Plan year 2026 · coverage ends Dec. 31, 2026CMS crosswalk of Oct. 1, 2026

AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC NC-0008 is not offered under this ID in 2027

H5253Contract079Plan

HMO-POS · served 17 counties in North Carolina in 2026

Run by UnitedHealthcare of Wisconsin, Inc. (contract H5253), sold as UnitedHealthcare, owned by UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

CMS crosswalk: members move into H5253-185

Folds into H5253-185

AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC NC-0008 (H5253-079) is not offered under this ID in 2027: the CMS plan crosswalk of October 1, 2026 moves its members into AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC NC-24 (H5253-185), which is sold in every county it served. 3,615 people were enrolled in it in September 2026; they can also choose another plan during open enrollment, October 15 to December 7, 2026.

What changes for its members in AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC NC-24?

For its members: this plan's 2026 amounts beside AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC NC-24 (H5253-185) in 2027. The changed lines are marked and come first.
What you pay or get	2026	2027	Change
Plan name	AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC NC-0008	AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC NC-24	renamed
In-network out-of-pocket limit	$6,700	$7,150	up $450
Drug deductible	$520	$685	up $165
Hospital stay, in network	$525 a day for days 1–5, then $0 a day for days 6–90	$685 a day for days 1–4, then $0 a day for days 5–90	up $115for a 5-day stay
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 21–100	up $30for a 30-day stay
Ground ambulance, in network	$275 copay	$350 copay	up $75
Eyewear, yearly limit	$150 a year	not offered	dropped
Hearing aids, yearly limit for both ears	not offered	$1,000 a year	added
Counties served	17	25	up 8
Drug tier 2, generic	$10	$5	down $5
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
Part B premium reduction, monthly	none	none	no change
Primary care visit	$0 copay	$0 copay	no change
Specialist visit	$0 copay	$0 copay	no change
Emergency room	$130 copay	$130 copay	no change
Medical deductible, in network	none	none	no change
Comprehensive dental, yearly limit	not offered	not offered	no change
Over-the-counter items, yearly	not offered	not offered	no change
Drug tier 1, preferred generic	$0	$0	no change

Source: CMS plan crosswalk from 2026 to 2027 (Oct. 1, 2026); 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. Your plan's Annual Notice of Change is the letter that confirms your 2027 plan; confirm on Medicare Plan Finder.

What can members do, and by when?

If you do nothing: You are moved into AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC NC-24 on January 1, 2027.
October 15 to December 7, 2026: Open enrollment: choose another Medicare Advantage plan, or Original Medicare with a drug plan, instead.
January 1 to March 31, 2027: Medicare Advantage open enrollment: switch once to another Medicare Advantage plan or to Original Medicare.

Source: Medicare.gov, “Special enrollment periods” and “Joining a plan” (read Oct. 7, 2026).

Where did its members live?

Where its members lived in September 2026; each county and state page lists the 2027 plans sold there.

All 17 counties, most members first; CMS hides counts under 11 per county, so the counties add up to a little less than the plan's total
County	Members, Sept. 2026	For 2027
Buncombe, NC	1,217	moves into H5253-185
Burke, NC	375	moves into H5253-185
Rutherford, NC	280	moves into H5253-185
McDowell, NC	250	moves into H5253-185
Haywood, NC	233	moves into H5253-185
Yancey, NC	165	moves into H5253-185
Macon, NC	156	moves into H5253-185
Madison, NC	145	moves into H5253-185
Jackson, NC	127	moves into H5253-185
Cherokee, NC	126	moves into H5253-185
Mitchell, NC	109	moves into H5253-185
Transylvania, NC	105	moves into H5253-185
Polk, NC	96	moves into H5253-185
Avery, NC	82	moves into H5253-185
Clay, NC	47	moves into H5253-185
Swain, NC	47	moves into H5253-185
Graham, NC	45	moves into H5253-185

Source: CMS monthly enrollment by plan and by county, September 2026 (CMS hides counts under 11).

What else should you check?

2027 plans in Buncombe, NCThe plans you can join instead
UnitedHealthcare plans for 2027Plans the same company still offers
Every plan not offered in 2027764 Medicare Advantage and drug plans