How to Compare Medicare Advantage Plans: 2027 Guide

Overview: Why Comparing Medicare Advantage Plans Matters

Choosing the right Medicare Advantage plan is one of the most important healthcare decisions you’ll make each year. With hundreds of plan options available, the right choice could save you thousands in medical costs while giving you access to better care and benefits.

Understanding how to compare Medicare Advantage plans helps you cut through the noise, focusing on what really matters: coverage, cost, and quality.

What Is a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C)?

Medicare Advantage plans are private insurance alternatives to Original Medicare. They include all the benefits of Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance), and most also include Part D (prescription drugs). Many plans also feature extra benefits like dental, vision, hearing, and wellness programs.

Why It’s Crucial to Compare Every Year

Medicare Advantage plans can change each year — new premiums, updated drug formularies, or expanded benefits. A plan that worked last year might no longer meet your needs this year. Comparing plans annually ensures you don’t miss out on new opportunities or get stuck paying more than necessary.

How to Compare Medicare Advantage Plans

Comparing Medicare Advantage plans effectively means looking at five key areas: coverage, cost, network, medications, and quality.

1. Coverage and Benefits

Look for what’s included in each plan:

• Core Medicare benefits (hospital and medical)

• Prescription drug coverage

• Preventive care services

• Dental, vision, or hearing benefits

• Telehealth and chronic care programs

Note that Medicare telehealth flexibilities (no geographic/rural restriction, home as an originating site) have been extended through December 31, 2027, so telehealth access should remain broadly available through this plan year. Remote patient monitoring, by contrast, is headed the other direction for 2027 — CMS’s proposed CY2027 Physician Fee Schedule rule would tighten these benefits rather than expand them (see “What’s New” below for details); that proposal was still open for comment as of this writing and hadn’t been finalized.

2. Total Costs — Not Just Premiums

Before you choose a plan, it’s wise to review detailed projections of Medicare plan costs to understand what you’ll likely pay in premiums, copays, and more.

3. Provider Networks

Your plan’s network determines which doctors and hospitals you can see.

• HMO plans: Must use in-network providers and get referrals for specialists.

• PPO plans: Offer flexibility to see out-of-network providers (usually at a higher cost).

Before enrolling, confirm your preferred physicians and facilities are covered by the plan’s current network.

4. Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D)

Review the plan’s formulary (drug list) and note the tier and copay for each of your medications. Even minor drug coverage changes from one year to the next can affect your total annual cost — especially if you take multiple prescriptions. One confirmed 2027 change worth knowing: the Part D annual out-of-pocket cap rises to $2,400 (from $2,100 in 2026), and the standard deductible rises to $700 (from $615).

5. Quality and Star Ratings

CMS rates Medicare Advantage plans on a 1-to-5-star scale for quality, customer satisfaction, and performance.

• 5-star plans are top-rated and may allow you to switch at any time through a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).

• Ratings are updated annually each October — the 2026 Star Ratings are the most recently released as of this writing, and the 2027 Star Ratings (which will govern 2027 plan-year bonuses) are expected around October 2026, so check for the newest scores before making a choice.

What’s New for Medicare Advantage in 2027

Each year, CMS and insurers introduce benefit changes. Here’s what’s confirmed and what’s still proposed heading into 2027:

• Remote monitoring is facing new restrictions, not expansion: CMS’s CY2027 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule (published July 2026, comment period closed mid-September 2026, not yet finalized as of this writing) proposes real tightening of remote physiologic and therapeutic monitoring (RPM/RTM) billing: a ban on using contracted third-party staff to perform monitoring (services would need to come from practice employees), reduced reimbursement for several RPM/RTM codes, a new requirement that RTM only be furnished to established patients, a mandatory separately-billed initiating visit, and CMS is separately soliciting comment on consolidating the current 17 RPM/RTM billing codes into 4 bundled codes. If finalized as proposed, these changes would take effect January 1, 2027 — this reverses the expansion direction CMS took in the CY2026 final rule, which had lowered RPM time thresholds.
• Behavioral health billing continues to improve: the same proposed rule includes further upward payment adjustments for timed behavioral health codes, plus smoking/tobacco cessation and SBIRT (screening, brief intervention, referral to treatment) services, continuing a phase-in that began with the CY2024 rule.
• Telehealth flexibilities remain in place: broad Medicare telehealth access (no geographic restriction, home as an originating site) has been extended through December 31, 2027.
• 2027 enrollment and premium landscape figures aren’t published yet: CMS typically releases its MA/Part D landscape data (average premiums, plan counts, enrollment projections) in late September each year — for reference, the most recently published full-year data (for 2026) projected the average MA premium at $14.00/month (down from $16.40 in 2025), roughly 34 million MA enrollees, over 99% of beneficiaries with access to an MA plan, 97% able to choose from 10+ plans, and about 5,600 total MA plans (down slightly from 5,633). Check back in late September 2026 for the confirmed 2027 figures.

Quick Comparison Checklist

Before you enroll:

1. List your doctors and prescriptions.

2. Compare at least three plans available in your ZIP code.

3. Calculate your total expected yearly costs.

4. Review the current CMS Star Ratings.

5. Check network size and provider availability.

6. Call 877-388-1028 TTY 711 Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET, for help from a licensed Medicare agent.

When and How to Compare Plans

• Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15 – December 7, 2026

• Open Enrollment Period (OEP): January 1 – March 31, 2027

You can explore plan options through Healthcare.com for personalized recommendations.

Common Comparison Mistakes to Avoid

• Only comparing monthly premiums instead of total costs.

• Forgetting to check whether your preferred doctors are in-network.

• Not reviewing drug coverage tiers for your medications.

• Overlooking annual benefit or formulary changes.

Avoiding these mistakes can lead to smarter, more affordable coverage choices for 2027.

To help narrow down your options, check out our guide to the best Medicare Advantage companies and see which insurers consistently deliver top benefits and service.

Bottom Line: Choose the Right Medicare Advantage Plan for 2027

With plan choices continuing to evolve for 2027, comparing Medicare Advantage plans carefully can make a significant difference in your coverage and costs. Focus on total value — not just price — and take advantage of expert guidance when you need it.

Use Healthcare.com to discover your options online or call 877-388-1028 TTY 711, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET, to speak with a licensed Medicare agent who can help you find your ideal 2027 plan.