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

Essence Advantage Select, 2027

H2610Contract016Plan

HMO · 23 counties in Illinois, Missouri

Run by Essence Healthcare, Inc. (contract H2610), sold as Essence Healthcare, owned by Lumeris Group Holdings Corporation

Renews for 2027

2026 star rating, contract H2610: 4.5 of 5

Essence Advantage Select (H2610-016) costs $0 a month in 2027, the same as in 2026, with an in-network out-of-pocket limit of $4,450 ($3,900 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.
What you pay or get20262027Change
In-network out-of-pocket limit$3,900$4,450up $550
Drug deductible$340$450up $110
Specialist visit$30 copay$0 copaydown $30
Hospital stay, in network$240 a day for days 1–7, then $0 a day for days 8–90$300 a day for days 1–7, then $0 a day for days 8–90up $300for a 5-day stay
Skilled nursing facility, in network$0 a day for days 1–20, then $170 a day for days 21–100$0 a day for days 1–20, then $220 a day for days 21–100up $500for a 30-day stay
Over-the-counter items, yearly$160 a year$100 a yeardown $60
Counties served2023up 3
Drug tier 5, specialty tier29% of the cost28% of the costdown 1 point
13 lines do not change
Monthly premium$0$0no change
Part B premium reduction, monthlynonenoneno change
Primary care visit$0 copay$0 copayno change
Emergency room$150 copay$150 copayno change
Medical deductible, in networknonenoneno change
Ground ambulance, in network$220 copay$220 copayno change
Comprehensive dental, yearly limit$2,900 a year$2,900 a yearno change
Eyewear, yearly limit$200 a year$200 a yearno change
Hearing aids, yearly limit for both ears$500 a year$500 a yearno change
Drug tier 1, preferred generic$4$4no change
Drug tier 2, generic$12$12no change
Drug tier 3, preferred brand$47$47no change
Drug tier 4, non-preferred drug$100$100no 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. The plan charges less at its preferred pharmacies
TierWhat the tier holds2026, standard pharmacy2027, standard pharmacy2027, preferred pharmacy
Tier 1Preferred Generic$4$4$0
Tier 2Generic$12$12$3
Tier 3Preferred Brand$47$47$45
Tier 4Non-Preferred Drug$100$100$75
Tier 5Specialty Tier29% of the cost28% of the cost28% 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, 70 plans open to everyone are sold for 2027, this one included. Against the others, 14 plans have a lower out-of-pocket limit, 7 the same, 48 a higher one. On the premium, 53 the same, 16 a higher one.

Out-of-pocket limits of the 70 plans open to everyone

$0 to under $2,0000 plans
$2,000 to under $4,0007 plans
$4,000 to under $6,000 (this plan)35 plans
$6,000 to under $8,00023 plans
$8,000 to $10,0005 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 23 counties: $0 a month and $4,450.

Illinois

BondCalhounClintonJerseyMacoupinMadisonMonroeMontgomerySt. ClairWashington

Missouri

BooneCallawayCrawfordFranklinGasconadeJeffersonLincolnMontgomerySt. CharlesSt. LouisSt. Louis CityWarrenWashington

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
H2610-016
Legal name of the contract
Essence Healthcare, Inc.
Sold as
Essence Healthcare
Parent company
Lumeris Group Holdings Corporation
Plan type
HMO
2026 star rating of the contract
4.5 of 5 overall; health plan 4.5 of 5, drug plan 3.5 of 5
Members, September 2026
24,443
Plan website, as filed with CMS
www.essencehealthcare.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.