2027 Maryland Medicare Plan Options

Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs October 15 to December 7, 2026 for 2027 coverage. This is your main opportunity to switch Medicare Advantage plans, change Part D prescription drug plans, or move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Changes take effect January 1, 2027.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs January 1 to March 31, 2027. If you already have a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make one change to a different plan or back to Original Medicare.

Outside these windows, you can only make changes if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period due to life changes like moving or losing employer coverage.

The key differences between a Medigap Supplement Plan and a Medicare Advantage Plan come down to networks, costs, extra benefits, and enrollment rules.

Networks and Doctor Choice
With a Medigap Supplement Plan, there is no network restriction. You simply call any doctor who accepts Medicare and book an appointment. Medicare Advantage Plans have defined networks, though some Maryland PPO plans allow you to see any doctor you want. Out-of-network visits cost more.

Monthly Costs
Medigap Supplement Plans cost at least $170 per month, depending on your age and the plan you choose. Medicare Advantage Plans typically start at $0 monthly premium. The tradeoff: Advantage Plans often include copayments for doctor visits, specialist visits, and other medical services.

Extra Benefits
While Medigap plans don't include extra benefits, Maryland Medicare Advantage Plans often cover dental, vision, and hearing services at no or low cost. This can add hundreds of dollars in value each year.

Enrollment Rules
The rules for when you can enroll or disenroll from each type are complex and depend on your specific situation. We recommend speaking with us to clarify which option works best for your health needs and budget.

This concern only applies if you are considering a Medicare Advantage Plan. With Original Medicare and a Medigap Supplement, there is no network to worry about.

Why Self-Service Verification is Risky
Most Medicare Advantage Plans publish online doctor directories or have search tools, but they are often outdated or inaccurate. You can call the plan's billing department to verify, but you are relying on whoever answers the phone to have correct information at that moment. There is no guarantee of accuracy.

Here is Where We Help
When you work with East Coast Health Advisors, we verify your doctors for you at no cost. We will create a matrix showing which of your doctors work with each plan you are considering. This eliminates the guesswork on what most people feel is a complex and time-consuming task.

Don't Wait Until After the Deadline
Make sure you verify your doctors are in-network before December 7. After the deadline, you will need to wait until January 1 to make a change during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, which runs through March 31.

There are several important Part D changes for 2027 that could affect your out-of-pocket costs.

Your Out-of-Pocket Limit Increased
Your maximum financial exposure, called your TROOP (True Out Of Pocket) cost, increased from $2,100 in 2026 to $2,400 in 2027. Your TROOP includes your annual deductible and all copayments for the entire year. Once you hit this limit, your insurance carrier covers 100% of your medication costs through December 31. Keep in mind: your TROOP does not include your monthly Part D premium, any $35 Insulin copayments, or pharmacy dispensing fees.

Your Deductible Also Increased
The Part D annual deductible is now $700, up from $615 in 2026. You typically only trigger this deductible if you are taking more expensive medications.

Understanding Formularies and Tiers
Every Part D plan has a formulary listing available drugs and their tier level. Most plans have six tiers. Preferred generics on Tier 1 and 2 do not trigger your deductible. More expensive medications on Tier 3, 4, and 5 will trigger it. Since formularies change yearly, verify your specific medications are covered before December 7.

We are Here to Help
Working with a local broker ensures you choose the plan that works best for your medications and budget.

Start with Your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC)
If you are on a Maryland Medicare Advantage Plan, watch for your ANOC letter between September and October. This mandatory mailing outlines all changes to your plan for 2027. If you do not receive it by mail, call your carrier or check their website under "member help" (usually posted by mid-October).

Critical: Check for Termination Notices
More than 15,000 Marylanders are being terminated by their Advantage Plan carriers this fall. If you receive a termination notice, contact a local Medicare broker immediately. We can review your options, show you alternative plans, and even help you move to a Supplement Plan, even with pre-existing conditions.

Review Your Doctors and Medications
Check that your doctors are in-network for 2027 and verify your medications are covered at the tier level you expect. Formularies and networks change every year.

Free Help Available
We are hosting live webinars where our Founder and CEO, Peter Palmiotto, will review all 2027 changes for Medicare Advantage and Part D plans. Register free at: marylandmedicareoptions.com/2027-maryland-medicare-plans/

You Don't Have to Do This Alone
Book a free call with us at: eastcoasthealthadvisors.com/book-a-call/. We will handle all the paperwork at no cost.

Supplement Plan Costs are Rising
If you have a Medigap Supplement Plan, expect your premiums to increase 8-20% in 2027. The good news: increases should moderate to 5-10% annually starting in 2028.

The Advantage Plan Landscape is Shifting
Maryland is experiencing significant changes. Four major insurance companies are dropping more than 15,000 people throughout the state. All of these people must enroll in new plans before January 1, 2027.

Here are the Estimated 2027 Costs (Not Official)
These are estimates based on current projections. CMS will announce official rates in November:

• Part D deductible: approximately $700/year (up from $615 in 2026)
• Part D maximum out-of-pocket (TROOP): approximately $2,400 (up from $2,100 in 2026)
• Part B premium: approximately $209.50/month (up from $202.90 in 2026)
• Part B deductible: approximately $310/year (up from $283 in 2026)
• High Income IRMAA threshold: starts at $113,000 income (up from $109,000 in 2026)

These Costs are Universal Nationwide
These rates are set by CMS, not individual insurance carriers, so they apply across the entire country. Individual Advantage and Part D plan premiums will vary by region and carrier.

The Major SEP: Plan Termination
Yes. If you are among the 15,000 Marylanders losing your Medicare Advantage Plan, you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period triggered by involuntary plan termination. Your enrollment window runs from October 15, 2026 through February 28, 2027.

Your Three Options

1. Select a new Medicare Advantage Plan
2. Change to a Medicare Supplement Plan (no health questions; your application is automatically approved)
3. Use Original Medicare alone (we don't recommend this option)

Critical: Act Early for January 1 Coverage
Although you have until February 1, 2027 to change plans, we strongly urge you to enroll by early January so your new coverage starts January 1, 2027. If you wait, you will be on Original Medicare in January, exposing you to the hospital deductible, medical deductible, and 20% coinsurance on all costs. This can be financially devastating.

Other SEPs May Apply
Additional SEPs exist for FEMA weather-related events (none currently active in Maryland), Medicaid changes, loss of workplace coverage, or moves to or from skilled nursing facilities. These are case-by-case situations.

Don't Navigate This Alone
Contact us today. Speaking with us sooner rather than later can make a significant difference in your planning.

Self-Enrollment is Risky
Self-enrollment through Medicare.gov is possible, but it can be tricky and frustrating. A single mistake may cost you time, money, coverage, or even lifelong penalties.

Here is Why We Recommend Our Free Broker Services
We have helped over 3,000 happy customers navigate Medicare in Maryland and throughout the Mid-Atlantic, and there is no cost to you. We live and work here, making us local Medicare experts ready to help.

We are Independent and Plan Agnostic
We never pressure you toward one plan or another. We will handle all the apples-to-apples comparisons, pricing, pros and cons, and lay out every option available to you. We want to eliminate your FOMO (fear of missing out) so you feel confident in your choice.

We Handle the Complexity
We will file all the complicated paperwork to enroll you. You always have the final say on your coverage. We are here to support your decision, not make it for you. We also encourage you to include family members in these decisions.

Book Your Free Consultation
Schedule a free 15, 30, or 45-minute phone consultation with us at: eastcoasthealthadvisors.com/book-a-call/, or stop by our office in Annapolis.