2027 Medicare Open Enrollment: what changed in Medicare's plan files
Open Enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7, 2026. It is the main time to change your Medicare coverage for 2027. Plans change every year, so we counted what changed in Medicare’s own files.
Why this matters now
Choosing coverage can be hard. Costs, networks and drug lists change each year, and many people do not review their choices.
In the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging report “Choosing Medicare Coverage: Older Adults’ Views and Experiences,” published October 15, 2026: “Overall, 36% of older adults reported at least one challenge when choosing their 2026 Medicare coverage.” In the same report: “Most older adults (85%) said it was very or somewhat easy for them to compare their Medicare coverage options.” The poll asked U.S. adults age 65 and older (a subsample of 1,796 from a national sample of 3,194 adults age 50 to 98), from December 30, 2025 to January 12, 2026. Read the report (doi 10.7302/dspace/30890).
Our mission is to help improve quality of life for people on Medicare and the families who help them. We have not measured yet whether PlanScout does that.
What we found
Medicare Advantage plans offered across the country
5,089 plans for 2027, 44 fewer than the 5,133 for 2026
1,038 plan IDs from 2026 are not offered again under the same ID, and 994 plan IDs are new for 2027.
2026 plans that end or are combined for 2027
732 not renewed and 520 combined with other plans, of 5,133 2026 plans
Another 662 plans keep going but leave some counties. About 20% of the 30,294,996 members counted in August 2026 were in a plan that is not renewed or is combined.
Plans with a $0 monthly plan premium
$0 premium: 3,340 of the 4,710 2027 plans with a listed premium (71%), compared with 2,679 of 4,716 for 2026 (57%)
379 plans for 2027 and 417 for 2026 list no premium and aren't counted. A plan counts as $0 only if its premium is $0 in every county where it is sold. You still pay your Part B premium.
Typical yearly limit on in-network costs
$7,150 for 2027, compared with $6,500 for 2026 (the middle plan); excludes 107 plans (2027) and 17 (2026) with no limit listed
This is the most you would pay for covered in-network care in a year. Half of plans are higher and half are lower. Drug costs are counted separately.
Stand-alone Part D drug plans
323 for 2027, compared with 367 for 2026
These are drug plans for people with Original Medicare. Covered insulin costs no more than $35 for a month's supply in any of them.
Counties with few or no Medicare Advantage plans
5 counties had plans for 2026 and have none listed for 2027
80 counties have only 1 to 3 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027. Original Medicare is available in every county.
What it means for you and your family
- Your plan can change even if you do nothing. Read the Annual Notice of Change your plan mailed in September.
- If your plan is not renewed, the plan must send you a letter. It explains your choices and the deadlines.
- A $0 premium is not the whole cost. Check the yearly limit, your drug costs, and whether your doctors are in the network.
- Check your drugs every year. Covered insulin costs no more than $35 for a month’s supply.
- No plan is right for everyone. These numbers are counts, not a ranking or a pick.
What to do before December 7
- Compare plans for your ZIP code. See 2027 plans, premiums and yearly limits side by side.
- Compare Medigap and Medicare Advantage for a full year of costs.
- Use the coverage guide to plan a budget and list what you need.
- See what changes in your state for 2027.
- Get free, unbiased help. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or find your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
By state
| State | 2026 plans | 2027 plans | 2026 plans not renewed | $0 premium, 2027 | Middle yearly limit, 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 90 | 104 | 5 | 73% | $7,150 |
| Arkansas | 87 | 82 | 15 | 85% | $7,150 |
| Arizona | 132 | 146 | 16 | 84% | $5,525 |
| California | 391 | 387 | 49 | 71% | $3,200 |
| Colorado | 103 | 99 | 26 | 79% | $6,750 |
| Connecticut | 45 | 47 | 14 | 56% | $7,400 |
| District of Columbia | 20 | 15 | 4 | 50% | $7,151 |
| Delaware | 37 | 38 | 1 | 56% | $7,500 |
| Florida | 590 | 542 | 65 | 91% | $4,200 |
| Georgia | 156 | 149 | 18 | 75% | $9,850 |
| Hawaii | 41 | 43 | 4 | 46% | $7,150 |
| Iowa | 71 | 71 | 11 | 54% | $7,150 |
| Idaho | 46 | 43 | 13 | 28% | $7,000 |
| Illinois | 159 | 139 | 30 | 74% | $5,500 |
| Indiana | 123 | 129 | 5 | 69% | $7,150 |
| Kansas | 85 | 77 | 17 | 78% | $6,700 |
| Kentucky | 108 | 110 | 6 | 72% | $7,150 |
| Louisiana | 95 | 109 | 5 | 67% | $7,150 |
| Massachusetts | 82 | 76 | 16 | 38% | $7,150 |
| Maryland | 60 | 43 | 17 | 47% | $8,125 |
