Medicare Advantage

Shopping Medicare in Papillion for 2027? Here's how big the local lineup really is

If you live in Papillion and you're weighing your Medicare choices for 2027, the first question is usually the simplest: how many plans are actually on the table? Papillion is in Sarpy County, where the CMS Medicare Plan Landscape listed 45 Medicare Advantage plans from 9 carriers for 2026; the 2027 lineup is detailed in each plan's Annual Notice of Change and on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder.

Papillion, Nebraska

That's a lot of choices for the roughly 25,339 residents age 65 and older in Sarpy County — enough that a careful side-by-side comparison usually beats a quick glance at a mailer.

What's in the Papillion area for 2027

Plan availability in Medicare is set at the county level, not the ZIP code or city. So when we say "Papillion," we're really looking at what CMS makes available across Sarpy County.

Here's the snapshot:

• 45 Medicare Advantage plans available in Sarpy County for 2026
• 9 carriers offering Medicare Advantage with prescription drug coverage (MA-PD)
• 0 stand-alone Part D prescription drug plans listed as available in the county
• 0 contracts in the local area rated 4 stars or higher (this reflects the local contract data, and does not mean plans elsewhere in these carriers' networks aren't rated)

If you're comparing plans, the Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov is the tool CMS uses to publish this information, and it updates each fall.

Why the count matters (and why it doesn't tell the whole story)

Forty-five plans sounds like a lot — and it is. But the number by itself doesn't tell you which plan fits your doctors, your prescriptions, or your budget. Two plans with the same premium can treat the same drug very differently. A plan that works well for a neighbor may not include your specialist.

The count tells you one thing: you have room to shop. The rest depends on your own situation.

About Star Ratings in the area

CMS publishes a Star Rating for most Medicare Advantage and Part D contracts, on a 1-to-5 scale. It's meant to give a general sense of quality and member experience. In Sarpy County, no contracts are rated 4 stars or higher for the current period.

Star Ratings are one input, not a verdict. They don't measure whether a plan covers your medication or includes your primary care doctor, which for most people matters more.

Key 2027 program facts to know

A few Medicare figures reset for 2027. These apply nationally, not just in Papillion:

• Part D out-of-pocket cap: $2,100 for the year on covered prescription drugs.
• Part D maximum deductible: $615.
• Coverage gap ("donut hole"): eliminated as of 2025. Part D now has three phases instead of four.
• Medicare Prescription Payment Plan: an optional program that lets you spread your drug costs across the calendar year in monthly payments, instead of paying at the pharmacy counter.
• IRMAA surcharges: higher-income Medicare beneficiaries pay extra for Part B and Part D. For 2026, surcharges begin above $109,000 in income for a single filer.

Important dates for Papillion residents

• Oct. 15 – Dec. 7: Annual Enrollment Period. You can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. Changes take effect Jan. 1.
• Jan. 1 – March 31: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. If you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to a different one or return to Original Medicare.

Missing these windows usually means waiting until next fall, unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (for example, after a move or a change in other coverage).

How to compare 45 plans without losing your afternoon

A few practical steps:

1. Make a list of your prescriptions, including doses. 2. List the doctors and hospitals you want to keep. 3. Go to medicare.gov's Plan Finder, enter your ZIP code, and load your drug list. The tool will estimate your yearly drug and premium costs across the plans available in Sarpy County. 4. Call your doctor's office to confirm which plans they accept for 2027 — networks can change year to year. 5. Ask for free help if you want a second set of eyes.