Medicare Advantage

Tulsa Medicare Advantage for 2027: how to choose between an HMO and a PPO

For 2027, Tulsa is looking at 55 Medicare Advantage plans: 7 new, 14 gone since 2026, and 20 still here but changed on premium, deductible, plan type or name, 5 of them under a new name. Below, how the lineup shifted in Tulsa County and what to compare, with no plan ranked or recommended.

TULSA — This fall, Tulsa shoppers comparing Medicare Advantage plans for 2027 will see a lineup that leans heavily toward PPOs, with a solid block of HMO options and a single PFFS plan still in the mix. The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7, 2026, and any change you make takes effect January 1, 2027.

The plan "type" — HMO, HMO-POS, PPO or PFFS — is one of the most important things to understand before you pick, because it decides how you use the network, whether you need referrals, and what happens if you see a doctor outside the plan.

How Tulsa's 2027 plans split by type

Tulsa is in Tulsa County, where Medicare Advantage availability is set. For plan year 2027, CMS lists 55 Medicare Advantage plans from 8 carriers in the county. By type:

• HMO: 19 plans
• HMO-POS: 6 plans
• PPO: 29 plans
• PFFS: 1 plan

Counting HMO and HMO-POS together, 25 of the 55 plans are HMO-style, and 29 are PPOs. The full roster — every plan by carrier — is in the table below.

What each plan type actually means

HMO (Health Maintenance Organization). You pick a primary care doctor and generally use the plan's network. Many HMOs require a referral to see a specialist. Out-of-network care usually isn't covered except for emergencies and urgent care. HMOs tend to work well if your doctors are already in the network and you don't travel often for routine care.

HMO-POS (HMO with a Point-of-Service option). Mostly works like an HMO, but adds a limited option to see certain out-of-network providers for specific services — typically at a higher cost-share. The details of what the "POS" door covers vary by plan, so read the Evidence of Coverage.

PPO (Preferred Provider Organization). You can see any provider who accepts the plan's terms, in or out of network. Referrals usually are not required. Out-of-network care is covered, but at a higher cost than in-network care. PPOs can be a fit if you want more flexibility, see specialists directly, or split time between homes.

PFFS (Private Fee-for-Service). The plan sets the terms, and you can see any Medicare-approved provider who agrees to accept those terms at each visit. There's no formal network in the HMO/PPO sense, but a provider can decline to treat you under the plan, so it's smart to confirm acceptance before every appointment.

Which Tulsa carriers offer each type for 2027

From the CMS 2027 Landscape data for Tulsa County:

• HMO plans: Aetna (CVS Health), American Health Advantage of Oklahoma, CommunityCare Senior Health Plan (HMO), GlobalHealth, Humana, Native Advantage
• HMO-POS plans: UnitedHealthcare
• PPO plans: Aetna (CVS Health), Devoted Health, Humana, UnitedHealthcare
• PFFS plans: Humana

Some carriers offer more than one type, so it's worth checking a carrier's HMO lineup and PPO lineup separately when you compare.

How to decide between HMO, HMO-POS, PPO and PFFS

Rather than starting with the plan name, start with your own situation:

1. List your doctors and the hospitals you use. Then check each plan's provider directory. If every doctor you want is in a plan's network, an HMO or HMO-POS may fit; if some aren't, a PPO's out-of-network coverage may matter. 2. Think about referrals. If you see several specialists and don't want to route everything through a primary care doctor, a PPO or PFFS may feel less restrictive. 3. Think about travel. If you spend part of the year outside Oklahoma or drive out of state regularly, ask how routine care is covered away from home. PPOs generally cover out-of-network care at a higher cost-share; HMOs typically do not except in emergencies. 4. Check your drugs. All 55 Tulsa Medicare Advantage plans for 2027 include drug coverage. Each plan has its own formulary, so run your prescription list through the Medicare Plan Finder. 5. Read the ANOC. If you already have an Advantage plan, your Annual Notice of Change explains what's different for 2027.

A few 2027 numbers worth knowing

These are program-wide, not plan-specific:

• Part D out-of-pocket cap: $2,400 in 2027 (up from $2,100 in 2026).
• Part D maximum deductible: $700 in 2027 (up from $615 in 2026).
• Part D national base beneficiary premium: $41.33 for 2027 — a formula input used in Part D calculations, not what any one plan charges.

CMS typically announces the 2027 Part B standard premium, Part B deductible and IRMAA income brackets later in the fall. We'll update coverage when those are published.

Also note that in Tulsa County, 14 plans are not returning for 2027, 7 are new, and 5 have been renamed. If your plan is on one of those lists, your ANOC will spell out what that means for you.