Medicare Advantage plans in Howard, AR, 2027
Howard, Arkansas has 17 Medicare Advantage plans open to everyone for 2027 (17 in 2026) and 12 special needs plans, according to the CMS landscape files; 14 of the open plans have a $0 premium. 8 plans that served the county in 2026 end or leave it, with 48 members living here in September 2026.
What changes in Howard for 2027?
| In the county | 2026 | 2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plans open to everyone | 17 | 17 | no change |
| Special needs plans | 15 | 12 | ▼down 3 |
| Plans with a $0 premium | 13 | 14 | ▲up 1 |
| Plans that lower the Part B premium | 8 | 9 | ▲up 1 |
| Median out-of-pocket limit | $6,700 | $6,700 | no change |
Source: CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape files for 2027 (Sept. 22, 2026, revised Sept. 30) and 2026 (Sept. 2, 2026 revision); CMS plan benefit package files, 2027 and 2026.
Which plans can anyone in Howard join?
| Plan | Premium | Out-of-pocket limit | Part B reduction | 2026 stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthy Arkansas Premier AdvantageH7440-001 · HMO-POS | $0 | $4,600 | $5 | not rated |
| Humana USAA Honor GivebackH5216-278 · PPO | $0 | $4,700 | $150 | 3.5 of 5 |
| Humana USAA Honor GivebackH7617-012 · PPO | $0 | $4,700 | $150 | 4.5 of 5 |
| Humana USAA Honor GivebackR1532-001 · Regional PPO | $0 | $5,500 | $37 | 2.5 of 5 |
| AARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC AR-1H2802-060 · HMO-POS | $0 | $6,100 | none | 4 of 5 |
| Healthy Arkansas PreferredH4086-001 · PPO | $0 | $6,200 | $105 | not rated |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC AR-0004H1889-014 · PPO | $0 | $6,500 | none | 4 of 5 |
| AARP Medicare Advantage Patriot No Rx AR-MA01H2802-062 · HMO-POS | $0 | $6,700 | $185 | 4 of 5 |
| AARP Medicare Advantage Extras from UHC AR-7H2802-078 · HMO-POS | $0 | $7,150 | none | 4 of 5 |
| Aetna Medicare Eagle Classic GivebackH1608-074 · PPO | $0 | $7,900 | $100 | 4 of 5 |
| Aetna Medicare Eagle GivebackH5521-724 · PPO | $0 | $7,900 | $100 | 4.5 of 5 |
| Aetna Medicare Signature Classic PlusH1608-021 · PPO | $0 | $9,250 | none | 4 of 5 |
| Aetna Medicare Signature PlusH5521-722 · PPO | $0 | $9,250 | none | 4.5 of 5 |
| AARP Medicare Advantage Giveback from UHC AR-3H2802-063 · HMO-POS | $0 | $9,850 | $67 | 4 of 5 |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC AR-0002H2802-061 · HMO-POS | $49 | $6,100 | none | 4 of 5 |
| HumanaChoiceH7617-007 · PPO | $60 | $9,250 | none | 4.5 of 5 |
| HumanaChoiceR1532-002 · Regional PPO | $119 | $7,700 | none | 2.5 of 5 |
Source: CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape files for 2027 (Sept. 22, 2026, revised Sept. 30) and 2026 (Sept. 2, 2026 revision); CMS plan benefit package files, 2027 and 2026. Stars are the contract's 2026 rating. confirm on Medicare Plan Finder.
Which plans leave Howard in 2027?
Members of these plans here choose a 2027 plan during open enrollment, October 15 to December 7, 2026; choosing by December 31 means no gap; because their plan is leaving the county, they can still join until the end of February 2027, with coverage from the first of the next month. Each plan's page says what happens to its members.
| 2026 plan | Members here, Sept. 2026 | For 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Wellcare SimpleH9630-002 | 19 | Leaves the county |
| Wellcare GivebackH9630-008 | 16 | Not offered |
| UHC Medicare Advantage AM-0002R3444-012 | 13 | Not offered |
| Aetna Medicare Dual ExtraH1608-076 | fewer than 11 | Not offered |
| Aetna Medicare DualH1608-077 | fewer than 11 | Not offered |
| Wellcare Patriot Giveback PreferredH9630-015 | fewer than 11 | Not offered |
| UHC Complete Care Support AM-1AR3444-008 | fewer than 11 | Not offered |
| UHC Complete Care AM-1R3444-009 | fewer than 11 | Not offered |
Source: CMS plan crosswalk from 2026 to 2027 (Oct. 1, 2026); CMS monthly enrollment by plan and by county, September 2026 (CMS hides counts under 11); CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape files for 2027 (Sept. 22, 2026, revised Sept. 30) and 2026 (Sept. 2, 2026 revision).
Which special needs plans are sold here?
Open only to people with Medicaid as well as Medicare, with certain chronic conditions, or living in an institution.
| Plan | Who can join | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Wellcare Arkansas Total Care Dual ReserveH9630-014 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| UHC Complete Care AR-5H1889-019 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $0 |
| UHC Complete Care AR-6H1889-025 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $0 |
| UHC Dual Advantage AR-V1H2001-035 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| Arkansas Integrated Providers (AIP) Dual AdvantageH1587-001 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| Tribute SelectH1587-003 | Institutional | $0 |
| UHC Dual Complete AR-Q1H2001-034 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| UHC Dual Complete AR-S2H2001-065 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| Aetna Medicare Full Dual CareH2663-097 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| Wellcare Arkansas Total Care Dual AccessH9630-010 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| Wellcare Arkansas Total Care Dual LibertyH9630-011 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| Healthy Arkansas Dual AdvantageH4086-002 | Dual-Eligible | $6.30 |
Source: CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape files for 2027 (Sept. 22, 2026, revised Sept. 30) and 2026 (Sept. 2, 2026 revision).
How many people in Howard use Medicare Advantage?
1,304 of the county's 3,182 people with Medicare were in a Medicare Advantage plan in September 2026, 41.0%; in Arkansas as a whole the share is 47.3%.
Source: CMS Medicare Advantage state and county penetration, September 2026.
What else should you check?
- Medicare Advantage in ArkansasEvery county of the state
- 11 stand-alone drug plans in ArkansasIf you keep Original Medicare
- Is your plan ending?Every plan not offered in 2027