Medicare Advantage

Before you compare Portland Medicare Advantage, read this

People in Portland can choose from 45 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027, against 58 this year. 18 of this year’s plans are gone, 5 are new to Multnomah County, and 29 that continue have changed their premium, deductible, plan type or name, 7 of them under a new name.

Medicare AdvantagePortland, OR

For Portland shoppers, the 2027 Medicare Advantage market isn't just a long list of plans — it's a mix of plan types, each with its own rules about doctors, referrals and out-of-network care. Understanding those types is often more useful than counting plans, because the type shapes how you actually use the coverage day to day.

Portland is in Multnomah County, where 10 carriers offer Medicare Advantage plans for the 2027 plan year, according to the CMS Medicare Advantage Landscape Source File. Those carriers together offer a mix of HMOs, HMO-POS plans, PPOs and Special Needs Plans. Here's how to read the market before you start comparing individual plans.

Who sells Medicare Advantage in Multnomah County

Ten carriers file plans for Portland-area residents in 2027. In alphabetical order, they are Aetna (CVS Health), AgeRight Advantage, ATRIO Health Plans, CareOregon Advantage, Centene (WellCare), Devoted Health, Humana, Kaiser Permanente, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, and UnitedHealthcare. Three carriers that offered plans in 2026 — Blue Cross Blue Shield (HCSC), PacificSource Medicare, and Providence Medicare Advantage Plans — are not offering plans in the county for 2027.

The number of plans each carrier offers varies quite a bit — from a single plan up to ten. The table below lists every plan by carrier, along with its plan type. That variety matters less than the fact that carriers organize their plans by type, and the type determines much of how the plan behaves.

HMO plans: the "stay in-network" design

An HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) plan asks you to use a defined network of doctors and hospitals. You usually pick a primary care physician, and specialist visits generally need a referral. Out-of-network care is typically not covered except in emergencies.

Several Portland-area carriers offer HMO plans, including AgeRight Advantage, Blue Cross Blue Shield (HCSC), CareOregon Advantage, Devoted Health, Humana, PacificSource Medicare and Providence Medicare Advantage Plans. If you already see doctors in one health system and don't travel much, an HMO can be straightforward — but it's important to confirm your providers are in the plan's network before you enroll.

HMO-POS: a network with a side door

HMO-POS stands for HMO with a "Point-of-Service" option. It's still an HMO at heart, but the plan allows you to go outside the network for certain services, usually at a higher cost-share. The details of what's covered out-of-network vary by plan.

In Multnomah County, HMO-POS plans are offered by carriers including Aetna (CVS Health), Centene (WellCare), Kaiser Permanente, PacificSource Medicare, Providence Medicare Advantage Plans and UnitedHealthcare. If you like the structure of an HMO but want a bit more flexibility, this is the middle ground.

PPO plans: broader flexibility

A PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plan lets you see any Medicare-participating provider, in-network or out, without a referral. You'll pay less in-network and more out-of-network, but the door stays open either way. That flexibility is often useful for people who split time between cities or want to keep options open for specialists.

PPO plans in the Portland market come from carriers including Aetna (CVS Health), ATRIO Health Plans, Blue Cross Blue Shield (HCSC), Centene (WellCare), Devoted Health, Humana, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon and UnitedHealthcare.

PFFS plans: the type you won't find in Portland next year

Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans are a fourth Medicare Advantage type. In a PFFS plan, the insurer sets the payment terms, and any Medicare-approved provider who accepts those terms can treat you — there's often no formal network. PFFS plans exist nationally, but for 2027, the Multnomah County lineup does not include any PFFS plans. It's worth knowing the term exists in case you see it elsewhere or in older materials.

Special Needs Plans: only for people who qualify

Special Needs Plans (SNPs) are Medicare Advantage plans built for specific groups. There are three kinds:

• D-SNP (Dual-Eligible): For people who have both Medicare and Medicaid.
• C-SNP (Chronic Condition): For people with a qualifying chronic condition, such as diabetes or certain heart conditions.
• I-SNP (Institutional): For people who live in, or need the level of care provided by, a long-term care facility.

You can't enroll in an SNP unless you meet the eligibility rules. In Multnomah County, SNP options include plans from AgeRight Advantage, CareOregon Advantage, Centene (WellCare), Devoted Health, Humana, Providence Medicare Advantage Plans and UnitedHealthcare. Because SNPs tailor their benefits and networks to a specific population, the fit — or lack of one — is usually clear.

Drug coverage and Part D rules for 2027

Every Medicare Advantage plan available in Multnomah County for 2027 includes prescription drug coverage (that's what "MA-PD" means). A few Part D rules apply across the board, no matter which plan you pick:

• Part D out-of-pocket costs are capped at $2,100 in 2026.
• The Part D annual deductible can be no more than $615.
• The old coverage gap ("donut hole") was eliminated in 2025; Part D now has three phases.
• The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread drug costs over the year in monthly installments if you choose.
• IRMAA surcharges (income-related extra premiums for Part B and Part D) start above $109,000 in income for a single filer in 2026.

How to narrow the field

Start with the plan type that fits how you want to use care. If you're comfortable with a network and a primary doctor, HMO and HMO-POS plans are worth a look. If you want out-of-network flexibility, PPOs match that. If you may qualify for a Special Needs Plan, check the eligibility rules first. Then, within the type you prefer, compare specific plans on the details that matter to you — your doctors, your medications and your budget.

The plan finder at medicare.gov lets you enter your ZIP code, medications and preferred providers to see how each plan handles them. Oregon's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIBA) offers free, one-on-one counseling and does not sell plans.