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CMS September 28, 2026 Release
CMS released the 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape on September 28, 2026. The national weighted-average premium is projected lower, plan availability remains broad, and Part D drug costs are declining — but state and local results vary materially. Here is what the data shows and what you should review before Open Enrollment begins October 15.
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2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape — CMS September 28, 2026 release
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The following figures are from the CMS September 28, 2026 Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape release. All figures are national projections or weighted averages and do not describe any individual beneficiary's plan.
| Metric | 2026 | 2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weighted-average MA monthly premium | $14.37 | ~$12.00 | −16.5% |
| Available MA plans nationally | 5,553 | ~5,532 | −21 |
| Projected MA enrollment | — | 34 million | — |
| Projected % of Medicare beneficiaries in MA | — | 47.4% | — |
| Beneficiaries with access to ≥1 MA plan | — | >99% | — |
| Beneficiaries with access to ≥10 MA plans | — | 97% | — |
| Average standalone PDP total premium | $35.09 | ~$36 | less than +$1 |
| Average MA-PD Part D premium component | $11.32 | $7.00 | −38% |
Source: CMS, September 28, 2026. Figures are national projections and weighted averages. Individual plan premiums vary by plan, location, and enrollment.
The national weighted-average premium is a useful benchmark, but it does not describe any individual beneficiary's plan. Your actual premium depends on the specific plan you are enrolled in and where you live. Some beneficiaries will see premiums rise in 2027 even as the national average falls.
Premium is also only one component of total cost. Copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, and the plan's maximum out-of-pocket limit determine your actual financial exposure. A plan with a lower premium may carry higher cost-sharing for the services you use most.
The Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) your plan sends by September 30 is your primary evidence for what is actually changing in your specific plan. The CMS landscape release describes the market; your ANOC describes your plan.
The following figures are from CMS 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D state fact sheets. Statewide plan counts reflect the total number of plans available somewhere in the state — the plans available to an individual beneficiary depend on the beneficiary's specific county or service area.
| State | Avg Premium 2026 | Avg Premium 2027 | Premium Δ | Plans 2026 | Plans 2027 | Count Δ | MA Access 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | $1.83 | $2.13 | +16.4% | 611 | 560 | −51 | 100% |
| Georgia | $6.55 | $2.99 | −54.4% | 166 | 161 | −5 | 100% |
| Idaho | $27.81 | $37.93 | +36.4% | 48 | 44 | −4 | 100% |
| Indiana | $13.22 | $9.27 | −29.9% | 127 | 140 | +13 | 100% |
| Kansas | $9.78 | $5.90 | −39.7% | 87 | 80 | −7 | 100% |
| Kentucky | $10.02 | $4.90 | −51.1% | 114 | 123 | +9 | 100% |
| Michigan | $14.88 | $16.21 | +8.9% | 192 | 181 | −11 | 100% |
| Missouri | $8.19 | $4.24 | −48.2% | 157 | 174 | +17 | 100% |
| North Carolina | $12.49 | $6.19 | −50.4% | 175 | 179 | +4 | 100% |
| North Dakota | $46.26 | $41.44 | −10.4% | 21 | 17 | −4 | 91.66% |
| Ohio | $12.12 | $9.00 | −25.7% | 212 | 180 | −32 | 100% |
| Pennsylvania | $21.75 | $20.07 | −7.7% | 332 | 338 | +6 | 100% |
| Texas | $3.94 | $4.27 | +8.4% | 423 | 421 | −2 | 100% |
| Virginia | $8.80 | $6.67 | −24.2% | 143 | 148 | +5 | 100% |
| West Virginia | $13.21 | $15.36 | +16.3% | 69 | 70 | +1 | 100% |
Source: CMS 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Landscape State-by-State Fact Sheets, September 28, 2026. Statewide plan counts do not represent the plans available to any individual beneficiary.
North Dakota — Medicare Advantage access note
CMS reports that 91.66% of Medicare beneficiaries in North Dakota have access to at least one Medicare Advantage plan. Original Medicare remains available statewide to all eligible beneficiaries.
These states illustrate why the national average cannot describe every beneficiary's situation.
CMS's statewide average Medicare Advantage premium increases from $27.81 in 2026 to $37.93 in 2027 — a 36.4% increase — moving sharply opposite the national trend. The statewide plan count decreases from 48 to 44. Idaho beneficiaries should review their ANOC carefully.
Florida's statewide average Medicare Advantage premium increases from $1.83 to $2.13 (+16.4%). CMS's statewide plan count decreases from 611 in 2026 to 560 in 2027. The plans available to an individual Florida beneficiary depend on their specific county.
Michigan's statewide average premium increases from $14.88 to $16.21 (+8.9%), and the statewide plan count decreases from 192 to 181. Both move against the national trend.
West Virginia's statewide average premium increases from $13.21 to $15.36 (+16.3%), while the plan count increases slightly from 69 to 70.
