Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Texas for 2027

Several Medicare Advantage options in Texas earned 4.5 stars for 2027. They include three Humana contracts and four Texas-based plans: KelseyCare Advantage, Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Devoted Health Plan of Texas and Texas Independence Health Plan. Two 5-star contracts also sell in Texas, but only in a few counties: Clover Health around San Antonio and a UnitedHealthcare plan for nursing home residents.

The biggest insurers by enrollment are UnitedHealthcare, Humana and HCSC. HCSC owns Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, but for 2027 it sells Medicare Advantage plans in Texas only under the HealthSpring name. Together they cover nearly 8 in 10 Texans in Medicare Advantage. But plans, networks and premiums change from one county to the next, so the best plan for you is the one that covers your doctors and drugs where you live.

This guide compares the top insurers using official 2027 CMS data. For county-level plan basics, see our guide to Texas Medicare Advantage plans.

Texas Medicare Advantage: 2027 at a Glance

Here are the key 2027 numbers from the CMS state fact sheet released September 28, 2026:

• Plans: 421 Medicare Advantage plans in 2027, down from 423 in 2026.
• Average premium: $4.27 a month, up from $3.94 in 2026.
• $0-premium access: 100% of Texans with Medicare can choose a $0-premium Medicare Advantage plan.
• Drug plans: 10 stand-alone Part D plans, with premiums starting at $5.30 a month.
• Who’s enrolled: 5,017,127 Texans have Medicare.
• Annual Enrollment Period: October 15 to December 7, 2026, for coverage starting January 1, 2027.
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: January 1 to March 31, 2027, if you’re already in a Medicare Advantage plan.

Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Texas (Comparison Table)

*Share of Texas Medicare Advantage enrollment: MedicareGuide analysis of CMS enrollment data, September 2026. Shares are by parent company (UnitedHealth Group, Humana, HCSC, CVS Health, Centene, Elevance) and include employer group plans. Star ratings are CMS 2027 overall ratings for each insurer’s contracts that sell plans in Texas for 2027.

Important: Star Ratings are given by contract, not by state, and one insurer can have several contracts with different scores. Always check the rating of the exact plan you’re considering on Medicare.gov’s Plan Finder.

Top-Rated Medicare Advantage Plans in Texas for 2027

Four regional contracts earned 4.5 stars out of 5 for 2027. Alignment Health Plan also earned 4.5 stars and sells in Bexar, Comal, El Paso and Hudspeth counties. These are regional plans, so they’re only sold in certain counties. Texas Independence Health Plan is only for people who need nursing home level care.

• KelseyCare Advantage (part of UnitedHealth Group): 4.5 stars
• Baylor Scott & White Health Plan (Scott and White Health Plan contract): 4.5 stars
• Devoted Health Plan of Texas: 4.5 stars
• Texas Independence Health Plan: 4.5 stars

Watch the contract name. Devoted’s other Texas contract (Devoted Health Insurance Company of Texas) is rated 3.5 stars, and Baylor Scott & White Insurance Company is rated 4. Humana also has three 4.5-star contracts in Texas, sold as Humana Gold Plus HMOs and Humana PPOs. Two 5-star contracts sell in a few Texas counties: Clover Health PPOs around San Antonio and the UnitedHealthcare Nursing Home Plan. At the low end, Verda Health Plan of Texas received 2 stars.

Top Medicare Advantage Insurers in Texas

Here are the largest insurers in Texas by enrollment, plus regional options worth a look.

UnitedHealthcare: Largest Insurer & Extra Benefits

UnitedHealthcare (UHC) is the biggest Medicare Advantage insurer in Texas, with 47.9% of enrollment under its parent, UnitedHealth Group. Its size gives members broad provider access across the state.

UHC’s Texas contracts are rated 3 to 5 stars for 2027, depending on the contract. Its main Texas HMO-POS contracts are rated 4 stars. The 5-star contract is a plan for nursing home residents. In J.D. Power’s 2026 study, UHC ranked second in Texas for member satisfaction.