| Maine | 47 | 47 | 9 | 54% | $7,150 |
| Michigan | 128 | 125 | 15 | 67% | $6,750 |
| Minnesota | 76 | 62 | 22 | 22% | $7,150 |
| Missouri | 155 | 168 | 16 | 77% | $6,350 |
| Mississippi | 91 | 95 | 6 | 78% | $8,400 |
| Montana | 31 | 22 | 12 | 35% | $7,075 |
| North Carolina | 155 | 163 | 16 | 73% | $7,150 |
| North Dakota | 29 | 23 | 9 | 19% | $7,150 |
| Nebraska | 52 | 52 | 13 | 60% | $7,150 |
| New Hampshire | 19 | 20 | 7 | 59% | $7,225 |
| New Jersey | 83 | 69 | 25 | 51% | $9,850 |
| New Mexico | 69 | 58 | 19 | 86% | $6,025 |
| Nevada | 105 | 98 | 17 | 86% | $4,450 |
| New York | 205 | 208 | 48 | 38% | $9,850 |
| Ohio | 190 | 165 | 32 | 64% | $6,750 |
| Oklahoma | 80 | 77 | 10 | 72% | $6,750 |
| Oregon | 94 | 87 | 22 | 63% | $7,150 |
| Pennsylvania | 248 | 253 | 26 | 57% | $7,150 |
| Puerto Rico | 43 | 45 | 0 | 100% | $3,400 |
| Rhode Island | 23 | 22 | 1 | 37% | $7,025 |
| South Carolina | 88 | 90 | 4 | 71% | $9,850 |
| South Dakota | 27 | 25 | 7 | 29% | $7,150 |
| Tennessee | 123 | 140 | 19 | 70% | $6,750 |
| Texas | 398 | 387 | 67 | 84% | $7,150 |
| Utah | 54 | 51 | 6 | 64% | $6,875 |
| Virginia | 141 | 148 | 10 | 74% | $7,500 |
| Vermont | 3 | 5 | 0 | 50% | $7,150 |
| Washington | 124 | 114 | 39 | 64% | $7,150 |
| Wisconsin | 119 | 113 | 8 | 53% | $5,900 |
| West Virginia | 60 | 61 | 2 | 59% | $9,250 |
| Wyoming | 14 | 8 | 4 | 0% | $7,150 |
How we did this
- We used Medicare’s plan files for 2026 and 2027. Each year’s numbers come only from that year’s files.
- A plan is one plan ID in Medicare’s list of Medicare Advantage plans. Special Needs Plans are included. Employer-only plans are not in that list.
- A plan sold in two states counts once in the national total and once in each state.
- A plan counts as $0 only if its premium is $0 in every county. Plans with no published premium are left out.
- The yearly limit is the middle value across plans that list one limit. Plans whose limit differs by county are left out.
- Plans ending or combined come from Medicare’s 2027 plan crosswalk. It links each 2026 plan to its 2027 plan.
- Member counts come from Medicare’s August 2026 enrollment file. Plans with 10 or fewer members are hidden in that file, so totals run a little low.
- The same code makes this page, the state table and the download. A test checks its math against numbers we counted by hand.
Limits
Counts are not quality. A plan that ends may be replaced by a similar one. A lower yearly limit does not mean lower total costs for you. Drug costs depend on your drugs and pharmacy. This page does not cover Medigap prices.
How to cite this research
You are free to quote and chart these numbers. Please link to this page.
PlanScout. "2027 Medicare Open Enrollment: what changed in Medicare's plan files." October 2026. https://planscout.us/research/2027-medicare-open-enrollment
Data: https://planscout.us/research/2027-medicare-open-enrollment/states.csv
Press summary
Not under embargo. Medicare Advantage plans offered across the country: 5,089 plans for 2027, 44 fewer than the 5,133 for 2026. 2026 plans that end or are combined for 2027: 732 not renewed and 520 combined with other plans, of 5,133 2026 plans. Plans with a $0 monthly plan premium: $0 premium: 3,340 of the 4,710 2027 plans with a listed premium (71%), compared with 2,679 of 4,716 for 2026 (57%). Open Enrollment ends December 7, 2026. Free, unbiased help is at 1-800-MEDICARE and each state’s SHIP. Media questions: press page.
Questions
- When does Medicare Open Enrollment end?
- December 7, 2026. The plan you pick must get your request by then. Your new coverage starts January 1, 2027.
- Is there another chance after December 7?
- If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan on January 1, you can make one change from January 1 to March 31, 2027. Some life events, like a move, also give you a Special Enrollment Period.
- What if my plan is not renewed for 2027?
- Your plan must send you a letter that explains your choices and deadlines. Compare plans for your ZIP code, or ask your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free help.
- Where do these numbers come from?
- From Medicare's own plan files for 2026 and 2027. PlanScout counted them. Each year's numbers come only from that year's files.
Sources
- Written by
- The PlanScout team. Updated Oct 26, 2026.
- Corrections
- See something wrong? Tell us. We fix confirmed errors within 2 business days and note the change in the page's change log.
Sources (7)
- CMS: Medicare Advantage and Part D Landscape files, 2026 and 2027
- CMS: 2027 Part C and D Plan Crosswalk
- CMS: Monthly Enrollment by Plan
- CMS: Plan Benefit Package (PBP) data
- Medicare.gov: Joining a plan (enrollment dates) (retrieved Oct 26, 2026)
- Medicare.gov: Insulin coverage (retrieved Oct 26, 2026)
- University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging