Medicare Advantage

Garland Medicare Advantage in 2027: how HMO, HMO-POS, PPO and PFFS plans compare

Dallas County has 84 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027. Compared with 2026, 29 plans are not coming back, 20 are new, and 31 continuing plans changed in some way you should check before December 7, 9 of them under a new name. This guide covers what those numbers mean for Garland, not which plan to pick.

Fall 2026 — If you live in Garland and you are weighing a Medicare Advantage plan for 2027, the first question is not which carrier to pick. It is which type of plan fits the way you actually use care. Garland is in Dallas County, where CMS lists 84 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027 from 12 carriers, and they split four ways: 37 HMO, 21 HMO-POS, 25 PPO and 1 PFFS. Each type handles networks, referrals and out-of-network care differently, and that is what shapes your day-to-day experience.

The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7, 2026, and any change you make takes effect January 1, 2027.

What does HMO mean on a Medicare Advantage plan in Garland?

An HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) plan in Garland generally asks you to use the plan's network of doctors and hospitals, pick a primary care provider, and get a referral before seeing most specialists. Out-of-network care usually is not covered except for emergencies and urgent care.

For 2027, HMO is the single largest category in Dallas County, with 37 of the 84 Medicare Advantage plans. The carriers offering HMO plans for 2027 are Aetna (CVS Health), Centene (WellCare), Elevance Health (Anthem), HealthSpring, Humana, Molina Healthcare of Texas, Inc., Provider Partners Health Plans, Texas Independence Health Plan, and Verda Health Plan of Texas. An HMO can be a good fit if your doctors are already in the plan's network and you do not travel often.

How is an HMO-POS different from a regular HMO?

HMO-POS stands for "HMO with a Point-of-Service option." It works like an HMO — local network, usually a primary care provider, often referrals for specialists — but adds a limited ability to see some providers out of network, typically at a higher cost share and for specific services.

Dallas County has 21 HMO-POS plans for 2027. The carriers offering them are Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Elevance Health (Anthem), ProCare Advantage and UnitedHealthcare. If you like the structure of an HMO but want a little room to step outside the network for certain visits, HMO-POS is the middle ground.

How does a PPO work for Medicare Advantage in Dallas County?

A PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plan lets you see any provider that accepts Medicare and the plan's terms, in or out of network, usually without a referral. Staying in network costs less; going out of network is covered but at a higher share of the cost.

Dallas County has 25 PPO plans for 2027. The carriers offering PPO plans are Aetna (CVS Health), Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, HealthSpring, Humana and UnitedHealthcare. PPOs tend to appeal to people who travel between states, split time between homes, or want flexibility to see a specialist without going through a primary care provider first. The trade-off is that out-of-network care comes with higher cost sharing, and not every provider will agree to bill the plan.

What is a PFFS plan, and is it still offered in Garland for 2027?

A PFFS (Private Fee-for-Service) plan is a type of Medicare Advantage plan that pays providers a set rate. You can see any Medicare provider who agrees to the plan's terms at the time of service — the provider decides visit by visit. There are no required referrals, and the plan may or may not use a network.

For 2027, Dallas County has 1 PFFS plan, offered by Humana. PFFS is the rarest of the four types locally. Because providers can decide each visit whether to accept the plan, it is important to confirm up front that your doctor will treat you under the plan.

Which plan type is best for me in Garland?

There is no single "best" type — the right type depends on your doctors, your prescriptions and how you travel. A few questions that help:

• Are the doctors and hospitals you already use in the plan's network? If yes, an HMO or HMO-POS may feel natural; if your providers are scattered, a PPO's flexibility can matter more.
• Do you want to see specialists without a referral? PPO and PFFS plans generally do not require one; HMO and HMO-POS plans usually do.
• Do you spend part of the year outside Texas? Out-of-area coverage differs sharply by type and by plan.
• Do you need prescription drug coverage built in? Of the 84 plans for 2027, most include Part D; the table below shows which do.

Also remember some plan changes are already locked in for next year in Dallas County: 29 plans are not returning for 2027, 20 are new, and 9 have been renamed. If your current plan is affected, your Annual Notice of Change spells out the specifics.

What are the 2027 Medicare dates and figures I should know?

The Annual Enrollment Period is October 15 – December 7, 2026, for coverage that starts January 1, 2027. If you do nothing, your current plan renews next year with any changes described in its Annual Notice of Change. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs January 1 – March 31, 2027, when people already on a Medicare Advantage plan can make one change.

For Part D drug coverage in 2027, CMS has confirmed the out-of-pocket cap rises to $2,400 (up from $2,100 in 2026) and the maximum deductible is $700 (up from $615 in 2026). The 2027 Part B standard premium and deductible, and the 2027 IRMAA income brackets, had not been announced as of early fall 2026; CMS typically releases them in November.

The table below lists every 2027 Medicare Advantage plan offered in Dallas County, with its type and whether it includes drug coverage.