Medicare Advantage

Medicare in Youngstown: 106+ Options for 2026 in Mahoning County

Medicare in Youngstown: how many plan options are available in Mahoning County heading into 2027, plus key dates and Part D facts.

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — If you're sorting through Medicare choices this fall, here's the local picture. Youngstown is in Mahoning County, where 106 Medicare Advantage plans were available in 2026, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) plan landscape data. The 2027 lineup appears in each plan's ANOC and on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder — a good reason to slow down, compare carefully, and use the free tools built for exactly this decision.

What's on the table in Mahoning County

In 2026, Mahoning County residents could choose from 106 Medicare Advantage plans offered by 16 different carriers; the 2027 count is reflected in each plan's ANOC and on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder. Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are private plans that bundle your Part A and Part B coverage, and most include prescription drug coverage as well.

CMS shows zero stand-alone Part D drug plans specifically listed for the area in this landscape snapshot, so most people who want built-in drug coverage will find it through an MA-PD plan. If you stay in Original Medicare (Parts A and B), you can still shop separately available Part D drug plans through Medicare's Plan Finder — the list of options is not limited to what appears in a county's headline count.

Availability is set at the county level, so two neighbors in Youngstown will see the same menu of plans. What differs is which plan fits each person's doctors, prescriptions, and budget.

Why "how many" matters — and where it stops mattering

A big number of plan choices is good news in one sense: more competition and more variety. But 106 plans is also a lot to sift through, and the "right" number of plans for you is really just one — the one that covers your doctors, your medications, and the way you actually use care.

That's why counts are a starting point, not a finish line. Use the count to know you have real options; use Plan Finder (or a licensed advisor or SHIP counselor) to narrow those options to a short list based on your own situation.

Program facts worth knowing for 2027

A few Medicare-wide figures to keep in mind as you compare 2027 coverage:

• Part D out-of-pocket cap: Your prescription drug costs under Part D are capped at $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027. Once you hit that amount, covered drugs cost you nothing for the rest of that year.
• Part D deductible: The maximum deductible a Part D plan can charge is $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027.
• No more "donut hole": As of 2025, Part D moved to three phases, and the coverage gap was eliminated.
• Medicare Prescription Payment Plan: This optional program lets you spread your drug costs across the calendar year in monthly payments instead of paying large amounts at the pharmacy counter.
• IRMAA: Higher-income beneficiaries pay an income-related surcharge on Part B and Part D. In 2026, IRMAA begins above $109,000 in income for a single filer.

Star ratings, in plain English

You'll see "Star Ratings" attached to plans on medicare.gov. CMS rates Medicare Advantage and Part D contracts on a 1-to-5 scale based on things like customer service, member complaints, and quality of care.

For the Mahoning County area, CMS lists no contracts rated 4 stars or higher in the current landscape snapshot. Ratings are one input, not the whole picture — coverage of your specific drugs and doctors usually matters more day to day. Use ratings as context, not as a scoreboard.

Dates to circle

• October 15 – December 7, 2026: Annual Enrollment Period. This is when most people join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan for 2027 coverage that starts January 1.
• 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 a different MA plan or return to Original Medicare.

Missing these windows can mean waiting a full year to change plans, so it's worth marking the calendar.

How to compare without getting overwhelmed

With 106 Medicare Advantage plans in Mahoning County, a simple process helps:

1. List your must-haves — your doctors, your pharmacy, and every prescription drug you take (with dosages). 2. Run Plan Finder at medicare.gov. Enter your ZIP code and drugs; the tool estimates your yearly costs under each plan. 3. Check the network. Call your doctor's office to confirm they accept a plan before you enroll. 4. Ask for help. Ohio's SHIP program (OSHIIP) offers free, unbiased counseling from trained volunteers.