Learn about Medicare Advantage plan changes for 2027, including enrollment updates, Star Ratings, prescription drug coverage, and plan comparison tips.Medicare Advantage plans are set to see several important changes for 2027. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has finalized updates affecting Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, including changes to quality ratings, enrollment procedures, and prescription drug rules.
Medicare Advantage beneficiaries should pay attention to Medicare Advantage plan changes for 2027 as new federal rules and plan-specific updates take effect. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has finalized several changes affecting Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D, including updates to quality ratings, enrollment processes, and prescription drug coverage.
Although some changes apply across the program, individual Medicare Advantage plans can still differ substantially. Beneficiaries should review their specific plan materials before deciding whether their current coverage continues to meet their needs.
CMS finalized several policy and technical changes for 2027. One major area involves the Medicare Advantage Star Ratings program, which helps beneficiaries compare the quality of Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans.
Key changes include:
The changes are intended to make quality information more meaningful when beneficiaries compare plans.
Star Ratings provide information about the quality and performance of Medicare Advantage and Part D plans. CMS says the 2027 changes will refocus the rating system on clinical care, outcomes, patient experience, and meaningful differences between plans.
When reviewing Star Ratings, consider:
A plan's rating is only one factor to consider when evaluating coverage.
Some of the 2027 changes involve the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit associated with many Medicare Advantage plans. CMS is codifying several Inflation Reduction Act provisions for 2027 and beyond. These include eliminating the coverage gap phase and maintaining changes to catastrophic coverage and beneficiary cost sharing.
Beneficiaries should review:
Prescription coverage can change between plan years, so checking the new plan documents is important.
CMS also released updated Medicare Advantage and Part D enrollment and disenrollment guidance for 2027. The new guidance applies to requests received beginning January 1, 2027, with updated procedures and materials for applicable enrollment periods.
Important enrollment considerations include:
Beneficiaries should make sure they understand which enrollment period applies to their circumstances.
Even when federal rules change, the details of an individual Medicare Advantage plan can also change. Reviewing the plan's annual materials can help identify changes that could affect healthcare access or expenses.
Consider checking:
CMS's 2027 rate announcement projects an average increase of 2.48% in payments to Medicare Advantage plans, but this does not mean every beneficiary's premium or benefits will change by the same amount.
The Medicare Advantage plan changes for 2027 include updates to Star Ratings, enrollment procedures, and Medicare Part D prescription drug policies. CMS says the changes are intended to improve plan quality information, simplify certain processes, and strengthen prescription drug protections.
Beneficiaries should not assume that their current plan will remain unchanged. Reviewing the Annual Notice of Change, Evidence of Coverage, provider network, prescription formulary, and other plan materials can help you understand what will apply in 2027. This article is for general informational purposes and does not provide Medicare enrollment or insurance advice.