Medicare Advantage

Medicare in Austin: 48 Plan Choices in Travis County 2027

People in Austin can choose from 56 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027, against 60 this year. 15 of this year’s plans are gone, 11 are new to Travis County, and 21 that continue have changed their premium, deductible, plan type or name, 8 of them under a new name.

AUSTIN, Texas — If you're turning 65 soon, or you're one of the roughly 146,000 Travis County residents already on Medicare, you have a lot of options to sort through this fall. Austin is in Travis County, where 48 Medicare Advantage plans are available for 2027, offered by 8 different carriers.

Sorting Through Your Medicare Choices in Austin

That's a healthy menu — and it can feel overwhelming. The good news: you don't have to pick a plan today. You just need to understand what's on the table and how to compare it in a way that makes sense for your life.

This guide walks through the counts, what they mean, and where to get unbiased help.

What the Numbers Look Like in Travis County

Here's the 2027 landscape at the county level, based on CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D Landscape data:

• 48 Medicare Advantage plans available in Travis County
• 8 carriers offering Medicare Advantage plans that include drug coverage (MA-PD)
• 0 stand-alone Part D drug plans listed in the county's MA-PD landscape (stand-alone Part D availability is set at the region level; check Medicare.gov for the plans available at your ZIP code)
• 146,405 residents age 65+ in Travis County

A quick note on Star Ratings: contracts are rated by CMS on a 1–5 scale to measure quality and member experience. In Travis County, no contracts are currently rated 4 stars or higher on the local landscape file, but ratings can shift year to year. Star Ratings are one input among many — not a shopping shortcut.

Understanding the Two Main Paths

Before comparing 60 plans, it helps to know that Medicare gives you two big paths:

Original Medicare (Parts A and B). This is the federal program directly. You can add a stand-alone Part D drug plan and, if you want, a Medigap (supplement) policy to help cover cost-sharing.

Medicare Advantage (Part C). These are private plans that replace how you get your Part A and B benefits. Most also bundle in Part D drug coverage. In Travis County, all 60 Medicare Advantage options fall in this category.

Neither path is universally "better." They work differently, and the right fit depends on your doctors, your prescriptions, your travel habits, and your budget.

2027 Program Facts You Should Know

Some things about Medicare are set nationally and apply no matter which plan you choose:

• Part D out-of-pocket cap: $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027. Once your out-of-pocket drug spending hits that amount, you pay nothing for covered drugs the rest of the year.
• Part D maximum deductible: $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027.
• The coverage gap ("donut hole") is gone as of 2025. Part D now has three phases instead of four.
• Medicare Prescription Payment Plan. You can opt in to spread your Part D out-of-pocket costs across monthly payments instead of paying at the pharmacy counter.
• IRMAA surcharges — higher Part B and Part D premiums for higher earners — start above $109,000 in income for a single filer in 2026.

How to Narrow 60 Plans Down to One

Sixty is a lot. Here's a practical way to shrink the list:

1. Start with your doctors. Make a list of the providers you want to keep. On Medicare.gov's Plan Finder, you can check which networks include them. 2. Add your prescriptions. Enter every drug you take, with doses. Plan Finder will show how each plan handles your specific medications. 3. Think about how you use care. Do you travel? See a lot of specialists? Prefer predictable copays or lower monthly costs? 4. Compare total yearly cost — not just the premium. Include deductibles, expected copays, and drug costs. 5. Check the fine print on extras. Dental, vision, and hearing benefits vary widely. If they matter to you, look at the actual coverage limits.

Key Dates to Circle

• Annual Enrollment Period: October 15 – December 7, 2026. This is when most people compare and switch plans for 2027.
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: January 1 – March 31. If you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan and want to switch to another MA plan or back to Original Medicare, this window is for you.
• Initial Enrollment Period: The 7-month window around your 65th birthday, if you're just aging in.