Medicare Advantage plans in Buncombe, NC, 2027
Buncombe, North Carolina has 44 Medicare Advantage plans open to everyone for 2027 (49 in 2026) and 35 special needs plans, according to the CMS landscape files; 34 of the open plans have a $0 premium. 11 plans that served the county in 2026 end or leave it, with 461 members living here in September 2026.
What changes in Buncombe for 2027?
| In the county | 2026 | 2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plans open to everyone | 49 | 44 | ▼down 5 |
| Special needs plans | 37 | 35 | ▼down 2 |
| Plans with a $0 premium | 36 | 34 | ▼down 2 |
| Plans that lower the Part B premium | 24 | 20 | ▼down 4 |
| Median out-of-pocket limit | $6,750 | $9,275 | ▲up $2,525 |
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 Buncombe join?
| Plan | Premium | Out-of-pocket limit | Part B reduction | 2026 stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alignment Health Smart 006H5296-006 · HMO | $0 | $3,400 | $119 | 5 of 5 |
| Blue Medicare Medical OnlyH3449-012 · HMO-POS | $0 | $3,900 | $35 | 4 of 5 |
| Humana Gold PlusH1036-335 · HMO-POS | $0 | $3,950 | $1 | 4.5 of 5 |
| Alignment Health Platinum 010H5296-010 · HMO | $0 | $4,300 | none | 5 of 5 |
| Troy MedicareH4676-001 · HMO | $0 | $4,950 | none | 3 of 5 |
| Devoted Core 029 NCH5299-029 · HMO | $0 | $4,950 | none | 5 of 5 |
| Devoted Choice 005 NCH9700-005 · PPO | $0 | $5,300 | none | not rated (too new) |
| Aetna Medicare Value PlusH3146-006 · HMO | $0 | $5,500 | none | 4.5 of 5 |
| Blue Medicare Essential PlusH3449-023 · HMO-POS | $0 | $5,900 | none | 4 of 5 |
| Wellcare Assist OpenH1914-009 · PPO | $0 | $6,500 | none | 3.5 of 5 |
| Wellcare SimpleH4073-001 · HMO-POS | $0 | $6,700 | none | 3.5 of 5 |
| Wellcare Simple OpenH1914-007 · PPO | $0 | $7,150 | none | 3.5 of 5 |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC NC-24H5253-185 · HMO-POS | $0 | $7,150 | none | 4 of 5 |
| Devoted Giveback Extras 044 NCH5299-044 · HMO | $0 | $7,150 | $70 | 5 of 5 |
| Aetna Medicare EagleH5521-241 · PPO | $0 | $7,150 | $120 | 4.5 of 5 |
| Aetna Medicare Signature GivebackH5521-348 · PPO | $0 | $7,500 | $30 | 4.5 of 5 |
| Wellcare Patriot Giveback OpenH1914-011 · PPO | $0 | $8,850 | $175 | 3.5 of 5 |
| Devoted Choice MA Only 007 NCH9700-007 · PPO | $0 | $9,250 | $184.70 | not rated (too new) |
| AARP Medicare Advantage Patriot No Rx NC-MA02H5253-040 · HMO-POS | $0 | $9,300 | $190 | 4 of 5 |
| AARP Medicare Advantage Giveback from UHC NC-13H5253-105 · HMO-POS | $0 | $9,300 | $51 | 4 of 5 |
Show the other 24 plans, by premium
| Plan | Premium | Out-of-pocket limit | Part B reduction | 2026 stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humana Gold PlusH1036-137 · HMO-POS | $0 | $9,850 | none | 4.5 of 5 |
| Humana Gold Plus GivebackH1036-343 · HMO-POS | $0 | $9,850 | $67 | 4.5 of 5 |
| Blue Medicare Freedom+H3404-004 · PPO | $0 | $9,850 | $76 | 4.5 of 5 |
| Blue Medicare EssentialH3449-027 · HMO | $0 | $9,850 | $51 | 4 of 5 |
| HumanaChoice GivebackH5216-017 · PPO | $0 | $9,850 | $79 | 3.5 of 5 |
| Humana USAA Honor GivebackH5216-343 · PPO | $0 | $9,850 | $126 | 3.5 of 5 |
| Devoted Giveback 030 NCH5299-030 · HMO | $0 | $9,850 | $171 | 5 of 5 |
| Aetna Medicare SignatureH5521-236 · PPO | $0 | $9,850 | none | 4.5 of 5 |
| HumanaChoice GivebackH5525-035 · PPO | $0 | $9,850 | $110 | 3.5 of 5 |
| Humana USAA Honor GivebackH5525-065 · PPO | $0 | $9,850 | $165 | 3.5 of 5 |
| Humana Gold PlusH6622-025 · HMO-POS | $0 | $9,850 | none | 3.5 of 5 |
| Devoted Choice Giveback 006 NCH9700-006 · PPO | $0 | $9,850 | $172.80 | not rated (too new) |
| HumanaChoiceR0110-004 · Regional PPO | $0 | $9,850 | none | 3.5 of 5 |
| Humana USAA Honor GivebackR0110-006 · Regional PPO | $0 | $9,850 | $52 | 3.5 of 5 |
| HumanaChoiceH7617-122 · PPO | $13 | $9,850 | none | 4.5 of 5 |
| HumanaChoiceH5525-070 · PPO | $13.30 | $9,850 | none | 3.5 of 5 |
| Humana Gold PlusH6622-026 · HMO-POS | $13.30 | $9,850 | none | 3.5 of 5 |
| Alignment Health AVA 001H7074-001 · PPO | $20 | $3,900 | none | not rated (too little data) |
| Blue Medicare EnhancedH3449-024 · HMO-POS | $41 | $4,900 | none | 4 of 5 |
| Humana Gold ChoiceH8145-004 · PFFS | $43 | $9,850 | none | 3.5 of 5 |
| Blue Medicare PPO EnhancedH3404-003 · PPO | $45 | $6,900 | none | 4.5 of 5 |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC NC-0009H5253-080 · HMO-POS | $57 | $5,900 | none | 4 of 5 |
| HumanaChoiceH5216-211 · PPO | $67 | $9,850 | none | 3.5 of 5 |
