In short
- Open enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, 2026, and changes take effect January 1, 2027. You can compare 2027 plans on Medicare.gov starting October 1.
- Nebraska has 48 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027, down from 50, and 9 standalone drug plans, down from 11.
- Medica leaves Lancaster, Douglas and Sarpy counties, and UnitedHealthcare's AARP plans with drug coverage shrink to 5 counties.
- The Part D out-of-pocket cap rises to $2,400 and the maximum deductible to $700, and a premium-cushioning program ends.
- The 2027 Part B premium and 2027 Star Ratings are not out yet. Star Ratings are expected on or around October 8.
As of today, October 1, 2026, you can compare 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D plans on Medicare.gov. Open enrollment starts in two weeks, on October 15, and runs through December 7, with changes taking effect January 1, 2027. Here is what is different this year for Nebraskans, based on CMS's September 28 release and its 2027 plan landscape.
What are the biggest Medicare changes for 2027?
There are three: fewer plans with more carriers pulling out of counties, higher Part D thresholds without the premium cushion drug plans had in 2026, and a few 2026 programs carrying into 2027.
| Item | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare Advantage plans in Nebraska | 50 | 48 |
| Average Nebraska Medicare Advantage premium | $20.65 | $14.14 |
| Standalone drug plans in Nebraska | 11 | 9 |
| Part D maximum deductible | $615 | $700 |
| Part D out-of-pocket cap | $2,100 | $2,400 |
| Part B standard premium | $202.90 | Not announced (projected $209.50) |
Nationally, KFF found the average person with Medicare has 28 Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage to choose from for 2027, down from 32.
Which Medicare Advantage carriers are changing in Nebraska?
Several carriers are shrinking their county footprints, and a couple are growing:
- Medica leaves eight eastern counties, including Lancaster, Douglas and Sarpy.
- UnitedHealthcare's AARP Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage are offered in only five counties: Cass, Douglas, Lancaster, Sarpy and Washington.
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska goes from 76 counties to 61.
- Humana leaves six panhandle counties, and Wellcare drops its PPO plans.
- Devoted Health grows from 14 counties to 42, including Lancaster, and Aetna returns to Hall County.
Our Nebraska Medicare Advantage 2027 breakdown has the county details. Plan availability, premiums, networks and benefits vary by county and change every year.
What changes for Part D drug coverage?
You will pay more before the cap kicks in. The maximum deductible rises to $700 and the out-of-pocket cap to $2,400. The Part D Premium Stabilization Demonstration, which held down some 2026 premiums, ends after this year. Nationally, CMS projects the average standalone plan premium will rise from $35.09 to about $36 a month.
In Nebraska, SilverScript Choice (PDP) and HealthSpring Extra Rx (PDP) are not offered for 2027. CMS says every Nebraskan in a standalone plan can find one with a lower premium than they paid in 2026, but a lower premium can come with a worse fit for your medications. Our Part D 2027 explainer and out-of-pocket cap guide go deeper.
On January 1, negotiated prices for 15 more drugs take effect, including Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy. See our negotiated drug price update.
What carries over into 2027?
- Telehealth: Medicare's expanded telehealth rules, including visits from home, run through December 31, 2027, under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026.
- GLP-1 Bridge: The $50-a-month program for certain weight loss drugs continues through December 31, 2027, for people who qualify.
- Prior authorization: Medicare Advantage plans must decide urgent requests within 72 hours and standard ones within 7 days, rules in place since January 2026. Medicare & You 2027 says plans may be able to handle requests electronically starting January 1, 2027.
- Extras on debit cards: Under the 2027 final rule, supplemental benefit cards must be linked in real time to the items and services the plan covers.
- Payment plan: If you use the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan and stay in the same plan, your participation renews automatically.
What isn't known yet?
The official 2027 Part B premium and deductible usually come in November. The Trustees' projections are $209.50 and $292. The 2027 Star Ratings are expected on Medicare.gov on or around October 8. Our Star Ratings guide explains how to read them. The 2027 income limits for Extra Help and Medicare Savings Programs are also still to come.
What should you do before October 15?
- Find your Annual Notice of Change and compare its 2027 numbers with 2026.
- List every medication, with dose and pharmacy.
- Confirm your doctors and hospitals, such as Bryan Health, CHI Health or Nebraska Medicine, with each plan you consider.
- Compare total yearly cost on Medicare.gov, not just premiums.
- If your plan is leaving, read up on your Medigap guaranteed issue rights before you decide.
Our annual enrollment review page and review checklist walk through each step. For unbiased help, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (TTY 1-877-486-2048), or Nebraska SHIP (formerly SHIIP) at 1-800-234-7119. Our page on SHIP and other local help explains who does what, or you can talk to Bill.
Frequently asked questions
The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 to December 7, 2026. Any change you make takes effect January 1, 2027. You can already compare 2027 plans on Medicare.gov, since plan data went live October 1. If you have Medicare Advantage, you get one more chance to switch plans or return to Original Medicare from January 1 to March 31, 2027.
If your plan is renewing and you are happy with it, you stay enrolled automatically. Still, read your Annual Notice of Change, which your plan sends by September 30. Premiums, drug lists, copays and networks can all change for 2027. If your plan is not renewing in your county, you must choose new coverage.
No. As of October 1, 2026, CMS has not announced the 2027 Part B premium or deductible. The 2026 Medicare Trustees Report projects $209.50 a month and a $292 deductible, but those are estimates. CMS usually announces the official amounts in November. For now, the official standard premium is the 2026 amount of $202.90 a month.
Choose a new plan during open enrollment, October 15 to December 7, 2026, or use the Special Enrollment Period that runs December 8 through the last day of February when a plan is not renewed. If you don't pick another Medicare Advantage plan, you will be enrolled in Original Medicare. You may also have a guaranteed right to buy certain Medigap plans without health questions.
CMS says 2027 Star Ratings will be posted on Medicare.gov on or around October 8, 2026, about a week before open enrollment begins. Ratings run from 1 to 5 stars and reflect quality and member experience. Until then, any ratings you see in mailers or ads are 2026 ratings. Check the new ratings on Medicare.gov before you decide.
Sources
- CMS: 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D premiums press release (September 28, 2026) (opens in a new tab)
- CMS: 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D state-by-state fact sheets (opens in a new tab)
- KFF: The average Medicare beneficiary has 28 Medicare Advantage drug plan options for 2027 (October 1, 2026) (opens in a new tab)
- CMS: CY 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Rate Announcement (opens in a new tab)
- CMS: Contract Year 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Final Rule fact sheet (opens in a new tab)
- Medicare.gov: Medicare & You 2027 (CMS Product No. 10050) (opens in a new tab)
- Medicare.gov: Special Enrollment Periods (opens in a new tab)
- CMS: 2026 Medicare Trustees Report (opens in a new tab)
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
