Medicare 2026

Medicare in New Mexico for 2027: 27 Advantage Plans Leaving, 15 New, and What Else Changes

SANTA FE, N.M. — People with Medicare across New Mexico will see a smaller Medicare Advantage menu for 2027, a lower annual cap on what Part D plans can charge out of pocket for covered drugs, and a Social Security cost-of-living bump that starts in January. The Annual Enrollment Period for 2027 coverage runs October 15 through December 7, 2026, and the choices made during it take effect January 1, 2027.

Medicare 2026New Mexico

How many Medicare Advantage plans are offered in New Mexico for 2027?

New Mexico will have 61 Medicare Advantage plans in 2027, compared with 73 in 2026, spread across the state's 33 counties. Of the 2026 plans, 27 are not returning anywhere in the state, 15 are new, and 19 are changing in at least one way — a different premium, drug deductible, plan type or plan name.

Carriers with no Medicare Advantage plan anywhere in New Mexico for 2027 include Blue Cross and Blue Shield of IL, NM, OK, TX; Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico; Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NM, TX; CHRISTUS Health Advantage; Molina Healthcare of Arizona; and SCAN Health Plan. Molina Healthcare of New Mexico is new to the state's Medicare Advantage market for 2027.

Because Medicare Advantage is sold county by county, a plan counted statewide may not be offered in a specific county. The Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov shows what is actually available by ZIP code.

What happens if my Medicare Advantage plan is leaving New Mexico in 2027?

Members whose plan is not returning in 2027 qualify for a Special Enrollment Period that runs through the end of February 2027 to choose another Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare (and add a stand-alone Part D plan). The current plan sends a non-renewal letter in the fall explaining the end date and the options.

Members whose plan is returning but changing should read the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) that arrives in September. The ANOC spells out next year's premium, deductible, cost-sharing, drug list and network updates. If a change does not work, Annual Enrollment through December 7, 2026 is the time to switch for a January 1 effective date.

Which New Mexico counties see the most Medicare Advantage change for 2027?

The biggest shifts are in Bernalillo County, with 24 plans leaving and 13 changing, and Sandoval County, also with 24 leaving and 13 changing. Santa Fe County has 20 leaving and 12 changing. Torrance County has 18 leaving and 13 changing, and Rio Arriba County has 19 leaving and 8 changing.

A plan "leaving" a county means it will not be offered in that county in 2027 — it may still be offered elsewhere, or not at all. Residents in these counties should expect more mail than usual and should check the Plan Finder before December 7, 2026.

How many stand-alone Part D plans will New Mexico have in 2027?

New Mexico will have 10 stand-alone Part D prescription drug plans in 2027, from 5 insurers, down from 11 plans in 2026. These are the plans someone on Original Medicare, or on a Medicare Advantage plan that does not include drug coverage, can add for prescriptions.

Nationally for 2027, no Part D plan may charge a deductible above $700, and the annual out-of-pocket cap on covered drugs falls to $2,400 (from $2,100 in 2026). The Part D base beneficiary premium — a national figure used to calculate the late-enrollment penalty — is $41.33 for 2027; actual plan premiums are set plan by plan.

How many Medigap insurers are listed for New Mexico in 2027?

Medicare.gov lists 21 Medigap insurers for a New Mexico ZIP code. Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) works only with Original Medicare, not with Medicare Advantage, and the lettered plans (Plan G, Plan N and others) are standardized so the benefits are the same from company to company.

Pricing, underwriting rules and the right to switch Medigap plans vary by state and by situation. Medicare.gov explains how the enrollment protections work and lists the insurers available by ZIP.

What are the national Medicare numbers to know for 2027 in New Mexico?

Three national 2027 figures are confirmed. The Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,400. The maximum Part D deductible any plan may charge is $700. The Part D base beneficiary premium is $41.33. The Social Security Administration announced on October 14, 2026 a 3.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for benefits payable beginning January 2027.

The 2027 Part B standard premium and deductible, and the 2027 IRMAA income-related surcharge brackets, have not been announced. CMS typically releases those in the fall. Watch Medicare.gov for the official numbers.

What should New Mexico Medicare members do before December 7, 2026?

Use the weeks before December 7, 2026 to confirm 2027 coverage. A short checklist:

• Read the Annual Notice of Change from the current Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.
• Watch for a non-renewal letter if the plan is among the 27 leaving the state.
• Check doctors, hospitals and pharmacies against the 2027 network on Medicare.gov.
• Run every prescription through the Plan Finder on Medicare.gov to see 2027 drug coverage and cost.
• If a current plan is not returning, use the Special Enrollment Period through February 2027 if more time is needed.

Where can New Mexicans get free help with Medicare for 2027?

Free, personalized help is available year-round from Medicare itself. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or use the Plan Finder and plan comparison tools at Medicare.gov.