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Medicare Advantage Plans in North Dakota 2027: NextBlue Exit, Remaining Carriers and Counties

Reviewed by Russell Noga, Licensed Medicare Insurance Broker (all 50 states) — Last updated October 29, 2026

North Dakota Medicare Advantage shoppers have fewer choices for 2027. NextBlue of North Dakota, the Blue Cross Blue Shield plan offered with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, is not in CMS’s 2027 plan data, and some North Dakota counties now have no Medicare Advantage drug plan at all.

For 2027, CMS’s plan data lists 17 individual Medicare Advantage plans from 5 companies in 39 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. Annual Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, 2026, for coverage that starts January 1, 2027.

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Compare 2027 Medicare Advantage Plans in North Dakota

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Medicare Advantage plans in North Dakota 2027 overview: ma plans in north dakota 17 (individual plans from 5 companies), counties with plans 39 of 53 (some counties have none), ppo plans 15 (most common plan type), special needs plans 5 (dual, chronic and institutional)

How North Dakota Medicare Advantage Breaks Down for 2027

Here is how North Dakota’s 2027 individual Medicare Advantage plans break down by plan type:

Plan Type 2027 Plans in North Dakota What It Means
PPO 15 You can see out-of-network providers, usually at a higher cost
HMO 2 You generally use the plan’s network and a primary care doctor
Special needs plans (included above) 5 2 dual plans, 1 chronic condition plan and 2 institutional plans

Source: CMS 2027 Plan Benefit Package and plan service area data, individual (non-employer) Medicare Advantage plans.

Burleigh County has the most choices, with 16 plans, followed by Stutsman, Cass and Grand Forks. Williams County has the fewest, with 1. Learn how the plan types differ in our guide to Medicare Advantage plans for 2027.

North Dakota also has 6 Medicare Cost plans, which are not Medicare Advantage plans and are not counted above.

What Is New in North Dakota for 2027

These are the biggest changes for North Dakota Medicare Advantage shoppers this year:

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NextBlue is not offered for 2027. KFF reports that the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan company that sold NextBlue plans in North Dakota in 2026 will offer Medicare Advantage drug plans only in Michigan and Wyoming for 2027.

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Some counties have no plans. KFF lists North Dakota as one of three states newly joining the list of states with counties that have no Medicare Advantage drug plans for general enrollment in 2027.

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Five companies remain. CMS’s 2027 data lists Medica, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Great Plains Medicare Advantage and Align powered by Sanford Health Plan.

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Mostly PPO plans. 15 of North Dakota’s 17 individual Medicare Advantage plans for 2027 are PPOs.

With fewer carriers in parts of the state, compare premiums, copays and out-of-pocket maximums carefully, and check that your doctors are in network. Part D out-of-pocket drug costs are capped at $2,400 in 2027.

Compare 2027 Medicare Advantage Plans in North Dakota

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North Dakota Medicare Advantage carriers 2027 by plan count: Medica 5, UnitedHealthcare 5, Aetna Medicare 3, Great Plains Medicare Advantage 2, Align (Sanford Health Plan) 2

North Dakota Medicare Advantage Companies in 2027

These are the companies selling individual Medicare Advantage plans in North Dakota for 2027:

Carrier 2027 Plans Counties Plan Names to Know
Medica 5 23 Medica Advantage Salute, Medica Advantage Select, Medica Advantage Preferred
UnitedHealthcare 5 22 UHC Medicare Advantage, UHC Dual Complete, UHC Medicare Advantage Patriot No Rx
Aetna Medicare 3 29 Aetna Medicare Signature Classic Extra, Aetna Medicare Signature Extra, Aetna Medicare Elite
Great Plains Medicare Advantage 2 19 Great Plains Medicare Advantage, Great Plains Medicare Advantage Gold
Align (Sanford Health Plan) 2 17 Align SecureChoice, Align SecureChoice Gold

Source: CMS 2027 Plan Benefit Package and plan service area data, individual (non-employer) plans. Plan counts include special needs plans.

