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Enrollment & timing

CMS Projects 2027 Medicare Plan Market Stable With 5,532 Plans Available as Open Enrollment Nears

A CMS announcement says 97 percent of Medicare beneficiaries will have access to 10 or more Medicare Advantage options for 2027, with the Annual Enrollment Period opening October 15 and plan comparison available now.

By the Goodsurance editorial teamSeptember 29, 2026

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced on September 28, 2026, that the 2027 Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plan market is expected to remain broadly stable for the upcoming Annual Enrollment Period. CMS projects that more than 99 percent of Medicare beneficiaries will have access to at least one Medicare Advantage plan and that 97 percent will have access to 10 or more options.

The total number of Medicare Advantage plans available nationally for 2027 is projected at 5,532, a modest decrease from 5,553 plans in 2026. CMS noted that projected Medicare Advantage premiums and Medicare Prescription Drug Plan options are expected to remain competitive and broadly available.

CMS: 97% of Medicare beneficiaries will have 10 or more plan options for 2027. Open enrollment opens October 15. Compare plans now at medicare.gov.

The Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026. Any changes made during this window take effect January 1, 2027. Beneficiaries can compare 2027 plan options, including premiums, provider networks, drug formularies, and supplemental benefits such as dental and vision, using the Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov ahead of the October 15 opening.

Several cost changes for 2027 make this year's plan comparison particularly important. The standard Part D annual deductible rises to 700 dollars, up from 615 dollars in 2026, and the Part D out-of-pocket cap increases to 2,400 dollars. A federal demonstration that held down standalone Part D plan premiums for the past two years expires after 2026, which may translate into larger premium increases for some enrollees. Multiple large carriers have also reduced their county presence and dozens of hospital systems have dropped Medicare Advantage contracts, potentially shifting network access in some areas.

CMS encouraged beneficiaries to review their Annual Notice of Change, confirm their doctors and drugs are still covered, and compare alternatives before December 7.

In plain words

CMS said most people on Medicare will have many plan choices for 2027. About 97 out of 100 people will have at least 10 Medicare Advantage plans to pick from. There are about 5,532 plans available this year. Open enrollment starts October 15 and ends December 7. Drug costs are going up a bit. The drug deductible will be 700 dollars in 2027. A subsidy that kept drug plan premiums low for two years is ending. You can compare plans now at medicare.gov. Read the plan change notice you got in the mail.

Understand the basics first

Source: CMS
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