CMS's statewide Medicare Advantage plan count decreases from 212 in 2026 to 180 in 2027 — approximately 15.1% fewer plans statewide. The plans available to an individual Ohio beneficiary depend on their specific county and service area.
CMS reports that 91.66% of Medicare beneficiaries in North Dakota have access to at least one Medicare Advantage plan in 2027, compared with 100% in most other states. The statewide plan count decreases from 21 to 17. This is a Medicare Advantage access statistic — Original Medicare remains available to all eligible beneficiaries in North Dakota.
CMS projects the average standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (PDP) total premium at approximately $36 per month for 2027, up less than $1 from $35.09 in 2026.
The average Part D premium component within Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MA-PD) plans is projected to decrease significantly — from $11.32 in 2026 to approximately $7.00 in 2027, a reduction of approximately 38%.
These are national averages. Your actual Part D costs depend on the specific plan you are enrolled in, the drugs you take, and the pharmacy you use. Review your plan's 2027 formulary and pharmacy network before Open Enrollment ends December 7.
The Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) is the document your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan is required to send you by September 30 each year. It describes the specific changes to your plan for the coming year — premiums, copayments, deductibles, formulary changes, network changes, and your maximum out-of-pocket limit.
The CMS landscape release describes the Medicare Advantage market at a national level. Your ANOC describes your plan. These are different documents with different purposes. Do not use the national average to evaluate your individual plan's changes.
If you have not received your ANOC by early October, contact your plan directly. You can also find plan documents through Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov.
Beginning October 1, 2026, you can use Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov to compare 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D plans available in your area. You can compare premiums, medical cost-sharing, drug coverage, and plan documents.
CMS also expects to release 2027 Star Ratings around October 8, 2026. Star Ratings reflect plan quality and performance and are one factor to consider when comparing plans.
Provider directory information in Medicare Plan Finder reflects what plans have reported to CMS. Verify that your specific doctors and hospitals are in-network directly with the plan before enrolling.
Medicare Open Enrollment (also called the Annual Enrollment Period, or AEP) runs October 15 through December 7, 2026. During this period, you can switch Medicare Advantage plans, switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare, switch Part D plans, or join a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time.
Coverage changes made during AEP generally take effect January 1, 2027.
Medicare Open Enrollment from October 15 through December 7 does not create a new nationwide Medigap Open Enrollment Period. If you are considering leaving Medicare Advantage and enrolling in a Medicare Supplement plan, your eligibility for guaranteed-issue rights depends on your specific situation — not on the AEP calendar.
Medicare Open Enrollment from October 15 through December 7 does not create a new nationwide Medigap Open Enrollment Period.
If you are considering leaving Medicare Advantage and enrolling in a Medicare Supplement plan, your eligibility for guaranteed-issue rights depends on your specific situation — not on the AEP calendar. Learn about MA-to-Medigap guaranteed-issue rights →
Medicare Advantage plans use provider networks. If your plan's network changes for 2027, your current doctors or hospitals may no longer be in-network. Out-of-network care typically costs more and may require prior authorization.
Do not rely solely on Medicare Plan Finder to verify network participation. Contact your doctors and hospitals directly to confirm they will accept your specific 2027 plan before you enroll or renew.
If you have a scheduled surgery, ongoing specialist care, or a hospital stay planned for early 2027, confirm network status before December 7.
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans can change their formularies — the list of covered drugs — each year. A drug covered in 2026 may be on a different tier, require prior authorization, or be removed from the formulary entirely in 2027.
Check your 2027 plan's formulary for every prescription you take. Also confirm that your preferred pharmacy is in the plan's network and whether it qualifies as a preferred pharmacy for lower cost-sharing.
If a drug you need is not covered or is on a high-cost tier, you may be able to request a formulary exception or switch to a plan with better coverage for your specific medications.
Medicare Advantage plans may require prior authorization — advance approval from the plan — before covering certain services, procedures, or medications. Prior authorization requirements can change from year to year.
Review your 2027 plan documents for prior authorization requirements on services you use regularly. If your plan's prior authorization policies have changed materially, factor that into your plan comparison.
A routine Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) describing premium or benefit changes is not a plan termination. An ANOC change does not by itself create a guaranteed-issue right to a Medicare Supplement plan.
A plan termination, non-renewal, or qualifying service-area exit is a different event. If your plan is ending or leaving your service area, you will receive a specific notice from your plan — not just an ANOC. That notice may trigger federal guaranteed-issue rights to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan without medical underwriting.
A statewide decrease in Medicare Advantage plan counts does not mean any individual beneficiary's plan is terminating. Plan-count changes reflect the total number of plans available somewhere in the state — they do not describe what is happening to your specific plan.
Some Medicare Advantage beneficiaries use Open Enrollment to return to Original Medicare. If you are considering that move, understand that returning to Original Medicare does not automatically guarantee access to a Medicare Supplement plan.
