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Medicare Advantage

181 Counties Will Have No Medicare Advantage Plan in 2027, More Than Doubling the Coverage Gap From 2026

A Medicare Rights Center pre-enrollment analysis finds geographic gaps in private plan access widening sharply even as the average MA monthly premium falls to 12 dollars.

By the Goodsurance editorial teamOctober 4, 2026

With the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period set to open October 15, the Medicare Rights Center published an overview of the 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D plan landscape, drawing on data released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The most notable geographic finding: 181 counties across the country will have no individual Medicare Advantage plan available in 2027, up from 67 counties in 2026. That more than doubles the number of areas where private plan options have disappeared entirely. CMS data show that more than 99 percent of Medicare beneficiaries nationwide still have access to at least one MA plan, and 97 percent have access to 10 or more choices, but those figures can mask sharply different local conditions.

181 counties will have zero Medicare Advantage options in 2027. Check now before open enrollment starts October 15.

For most people who remain in Medicare Advantage, the cost outlook is more favorable. The average MA monthly premium is projected to fall to 12 dollars in 2027, down from 14 dollars and 37 cents in 2026. About 8 in 10 current MA enrollees are expected to be able to stay in their current plan at the same premium or a lower one.

On the Part D prescription drug side, the average standalone plan premium is projected to rise by less than 1 dollar, from 35 dollars and 9 cents in 2026 to 36 dollars in 2027. The Medicare Rights Center notes that plan-to-plan variation can be wide, and urges all enrollees to use the Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov to compare specific options before the December 7 deadline.

In plain words

Before Medicare open enrollment starts October 15, a health policy group reviewed what plans will be available in 2027. In 181 counties across the country, there will be no Medicare Advantage plans at all. That is more than twice as many counties as this year. If you live in one of those counties, you may need to switch to original Medicare. For most people already in a Medicare Advantage plan, the monthly cost is expected to drop to about 12 dollars. About 8 out of 10 people can keep their current plan for the same price or less. The average cost of a standalone drug plan goes up less than 1 dollar a month. Still, it is worth checking your plan during open enrollment, which runs October 15 through December 7.

Understand the basics first

Source: Medicare Rights Center
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