Medicare Advantage

Medicare in Hattiesburg, MS: 2027 Options

HATTIESBURG, Miss. — If picking a Medicare plan feels overwhelming this fall, you are not imagining it. Hattiesburg is in Forrest County, where 50 Medicare Advantage plans were available for 2026, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) plan landscape data. The 2027 lineup is described in each plan's Annual Notice of Change and on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder.

Hattiesburg seniors face a crowded field of Medicare choices this fall

That is a wide menu for the roughly 10,751 residents age 65 and older who call the county home. More choice can be a good thing — but it also means more homework before you enroll.

What the 2026 numbers looked like in Forrest County

Here is how the Medicare landscape breaks down locally, based on CMS figures for the county:

• Medicare Advantage plans available: 50
• Carriers offering Medicare Advantage with drug coverage (MA-PD): 5
• Stand-alone Part D drug plans available: Mississippi has 10 stand-alone Part D plans for 2026, sold statewide (anyone in Forrest County with Original Medicare can join one of them)
• Contracts rated 4 stars or higher in the local landscape: 5 under CMS's 2026 Star Ratings

Remember, Medicare Advantage availability is set by county, not city — so these counts apply to everyone with a Forrest County ZIP code, whether you live in Hattiesburg proper, Petal, or out toward the county line.

Why 50 plans doesn't mean 50 completely different plans

When you see a big number like 50, it helps to know what's behind it. Carriers often offer several versions of a plan — for example, an HMO and a PPO, or a plan tailored for people who also qualify for Medicaid. In Forrest County, those 50 Medicare Advantage options come from just five carriers.

So the real question isn't "which of 50 plans is right for me?" It's usually: "Which handful of plans actually fit my doctors, my prescriptions, and my budget?"

About those Star Ratings

CMS rates Medicare Advantage and Part D contracts on a 1-to-5 scale to measure things like customer service, member complaints, and how well plans manage chronic conditions. Under CMS's 2026 Star Ratings, 5 of the Medicare Advantage contracts offering plans in Forrest County were rated 4 stars or higher. The 2027 ratings are on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder.

Star Ratings are one useful data point — not a verdict. A plan's network, drug formulary, and total costs matter just as much for your situation. You can view current ratings on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder.

Program-wide rules to keep in mind for 2027

No matter which plan you compare, some Medicare rules apply everywhere:

• Part D out-of-pocket cap: $2,100 for 2026 and $2,400 for 2027. Once your out-of-pocket spending on covered drugs hits that amount, you pay nothing for covered prescriptions for the rest of the year.
• Part D deductible: Plans can charge up to $615 in 2026 and up to $700 in 2027.
• The "donut hole" is gone. As of 2025, Part D has three phases instead of four.
• Medicare Prescription Payment Plan: You can choose to spread your drug costs across the calendar year in monthly payments instead of paying at the pharmacy counter.
• IRMAA: Higher Part B and Part D premiums kick in for single filers with income above $109,000 in 2026 (higher threshold for joint filers).

Key dates for Hattiesburg enrollees

• Annual Enrollment Period: October 15 – December 7. This is when you can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan for coverage starting January 1.
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: January 1 – March 31. If you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you get one chance to switch to another MA plan or return to Original Medicare.