Translate the percentage into dollars
Medicare’s October 15–December 7 enrollment period opens this week with a federal projection that the average monthly Medicare Advantage premium will fall from $14.37 in 2026 to $12 in 2027. That is $2.37 a month, or $28.44 over twelve months, using the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ September 28 figures.
The annualized difference is a newsroom calculation comparing national averages, not a promised saving for every beneficiary. CMS separately projects the stand-alone Part D average rising from $35.09 to $36 monthly. Those are different products and populations; adding or subtracting their averages would not create a valid personal insurance quote.
Check the network before the price wins
Medicare’s official comparison explains that many Advantage plans charge their premium in addition to the Part B premium. Its HMO guidance generally requires network care, with exceptions including emergency care, urgent care and out-of-area dialysis. PPOs allow out-of-network care but may charge more. Referral requirements also vary.
A useful comparison therefore starts with the doctors and facilities you expect to use, the medicines you take, and the plan’s actual cost-sharing terms. Record the exact plan name and year beside each answer. A similarly named plan or last year’s provider list is not enough to establish next year’s coverage.
Use the notice and the official comparison together
CMS directs beneficiaries to Medicare Plan Finder to compare premiums, benefits and other costs, and to review their current plan because terms can change annually. Keep the plan’s change notice beside the comparison so that a lower premium does not distract from a removed benefit or a different care arrangement.
People with employer or union coverage should consult the benefits administrator before joining an Advantage plan. Medicare warns that a change can cause loss of that coverage, including for dependents, and it may not be recoverable. This article compares the federal announcement with official plan rules; it does not recommend a particular insurer or establish which plan is cheapest for an individual.
Sources and further reading
CMS: September 28, 2026 Medicare Advantage and Part D announcement ↗
Medicare: Comparing Medicare Advantage plan types ↗
Medicare: Plan availability and employer-coverage cautions ↗