Medicare Advantage

Does Fort Wayne's 2027 Medicare Advantage shelf lean PPO?

For 2027, Fort Wayne is looking at 64 Medicare Advantage plans: 16 new, 10 gone since 2026, and 18 still here but changed on premium, deductible, plan type or name, 6 of them under a new name. Below, how the lineup shifted in Allen County and what to compare, with no plan ranked or recommended.

Fort Wayne, Ind. — Fall 2026. When the Annual Enrollment Period opens on October 15, 2026, people shopping Medicare Advantage plans for 2027 coverage in and around Fort Wayne will see something that surprises a lot of first-time shoppers: most plans on the shelf are not HMOs. They are PPOs. The plan type you pick shapes which doctors you can see, whether you need a referral, and what happens if you get care outside the plan's network — so it is worth understanding before you compare premiums or extras.

Fort Wayne is in Allen County, and Medicare Advantage availability is set at the county level. For plan year 2027, CMS lists 64 Medicare Advantage plans from 8 carriers in Allen County. By type, that breaks down to 11 HMO plans, 14 HMO-POS plans, and 39 PPO plans. No Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans are offered in the county for 2027.

How do Allen County's 2027 Medicare Advantage plans split between HMO, HMO-POS and PPO?

For 2027, Allen County has 11 HMO plans, 14 HMO-POS plans and 39 PPO plans — 64 Medicare Advantage plans in all, from 8 carriers. Counted together, HMO-style plans (HMO plus HMO-POS) come to 25. PPOs are the largest group on the local shelf.

The table on this page lists every 2027 plan by carrier and type so you can see the mix for yourself. The counts come from the CMS Medicare Advantage Landscape Source File for plan year 2027.

What does each plan type actually mean for networks, referrals and out-of-network care?

Each Medicare Advantage plan type sets its own rules about where you can get care and how much the plan will pay if you go outside its network. Here is the plain-English version.

HMO (Health Maintenance Organization). You use the plan's network of doctors and hospitals. Out-of-network care generally is not covered except for emergencies, urgent care, and out-of-area dialysis. Many HMOs require you to pick a primary care doctor and get a referral to see a specialist.

HMO-POS (HMO with a Point-of-Service option). It works like an HMO, but adds a limited ability to see some out-of-network providers for certain services, usually at a higher cost. The details vary plan by plan.

PPO (Preferred Provider Organization). You can see any provider that accepts Medicare and the plan's terms. Staying in network costs less; going out of network is covered but usually costs more. PPOs typically do not require referrals.

PFFS (Private Fee-for-Service). Any Medicare provider who agrees to the plan's terms can treat you. There is no network in the traditional sense. No PFFS plans are offered in Allen County for 2027.

Which type fits best depends on your doctors, where you spend time during the year, and how much you value flexibility versus simplicity. One type is not "better" than another — they are different trade-offs.

Which carriers offer HMO, HMO-POS and PPO plans in Allen County for 2027?

Different carriers specialize in different plan types. Here is how it lines up locally for 2027, in alphabetical order.

Carriers with HMO plans in Allen County for 2027: American Health Advantage of Indiana, Elevance Health (Anthem), Humana, Provider Partners Health Plans.

Carriers with HMO-POS plans in Allen County for 2027: Centene (WellCare), Elevance Health (Anthem), Humana, UnitedHealthcare.

Carriers with PPO plans in Allen County for 2027: Aetna (CVS Health), Centene (WellCare), Devoted Health, Elevance Health (Anthem), Humana, UnitedHealthcare.

A few carriers appear in more than one column, because they offer plans across multiple types. Devoted Health is new to the county list for 2027. The table on this page shows the full breakdown by plan name.

What changes for 2027, and what should Fort Wayne shoppers do during AEP?

For 2027, the Allen County shelf gains plans and loses some: CMS data for the county show 16 new plans, 10 plans not returning, and 6 renamed. If your current plan is not being offered next year, you will get a non-renewal notice. If it is returning, you will get an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) in late September that spells out what is different for 2027 — the plan type does not usually change, but costs, drug lists and extras can.

The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 – December 7, 2026. Any change you make in that window takes effect January 1, 2027. If you do nothing and your plan is returning, you stay enrolled with the 2027 changes in your ANOC.

A few program-level 2027 numbers CMS has already confirmed, which apply nationwide:

• Part D out-of-pocket cap: $2,400 in 2027 (up from $2,100 in 2026).
• Part D maximum deductible: $700 in 2027 (up from $615 in 2026).

The 2027 Part B standard premium and deductible, and the 2027 IRMAA income brackets, had not yet been announced as of this writing; CMS normally publishes them later in the fall.

How do I compare specific plans for my doctors and prescriptions?

Plan details — monthly premium, deductible, copays, provider network, drug list and star rating — change every year and are plan-specific. The right place to compare them side by side for your situation is the Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov, where you can enter your ZIP code, your prescriptions and your preferred providers. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Before you compare, pull together your prescription list with doses, your preferred doctors and hospitals, and your Medicare number. That makes the Plan Finder results far more useful.