Medicare Advantage plans in Merced, CA, 2027
Merced, California has 8 Medicare Advantage plans open to everyone for 2027 (8 in 2026) and 10 special needs plans, according to the CMS landscape files; 5 of the open plans have a $0 premium. 1 plan that served the county in 2026 ends or leaves it, with 211 members living here in September 2026.
What changes in Merced for 2027?
| In the county | 2026 | 2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plans open to everyone | 8 | 8 | no change |
| Special needs plans | 9 | 10 | ▲up 1 |
| Plans with a $0 premium | 6 | 5 | ▼down 1 |
| Plans that lower the Part B premium | 4 | 3 | ▼down 1 |
| Median out-of-pocket limit | $3,749 | $3,749 | 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 Merced join?
| Plan | Premium | Out-of-pocket limit | Part B reduction | 2026 stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial Dynamic PlanH5496-012 · HMO | $0 | $295 | $15 | 3.5 of 5 |
| Alignment Health ONE + Walgreens 035H3815-035 · HMO | $0 | $1,300 | none | 4 of 5 |
| Imperial Courage PlanH5496-016 · HMO | $0 | $2,999 | $85 | 3.5 of 5 |
| Alignment Health My Choice 050H3815-050 · HMO | $0 | $3,499 | none | 4 of 5 |
| Alignment Health Smart 040H3815-040 · HMO | $0 | $3,999 | $108 | 4 of 5 |
| Alignment Health Honor Plus 060H3815-060 · HMO | $7.30 | $9,850 | none | 4 of 5 |
| Blue Shield InspireH0504-047 · HMO | $61 | $5,100 | none | 4 of 5 |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC CA-0010H0543-140 · HMO-POS | $99 | $7,150 | 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 Merced 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Alignment Health Honor+ PlanH3815-052 | 211 | Leaves the county |
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 |
| Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes 010H3815-010 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $0 |
| Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes 048H3815-048 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $0 |
| Alignment Health BreathEasy Plus 041H3815-041 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $0 |
| Anthem Kidney CareH4909-030 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $0 |
| Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes 051H3815-051 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $0.10 |
| Imperial FlexH5496-017 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $2.70 |
| Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes Plus 039H3815-039 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $7.30 |
| Alignment Health Clarity Plus 042H3815-042 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $7.30 |
| TotalCareH5692-001 | Dual-Eligible | $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 Merced use Medicare Advantage?
12,077 of the county's 42,886 people with Medicare were in a Medicare Advantage plan in September 2026, 28.2%; 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