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Medicare Part C 2027: What It Covers, What It Costs and How It Works

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

Medicare Part C is the official name for Medicare Advantage. Instead of getting Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical) coverage straight from the federal government, you get them through a private insurance company that Medicare approves and pays. Most Part C plans also include Part D prescription drug coverage.

For 2027, CMS says 5,532 Medicare Advantage plans are on the market, the average monthly Part C premium is projected to fall to $12.00 from $14.37 in 2026, and more than 99% of people with Medicare can choose at least one plan. Annual Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, 2026, for coverage that starts January 1, 2027.

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Medicare Part C 2027 overview: 5,532 Medicare Advantage plans, $12.00 average monthly premium, 99% access, $2,400 Part D drug cost cap

What Medicare Part C Is

Medicare has four parts. Part C is the one that bundles the others into a single private plan:

Medicare Part What It Covers Who Provides It
Part A Hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice and some home health care The federal government (Original Medicare)
Part B Doctor visits, outpatient care, lab tests, preventive care and medical equipment The federal government (Original Medicare)
Part C (Medicare Advantage) Everything in Parts A and B, usually Part D drug coverage, and often extra benefits Private insurers approved by Medicare
Part D Prescription drugs Private insurers, as a stand-alone plan or inside a Part C plan

Source: Medicare.gov; CMS.

When you join a Part C plan, you are still in the Medicare program. You keep your Medicare rights and protections, and you keep paying your Part B premium. The plan, not Original Medicare, pays your claims, and it can use networks, referrals and prior authorization to manage care. Learn more in our guide to Medicare Advantage plans for 2027.

What Medicare Part C Covers

Every Part C plan must cover everything Original Medicare covers, except hospice care, which Original Medicare still pays for if you join a Part C plan. Depending on the plan, Part C coverage may also include:

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Prescription drug coverage. Most Part C plans include Part D, and drug costs are capped at $2,400 in 2027.

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A yearly out-of-pocket limit on Part A and Part B services, something Original Medicare does not have.

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Dental, vision and hearing benefits in many plans. See our guide to Medicare Advantage plans with dental coverage.

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

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A Part B premium giveback in some plans, which may lower the Part B premium you pay. See Part B giveback plans.

CMS says supplemental benefits such as dental, vision and hearing are expected to remain stable for 2027, but not every plan offers every benefit. Check each plan’s 2027 Summary of Benefits before you enroll.

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Medicare Part C average monthly premiums 2026 vs 2027: $14.37 to $12.00 overall, drug portion $11.32 to $7.00

How Much Medicare Part C Costs in 2027

Part C costs come in several pieces. The premium is only one of them:

Cost What to Expect in 2027
Part B premium You still pay it with any Part C plan. See the 2027 Part B premium.
Plan premium CMS projects an average of $12.00 a month, down from $14.37 in 2026. Many plans charge $0.
Copays and coinsurance Set by each plan for doctor visits, hospital stays and other services.
Out-of-pocket maximum Each plan sets a yearly limit for covered Part A and B services, under a ceiling Medicare sets.
Drug costs The Part D deductible can be up to $700 in 2027, and out-of-pocket drug costs are capped at $2,400.

Source: CMS 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape release, September 28, 2026.

The lower average premium doesn’t tell the whole story. Analysts at Leerink Partners estimated that average out-of-pocket maximums are up about 10% and Part D deductibles about 30% across the industry for 2027, so compare total costs, not just premiums. See average costs by company in our 2027 Medicare Advantage costs and benefits by carrier.

Types of Medicare Part C Plans

Plan Type How It Works
HMO You generally use the plan’s network and choose a primary care doctor. Referrals are often needed for specialists.
PPO You can see out-of-network providers, usually at a higher cost, and you usually don’t need referrals.
Special Needs Plan (SNP) Built for people with Medicare and Medicaid, certain chronic conditions or nursing home care.
Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) Works with any Medicare provider that agrees to the plan’s payment terms.
Medical Savings Account (MSA) A high-deductible plan paired with a savings account that Medicare deposits money into. No drug coverage.

Source: Medicare.gov.