Medica, UnitedHealthcare and Aetna sell the most plans. Aetna covers the most counties, 29 of 53. Great Plains Medicare Advantage and Align powered by Sanford Health Plan are regional plans. Read more in our guides to UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans and Aetna Medicare Advantage plans.

Flexible PPO Plans and Giveback Plans in North Dakota

If you want flexibility to see doctors outside a network, North Dakota has these options for 2027:

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15 PPO plans from UnitedHealthcare, Medica, Aetna and Align (Sanford).

Learn more in our guide to Medicare Advantage PPO plans.

Medicare Advantage for Dual-Eligible and Chronic-Condition Members in North Dakota

North Dakota has 5 special needs plans for 2027, built for people who qualify through Medicaid, a chronic condition or nursing home care:

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Dual plans (D-SNPs) for people with Medicare and North Dakota Medicaid come from UnitedHealthcare and Medica.

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Chronic condition plans (C-SNPs) come from UnitedHealthcare.

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Institutional plans (I-SNPs) for nursing home residents come from Great Plains.

Learn more in our guide to Medicare Advantage special needs plans.

Extra Benefits to Look For in North Dakota

Benefits depend on the plan and county, but North Dakota Medicare Advantage plans may include:

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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 in many plans.

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Part B premium reductions in giveback plans, where offered.

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Fitness and over-the-counter allowances in some plans.

Not all plans offer all benefits, so check each plan’s 2027 Summary of Benefits before you enroll.

North Dakota Medicare Advantage Checklist for 2027

1

If your NextBlue plan is ending, act now. Pick new coverage during Annual Enrollment so you’re covered January 1.

2

Check your doctors and hospitals in each plan’s network, including Sanford Health, Essentia Health, Altru Health System and Trinity Health.

3

Run your prescriptions through each plan’s 2027 drug list.

4

Compare out-of-pocket maximums and hospital copays, not just premiums.

5

Check the star rating. See the 2027 Medicare Advantage star ratings.

6

Enroll on time. Medicare Open Enrollment 2027 runs October 15 to December 7, 2026.

Compare 2027 Medicare Advantage Plans in North Dakota

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Medicare Advantage Plans in North Dakota — Frequently Asked Questions

➤ What is the 2027 Medicare Advantage plan count in North Dakota?

CMS’s 2027 plan data lists 17 individual Medicare Advantage plans from 5 companies in North Dakota, including 5 special needs plans. Plans are available in 39 of North Dakota’s 53 counties.

➤ How many Medicare Advantage plans can you choose from in Burleigh County, North Dakota?

Burleigh County has 16 individual plans for 2027, tied for the most in North Dakota. The median North Dakota county has 5.

➤ Is NextBlue of North Dakota available for 2027?

No. NextBlue plans are not in CMS’s 2027 plan data, and KFF reports the company that offered them in North Dakota in 2026 will sell Medicare Advantage drug plans only in Michigan and Wyoming for 2027. NextBlue members need to choose a new plan during Annual Enrollment.

➤ Are there North Dakota counties with no Medicare Advantage plans in 2027?

Yes. CMS’s 2027 data shows individual Medicare Advantage plans in 39 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. If none is offered where you live, Original Medicare with a Part D plan is the main option.

➤ Does Aetna cover all of North Dakota?

No. No single company covers every North Dakota county for 2027. Aetna reaches the most, 29 of 53 counties, followed by Medica (23).

➤ How many Medicare Advantage plans are offered in Stutsman County, North Dakota?

Stutsman County has 16 individual Medicare Advantage plans for 2027, one of the highest counts in North Dakota. The median North Dakota county has 5.

➤ How many Medicare Advantage plans are offered in Cass County, North Dakota?

Cass County has 13 individual Medicare Advantage plans for 2027, one of the highest counts in North Dakota. The median North Dakota county has 5.

➤ How many Medicare Advantage plans are offered in Grand Forks County, North Dakota?

Grand Forks County has 13 individual Medicare Advantage plans for 2027, one of the highest counts in North Dakota. The median North Dakota county has 5.

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 1-855-454-9051 (TTY 711), Mon–Fri 8am–9pm EST.

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