What is Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Advantage, also called Part C, is an alternative way to receive your Medicare Part A and Part B benefits through a private Medicare-approved plan. Many plans also include Part D prescription coverage.
What details usually matter most?
- Provider networks and whether your doctors participate.
- Referral requirements and plan rules.
- Prescription formularies and pharmacies.
- Copayments, coinsurance and the annual maximum out-of-pocket amount for Part A and Part B services.
- Extra benefits and how meaningful they are for your needs.
Enrollment timing
The yearly Open Enrollment Period runs October 15–December 7 for coverage effective January 1. If you are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs January 1–March 31.
Who should take a closer look?
People who want an alternative way to receive Medicare benefits, are comfortable reviewing plan rules and networks, and want to compare all-in-one plan structures often explore Medicare Advantage carefully.
2027 Medicare Advantage update
CMS projects the weighted average monthly premium across Medicare Advantage plans at $12 in 2027, down from $14.37 in 2026. For Medicare Advantage plans that include prescription drug coverage, CMS projects the average Part D portion of the monthly premium at $7 in 2027. These are national averages—not the premium for a particular plan.
More than 99% of Medicare beneficiaries are expected to have access to at least one Medicare Advantage plan in 2027, but availability, provider networks, drug formularies, cost sharing and supplemental benefits vary by plan and location. Review your plan's Annual Notice of Change and compare actual 2027 options.
2027 Medicare Advantage Star Ratings are available
CMS released the 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Star Ratings on October 8, 2026. Weighted by enrollment, approximately 71% of Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage (MA-PD) enrollees are currently in contracts that will have four or more stars in 2027.
Star Ratings are one measure of plan quality and performance. They should be considered along with your doctors, prescriptions, provider network, total expected costs, plan rules and benefits when reviewing coverage for 2027.