging around 4.09 stars), followed by PPO plans (around 3.76) and standard HMO plans (around 3.73)

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Because BCBS operates through independent regional affiliates, individual plan ratings can vary significantly by state — some local BCBS plans rate well above this average, others below it

Star ratings are calculated per plan and per county, not company-wide — so the most useful number is the rating for the specific BCBS plan available in your ZIP code, which you can look up directly on Medicare.gov’s Plan Finder now that 2027 ratings are out.

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Blue Cross vs. Humana Medicare Advantage Plans 2027

Humana and Blue Cross are both major Medicare Advantage names, though Humana operates as a single national carrier in all 50 states while Blue Cross operates regionally through affiliates. Here is how the two compared in CMS’s 2026 Star Ratings:

2026 CMS Star Ratings	Humana	Blue Cross
Enrollment-weighted average rating	About 3.61 stars	About 4.0 stars
Members in 4+ star plans	About 20%	About 67%
Structure	Single national carrier, all 50 states	Regional affiliates, ~31 states

Based on the 2026 ratings cycle, Blue Cross outperformed Humana on the share of members enrolled in top-rated plans. For 2027 that flipped: about 95% of Humana members are now in plans rated 4 stars or higher, with 18 Humana contracts at 4 stars or above, while Blue Cross results range from 4.5 stars for several local Blue plans to 3 to 3.5 for most Anthem contracts.

That said, ratings are specific to the individual plan and county, not the company as a whole. A local Blue plan rated 4.5 stars can beat Humana in your county, and an Anthem plan rated 3 stars can trail it.

The most reliable way to compare the two isn’t a general verdict — it’s checking the specific plans each carrier offers in your ZIP code side by side. See our Humana Medicare Advantage plans page for a closer look at Humana’s 2027 offerings, or compare both by ZIP code below.

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BCBS Medicare Advantage Costs for 2027

Monthly premium: BCBS HMO plans have historically averaged around $31 per month, with more than half of plans offering a $0 premium option — actual 2027 pricing will vary by affiliate and county, and you’ll still pay your Medicare Part B premium separately

Deductibles & copays: vary significantly by regional affiliate and specific plan; confirm against the plan’s Summary of Benefits

Out-of-pocket maximum: capped annually, as required for all Medicare Advantage plans

A $0 premium doesn’t automatically make a plan the cheapest option overall. Weigh the full picture — premium, deductible, copays, and whether your specific prescriptions and doctors are covered — before comparing BCBS against other carriers such as Unitedhealthcare on price alone.

Medicare Advantage plans and costs for 2027

How to Enroll in a Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Plan for 2027

You can enroll in a Blue Cross Medicare Advantage plan during a few different windows, depending on your situation. Because BCBS operates through regional affiliates, the plan you enroll in is the one your local affiliate offers — so start by confirming which affiliate serves your ZIP code.

New to Medicare

Enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period — the three months before your 65th birthday month, your birthday month, and the three months after. Coverage generally begins the first of the month after you enroll.

Switching plans or carriers

Enroll during the Annual Enrollment Period, October 15 through December 7, 2026, for coverage effective January 1, 2027. This is the only window in which anyone can join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage plan freely.

Already in a Medicare Advantage plan

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, January 1 through March 31, gives you one additional change — switch to a different plan or return to Original Medicare. You get one change, and it is final until the next Annual Enrollment Period.

A qualifying life event

Moving outside your plan’s service area, losing employer coverage, qualifying for Medicaid, or having your plan discontinued can each open a Special Enrollment Period outside the standard windows. Moving matters more with BCBS than with a single national carrier, because a move across state lines usually means a different affiliate entirely.

You can enroll in a Blue Cross Medicare Advantage plan directly through your local BCBS affiliate, through Medicare.gov, or by speaking with a licensed insurance agent who can compare the specific 2027 plans available in your ZIP code against other carriers — call 1-855-454-9051 (TTY 711) to get started.

Is a Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Plan Right for You?

BCBS tends to be a strong fit for people who want a well-established, trusted name with strong regional provider networks and solid recent quality ratings.

Because BCBS operates through local affiliates, it can also be a good option for people who value a plan with deep ties to their specific state or region’s hospital and provider systems.

As with any carrier, the right choice ultimately comes down to whether your specific doctors are in-network, whether your prescriptions are covered at a reasonable tier, and whether the plan’s total costs fit your budget — not the carrier name alone.

For a full breakdown of how to evaluate any Medicare Advantage plan, see our 2027 Medicare Advantage plans guide.

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Blue Cross Medicare Advantage 2027 — Frequently Asked Questions

➤ Is Blue Cross Blue Shield the same everywhere?

No. Blue Cross Blue Shield is a federation of roughly 34 independent, regionally licensed companies. Plans, premiums, benefits, and star ratings can vary significantly depending on which local BCBS affiliate serves your area.

➤ Does BCBS offer $0 premium Medicare Advantage plans in 2027?

In many areas, yes — more than half of BCBS HMO plans have historically offered a $0 monthly premium, though availability depends on your specific ZIP code and local affiliate. You’ll still need to pay your Medicare Part B premium regardless of which plan you choose.

➤ What’s the difference between BCBS HMO, HMO-POS, and PPO plans?

HMO plans require staying in-network and typically need referrals for specialists. HMO-POS plans work similarly but allow limited out-of-network care for certain services. PPO plans allow out-of-network care at a higher cost and generally don’t require referrals, offering the most flexibility.

➤ How does BCBS’s star rating compare to other carriers like Aetna?

For the 2026 plan year, BCBS earned an enrollment-weighted average star rating of about 4.0, with about 67% of members in 4-star or higher plans — nearly identical to the industry average. Aetna outperformed slightly, with over 81% of its members in 4-star or higher plans. For 2027 Aetna fell to more than 69%, and Blue Cross results split sharply by state, from 4.5 stars for several local Blue plans to 3 to 3.5 for most Anthem contracts.

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

You can enroll in or switch to a BCBS Medicare Advantage plan during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, October 15 – December 7, 2026, for coverage effective January 1, 2027. If you’re new to Medicare, you may also be eligible to enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period.

➤ What company has the highest rated Medicare Advantage plan?

Blue Cross Medicare Advantage plans are sold by independent licensee companies rather than by a single national insurer, so there is no one Blue Cross star rating. Elevance Health, the largest operator of Blue branded Medicare Advantage plans, has 55 percent of its members in plans rated 4 stars or higher for 2026, with an enrollment weighted average of 3.86 and three 5 star contracts, two of which are in Puerto Rico. That is a substantial improvement on its 2025 figures. Other Blue licensees are rated separately, so the company serving your state matters.

Across all carriers, Kaiser Permanente holds the highest ratings in the country, with every plan it offers rated 4 stars or higher, though it only sells in nine states plus the District of Columbia. CMS assigns ratings to individual contracts rather than to companies, which is why the same brand can score very differently from one state to the next. Check the rating on the specific plans offered in your own county. If a 5 star plan is available where you live, you can switch into it once between December 8 and November 30 using a special enrollment period.

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Russell Noga

Russell Noga is the Founder & CEO of Medisupps.com and the founder of CompareMedicareAdvantage.org. A Medicare insurance broker licensed in all 50 states with 18 years in the industry, he works with other licensed agents and partners to keep plan information accurate and current for the 2027 Medicare Advantage enrollment season and beyond.

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Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Plans 2027

See Blue Cross 2027 plans in your ZIP

Speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-855-454-9051TTY 711

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Understanding Blue Cross Blue Shield: A Federation of Companies

Blue Cross Medicare Advantage HMO Plans 2027

Blue Cross Medicare Advantage PPO Plans 2027

What BCBS Medicare Advantage Plans May Include for 2027

Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage Reviews for 2027

Find & Compare Plans Online

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Blue Cross vs. Humana Medicare Advantage Plans 2027

Compare Blue Cross and Humana 2027 plans in your ZIP

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BCBS Medicare Advantage Costs for 2027

How to Enroll in a Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Plan for 2027

Is a Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Plan Right for You?

Compare Blue Cross 2027 plans in your ZIP

Speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-855-454-9051TTY 711

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Blue Cross Medicare Advantage 2027 — Frequently Asked Questions

➤ Is Blue Cross Blue Shield the same everywhere?

➤ Does BCBS offer $0 premium Medicare Advantage plans in 2027?

➤ What’s the difference between BCBS HMO, HMO-POS, and PPO plans?

➤ How does BCBS’s star rating compare to other carriers like Aetna?

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

➤ What company has the highest rated Medicare Advantage plan?

Have Questions?

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TTY users 711

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Find & Compare Plans Online

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1-855-454-9051TTY 711

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