Premiums: lower on average in 2027
CMS estimates the average monthly Medicare Advantage premium will drop from $14.37 in 2026 to $12.00 in 2027. That average includes every plan, including the many with no plan premium.
* Striped bar = not final (CMS estimate).
See the numbers
| Item | 2026 | 2027 | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average monthly premium | $14.37 | $12.00 | includes a projection or estimate |
CMS estimates the average Medicare Advantage premium falls from $14.37 a month in 2026 to $12.00 in 2027.
North Carolina follows the same direction. CMS estimates the average Medicare Advantage premium here at $6.19 a month for 2027 (CMS estimate), down from $12.49 in 2026.
Choices: fewer plans for the average person
The national count barely moved, but fewer plans are offered where the average person lives. CMS reports that 97% of people with Medicare still have 10 or more Medicare Advantage plans to choose from. Fewer choices matter most if your current plan is one of the ones leaving. See what happens if your Medicare Advantage plan leaves your area.
Where a plan can get worse for you
A lower average premium tells you little about your own plan. These are the changes that cost people money:
What to check in your plan's 2027 Annual Notice of Change
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Provider network | A doctor or hospital that leaves the network can mean paying full price or switching doctors. |
| Drug list (formulary) and tiers | A drug moved to a higher tier or dropped can cost more than any premium change. |
| Out-of-pocket maximum | This is the most you pay for covered medical care in a year. A higher limit means more risk if you get sick. |
| Copays for specialists and hospital stays | These add up faster than the premium for people who use care. |
| Prior authorization rules | More approvals can mean delays for tests and procedures. |
| Extra benefits | Dental, vision and hearing allowances can shrink even when the premium doesn't change. |
How to tell if your plan got worse
- Read your Annual Notice of Change line by line. It lists every 2027 change to your plan.
- Confirm your doctors and pharmacies are still in network for 2027.
- Run your prescriptions through the 2027 drug lists of your plan and its competitors.
- Compare the yearly total: premium, deductible, copays and the out-of-pocket maximum, not the premium alone.
You can switch plans during Medicare Open Enrollment, October 15, 2026 through December 7, 2026, and the change takes effect January 1, 2027. See when Medicare Open Enrollment for 2027 is and our Annual Enrollment Period guide.
Test the plan against the way you actually use care
National averages cannot answer whether a particular plan improved for you. Make a list of routine visits, medicines, ongoing treatment and travel needs, then compare the current and proposed benefits for those situations. A plan can lower its premium while changing a specialist copay or pharmacy arrangement that matters more to your household.
Use two budgets when comparing plans
Usual-care budget: Add premiums and the likely cost sharing for the visits, prescriptions and services you expect. Check that an advertised dental or other allowance applies to the services you intend to use.
High-use budget: Review the medical out-of-pocket maximum, hospital cost sharing and any separate drug exposure. Ask which expenses are outside each limit. A low-premium plan does not remove the financial risk of a serious illness, and medical and Part D limits are not interchangeable.
Network and authorization questions worth asking
- Is each doctor participating in this exact plan for 2027, and is the preferred hospital included?
- Are referrals required for the specialists you use?
- What are the rules and costs for nonemergency care outside the local network?
- Will an ongoing treatment, equipment rental or medication need a new authorization?
- Which pharmacy is preferred for your prescriptions, and are there quantity or step-therapy rules?
Confirm the answers using plan documents and, where appropriate, the provider's office. Keep notes from the review. Online directories can help you start the check, but resolve an unclear or conflicting answer before enrolling.
If you are thinking about leaving Medicare Advantage
Compare the whole replacement arrangement: Original Medicare, a drug plan and any supplement you intend to buy. Check Medigap eligibility before cancelling the current plan. Fall Open Enrollment permits certain Medicare coverage changes but does not automatically require a Medigap insurer to accept you.
We can show the tradeoffs among available plans without assuming one coverage type is best for everyone. The right comparison is based on your doctors, medicines, budget and willingness to follow plan rules, not a national headline about whether plans are getting better or worse.
Quick questions
Are Medicare Advantage premiums going up in 2027?
On average, no. CMS estimates the average premium falls to $12.00 a month from $14.37. Your own plan's premium can still rise, so check your Annual Notice of Change.
Why do I have fewer Medicare Advantage choices in 2027?
Fewer plans are offered where the average person lives. The average person can choose from 35 plans in 2027, down from 39.
What should I compare besides the premium?
The provider network, the drug list, the out-of-pocket maximum and copays for the care you use.
How The Jordan Insurance Agency helps
The Jordan Insurance Agency is an independent agency based in Charlotte, North Carolina. We compare your current Medicare Advantage plan with the other 2027 plans in your county, check your doctors and prescriptions against each one, and show you the yearly cost side by side.
There is no fee for our help. Carriers pay the agent, so your premium is the same whether you enroll with us or on your own.
Next steps: check when Medicare Open Enrollment for 2027 is and what happens if your plan leaves your area.
2027 Medicare Advantage figures checked October 16, 2026. Sources: CMS — 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape, CMS — 2027 MA and Part D state-by-state fact sheets, Medicare Rights Center — 2027 MA and Part D offerings.
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