Plan year 2027 · Medicare AdvantageCMS files of Sept. 22 and Oct. 1, 2026

AARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC CO-4, 2027

H0609Contract036Plan

HMO-POS · 6 counties in Colorado

Run by UnitedHealthcare Benefits of Texas, Inc. (contract H0609), sold as UnitedHealthcare, owned by UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

Renews for 2027

2026 star rating, contract H0609: 4.5 of 5

AARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC CO-4 (H0609-036) costs $0 a month in 2027, the same as in 2026, with an in-network out-of-pocket limit of $5,200 to $5,500 depending on the county ($4,200 to $4,900 in 2026).

What changes from 2026 to 2027?

The changed lines are marked and come first. In-network amounts; members keep paying the Part B premium unless the plan reduces it. The plan files its benefits in parts for different counties, so lines marked ◆ show the most generous part of its area and some counties get less: the plan's Evidence of Coverage gives your county's amounts.
What you pay or get	2026	2027	Change
In-network out-of-pocket limit, by county	$4,200 to $4,900	$5,200 to $5,500	up $600 at the top
Drug deductible	$520	$685	up $165
Part B premium reduction, monthly (best in its area)	none	$16	added
Hospital stay, in network (best in its area)	$420 a day for days 1–7, then $0 a day for days 8–90	$550 a day for days 1–5, then $0 a day for days 6–90	up $650for a 5-day stay
Skilled nursing facility, in network (best in its area)	$0 a day for days 1–20, then $218 a day for days 21–100	$0 a day for days 1–20, then $221 a day for days 21–100	up $30for a 30-day stay
Ground ambulance, in network (best in its area)	$275 copay	$150 copay	down $125
Eyewear, yearly limit (best in its area)	$150 a year	$100 a year	down $50
Hearing aids, yearly limit for both ears (best in its area)	not offered	$700 a year	added
Drug tier 2, generic	$8	$4	down $4
Drug tier 3, preferred brand	16% of the cost	22% of the cost	up 6 points
Drug tier 4, non-preferred drug	37% of the cost	27% of the cost	down 10 points
Drug tier 5, specialty tier	27% of the cost	26% of the cost	down 1 point
9 lines do not change
Monthly premium	$0	$0	no change
Primary care visit (best in its area)	$0 copay	$0 copay	no change
Specialist visit (best in its area)	$0 copay	$0 copay	no change
Emergency room (best in its area)	$130 copay	$130 copay	no change
Medical deductible, in network (best in its area)	none	none	no change
Comprehensive dental, yearly limit (best in its area)	not offered	not offered	no change
Over-the-counter items, yearly (best in its area)	not offered	not offered	no change
Counties served	6	6	no change
Drug tier 1, preferred generic	$0	$0	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; CMS plan crosswalk from 2026 to 2027 (Oct. 1, 2026). Plan details can change during the year; confirm on Medicare Plan Finder.

What will prescriptions cost?

Your share for a 30-day supply at a retail pharmacy, as filed with CMS; tiers whose share changes are marked
Tier	What the tier holds	2026	2027
Tier 1	Preferred Generic	$0	$0
Tier 2	Generic	$8	$4
Tier 3	Preferred Brand	16% of the cost	22% of the cost
Tier 4	Non-Preferred Drug	37% of the cost	27% of the cost
Tier 5	Specialty Tier	27% of the cost	26% of the cost

Source: CMS plan benefit package files, 2027 and 2026. Insulin is capped at $35 a month by law. A drug's tier is set by the plan's formulary.

How does it compare with plans sold where it is?

In the counties it serves, 33 plans open to everyone are sold for 2027, this one included. Against the others, 8 plans have a lower out-of-pocket limit, 24 a higher one. On the premium, 27 the same, 5 a higher one.

Its limit differs by county ($5,200 to $5,500); the chart marks its lowest.

Out-of-pocket limits of the 33 plans open to everyone

$0 to under $2,0000 plans

$2,000 to under $4,0000 plans

$4,000 to under $6,000 (this plan)12 plans

$6,000 to under $8,00018 plans

$8,000 to $10,0003 plans

Source: CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape files for 2027 (Sept. 22, 2026, revised Sept. 30) and 2026 (Sept. 2, 2026 revision).

Where is it sold, and what does it cost there?

6 counties, grouped by what the plan costs there
Monthly premium	Out-of-pocket limit	Where
$0	$5,200	El Paso (CO), Fremont (CO), Pueblo (CO), Teller (CO)
$0	$5,500	Larimer (CO), Weld (CO)

Source: CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape files for 2027 (Sept. 22, 2026, revised Sept. 30) and 2026 (Sept. 2, 2026 revision).

Who runs this plan?

Plan ID: H0609-036
Legal name of the contract: UnitedHealthcare Benefits of Texas, Inc.
Sold as: UnitedHealthcare
Parent company: UnitedHealth Group, Inc.
Plan type: HMO-POS
2026 star rating of the contract: 4.5 of 5 overall; health plan 4.5 of 5, drug plan 4 of 5
Members, September 2026: 26,392
Plan website, as filed with CMS: AARPMedicarePlans.com

Source: CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape files for 2027 (Sept. 22, 2026, revised Sept. 30) and 2026 (Sept. 2, 2026 revision); CMS 2026 Star Ratings (October 2025); CMS monthly enrollment by plan and by county, September 2026 (CMS hides counts under 11). CMS publishes the 2027 Star Ratings in October 2026.

What else should you check?

Other 2027 plans in El Paso, COWhere most of its members live; premiums and limits side by side
Every UnitedHealthcare plan for 2027Its contracts, counties and plans that end
The other 50 plans of contract H0609Same company, same contract
Is your prescription covered?Coverage share and tier for 2,259 drugs

Data, not advice. These are the plan's filed amounts, not a quote for you; confirm on Medicare Plan Finder or call the plan before you enroll.