Outside of a Medigap Open Enrollment Period or a qualifying guaranteed-issue event, Medicare Supplement insurers in most states can use medical underwriting — meaning they can decline your application or charge higher premiums based on your health history.
If you have a qualifying event — such as a plan termination, non-renewal, or service-area exit — you may have a federal guaranteed-issue right to enroll in certain Medicare Supplement plans without underwriting. The window is limited: it generally opens 60 days before your plan ends and closes no more than 63 days after.
Do not coordinate a Medicare Advantage termination until you have confirmed replacement coverage. Gaps in coverage can be difficult or impossible to correct after the fact.
If you are turning 65 in 2027 and becoming eligible for Medicare for the first time, you have a Medigap Open Enrollment Period — a one-time window during which Medicare Supplement insurers cannot use medical underwriting to deny your application or charge higher premiums based on health.
This window does not repeat. Once it closes, you may face underwriting if you want to enroll in or change Medicare Supplement plans in the future.
Compare both Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement plan before your Medicare effective date. The right structure depends on your health, your doctors, your prescriptions, and your financial priorities.
Doctors and specialists
Confirm your doctors and specialists are in-network for your 2027 plan.
Hospitals
Confirm your preferred hospitals are in-network.
Prescriptions
Check your 2027 formulary for every drug you take.
Pharmacy
Confirm your pharmacy is in-network and whether it qualifies as preferred.
Premium
Compare your 2027 premium against alternatives available in your area.
Copays and coinsurance
Review cost-sharing for the services you use most.
Maximum out-of-pocket
Know your plan's 2027 MOOP limit.
Prior authorization
Review prior authorization requirements for services you use regularly.
ANOC
Read your Annual Notice of Change in full.
Plan continuity
Confirm your plan is continuing in 2027 and not terminating or leaving your service area.
We'll help you compare the Medicare plans we represent based on your doctors, prescriptions, costs and coverage priorities and discuss Original Medicare and Medigap where appropriate.
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CMS projects the national weighted-average Medicare Advantage premium at approximately $12 per month for 2027, down from $14.37 in 2026. This is a national average. Your actual premium depends on the specific plan you are enrolled in and where you live. Some plans will cost more; many will cost less.
The national weighted-average Medicare Advantage premium is projected to decrease from $14.37 in 2026 to approximately $12 per month in 2027. However, not every beneficiary will see a lower premium. Premiums vary by plan and location. Some states — including Idaho, Florida, Michigan, and West Virginia — have statewide average premiums that are increasing for 2027. Review your ANOC and compare plans in your area.
Nationally, CMS projects approximately 5,532 Medicare Advantage plans available in 2027, compared with 5,553 in 2026 — a decrease of approximately 21 plans. Plan availability varies significantly by state and county. Some states have more plans available in 2027; others have fewer. The plans available to you depend on your specific location.
Beginning October 1, 2026, you can use Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov to compare 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D plans available in your area. CMS expects to release 2027 Star Ratings around October 8, 2026.
Medicare Open Enrollment (Annual Enrollment Period) runs October 15 through December 7, 2026. Coverage changes made during this period generally take effect January 1, 2027. You can switch Medicare Advantage plans, switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare, switch Part D plans, or join a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time.
A premium change alone is not a sufficient reason to switch plans. Your total cost depends on premiums, copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, and your maximum out-of-pocket limit. A plan with a lower premium may cost more overall if you use certain services frequently. Review your ANOC, check your doctors and drugs, and compare total costs before deciding.
An Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) is a document your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan is required to send you by September 30 each year. It describes the specific changes to your plan for the coming year — premiums, cost-sharing, formulary changes, network changes, and your maximum out-of-pocket limit. The ANOC describes your plan's changes; the CMS landscape release describes the broader Medicare market.
Returning to Original Medicare during Open Enrollment does not automatically guarantee access to a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan. Outside of a Medigap Open Enrollment Period or a qualifying guaranteed-issue event, Medicare Supplement insurers in most states can use medical underwriting. If your plan is terminating or leaving your service area, you may have a federal guaranteed-issue right. Medicare Open Enrollment from October 15 through December 7 does not create a new nationwide Medigap Open Enrollment Period.
No. A $0-premium Medicare Advantage plan means you pay no separate plan premium, but you still pay your Medicare Part B premium. You also pay the plan's cost-sharing — copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles — when you use services. Your maximum out-of-pocket limit is the most you would pay in a year for covered in-network services. Review the full cost structure, not just the premium.
No. If you do not make a change during Open Enrollment, you are generally automatically re-enrolled in your current plan for 2027 — but your plan's benefits, network, formulary, and cost-sharing may have changed. Review your ANOC, confirm your doctors and drugs are still covered, and compare available alternatives before deciding to stay or switch.
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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 or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. The Gray Insurance is a licensed insurance agency. William Gray is licensed in 15 states. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute insurance advice. Plan availability, premiums, and benefits vary by location and are subject to change. CMS figures cited are from the September 28, 2026 Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape release and are national projections; individual plan details may differ.
