Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Plans 2027

Reviewed by Russell Noga, Licensed Medicare Insurance Broker — Last updated August 11, 2026

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? See 2027 plans in your area.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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. 2027 star ratings aren’t out yet, but the most recent full data set — CMS’s 2026 Star Ratings — offers a useful comparison point:

Based on the 2026 ratings cycle, Blue Cross outperformed Humana on the share of members enrolled in top-rated plans.

That said, ratings are specific to the individual plan and county, not the company as a whole — a specific Humana plan in your area could still be highly rated, and Humana has publicly signaled it expects improvement in upcoming rating cycles. 2027 ratings, released this coming October, could shift the picture in either direction.

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 here.

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.

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 on price alone.

➤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.

➤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.