• $0-premium options in many counties
• Fitness, OTC allowances, dental, vision and hearing on many plans
• D-SNP and C-SNP options

Plan types: HMO-POS, PPO. Choose UHC if you want maximum provider choice and a deep menu of supplemental benefits.

Humana: Top Member Satisfaction in Texas & Robust Benefits

Humana is one of the most established Medicare Advantage providers, known for its focus on preventive care. It holds 20.0% of Texas Medicare Advantage enrollment.

Humana ranked highest in Texas in the J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Medicare Advantage Study, scoring 641 on a 1,000-point scale. Humana’s Texas contracts are rated 3 to 4.5 stars for 2027. Its three 4.5-star contracts hold most of its Texas members.

• Dental, vision, hearing, OTC, transportation and fitness benefits on many plans
• D-SNP and C-SNP plans available

Plan types: HMO, PPO, PFFS. Humana is a strong pick if you value member satisfaction and generous supplemental benefits.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas and HealthSpring (HCSC)

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) is part of Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC). HCSC holds 11.2% of Texas Medicare Advantage enrollment, mostly in HealthSpring plans, the former Cigna plans. For 2027, BCBSTX does not offer individual Medicare Advantage plans in Texas, per CMS plan data. HCSC sells HealthSpring plans in 47 Texas counties instead.

BCBSTX ranked highest in Texas in J.D. Power’s 2025 study (639) but was not among the top three in 2026. HealthSpring’s Texas contracts are rated 3 to 3.5 stars for 2027.

• $0-premium HealthSpring plans in all 47 counties it serves
• D-SNP plans in all 47 counties and C-SNP plans in 4 counties

Plan types: HMO, PPO. If you have a BCBSTX Medicare Advantage plan now, read the letter your plan sent about 2027 and pick a new plan.

Aetna Medicare (CVS Health): Value & Pharmacy Integration

Aetna, part of CVS Health, pairs health insurance with retail pharmacy access, making prescriptions and in-person help easier to reach. It holds 7.3% of Texas Medicare Advantage enrollment.

Aetna Medicare ranked third in Texas in J.D. Power’s 2026 study (624). Its Texas contracts are rated 3 to 3.5 stars for 2027.

• Many $0-premium plans
• Dental, vision, hearing, fitness and OTC allowances on many plans
• D-SNP availability

Plan types: HMO, PPO.

Wellcare (Centene): Low-Cost Plans

Wellcare, a Centene company, focuses on budget-friendly Medicare Advantage options. It holds 3.9% of Texas enrollment. Its Texas contracts are rated 3.5 to 4 stars for 2027.

Wellcare plans often feature $0 premiums and OTC, dental, vision and hearing benefits, with D-SNP options. Plan types: HMO, HMO-POS.

Wellpoint (Elevance Health)

Wellpoint is Elevance Health’s Medicare Advantage brand in Texas, with 2.6% of state enrollment. Its Texas contracts are rated 3 to 3.5 stars for 2027, so compare them closely against higher-rated plans in your county.

Devoted Health

Devoted Health holds 2.1% of Texas Medicare Advantage enrollment. Devoted Health Plan of Texas earned 4.5 stars for 2027, among the highest in the state, while its other Texas contract is rated 3.5.

Baylor Scott & White Health Plan

Baylor Scott & White Health Plan is a Texas health-system plan with 1.7% of state enrollment. Its Scott and White Health Plan contract earned 4.5 stars for 2027, and its insurance company contract earned 4. It can be a good fit if your doctors are in the Baylor Scott & White system.

Cigna Is Now HealthSpring

Cigna no longer runs Medicare Advantage plans. Cigna sold its Medicare business to Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), the parent of BCBSTX, in March 2025, and HCSC now sells those plans under the HealthSpring name. If you had a Cigna Medicare Advantage plan, read your 2027 Annual Notice of Change and confirm the plan’s rating and network on Medicare.gov.