| Humana Full AccessR0110-005 · Regional PPO | $158 | $9,850 | none | 3.5 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 Buncombe 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 |
|---|---|---|
| HealthSpring PreferredH9725-009 | 132 | Leaves the county |
| HealthSpring Preferred SavingsH9725-015 | 111 | Leaves the county |
| Wellcare Giveback OpenH1914-010 | 66 | Not offered |
| HumanaChoiceH5525-050 | 63 | Not offered |
| AARP Medicare Advantage Access from UHC NC-23H2001-084 | 47 | Not offered |
| HumanaChoiceH5525-083 | 27 | Not offered |
| HealthSpring True ChoiceH7849-113 | 15 | Leaves the county |
| HealthSpring TotalCareH9725-003 | fewer than 11 | Leaves the county |
| HealthSpring CourageH9725-005 | fewer than 11 | Leaves the county |
| HealthSpring TotalCare PlusH9725-013 | fewer than 11 | Leaves the county |
| HealthSpring Preferred PlusH9725-017 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes 011H5296-011 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $0 |
| Liberty Medicare AdvantageH6351-004 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $0 |
| Devoted C-SNP Enhanced 018 NCH5299-018 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $0 |
| UHC Complete Care NC-25H5253-186 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $0 |
| Devoted Dual 009 NCH5299-009 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| Devoted C-SNP Giveback Extras 034 NCH5299-034 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $0 |
| UHC Nursing Home Plan NC-F001H0710-034 | Institutional | $0 |
| Humana Gold Plus SNP-DEH1036-167 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| Humana Dual SelectH1036-307 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| Humana Gold Plus: Diabetes and HeartH1036-308 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $0 |
| Humana Gold Plus SNP-DEH1036-331 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| UHC Dual Complete NC-Q1H1889-005 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| UHC Dual Complete NC-S2H1889-034 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| Wellcare Carolina Complete Dual Liberty OpenH1914-008 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| Aetna Medicare Full DualH3146-002 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| Aetna Medicare Full Dual CareH3146-022 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| Wellcare Carolina Complete Dual LibertyH4073-004 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| UHC Dual Complete NC-Q2H5253-217 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| Devoted Dual Plus 006 NCH5299-006 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| Devoted Dual Full 013 NCH5299-013 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
Show the other 15 special needs plans
| Plan | Who can join | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Devoted C-SNP Plus 015 NCH5299-015 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $0 |
| HumanaChoice SNP-DEH5525-036 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| AmeriHealth Caritas VIP CareH8212-001 | Dual-Eligible | $1.90 |
| UHC Dual Complete NC-S3H5253-216 | Dual-Eligible | $3.80 |
| Humana Dual SelectH6622-027 | Dual-Eligible | $4.10 |
| Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes Plus 009H5296-009 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $4.80 |
| Healthy Blue + MedicareH9147-001 | Dual-Eligible | $13.20 |
| UHC Dual Advantage NC-V1H5253-116 | Dual-Eligible | $13.30 |
| Liberty Medicare Advantage Nursing Home PlanH6351-001 | Institutional | $13.30 |
| Wellcare Carolina Complete Dual ReserveH4073-003 | Dual-Eligible | $13.30 |
| Troy Medicare for Dual-eligible BeneficiariesH4676-002 | Dual-Eligible | $13.30 |
| Alignment Health Duals+ 004H5296-004 | Dual-Eligible | $13.30 |
| Longevity Health PlanH5374-001 | Institutional | $13.30 |
| Humana Dual SelectH5525-072 | Dual-Eligible | $13.30 |
| Liberty Medicare Dual PlanH6351-005 | Dual-Eligible | $17.50 |
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 Buncombe use Medicare Advantage?
32,910 of the county's 68,073 people with Medicare were in a Medicare Advantage plan in September 2026, 48.4%; in North Carolina as a whole the share is 57.9%.
Source: CMS Medicare Advantage state and county penetration, September 2026.
What else should you check?
- Medicare Advantage in North CarolinaEvery county of the state
- 11 stand-alone drug plans in North CarolinaIf you keep Original Medicare
- Is your plan ending?Every plan not offered in 2027