Medicare Advantage

Oklahoma City Medicare Advantage for 2027: how networks, referrals and travel shape the HMO vs. PPO call

For 2027, Oklahoma City is looking at 59 Medicare Advantage plans: 8 new, 9 gone since 2026, and 24 still here but changed on premium, deductible, plan type or name, 7 of them under a new name. Below, how the lineup shifted in Oklahoma County and what to compare, with no plan ranked or recommended.

OKLAHOMA CITY — When the Annual Enrollment Period opens on Oct. 15, 2026, shoppers in Oklahoma County will see a Medicare Advantage lineup that leans heavily toward one plan type. Of the 59 Medicare Advantage plans available for 2027 from 8 carriers, 30 are PPOs, 19 are HMOs, 9 are HMO-POS, and 1 is a PFFS plan. That split — not the plan count by itself — is what shapes how you see a doctor, whether you need a referral, and what happens when you travel.

This guide walks through what each plan type means, which carriers offer which type in Oklahoma County next year, and the questions to ask yourself before Dec. 7, 2026.

What the four plan types actually mean

HMO (Health Maintenance Organization). You pick a primary care doctor and usually stay inside the plan's network. Out-of-network care typically is not covered except for emergencies. Many HMOs ask for a referral before you see a specialist.

HMO-POS (Point of Service). This is an HMO with a narrow door to out-of-network care for certain services, usually at a higher cost share. The rules on what qualifies vary by plan.

PPO (Preferred Provider Organization). You can see any provider that accepts Medicare, in or out of the plan's network. Out-of-network visits cost more, and referrals are usually not required.

PFFS (Private Fee-for-Service). You can see any Medicare provider who agrees to the plan's payment terms visit by visit. There is no network in the traditional sense, but providers can decline on a case-by-case basis.

None of these types is cheaper or "better" by nature. The right pick depends on who you see, where you live and how often you leave the state.

How the Oklahoma County lineup splits for 2027

The 59 plans available in Oklahoma County next year break down this way:

• HMO (19 plans): offered by Aetna (CVS Health), American Health Advantage of Oklahoma, CommunityCare Senior Health Plan (HMO), GlobalHealth, HealthSpring and Humana.
• HMO-POS (9 plans): offered by UnitedHealthcare.
• PPO (30 plans): offered by Aetna (CVS Health), Devoted Health, HealthSpring, Humana and UnitedHealthcare.
• PFFS (1 plan): offered by Humana.

Counting HMO and HMO-POS together, 28 of the 59 plans use an HMO-style network, and 30 are PPOs. The full table on this page lists every plan by carrier and type.

How to decide which type fits you

Start with your doctors. Call each one and ask which Oklahoma City plans they take for 2027 — not just which carriers, but which specific plans. Networks can differ from plan to plan inside the same carrier.

Then think about travel. If you spend months out of state with family or at a second home, a PPO or PFFS may give you more flexibility for routine care away from home. If almost all your care happens close to home, an HMO or HMO-POS may be a comfortable fit.

Finally, think about referrals. Some people prefer a primary care doctor who coordinates every specialist visit; others want to self-refer. HMOs lean toward the first style; PPOs lean toward the second.

Costs, drug coverage and extra benefits vary plan by plan and are not tied to the plan type. Compare those on the Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov, where you can enter your drugs and preferred providers.

What is changing for 2027

In Oklahoma County, 9 plans are not returning for 2027, 8 are new, and 7 have been renamed. If your current plan is one of those, your Annual Notice of Change — mailed in September — spells out the specifics. If you do nothing by Dec. 7, 2026, your plan simply renews for Jan. 1, 2027 with any changes the carrier has made.

A couple of program-level numbers to keep in mind as you compare drug coverage: the Part D out-of-pocket cap rises to $2,400 in 2027 (up from $2,100 in 2026), and the Part D maximum deductible rises to $700 in 2027 (up from $615 in 2026). The 2027 Part B premium and the 2027 IRMAA income brackets have not been announced yet; CMS typically publishes them in November.

Dates to put on the fridge

• Oct. 15 – Dec. 7, 2026: Annual Enrollment Period. Changes take effect Jan. 1, 2027.
• Jan. 1 – Mar. 31, 2027: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment. If you are already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you get one chance to switch to another MA plan or return to Original Medicare.