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

AARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC NM-4, 2027

H2406Contract089Plan

PPO · 4 counties in New Mexico

Run by Care Improvement Plus South Central Insurance Co. (contract H2406), sold as UnitedHealthcare, owned by UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

Renews for 2027

2026 star rating, contract H2406: 4 of 5

AARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC NM-4 (H2406-089) costs $0 a month in 2027, the same as in 2026, with an in-network out-of-pocket limit of $5,900. In 2026 it was called AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC NM-0004.

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.
What you pay or get20262027Change
Plan nameAARP Medicare Advantage from UHC NM-0004AARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC NM-4renamed
Drug deductible$600$580down $20
Skilled nursing facility, in network$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 21–100up $30for a 30-day stay
Ground ambulance, in network$275 copay$380 copayup $105
Hearing aids, yearly limit for both earsnot offered$700 a yearadded
Drug tier 2, generic$2$0down $2
Drug tier 5, specialty tier26% of the cost27% of the costup 1 point
15 lines do not change
Monthly premium$0$0no change
In-network out-of-pocket limit$5,900$5,900no change
Part B premium reduction, monthlynonenoneno change
Primary care visit$0 copay$0 copayno change
Specialist visit$0 copay$0 copayno change
Emergency room$130 copay$130 copayno change
Medical deductible, in networknonenoneno change
Hospital stay, in network$550 a day for days 1–5, then $0 a day for days 6–90$550 a day for days 1–5, then $0 a day for days 6–90no change
Comprehensive dental, yearly limitnot offerednot offeredno change
Eyewear, yearly limit$75 a year$75 a yearno change
Over-the-counter items, yearlynot offerednot offeredno change
Counties served44no change
Drug tier 1, preferred generic$0$0no change
Drug tier 3, preferred brand20% of the cost20% of the costno change
Drug tier 4, non-preferred drug27% of the cost27% of the costno 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
TierWhat the tier holds20262027
Tier 1Preferred Generic$0$0
Tier 2Generic$2$0
Tier 3Preferred Brand20% of the cost20% of the cost
Tier 4Non-Preferred Drug27% of the cost27% of the cost
Tier 5Specialty Tier26% of the cost27% 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, 21 plans open to everyone are sold for 2027, this one included. Against the others, 8 plans have a lower out-of-pocket limit, 4 the same, 8 a higher one. On the premium, 16 the same, 4 a higher one.

Out-of-pocket limits of the 21 plans open to everyone

$0 to under $2,0000 plans
$2,000 to under $4,0003 plans
$4,000 to under $6,000 (this plan)10 plans
$6,000 to $8,0008 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?

The premium and the out-of-pocket limit are the same in all 4 counties: $0 a month and $5,900.

New Mexico

BernalilloSandovalTorranceValencia

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
H2406-089
Legal name of the contract
Care Improvement Plus South Central Insurance Co.
Sold as
UnitedHealthcare
Parent company
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.
Plan type
PPO
2026 star rating of the contract
4 of 5 overall; health plan 4 of 5, drug plan 3.5 of 5
Members, September 2026
4,940
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?

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.