Medicare Advantage

Elk Grove Advantage plans for 2027

People in Elk Grove can choose from 23 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027, against 38 in 2026. 13 of the 2026 plans are gone, 7 are new to Sacramento County, and 14 continuing plans have changed something in their terms, with 9 of them under a new name.

Medicare AdvantageElk Grove, CA

Elk Grove sits in Sacramento County, and when it comes to Medicare Advantage, the county is where the choices are set. For 2027, Sacramento County residents can pick from 23 Medicare Advantage plans offered by 10 carriers — a mix of HMOs, HMO-POS plans, PPOs and Special Needs Plans. The letters can feel like alphabet soup, so this guide walks through what each plan type actually is, and which carriers offer which kinds in the local market.

What "Medicare Advantage" means locally

Medicare Advantage (Part C) is the private-plan alternative to Original Medicare. In Sacramento County, 10 carriers are participating for 2027: Aetna (CVS Health), Alignment Health Plan, Blue Shield of California, Centene (WellCare), Elevance Health (Anthem), Imperial Health Plan of California, Kaiser Permanente, Molina Healthcare of California, SCAN Health Plan and UnitedHealthcare.

Every one of the 23 plans in the county includes drug coverage (MA-PD). There are no stand-alone Part D plans listed in the CMS landscape file for this county in 2027, because drug coverage is built into the Advantage plans available here.

The table below lists every plan by carrier. What follows explains what the plan types mean so the roster is easier to read.

HMO: the most common design in Sacramento County

An HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) plan asks you to use its network for most care, and usually requires you to pick a primary care doctor. Referrals are often needed to see a specialist. Out-of-network care is generally only covered in an emergency.

HMOs are the largest category locally: 29 of the 38 plans in the county are HMOs. Carriers offering HMO plans include Aetna, Alignment Health Plan, Centene (WellCare), Central Health Medicare Plan, Elevance Health (Anthem), Imperial Health Plan of California, Kaiser Permanente, Molina Healthcare of California and SCAN Health Plan.

HMO-POS: an HMO with a "point of service" side door

HMO-POS (Point of Service) plans work like HMOs but allow some care outside the network, often at a higher cost share. Rules vary by plan, so read the Evidence of Coverage before assuming out-of-network access.

Five of the county's 38 plans are HMO-POS. Carriers offering HMO-POS plans locally include Aetna, Elevance Health (Anthem) and UnitedHealthcare.

PPO: broader network flexibility

A PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plan lets you use in-network or out-of-network providers without a referral, though in-network care costs less. PPOs tend to appeal to people who travel, split time between homes, or want to see specialists without going through a primary care doctor.

Four of the 38 plans in Sacramento County are PPOs. Carriers offering PPO plans here are Aetna and Alignment Health Plan.

PFFS, and why you won't see one here

PFFS (Private Fee-for-Service) is a fourth Medicare Advantage plan type. It lets you use any Medicare-approved provider who agrees to the plan's payment terms. PFFS plans are uncommon and, based on the 2027 CMS Landscape file, none is offered in Sacramento County. Local shoppers are choosing among HMO, HMO-POS, PPO and Special Needs Plans.

Special Needs Plans (SNPs): built for specific situations

Special Needs Plans are Medicare Advantage plans limited to people who meet specific eligibility rules. There are three flavors:

• D-SNP (Dual-Eligible): for people who have both Medicare and Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California).
• C-SNP (Chronic Condition): for people with a qualifying chronic condition, such as diabetes, heart disease or certain lung conditions.
• I-SNP (Institutional): for people living in a nursing facility or who need a nursing-facility level of care at home.

Several of the 23 plans in Sacramento County are SNPs. Carriers offering at least one SNP locally include Alignment Health Plan, Centene (WellCare), Elevance Health (Anthem), Imperial Health Plan of California, Kaiser Permanente, Molina Healthcare of California, SCAN Health Plan and UnitedHealthcare. Based on the roster, the SNPs in the county for 2027 are D-SNP and C-SNP designs; no I-SNP is listed.

If you don't meet the eligibility rules for a SNP, you can't enroll in one — even if it looks appealing on paper.

How to use plan type to narrow the list

Instead of trying to compare 38 plans head-to-head, most shoppers find it easier to start with the design that fits their life:

• If your doctors are all in one system and you're fine with referrals, HMOs may be worth a closer look.
• If you want out-of-network flexibility or travel often, PPO or HMO-POS options may fit better.
• If you have both Medicare and Medi-Cal, or a qualifying chronic condition, ask whether a D-SNP or C-SNP could work for you.

Then compare the specific plans within that group on the things that matter to you: your doctors and hospitals, your prescriptions, and the total cost picture (premium, deductible, copays and the Part D out-of-pocket cap, which is $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027).

Dates to keep in mind

• Annual Enrollment Period: Oct. 15 – Dec. 7. You can join, switch or drop Medicare Advantage and Part D plans; changes take effect Jan. 1.
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: Jan. 1 – March 31. If you're already in an MA plan, you can switch to another MA plan or return to Original Medicare (and add a stand-alone Part D plan) once during this window.