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Blue Shield of California Medicare Advantage Plans 2027: 65 Plus, Inspire and Counties

Reviewed by Russell Noga, Licensed Medicare Insurance Broker (all 50 states) — Last updated October 15, 2026

Blue Shield of California is a nonprofit health plan based in Oakland, and its Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plans are sold only in California. Every plan is an HMO built around Blue Shield’s local doctor and hospital networks.

For 2027, CMS’s plan data lists 20 individual Blue Shield of California Medicare Advantage plans in 16 counties, up from 15 plans in 2026. That includes the Blue Shield 65 Plus, Inspire and Advantage plans, a new Value Advantage plan and a new plan for people with both Medicare and Medi-Cal. 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

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Blue Shield of California Medicare Advantage plans 2027 overview: 20 plans up from 15, 16 California counties, all HMO plans, star ratings 2.5 to 4

Blue Shield of California 2027 Plan Lineup

Here are the Blue Shield of California plan families in CMS’s 2027 data and where each one is sold:

2027 Plan Family Plans Where It’s Sold
Blue Shield 65 Plus (HMO), including Plan 2 and Choice Plan 8 Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Kern, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara
Blue Shield Advantage (HMO) 4 Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Joaquin, Placer and Sacramento
Blue Shield Inspire (HMO) 3 Alameda, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Los Angeles and Orange
Blue Shield AdvantageOptimum Plan (HMO) 2 Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego
Blue Shield Value Advantage Plan (HMO), new for 2027 2 Los Angeles and San Diego
Blue Shield Medicare + Medi-Cal Plan (HMO D-SNP) 1 Los Angeles and San Diego

Source: CMS 2027 Plan Benefit Package and plan service area data, contracts H0504, H5928 and H2819, individual (non-employer) plans.

Not every plan is sold in every part of a county, so check by ZIP code. Every Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plan is an HMO, so you’ll generally choose a primary care doctor and use the plan’s network, except for emergencies and urgent care. Learn more about how Medicare Advantage HMO plans work.

What Changed for Blue Shield of California in 2027

Comparing CMS’s 2026 and 2027 plan data, Blue Shield grew its lineup instead of cutting it:

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More plans. Blue Shield lists 20 individual plans for 2027, up from 15.

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A new Value Advantage Plan. Blue Shield Value Advantage Plan (HMO) is new for 2027 in Los Angeles and San Diego counties.

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A new dual plan. Blue Shield TotalDual Plan is not listed for 2027. The Blue Shield Medicare + Medi-Cal Plan (HMO D-SNP) serves people with both Medicare and Medi-Cal in Los Angeles and San Diego counties.

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16 counties. Blue Shield’s 2027 plans are sold in 16 California counties, from San Diego to Sacramento.

Current members should read their Annual Notice of Change for 2027 changes to copays, drug coverage and networks. For every carrier in the state, see our guide to Medicare Advantage plans in California.

Compare Blue Shield of California Medicare Advantage Plans for 2027

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Blue Shield of California 2027 plans by family: Blue Shield 65 Plus 8, Advantage 4, Inspire 3, AdvantageOptimum 2, Value Advantage 2, Medicare + Medi-Cal 1

What Blue Shield Medicare Advantage Plans May Include

Benefits depend on the plan and county, but Blue Shield of California Medicare Advantage plans may include:

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Medical and hospital coverage through Blue Shield’s California HMO networks.

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Prescription drug coverage, with Part D out-of-pocket costs capped at $2,400 in 2027.

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Dental, vision and hearing benefits, depending on the plan.

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Extra help for dual members on the Medicare + Medi-Cal Plan, which is built to work alongside Medi-Cal.

Not all plans offer all benefits. Check each plan’s 2027 Summary of Benefits for exact premiums, copays and out-of-pocket limits. If you have Medi-Cal, see our guide to Medicare Advantage special needs plans.

Blue Shield of California 2027 Star Ratings

Star ratings are given to each Medicare contract. Blue Shield of California’s three Medicare Advantage contracts were rated 4, 3.5 and 2.5 stars for 2027, against a national average of 3.99.

That puts Blue Shield behind some California competitors: Kaiser Permanente’s California contract earned 4.5 stars and SCAN Health Plan earned 4. Check the rating for the exact plan you’re considering in Medicare Plan Finder, or see every carrier in our 2027 Medicare Advantage star ratings.

Who Blue Shield of California Medicare Advantage Fits

A good fit if you:

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Live in one of Blue Shield’s 16 California counties

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Already see doctors in a Blue Shield network

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Are comfortable with an HMO and a primary care doctor

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Have both Medicare and Medi-Cal in Los Angeles or San Diego County

Look harder at other options if you:

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Live outside Blue Shield’s 16 counties

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Want a PPO with out-of-network coverage

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Put star ratings first, since some Blue Shield contracts are rated below the national average

California has hundreds of Medicare Advantage plans, so compare Blue Shield against Kaiser, SCAN, Alignment and the national carriers in your ZIP code.

Before You Enroll: 2027 Checklist

1

Confirm your county and ZIP code. Blue Shield sells plans in 16 California counties.

2

Check your doctors and hospitals. Each Blue Shield HMO has its own network.

3

Run your prescriptions. Compare drug costs across Blue Shield and other carriers.

4

Check your Medi-Cal status. The Medicare + Medi-Cal Plan requires both.

5

Read your Annual Notice of Change. It lists every change to your current plan for 2027.

6

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

Compare Blue Shield of California Medicare Advantage Plans for 2027

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Blue Shield of California Medicare Advantage 2027 — Frequently Asked Questions

➤ Does Blue Shield of California offer Medicare Advantage plans?

Yes. Blue Shield of California sells Medicare Advantage HMO plans in 16 California counties for 2027, including Blue Shield 65 Plus, Inspire, Advantage, AdvantageOptimum and Value Advantage plans.

➤ How many Blue Shield of California Medicare Advantage plans are there in 2027?

CMS’s 2027 data lists 20 individual Blue Shield of California Medicare Advantage plans, up from 15 in 2026.

➤ What counties does Blue Shield of California Medicare Advantage cover?

Alameda, Kern, Los Angeles, Merced, Orange, Placer, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara and Stanislaus counties.

➤ Is Blue Shield of California Medicare Advantage an HMO or PPO?

All Blue Shield of California Medicare Advantage plans are HMOs. You’ll generally choose a primary care doctor and use the plan’s network, except for emergencies and urgent care.

➤ What is new for Blue Shield of California Medicare Advantage in 2027?

Blue Shield Value Advantage Plan (HMO) is new in Los Angeles and San Diego counties, and the Blue Shield Medicare + Medi-Cal Plan (HMO D-SNP) serves dual-eligible members in those counties. Blue Shield TotalDual Plan is not listed for 2027.

➤ What is the Blue Shield of California star rating for 2027?

Blue Shield of California’s three Medicare Advantage contracts were rated 4, 3.5 and 2.5 stars for 2027. The national average is 3.99. Check your specific plan’s rating in Medicare Plan Finder.

➤ Does Blue Shield of California have a plan for Medicare and Medi-Cal?

Yes. The Blue Shield Medicare + Medi-Cal Plan (HMO D-SNP) is for people with both Medicare and Medi-Cal in Los Angeles and San Diego counties.

➤ When can I enroll in a Blue Shield of California Medicare Advantage 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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