Medicare Advantage

Medicare in Scarborough: Cumberland County 2027

Medicare in Scarborough: plan counts for Cumberland County, plus 2027 Part D figures and key enrollment dates.

SCARBOROUGH, Maine — If you are turning 65 in Scarborough, or already on Medicare and thinking about a change, you have a lot to sort through this fall. Scarborough is in Cumberland County, where 40 Medicare Advantage plans were available for 2026, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Landscape files. The 2027 lineup is detailed in each plan's ANOC and on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder. That is the raw menu — not a ranking, just what is on the shelf.

Knowing how many options exist is the first step. It tells you whether your search will be quick or whether you should give yourself an evening (or two) to compare side by side on Medicare's official tools.

What the 2026 numbers looked like locally

Here is the area-level snapshot for Cumberland County, drawn from CMS Landscape data:

• 40 Medicare Advantage plans offered
• 6 carriers offering Medicare Advantage with drug coverage (MA-PD)
• About 62,956 residents age 65 and older across the county

Those figures describe the size of the menu — not which plan fits you. Availability is set at the county level, so a neighbor in Portland or Falmouth sees the same list you do in Scarborough.

Why the plan count matters (and why it doesn't)

A big menu is helpful because it means more choice. It can also be overwhelming. The count itself does not tell you anything about network doctors, drug lists, or monthly cost — those vary plan by plan and person by person. Use the number as a starting point: "OK, there are 40 to look at, and 6 companies behind them." Then narrow by what actually matters to you (your doctors, your prescriptions, whether you travel).

Star Ratings, briefly explained

CMS publishes a Star Rating (1 to 5) for Medicare Advantage and Part D contracts each fall. It reflects things like customer service, member complaints, and how well plans manage chronic conditions. Ratings can shift year to year, and they apply to a contract — which may cover more than one plan. You can view current ratings on the Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov. Treat ratings as one input among many, not a verdict.

Part D in 2027: the rules that apply to everyone

Even though the plan counts change locally, the drug benefit rules are national. For 2027:

• The out-of-pocket cap for Part D is $2,400 in 2027 (it is $2,100 in 2026). Once you hit it, you pay nothing more for covered drugs for the rest of the calendar year.
• The maximum Part D deductible is $700 in 2027, up from $615 in 2026 (individual plans may set it lower).
• The old "donut hole" coverage gap is gone as of 2025 — Part D now has three phases: deductible, initial coverage, and catastrophic.
• The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread your drug costs into monthly bills instead of paying at the pharmacy counter. It is optional and free to opt into through your plan.
• IRMAA — a surcharge on Part B and Part D premiums for higher-income enrollees — kicks in above $109,000 in income for a single filer in 2026.

Key dates to circle

• Oct. 15 – Dec. 7: Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. Changes take effect Jan. 1.
• Jan. 1 – March 31: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. If you are already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to another MA plan or return to Original Medicare once during this window.

Missing these windows usually means waiting a year, unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (a move, loss of other coverage, and similar life events).

Where to get unbiased help in Maine

You do not have to figure this out alone, and you do not have to talk to a salesperson to get answers.

• Medicare Plan Finder: medicare.gov — enter your ZIP code and your prescriptions to compare what is available.
• 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), 24/7.
• Maine SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program): free, one-on-one counseling from trained volunteers. Call 1-877-353-3771 or visit maine.gov/dhhs/oads/aging.