Medicare Advantage

Before you compare McKinney plans, know these letters

For 2027, McKinney is looking at 81 Medicare Advantage plans: 21 new, 37 gone since 2026, and 30 still here but changed on premium, deductible, plan type or name, 9 of them under a new name. Below, how the lineup shifted in Collin County and what to compare, with no plan ranked or recommended.

Medicare AdvantageMcKinney, TX

McKinney shoppers looking at Medicare Advantage for 2027 will see a lot of letters after each plan name — HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, PFFS, D-SNP, C-SNP, I-SNP. Those letters matter more than the plan's brand. They tell you how you'll see doctors, whether you need referrals, and whether the plan is built for a specific health or income situation. Here's a plain-English guide to how the market is laid out, and what each plan type actually means before you start comparing.

What's available in Collin County

Because Medicare Advantage availability is set by county, McKinney residents see the same 72 plans anyone else in Collin County can shop. Those plans come from 12 carriers. Compared with 2026, 51 plans continue, 21 are new, 37 are not returning, and 9 have been renamed; 21 of the continuing plans change something in their terms, and the ANOC spells those changes out.

The full table below this article lists every plan by carrier. For 2027, American Health Advantage of Texas is no longer offering plans in the county, and Texas Independence Health Plan is new to the county. The other carriers on the 2026 list continue to offer plans for 2027.

HMO plans: a network and a primary doctor

HMO stands for Health Maintenance Organization. With an HMO, you generally pick a primary care doctor inside the plan's network, and that doctor helps coordinate your care and referrals to specialists. If you go outside the network — except for emergencies or urgent care — the plan usually won't pay.

An HMO can be a fit if your doctors are already in the plan's network and you're comfortable with the referral process. It's often a poorer fit if you travel a lot or split time between two states.

In Collin County, HMOs remain a major plan-type category for 2027, offered by multiple carriers.

HMO-POS: an HMO with a small side door

HMO-POS stands for HMO with a Point-of-Service option. It works like an HMO most of the time, but adds limited coverage for certain out-of-network services — often at a higher share of the cost. Read the plan documents carefully, because the "POS" part is narrower than a PPO's out-of-network coverage.

HMO-POS plans are also available in the county for 2027.

PPO plans: broader access, different math

PPO stands for Preferred Provider Organization. PPOs still have a network, and you'll pay less when you stay in it, but they also cover out-of-network care — usually at a higher cost share. You typically don't need a referral to see a specialist.

PPOs tend to appeal to people who want the freedom to see providers outside a set network without needing permission first. The trade-off is often a higher premium or higher out-of-network costs. PPO plans are among the choices in the county for 2027.

PFFS plans: a less common option

PFFS stands for Private Fee-for-Service. Instead of a fixed network, a PFFS plan sets the terms of payment, and any Medicare-approved provider can choose whether to accept those terms visit by visit. Before each appointment, it's on you to confirm the provider will bill your plan.

PFFS remains a small slice of the Collin County market for 2027, but it's a legitimate option for people whose providers agree to accept the plan.

Special Needs Plans (SNPs): only for people who qualify

Special Needs Plans are Medicare Advantage plans built for a specific group. You can't just pick one — you have to qualify. Collin County has SNPs on offer for 2027, and they fall into three categories:

• D-SNP (Dual Eligible): For people who have both Medicare and Medicaid. Benefits are designed to coordinate the two programs.
• C-SNP (Chronic Condition): For people with a qualifying chronic condition, such as diabetes, chronic heart failure, or end-stage renal disease. Each C-SNP is built around a specific condition.
• I-SNP (Institutional): For people who live in a nursing home or need a similar level of care at home.

If you don't fit one of those categories, an SNP isn't an option for you — and that's fine, because the other 59 plans in the county are open to any Medicare-eligible resident who lives in the service area.

A few 2027 program facts to keep in mind

These apply no matter which plan type you pick:

• Part D has a new out-of-pocket cap of $2,100 in 2026 on covered drugs.
• The Part D deductible can be no higher than $615.
• The old "donut hole" coverage gap is gone as of 2025 — Part D now has three phases.
• The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread your drug costs across the year in monthly amounts instead of paying at the pharmacy counter.
• IRMAA (higher Part B and Part D premiums for higher incomes) starts above $109,000 for a single filer in 2026.

How to narrow it down

A useful order of questions:

1. Do I qualify for an SNP? If you have Medicaid, a qualifying chronic condition, or live in a facility, an SNP may line up better with your situation. If not, skip that section entirely. 2. How important is network flexibility? If you want to see specialists without referrals or travel often, PPO or PFFS may fit better than HMO. 3. Are my doctors in the plan's network? Every plan publishes a provider directory. Check yours before you decide, not after. 4. What drugs do I take? Every Medicare Advantage plan in the county includes drug coverage, but formularies (the covered drug lists) differ.

You can compare specific plans side by side, with your own doctors and prescriptions, using the Plan Finder at medicare.gov.