Plan year 2027 · Medicare AdvantageCMS files of Sept. 22 and Oct. 1, 2026
Freedom Valor, 2027
H5526Contract023Plan
PPO · 8 counties in New York
Run by Highmark Western and Northeastern New York Inc. (contract H5526), sold as Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield or Highmark Blue Shield, owned by Highmark Health
Freedom Valor (H5526-023) costs $0 a month in 2027, the same as in 2026, with an in-network out-of-pocket limit of $6,700.
What changes from 2026 to 2027?
| What you pay or get | 2026 | 2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $385 copay | $355 copay | ▼down $30 |
| Hearing aids, yearly limit for both ears | not offered | $500 a year | ▲added |
| 12 lines do not change | |||
| Monthly premium | $0 | $0 | no change |
| In-network out-of-pocket limit | $6,700 | $6,700 | no change |
| Part B premium reduction, monthly | $50 | $50 | no change |
| Primary care visit | $0 copay | $0 copay | no change |
| Specialist visit | $35 copay | $35 copay | no change |
| Emergency room | $130 copay | $130 copay | no change |
| Medical deductible, in network | none | none | no change |
| Hospital stay, in network | $290 a day for days 1–7, then $0 a day for days 8–90 | $290 a day for days 1–7, then $0 a day for days 8–90 | no change |
| Comprehensive dental, yearly limit | not offered | not offered | no change |
| Eyewear, yearly limit | $100 a year | $100 a year | no change |
| Over-the-counter items, yearly | $160 a year | $160 a year | no change |
| Counties served | 8 | 8 | 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.
How does it compare with plans sold where it is?
In the counties it serves, 45 plans open to everyone are sold for 2027, this one included. Against the others, 4 plans have a lower out-of-pocket limit, 3 the same, 37 a higher one. On the premium, 21 the same, 23 a higher one.
Out-of-pocket limits of the 45 plans open to everyone
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 8 counties: $0 a month and $6,700.
New York
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
- H5526-023
- Legal name of the contract
- Highmark Western and Northeastern New York Inc.
- Sold as
- Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield or Highmark Blue Shield
- Parent company
- Highmark Health
- Plan type
- PPO
- 2026 star rating of the contract
- 4.5 of 5 overall; health plan 4 of 5, drug plan 4.5 of 5
- Members, September 2026
- 313
- Plan website, as filed with CMS
- medicare.highmark.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 Erie, NYWhere most of its members live; premiums and limits side by side
- Every Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield or Highmark Blue Shield plan for 2027Its contracts, counties and plans that end
- 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.