Medicare Advantage

Dover NH Medicare Advantage: 2027 Choices

DOVER, N.H. — If you're turning 65 soon or already on Medicare, you probably want a straight answer to a simple question: how many plans can I actually pick from here? For 2026, the Dover area menu is a healthy one. Dover sits in Strafford County, where 14 Medicare Advantage plans are available in 2026, according to CMS Medicare Plan Finder data. The 2027 lineup is spelled out in each plan's Annual Notice of Change and on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder.

Dover Seniors Have Plenty to Sort Through This Fall

That's a lot to weigh, but it's also a good problem to have. More options mean more room to match a plan to your doctors, your prescriptions, and your budget.

The Numbers at a Glance

Here's what the 2026 local landscape looks like, straight from the federal Medicare Plan Finder. The 2027 counts will appear in each plan's ANOC and on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder:

• Medicare Advantage plans available in Strafford County: 14
• Carriers offering Medicare Advantage with drug coverage (MA-PD): 3
• Stand-alone Part D drug plans listed for the area: New Hampshire has 9 stand-alone Part D plans for 2026, sold statewide (Note: stand-alone Part D plans are sold at the state/region level. Anyone in Strafford County with Original Medicare can join one of these statewide plans — check medicare.gov for the full list.)
• Local population age 65 and up: about 22,652

So while 14 Medicare Advantage plans may feel like a big menu, they come from just three carriers in this county. That usually means each carrier is offering several versions of its plan with different networks or drug lists.

What "14 Plans" Really Means

A common point of confusion: 14 plans does not mean 14 completely different companies competing for your business. In many counties across the country, a handful of insurers each offer multiple plan designs. Strafford County follows that pattern.

When you compare options, you'll want to look past the plan name and check:

• Whether your doctors and hospitals are in-network
• Whether your prescriptions are on the plan's drug list (formulary)
• What the plan's rules are for referrals, prior authorization, and out-of-area care

The number of plans tells you how much choice exists. The details tell you which choice fits you.

Star Ratings in the Area

CMS gives every Medicare Advantage and Part D contract a Star Rating from 1 to 5, updated each fall. Ratings measure things like customer service, member complaints, and how well plans manage chronic conditions.

For 2026, no contracts serving Strafford County currently carry an overall rating of 4 stars or higher. That doesn't mean the plans are poor — many carriers are still being scored, and ratings shift year to year. It's simply one more data point to consider alongside network, drugs, and cost. You can look up any plan's current star rating on medicare.gov.

2027 Program Changes Every Dover Reader Should Know

Whichever plan you land on, some federal changes take effect in 2027 that apply everywhere, including here in New Hampshire:

• Part D out-of-pocket cap: $2,100 in 2026 ($2,400 in 2027) for the year. Once your prescription drug spending hits that ceiling, you pay $0 for covered drugs the rest of the year.
• Part D deductible: up to $615 in 2026 ($700 in 2027), depending on the plan.
• No more "donut hole." The old coverage gap was eliminated in 2025. Part D now has three phases instead of four.
• Medicare Prescription Payment Plan. You can choose to spread your drug costs across the year in monthly payments instead of paying a big bill at the pharmacy counter. It's optional and free to sign up.
• IRMAA. Higher earners pay extra for Part B and Part D. For 2026, single filers with income above $109,000 (based on your 2024 tax return) will see a surcharge.

Key Dates to Circle

• Medicare Annual Enrollment Period: October 15 – December 7, 2026. This is when most people compare plans and switch for coverage that starts January 1, 2027.
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: January 1 – March 31. If you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan and change your mind, you get one shot to switch to another MA plan or drop back to Original Medicare.

Missing these windows can lock you into a plan you don't love for a full year, so mark your calendar.