Compare the most common types in our guides to Medicare Advantage HMO plans, Medicare Advantage PPO plans and special needs plans.

Who Can Get Medicare Part C

You can join a Medicare Part C plan if you:

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Have Medicare Part A and Part B.

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Live in the plan’s service area. Plans are sold by county, so choices differ from one ZIP code to the next.

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Are a U.S. citizen or lawfully present in the United States.

People with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) can join Part C plans too. If you have a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy, it won’t pay your Part C costs, so most people choose one or the other. Compare them in our guide to Medigap vs Medicare Advantage.

When You Can Enroll in Medicare Part C

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Initial Enrollment Period: the 7 months around your 65th birthday month, when you first get Medicare.

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Annual Enrollment Period: October 15 to December 7 each year. For 2027 coverage, that’s October 15 to December 7, 2026.

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Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: January 1 to March 31, when people already in a Part C plan can switch plans or go back to Original Medicare once.

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Special Enrollment Periods: after events like moving or losing other coverage, and once a year to join a 5-star plan where one is offered.

Get the full calendar in our guide to Medicare Open Enrollment 2027.

Is Medicare Part C Right for You?

A good fit if you:

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Want hospital, medical and drug coverage in one plan

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Want a yearly cap on out-of-pocket costs

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Want extras such as dental, vision or hearing coverage

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Are comfortable using a network of doctors and hospitals

Look harder at other options if you:

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Want to see any doctor in the country who takes Medicare

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Travel often or split the year between two states

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Don’t want prior authorization rules for care

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Expect high medical costs and want more predictable bills

Read the trade-offs in our guides to Original Medicare vs Medicare Advantage and the disadvantages of Medicare Advantage plans.

Before You Pick a Part C Plan: 2027 Checklist

1

Check your doctors and hospitals in each plan’s 2027 network.

2

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

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Compare the out-of-pocket maximum and hospital copays, not just the premium.

4

Read your Annual Notice of Change if you’re already in a plan.

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

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Enroll by December 7, 2026, for coverage that starts January 1, 2027.

Compare 2027 Medicare Part C Plans in Your Area

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Living with diabetes or heart disease?

Chronic condition special needs plans have their own enrollment rules and extras. See who qualifies in our guide to Medicare Advantage C-SNP plans.

Medicare Part C — Frequently Asked Questions

➤ What is Medicare Part C?

Medicare Part C is Medicare Advantage. It lets you get your Part A and Part B coverage through a private insurance company approved by Medicare, usually with Part D drug coverage and extra benefits included.

➤ Is Medicare Part C the same as Medicare Advantage?

Yes. Medicare Part C and Medicare Advantage are two names for the same thing.

➤ What does Medicare Part C cover?

Part C plans must cover everything Original Medicare covers except hospice care, which Original Medicare still pays for. Most plans also include drug coverage, and many add dental, vision, hearing or fitness benefits.

➤ How much does Medicare Part C cost in 2027?

CMS projects the average Medicare Advantage premium at $12.00 a month for 2027, down from $14.37 in 2026, and many plans charge $0. You also keep paying your Part B premium, plus any copays, coinsurance and deductibles.

➤ Do I still pay the Part B premium with Part C?

Yes. You must keep Part B and pay its premium. Some Part C plans include a Part B giveback that may lower the amount you pay.

➤ Does Medicare Part C include drug coverage?

Most Part C plans include Part D drug coverage. In 2027, out-of-pocket drug costs are capped at $2,400 a year.

➤ What is the difference between Medicare Part C and Part D?

Part C is a full replacement for how you get Parts A and B, and it usually includes drug coverage. Part D covers only prescription drugs, either as a stand-alone plan with Original Medicare or built into a Part C plan.

➤ Who is eligible for Medicare Part C?

You can join if you have Medicare Part A and Part B and live in the plan’s service area. People with end-stage renal disease can join as well.

➤ When can I enroll in Medicare Part C for 2027?

Annual Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, 2026, with coverage starting January 1, 2027. If you’re already in a Part C 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 1-855-454-9051 (TTY 711), Mon–Fri 8am–9pm EST.

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