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

Wellcare Simple Essential, 2027

H5779Contract009Plan

HMO · 101 counties in Illinois

Run by Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc. (contract H5779), sold as Wellcare, owned by Centene Corporation

Takes in 1 plan

2026 star rating, contract H5779: 3 of 5

Wellcare Simple Essential (H5779-009) costs $0 a month in 2027, the same as in 2026, with an in-network out-of-pocket limit of $5,500 ($3,900 in 2026). In 2026 it was called Wellcare Simple Essential Value. It takes in the members of H5779-002.

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 get	2026	2027	Change
Plan name	Wellcare Simple Essential Value	Wellcare Simple Essential	renamed
In-network out-of-pocket limit	$3,900	$5,500	up $1,600
Drug deductible	$615	$700	up $85
Specialist visit	$25 copay	$40 copay	up $15
Emergency room	$150 copay	$130 copay	down $20
Hospital stay, in network	$325 a day for days 1–8, then $0 a day for days 9–90	$400 a day for days 1–6, then $0 a day for days 7–90	up $375for a 5-day stay
Skilled nursing facility, in network	$0 a day for days 1–20, then $218 a day for days 21–40, then $0 a day for days 41–100	$0 a day for days 1–20, then $221 a day for days 21–50, then $0 a day for days 51–100	up $30for a 30-day stay
Ground ambulance, in network	$300 copay	$350 copay	up $50
Comprehensive dental, yearly limit	$3,000 a year	$1,000 a year	down $2,000
Eyewear, yearly limit	$200 a year	$100 a year	down $100
Counties served	96	101	up 5
Drug tier 1, generic	$5	$10	up $5
Drug tier 2, preferred brand	$10	25% of the cost	changed
Drug tier 3, non-preferred drug	25% of the cost	50% of the cost	up 25 points
Drug tier 4, injectable drugs	33% of the cost	1% of the cost	down 32 points
8 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
Medical deductible, in network	none	none	no change
Hearing aids, yearly limit for both ears	$500 a year	$500 a year	no change
Over-the-counter items, yearly	not offered	not offered	no change
Drug tier 5, specialty tier	25% of the cost	25% of the cost	no change
Drug tier 6, select care drugs	$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. The plan charges less at its preferred pharmacies
Tier	What the tier holds	2026, standard pharmacy	2027, standard pharmacy	2027, preferred pharmacy
Tier 1	Generic	$5	$10	$0
Tier 2	Preferred Brand	$10	25% of the cost	25% of the cost
Tier 3	Non-Preferred Drug	25% of the cost	50% of the cost	50% of the cost
Tier 4	Injectable Drugs	33% of the cost	1% of the cost	1% of the cost
Tier 5	Specialty Tier	25% of the cost	25% of the cost	25% of the cost
Tier 6	Select Care Drugs	$0	$0	$0

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, 109 plans open to everyone are sold for 2027, this one included. Against the others, 57 plans have a lower out-of-pocket limit, 3 the same, 45 a higher one. On the premium, 80 the same, 28 a higher one.

Out-of-pocket limits of the 109 plans open to everyone

$0 to under $2,0000 plans

$2,000 to under $4,00015 plans

$4,000 to under $6,000 (this plan)53 plans

$6,000 to under $8,00028 plans

$8,000 to $10,00010 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 101 counties: $0 a month and $5,500.

Illinois

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

Which 2026 plans move into it, and what changes for their members?

For 2027 this plan takes in the members of 1 other plan, beside its own 2,825 members. In 2027 it costs $0 a month with a $5,500 limit; each row compares that with the plan its members had in 2026.

2026 plan	Members, Sept. 2026	Members who move	Premium 2026	Premium change	Limit 2026	Limit change
Wellcare Simple EssentialH5779-002	5,153	5,054	$0	no change	$4,200	up $1,300

Source: CMS plan crosswalk from 2026 to 2027 (Oct. 1, 2026); CMS monthly enrollment by plan and by county, September 2026 (CMS hides counts under 11); CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape files for 2027 (Sept. 22, 2026, revised Sept. 30) and 2026 (Sept. 2, 2026 revision). Each moving plan's own page lists every line that changes for its members.

Who runs this plan?

Plan ID: H5779-009
Legal name of the contract: Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc.
Sold as: Wellcare
Parent company: Centene Corporation
Plan type: HMO
2026 star rating of the contract: 3 of 5 overall; health plan 3 of 5, drug plan 3.5 of 5
Members, September 2026: 2,825
Plan website, as filed with CMS: go.wellcare.com/Medicare

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 Sangamon, ILWhere most of its members live; premiums and limits side by side
Every Wellcare plan for 2027Its contracts, counties and plans that end
The other 2 plans of contract H5779Same 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.