Medicare Advantage

Medicare in Trenton: 2026 Plan Counts and What's Ahead for 2027

TRENTON, N.J. — If you're turning 65 in Trenton, or you already have Medicare and want to look at your choices for 2027, there's a lot on the table. For 2026, Mercer County residents had 57 Medicare Advantage plans to consider, offered by 11 different carriers; the 2027 lineup is described in each plan's Annual Notice of Change and on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder. Knowing how to sort through it starts with understanding what those numbers mean.

What "57 plans" really means for Trenton

Medicare plan availability is set at the county level, not the city level. Trenton is in Mercer County, so every Trenton resident sees the same countywide menu of Medicare Advantage plans. For 2026, that menu included 57 Medicare Advantage plans from 11 carriers, according to the CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D Landscape files. The 2027 lineup is in each plan's ANOC and on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder.

That's a big number to sift through, especially considering Mercer County is home to more than 61,000 people age 65 and older. But you don't have to look at all 57. Most people narrow the list quickly based on their doctors, their prescriptions, and whether they want extras like dental or vision built in.

A note on stand-alone Part D plans

One number that may surprise you: the Landscape file shows 0 stand-alone Part D prescription drug plans listed for Mercer County in the Medicare Advantage-focused data set. In practice, stand-alone Part D plans are sold on a separate track and are widely available across New Jersey. If you have Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and want drug coverage, you'll shop for a Part D plan directly through medicare.gov's Plan Finder, which pulls the full list for your ZIP code.

If you choose a Medicare Advantage plan, drug coverage is often built in (that's called an MA-PD). You typically cannot pair a stand-alone Part D plan with most Medicare Advantage plans.

What's new for Part D in 2027

A few program-level changes matter no matter which plan you pick:

• The $2,400 out-of-pocket cap. In 2027, once your out-of-pocket spending on covered Part D drugs reaches $2,400, you pay nothing for covered drugs for the rest of the year. For 2026, that cap is $2,100.
• A $700 maximum deductible. No Part D plan can charge more than $700 as its yearly drug deductible in 2027. The 2026 maximum is $615.
• No more "donut hole." The coverage gap was eliminated in 2025. Part D now has three phases instead of four.
• Medicare Prescription Payment Plan. This is an optional program that lets you spread your drug costs across the calendar year in monthly payments instead of paying at the pharmacy counter.

What about Star Ratings?

CMS gives Medicare Advantage and Part D contracts a Star Rating from 1 to 5 based on quality and member experience. In Mercer County's Landscape data for 2026, 0 contracts were rated 4 stars or higher. That doesn't automatically mean plans in the area are low quality — ratings can shift year to year, and some newer contracts don't yet have a rating. Star Ratings are one input to consider, alongside whether the plan covers your doctors and drugs.

Key dates to circle

• October 15 – December 7, 2026: Annual Enrollment Period. This is when most people compare, switch, or drop Medicare Advantage and Part D plans for 2027.
• January 1 – March 31: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment. If you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you get one chance during this window to switch to another MA plan or return to Original Medicare.
• Income above $109,000 (single filer): IRMAA surcharges kick in on Part B and Part D premiums in 2026. This is based on your tax return from two years ago.

Where to get unbiased help

With 57 Medicare Advantage plans in play in Mercer County, it helps to use tools that show the full list — not just what one agent sells.

• medicare.gov/plan-compare — enter your ZIP code and drug list to see every plan available to you.
• 1-800-MEDICARE — 24/7 help from Medicare directly.
• SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) — in New Jersey, SHIP counselors offer free, one-on-one Medicare counseling. They don't sell plans.