Medicare Advantage plans in Watauga, NC, 2027
Watauga, North Carolina has 30 Medicare Advantage plans open to everyone for 2027 (33 in 2026) and 20 special needs plans, according to the CMS landscape files; 23 of the open plans have a $0 premium. 5 plans that served the county in 2026 end or leave it, with 36 members living here in September 2026.
What changes in Watauga for 2027?
| In the county | 2026 | 2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plans open to everyone | 33 | 30 | ▼down 3 |
| Special needs plans | 21 | 20 | ▼down 1 |
| Plans with a $0 premium | 23 | 23 | no change |
| Plans that lower the Part B premium | 18 | 14 | ▼down 4 |
| Median out-of-pocket limit | $8,300 | $9,850 | ▲up $1,550 |
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 Watauga join?
| Plan | Premium | Out-of-pocket limit | Part B reduction | 2026 stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Aetna Medicare Value PlusH3146-006 · HMO | $0 | $5,500 | none | 4.5 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 |
| 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 |
| AARP Medicare Advantage Patriot No Rx NC-MA02H5253-040 · HMO-POS | $0 | $9,300 | $190 | 4 of 5 |
| 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 Essential PlusH3449-023 · HMO-POS | $0 | $9,850 | none | 4 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 |
| 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 |
Show the other 10 plans, by premium
| Plan | Premium | Out-of-pocket limit | Part B reduction | 2026 stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humana Gold PlusH6622-025 · HMO-POS | $0 | $9,850 | none | 3.5 of 5 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Humana Gold ChoiceH8145-004 · PFFS | $43 | $9,850 | none | 3.5 of 5 |
| Blue Medicare EnhancedH3449-024 · HMO-POS | $57 | $4,900 | none | 4 of 5 |
| HumanaChoiceH5216-211 · PPO | $67 | $9,850 | none | 3.5 of 5 |
| Blue Medicare PPO EnhancedH3404-003 · PPO | $70 | $6,900 | none | 4.5 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 Watauga 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 |
|---|---|---|
| AARP Medicare Advantage Patriot No Rx NC-MA01H2001-103 | 19 | Leaves the county |
| AARP Medicare Advantage Access from UHC NC-23H2001-084 | 17 | Not offered |
| Wellcare Giveback OpenH1914-010 | fewer than 11 | Not offered |
| HumanaChoiceH5525-050 | fewer than 11 | Not offered |
| HumanaChoiceH5525-083 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Liberty Medicare AdvantageH6351-004 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $0 |
| UHC Complete Care NC-25H5253-186 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $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 |
| Wellcare Carolina Complete Dual LibertyH4073-004 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| UHC Dual Complete NC-Q2H5253-217 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| HumanaChoice SNP-DEH5525-036 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| UHC Dual Complete NC-S3H5253-216 | Dual-Eligible | $3.80 |
| 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 |
| 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 Watauga use Medicare Advantage?
5,070 of the county's 10,799 people with Medicare were in a Medicare Advantage plan in September 2026, 47.0%; 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