Medicare Advantage

Lubbock Medicare Advantage in 2027: how HMO, HMO-POS, PPO and PFFS plans compare before you pick

Lubbock County has 38 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027. Compared with 2026, 19 plans are not coming back, 7 are new, and 24 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 Lubbock, not which plan to pick.

LUBBOCK, Texas — As the Annual Enrollment Period opens for 2027 Medicare coverage, people in Lubbock will see their Medicare Advantage choices lean heavily toward PPOs, with a solid group of HMOs and HMO-POS plans and a single PFFS option still in the mix. The plan-type label on each plan matters: it shapes which doctors you can see, whether you need a referral, and what happens when you get care outside the network.

Lubbock is in Lubbock County, where the Medicare Advantage landscape for 2027 includes 38 plans from 6 carriers, according to the CMS Medicare Advantage Landscape Source File. By plan type, that breaks down to 19 PPOs, 13 HMOs, 5 HMO-POS plans and 1 PFFS plan. Changes to your coverage made during the window that runs October 15 to December 7, 2026 take effect January 1, 2027.

How do the 38 Medicare Advantage plans in Lubbock County split by type for 2027?

For 2027, Lubbock County has 38 Medicare Advantage plans from 6 carriers, split into 19 PPOs, 13 HMOs, 5 HMO-POS plans and 1 PFFS plan. Counting HMO and HMO-POS together, 18 of the 38 plans use some form of HMO structure.

PPOs are the largest group in the county next year, followed by HMOs. HMO-POS is a smaller slice, and PFFS is the smallest. The table on this page lists every plan by carrier, so you can see which plan type each one uses before you start comparing.

What is the difference between HMO, HMO-POS, PPO and PFFS plans?

An HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) usually asks you to use doctors and hospitals in the plan's network and to pick a primary care doctor who coordinates your care. Many HMOs require a referral to see a specialist, and out-of-network care is generally not covered except for emergencies and urgent care.

A PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) also has a network, but you can go out-of-network and still get some coverage — usually at a higher share of the cost. Referrals are typically not required.

An HMO-POS (Point of Service) is an HMO with a limited out-of-network option for certain services. You still have a network and may still need referrals, but the plan allows some care outside it under rules the plan sets.

A PFFS (Private Fee-for-Service) plan sets its own payment terms. You can see any Medicare-approved provider who agrees to accept those terms for your care; the provider is not required to, and can decide visit by visit in some cases.

None of these types is automatically cheaper or better. The right fit depends on who your doctors are, how often you travel, and what prescriptions you take.

Which carriers offer each plan type in Lubbock County for 2027?

In Lubbock County for 2027, HMO plans are offered by Aetna (CVS Health), Centene (WellCare), Elevance Health (Anthem), Humana and Provider Partners Health Plans. HMO-POS plans are offered by Elevance Health (Anthem) and UnitedHealthcare. PPO plans are offered by Aetna (CVS Health), Humana and UnitedHealthcare. The county's single PFFS plan is offered by Humana.

A carrier may offer more than one plan type, so the same insurer's name can appear in several of those lists. The table below shows every plan name, the carrier and the plan type, including Special Needs Plans (SNPs) built on HMO or PPO structures.

What should Lubbock residents think about before choosing a plan type?

Start with your doctors and hospitals. If the people you already see are all in a single network, an HMO or HMO-POS may feel natural; if your care is spread across different systems or you spend part of the year outside Lubbock, a PPO's out-of-network coverage may matter more. If you expect to see providers who don't participate in a defined network, PFFS works differently again — the question is whether each provider will accept the plan's terms.

Then think about referrals. If you prefer having a primary care doctor who coordinates everything, an HMO structure fits. If you want to book specialists on your own, a PPO is usually more flexible.

Finally, check the plan's drug list, pharmacy network and any extra benefits on medicare.gov's Plan Finder — those details vary plan by plan, no matter the type on the label.

What is changing in Lubbock County's Medicare Advantage lineup for 2027?

Compared to 2026, Lubbock County will see 19 plans not returning, 7 new plans and 9 plans renamed for 2027. If your current plan is one that is leaving or being renamed, your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) from the plan — mailed in the fall — will spell out exactly what is happening and when.

If you do nothing during the October 15 to December 7, 2026 window and your plan is offered next year, it renews automatically with the changes described in the ANOC. If your plan is not being offered in 2027, you have time to pick a replacement during AEP, and a Special Enrollment Period may apply.

What else is confirmed for 2027 Medicare costs?

CMS has confirmed a few program-wide 2027 figures. The Part D out-of-pocket cap rises to $2,400 in 2027 (up from $2,100 in 2026). The Part D maximum deductible is $700 in 2027 (up from $615 in 2026). The Part D national base beneficiary premium for 2027 is $41.33 — that is a formula input Medicare uses, not what any specific plan charges.

The 2027 Part B standard premium and deductible, and the 2027 IRMAA income brackets, have not been announced yet; CMS typically publishes those in the fall, usually in November.