Medicare Advantage

Can a D-SNP in Plano Fit Both Your Cards?

For 2027, Plano 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.

PLANO, Texas — For people who have both Medicare and Medicaid, the 2027 plan year brings a slightly larger set of Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) in the Plano area, with new options from several carriers and a few familiar plan names refreshed. Plano is in Collin County, where CMS lists 22 D-SNPs for 2027 from seven carriers. If you are a "dual eligible" — meaning Medicare covers you and Texas Medicaid helps with some or all of your costs — these plans are built to coordinate both programs under one card.

The fall Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7, 2026, and any choice you make in that window takes effect January 1, 2027. Dual eligibles also have extra chances to change plans during the year, which we explain below.

What is a D-SNP and who qualifies in Plano for 2027?

A D-SNP is a type of Medicare Advantage plan built for people who have both Medicare and Medicaid. To enroll, you must be entitled to Medicare Part A, enrolled in Part B, live in the plan's service area, and qualify for some level of Texas Medicaid.

"Dual eligibility" comes in a few flavors. "Full duals" get full Medicaid benefits in addition to Medicare. "Partial duals" get help from Medicaid with Medicare costs through programs like the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) category, which pays Medicare premiums and cost sharing, or SLMB and QI, which pay the Part B premium. Texas Health and Human Services (the state Medicaid agency) is the office that confirms which category you fall into, and each D-SNP is designed around a specific group — some only accept full duals, others only QMBs. You can see this reflected in the plan names (for example, "Full Dual" or "QMB Only" appear in the Aetna lineup for 2027).

How many D-SNPs are offered in Collin County for 2027, and from which carriers?

CMS lists 22 D-SNPs for 2027 in Collin County, out of 81 Medicare Advantage plans overall. The county also has 12 Chronic Condition SNPs and 7 Institutional SNPs for people who meet those separate criteria.

The seven carriers offering D-SNPs for 2027, and the number of D-SNPs each offers, are:

• Aetna (CVS Health) — 4
• Centene (WellCare) — 4
• Elevance Health (Anthem) — 3
• HealthSpring — 2
• Humana — 3
• Molina Healthcare of Texas, Inc. — 1
• UnitedHealthcare — 5

The table below lists every D-SNP by carrier. Several are new for 2027, including plans from Elevance Health (Anthem) under the Wellpoint brand and several UnitedHealthcare "UHC Dual Complete" and "UHC Dual Advantage" plans. A number of Aetna and Centene D-SNPs were renamed for 2027 — the plan itself continues, but the name on your card and paperwork may change. Your plan's Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) spells out the specifics.

How often can a dual-eligible person change plans?

Dual eligibles have more opportunities to switch than most Medicare beneficiaries. In addition to the Oct. 15–Dec. 7 Annual Enrollment Period and the Jan. 1–March 31 Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, people who have Medicaid or who qualify for Extra Help generally get a monthly chance to join an integrated D-SNP or move back to Original Medicare with a stand‑alone Part D drug plan.

The exact rules for this monthly opportunity have been evolving as CMS continues to align D-SNPs more closely with Medicaid. Before you make a change, confirm the current rules that apply to your situation by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or checking medicare.gov. The agent can tell you which Special Enrollment Period applies to you based on your Medicaid status and the type of D-SNP you are considering.

How do I confirm my Medicaid eligibility in Texas?

Medicare does not decide your Medicaid level — Texas Health and Human Services does. If you are not sure whether you are a full dual, a QMB, or in another category, you can:

• Call Texas Health and Human Services at 2-1-1 (or 877-541-7905) and ask for your current Medicaid category.
• Check your Medicaid letter or Your Texas Benefits account at YourTexasBenefits.com.
• Call 1-800-MEDICARE and ask what Medicaid record is on file for you.

Carriers verify your Medicaid status when you apply, so having the right paperwork handy makes enrollment smoother. If your Medicaid status changes during the year — for example, you move from QMB to full dual, or you lose Medicaid — tell your plan right away, because that can affect which D-SNP you are eligible for.

What else is changing for 2027?

Collin County's Medicare Advantage lineup is shifting around the edges. CMS data show 21 plans new for 2027, 9 renamed, and 37 plans not returning across the full Medicare Advantage market in the county (D-SNPs and non-SNP plans combined). If your current plan is leaving, your carrier is required to send a non‑renewal notice; if it is simply changing, the details are in the ANOC that lands in September or October.

Program-wide, a few 2027 figures are already set by CMS and affect anyone with Part D drug coverage, including through a D-SNP:

• Part D out-of-pocket cap: $2,400 in 2027 (up from $2,100 in 2026).
• Part D maximum deductible: $700 in 2027 (up from $615 in 2026).
• Part D national base beneficiary premium: $41.33 for 2027 (a formula input, not what any specific plan charges).

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