Medicare Advantage

Does Fayette County's 2027 lineup fit how you see doctors?

Fayette County has 66 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027. Compared with 2026, 11 plans are not coming back, 12 are new, and 23 continuing plans changed in some way you should check before December 7, 9 of them under a new name. This guide covers what those numbers mean for Lexington, not which plan to pick.

Lexington, Ky. — Fall 2026. If you live in Fayette County and you're weighing a Medicare Advantage plan for 2027, the first fork in the road isn't a carrier — it's a plan type. The lineup for next year leans one way, and that shapes how you'll see doctors, whether you need referrals, and what happens if you travel.

For 2027, Fayette County will have 66 Medicare Advantage plans from 9 carriers, split 13 HMO, 18 HMO-POS and 35 PPO (CMS Landscape Source File). No PFFS (Private Fee-for-Service) plans are on the Fayette County menu for 2027, though we'll explain how PFFS works below since it's a type you may read about elsewhere.

The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 to December 7, 2026, and any change you make takes effect January 1, 2027. If you do nothing, your current plan renews — with whatever updates are in its Annual Notice of Change.

How do Medicare Advantage plans in Lexington split by type for 2027?

Lexington is in Fayette County, where CMS lists 66 Medicare Advantage plans from 9 carriers for 2027. By type, there are 13 HMO plans, 18 HMO-POS plans and 35 PPO plans. Taken together, HMO and HMO-POS plans account for 31 of the 66; PPOs make up the rest. There are no PFFS plans on the Fayette County list for 2027.

That mix matters because plan type sets the ground rules for networks, referrals and out-of-network coverage before you even look at any specific plan.

What does HMO mean, and which carriers offer HMOs in Fayette County for 2027?

A Medicare Advantage HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) generally asks you to pick a primary care doctor and use the plan's network. Out-of-network care usually isn't covered except in emergencies. Some HMOs require a referral from your primary doctor before you see a specialist; others don't. The plan's Evidence of Coverage spells out the referral rules.

For 2027, the carriers offering HMO plans in Fayette County are Abilis Health (HMO SNP), Aetna (CVS Health), Elevance Health (Anthem), Essence Healthcare, Humana and Passport Advantage. The table below lists every plan.

What does HMO-POS mean, and which carriers offer it in Fayette County for 2027?

HMO-POS stands for HMO with a Point-of-Service option. It works like an HMO — network-based, often with a primary doctor — but adds a limited ability to go outside the network for certain services, usually at a higher cost-share. The POS "door" is narrower than a PPO's; each plan defines exactly which services qualify.

For 2027, the carriers offering HMO-POS plans in Fayette County are Aetna (CVS Health), Centene (WellCare), Elevance Health (Anthem) and UnitedHealthcare.

What does PPO mean, and which carriers offer PPOs in Fayette County for 2027?

A Medicare Advantage PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) covers both in-network and out-of-network providers. You typically don't need a referral to see a specialist, and out-of-network care is covered — just at a higher cost-share than in-network. PPOs tend to appeal to people who travel, live part of the year elsewhere, or want more flexibility to see out-of-network doctors.

For 2027, the carriers offering PPO plans in Fayette County are Aetna (CVS Health), Centene (WellCare), Devoted Health, Elevance Health (Anthem), Essence Healthcare, Humana and UnitedHealthcare.

What is a PFFS plan, and are any offered in Lexington for 2027?

PFFS stands for Private Fee-for-Service. In a PFFS plan, the plan sets the terms it pays providers, and you can generally see any Medicare-approved provider who agrees to the plan's payment terms for that visit. There are no PFFS plans listed in Fayette County for 2027, so if you've read about PFFS, it isn't part of the local menu for next year.

How should I decide which plan type fits me?

Start with three practical questions:

• Who are your doctors? Check whether they're in a given plan's network before you enroll. HMO and HMO-POS plans lean heavily on their networks; PPOs cover out-of-network care but usually at a higher share.
• How much do you travel? If you spend months out of state or want to see specialists without referrals, the PPO rules may matter more to you. If your care is mostly local, an HMO's network can be a good fit.
• What drugs do you take? Plan type doesn't tell you anything about the drug formulary. You have to check the plan's drug list separately on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder.

There is no "better" plan type across the board — only the one that lines up with your doctors, your travel and your prescriptions. For personalized details, use the Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov, call 1-800-MEDICARE, or read the plan's Evidence of Coverage.

What's changing in Fayette County for 2027?

CMS data shows 11 plans are not returning next year, 12 are new, and 9 are being renamed. If your plan is one of them, your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) — mailed in the fall — spells out the specifics. The 2027 lineup overall is 66 plans from 9 carriers, up slightly from 65 this year.

A few program-level figures are also set:

• 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).
• Part D national base beneficiary premium for 2027: $41.33 (a formula input, not what any plan charges).

CMS announces the 2027 Part B standard premium and deductible, and the 2027 IRMAA brackets, later this fall — usually in November.