Medicare Advantage plans in Kern, CA, 2027
Kern, California has 21 Medicare Advantage plans open to everyone for 2027 (20 in 2026) and 21 special needs plans, according to the CMS landscape files; 17 of the open plans have a $0 premium. 6 plans that served the county in 2026 end or leave it, with 1,714 members living here in September 2026.
What changes in Kern for 2027?
| In the county | 2026 | 2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plans open to everyone | 20 | 21 | ▲up 1 |
| Special needs plans | 19 | 21 | ▲up 2 |
| Plans with a $0 premium | 18 | 17 | ▼down 1 |
| Plans that lower the Part B premium | 8 | 5 | ▼down 3 |
| Median out-of-pocket limit | $2,000 | $2,100 | ▲up $100 |
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 Kern join?
| Plan | Premium | Out-of-pocket limit | Part B reduction | 2026 stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial Dynamic PlanH5496-012 · HMO | $0 | $295 | $15 | 3.5 of 5 |
| Champion AllyH6170-007 · HMO | $0 | $499 | none | not rated (too little data) |
| Aetna Medicare Prime Value PlusH4982-022 · HMO | $0 | $599 | none | 3 of 5 |
| Alignment Health Platinum 057H3815-057 · HMO | $0 | $1,000 | none | 4 of 5 |
| Anthem PrimeH4161-005 · HMO-POS | $0 | $1,200 | none | 3 of 5 |
| Aetna Medicare Signature ExtraH0523-091 · HMO | $0 | $2,000 | none | 3 of 5 |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC CA-0002H0543-019 · HMO-POS | $0 | $2,000 | none | 4 of 5 |
| Aetna Medicare SignatureH4982-003 · HMO | $0 | $2,000 | none | 3 of 5 |
| Humana Gold PlusH5619-116 · HMO | $0 | $2,100 | none | 3 of 5 |
| Blue Shield 65 PlusH0504-038 · HMO | $0 | $2,750 | none | 4 of 5 |
| Anthem Medicare AdvantageH0544-062 · HMO-POS | $0 | $2,800 | none | 3 of 5 |
| Imperial Courage PlanH5496-016 · HMO | $0 | $2,999 | $85 | 3.5 of 5 |
| Humana Gold PlusH5619-191 · HMO | $0 | $3,200 | none | 3 of 5 |
| Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Basic KernH0524-036 · HMO | $0 | $3,900 | none | 4.5 of 5 |
| Humana Gold Plus GivebackH5619-150 · HMO | $0 | $5,000 | $42 | 3 of 5 |
| Humana USAA Honor GivebackH5619-121 · HMO | $0 | $5,250 | $45 | 3 of 5 |
| AARP Medicare Advantage Patriot No Rx CA-MA1PH0543-121 · HMO-POS | $0 | $5,900 | $25 | 4 of 5 |
| Alignment Health Honor Plus 060H3815-060 · HMO | $7.30 | $9,850 | none | 4 of 5 |
| Aetna Medicare Signature LegacyH0523-022 · HMO | $10 | $2,000 | none | 3 of 5 |
| Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Enhanced KernH0524-035 · HMO | $29 | $1,900 | none | 4.5 of 5 |
| Alignment Health My Choice 061H3815-061 · HMO | $40 | $4,900 | none | 4 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 Kern 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Central Health Classic Care Plan IH5649-027 | 759 | Not offered |
| Central Health Embrace Care PlanH5649-025 | 556 | Not offered |
| Central Health Embrace Choice PlanH5649-026 | 229 | Not offered |
| Central Health Dual Access PlanH5649-024 | 145 | Not offered |
| Central Health Valor Care PlanH5649-030 | 25 | Not offered |
| Champion SelectH6170-003 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Imperial Senior ValueH5496-005 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $0 |
| Champion CareH6170-008 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $0 |
| Champion AdvantageH6170-001 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $0 |
| Champion CompassH6170-015 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $0 |
| Wellcare Specialty SimpleH0562-092 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $0 |
| Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes 048H3815-048 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $0 |
| UHC Complete Care CA-27PH0543-226 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $0 |
| UHC Complete Care Support CA-4APH0543-242 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $0 |
| Wellcare Health Net Dual LibertyH3561-009 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| Anthem Full Dual Advantage AlignedH4471-010 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| Anthem Kidney CareH4909-030 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $0 |
| Humana Gold Plus SNP-DEH5619-038 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| Champion ConnectH6170-002 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $0 |
| Champion HomeH6170-016 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $0 |
| Champion SecureH6170-017 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $0 |
| Kaiser Permanente Dual Complete South P7H8794-007 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| Champion ChoiceH6170-009 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $2.60 |
| Imperial FlexH5496-017 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $2.70 |
| Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes Plus 039H3815-039 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $7.30 |
| Kern Family Health Care MedicareH4057-001 | Dual-Eligible | $7.30 |
| Champion PlusH6170-010 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $7.30 |
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 Kern use Medicare Advantage?
64,844 of the county's 136,751 people with Medicare were in a Medicare Advantage plan in September 2026, 47.4%; in California as a whole the share is 51.5%.
Source: CMS Medicare Advantage state and county penetration, September 2026.
What else should you check?
- Medicare Advantage in CaliforniaEvery county of the state
- 10 stand-alone drug plans in CaliforniaIf you keep Original Medicare
- Is your plan ending?Every plan not offered in 2027