Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage in Birmingham: 70 options for 2027

Jefferson County has 78 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027. Compared with 2026, 4 plans are not coming back, 17 are new, and 28 continuing plans changed in some way you should check before December 7, 8 of them under a new name. This guide covers what those numbers mean for Birmingham, not which plan to pick.

Medicare in Birmingham: 70 Medicare Advantage plan options available in Jefferson County for 2027.

BIRMINGHAM — If you are turning 65 or already on Medicare, one of the first questions you probably have is a simple one: how many choices do I actually have? For 2027, people in and around Birmingham have a wide field to sort through, and knowing the size of that field is the first step to picking with confidence.

Birmingham is in Jefferson County, where 70 Medicare Advantage plans are available for 2027, offered by 8 different carriers, according to CMS Plan Finder data. Compared with 2026, 53 plans continue, 17 are new, 4 are not returning, and 8 have been renamed; 20 continuing plans change something in their terms, so check your ANOC. That is a lot to look at — but more options usually means a better chance of finding something that fits your doctors, your medicines, and your budget.

What "65 plans" really means for Birmingham shoppers

Medicare Advantage availability is set at the county level, not the city level. So whether you live in downtown Birmingham, Hoover, Bessemer, or anywhere else in Jefferson County, you are looking at the same 70-plan menu.

That number counts every Medicare Advantage plan on offer, including those that include drug coverage (MA-PD) and those that do not. Eight carriers compete for your business in the county, which means you will see repeating brand names as you compare — each carrier typically offers several plan designs.

One local note worth knowing: CMS lists 0 stand-alone Part D drug plans in the Jefferson County data for this cycle. Most people who want drug coverage through Medicare Advantage will get it built into an MA-PD plan. If you stay on Original Medicare and want drug coverage, a licensed agent or the Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov can walk you through what is available to you.

How to narrow 70 choices down to one

Sixty-five is a lot. Here is a simple way to shrink the list:

1. Start with your doctors and hospitals. Check whether the providers you already use are in the plan’s network. 2. Add your prescriptions. Enter your drug list into the Medicare Plan Finder. This is where two plans that look similar can end up very different in real cost. 3. Think about how you travel. If you spend time outside Alabama, ask how the plan handles out-of-area care. 4. Look at the whole picture, not just the premium. Deductibles, coinsurance, and the drug tier your medicines fall into all matter.

Key dates for 2027 coverage

• October 15 – December 7, 2026: Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. This is when most people join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan for 2027.
• January 1 – March 31: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. If you are already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you get one chance to switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare.
• Special Enrollment Periods may apply if you move, lose other coverage, or qualify for Extra Help.

2027 drug cost rules everyone should know

Even if you are not shopping for a plan, the Part D rules changed in ways that affect nearly every Medicare beneficiary:

• Out-of-pocket cap: For 2026, no one on a Part D plan will pay more than $2,100 out of pocket for covered prescription drugs in a calendar year.
• Maximum deductible: Part D deductibles cannot exceed $615 in 2026.
• No more donut hole: The coverage gap was eliminated in 2025. Part D now has three phases instead of four.
• Medicare Prescription Payment Plan: You can choose to spread your yearly drug costs into monthly payments instead of paying at the pharmacy counter.
• IRMAA: Higher-income beneficiaries pay a surcharge on Part B and Part D. For single filers in 2026, IRMAA begins above $109,000 in income.

What Star Ratings do (and don’t) tell you

CMS gives Medicare Advantage and Part D contracts a Star Rating from 1 to 5 each year, based on quality and member experience. Ratings can be a helpful tie-breaker when two plans look similar on paper, but they should not be the only reason you choose a plan. A high-rated plan that does not cover your doctor or your medicine is not the right plan for you.

In Jefferson County, no contracts are rated 4 stars or higher in the current data. That does not mean the plans are bad — ratings shift each year, and the “right” plan is still the one that fits your care, your prescriptions, and your budget.

Where to get unbiased help

With 70 plans on the menu, it is normal to feel stuck. A few free resources can help:

• Medicare.gov Plan Finder — enter your ZIP code and your prescriptions to compare plans side by side.
• 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) — available 24/7.
• Alabama SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) — free, one-on-one counseling from trained volunteers who do not sell insurance.