Medicare Advantage Plans Leaving Texas in 2027

Two Texas health-system plans are exiting Medicare Advantage for 2027, according to Becker’s Payer Issues:

• CHRISTUS Health Plan is leaving Medicare Advantage in 36 Texas counties (and 8 in New Mexico), affecting more than 7,500 Texas members, per CMS enrollment data.
• Memorial Hermann Health Plan is leaving Medicare Advantage in 6 Houston-area counties, affecting more than 14,500 members, per CMS enrollment data.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas is also ending its individual Medicare Advantage plans for 2027. Its parent, HCSC, will offer HealthSpring plans in 47 Texas counties. BCBSTX plans were sold in 227 counties in 2026, so most of those counties will have no HCSC plan.

One new insurer is entering: MedCare Partners Health Plan of Texas is offering 3 plans in Harris County, per CMS plan data.

What to do if your plan is leaving: Read the Plan Non-Renewal Notice your plan mailed in October. You can pick a new plan during the Annual Enrollment Period, October 15 to December 7. If your plan is not renewing, you also get a Special Enrollment Period from December 8, 2026, to February 28, 2027. See how to change Medicare plans during AEP.

Comparing Benefits: Flex Cards, OTC Credits & Grocery Allowances

Many Texas Medicare Advantage plans offer supplemental perks that can cut your everyday costs, such as OTC credits, flex cards and grocery allowances. Amounts and eligibility vary by plan and county, and some benefits are limited to people with certain chronic conditions or to special needs plans.

Check each plan’s Evidence of Coverage before you enroll. Our guide to Medicare Advantage grocery benefits explains how these allowances work.

How to Choose the Best Medicare Advantage Plan in Texas

The right plan depends on your health needs and ZIP code. Start on Medicare.gov’s Plan Finder, enter your drugs and pharmacies, then compare these factors. Our step-by-step guide on how to compare Medicare Advantage plans goes deeper.

• Provider network: Do your doctors and hospitals accept the plan? Regional plans like Baylor Scott & White and KelseyCare are built around specific health systems and doctor groups.
• Drug coverage: Check the formulary for your medications. In 2027, Part D out-of-pocket drug costs are capped at $2,400, up from $2,100 in 2026, per CMS. See our breakdown of Medicare Part D costs.
• Out-of-pocket costs: Compare premiums, deductibles, copays and the plan’s maximum out-of-pocket limit, not just the premium.
• Star Ratings: Higher ratings often mean better quality and service. Check the contract rating for the exact plan.
• Extra benefits: Dental, vision, hearing, OTC, meals, transportation and fitness can add real value.

For a national view, see our ranking of the best Medicare Advantage companies for 2027. For personal help, compare plans on HealthCare.com, our parent company, or call a licensed agent.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Medicare Advantage plan in Texas?

No single plan is best for everyone. For 2027, the top-rated regional contracts (4.5 stars) are KelseyCare Advantage, Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Devoted Health Plan of Texas and Texas Independence Health Plan. Three Humana contracts sold in Texas also earned 4.5 stars, and two 5-star contracts sell in a few Texas counties. Humana ranked highest in Texas for member satisfaction in J.D. Power’s 2026 study.

How many Medicare Advantage plans are available in Texas for 2027?

Texas has 421 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027, compared with 423 in 2026, according to CMS. The number available to you depends on your county.

Are there $0-premium Medicare Advantage plans in Texas?

Yes. CMS says 100% of Texans with Medicare have access to at least one $0-premium Medicare Advantage plan in 2027. The average Texas premium is $4.27 a month. You still pay your Part B premium.

Which Medicare Advantage plans are leaving Texas in 2027?

CHRISTUS Health Plan is leaving Medicare Advantage in 36 Texas counties, and Memorial Hermann Health Plan is leaving in 6 Texas counties. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas is also ending its individual Medicare Advantage plans, and its parent now sells HealthSpring plans instead. If your plan is ending, read the Plan Non-Renewal Notice it sent in October. Pick a new plan by December 7 so it starts January 1. You also have a Special Enrollment Period through February 28, 2027.

When can I change my Medicare Advantage plan in Texas?

You can switch plans during the Annual Enrollment Period, October 15 to December 7, 2026. If you’re already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you get one more change during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, January 1 to March 31, 2027.