Medicare Advantage

Plano Medicare Advantage for 2027: how HMO, HMO-POS and PPO plans compare

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 — As the Annual Enrollment Period opens for 2027 coverage, shoppers in Plano will see Medicare Advantage plans sorted into a few familiar letters: HMO, HMO-POS and PPO. The mix matters more than it looks, because each type sets different rules for which doctors you can see, whether you need a referral, and what happens if you need care outside the network.

Plano is in Collin County, where CMS lists 81 Medicare Advantage plans from 12 carriers for 2027. By type, that is 36 HMO plans, 20 HMO-POS plans and 25 PPO plans. (If you include HMO-POS with HMO, the HMO family totals 56.) No PFFS plans are listed in the county for 2027, so this article focuses on the three types you will actually see on the shelf.

The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7, 2026. Changes you make in that window take effect January 1, 2027. If you do nothing, your current plan renews for 2027 as long as it is still offered — with any changes spelled out in the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) your plan mailed you.

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

The plan type tells you how networks and referrals work. An HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) asks you to use the plan's network of doctors and hospitals, and usually to pick a primary care provider who gives referrals to specialists. Out-of-network care is generally not covered except in emergencies.

An HMO-POS (Point of Service) plan is an HMO with a limited door to out-of-network care for certain services, typically at a higher cost share. A PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) is more flexible: you can see providers both in and out of network, usually without a referral, though out-of-network care costs more. A PFFS (Private Fee-for-Service) plan sets its own payment terms and lets you see any Medicare provider willing to accept the plan's terms. CMS does not list any PFFS plans in Collin County for 2027.

None of this makes one plan type "better." The right fit depends on which doctors you want to keep seeing and how much you travel.

How many HMO, HMO-POS and PPO plans are offered in Collin County for 2027?

Collin County has 36 HMO plans, 20 HMO-POS plans and 25 PPO plans for 2027, out of 81 total Medicare Advantage plans. HMO-style plans (HMO plus HMO-POS) make up the larger share at 56; PPOs account for 25.

That mix means a Plano resident will see more HMO-family options overall, but a solid group of PPO plans too. The table below lists every plan available in the county, so you can see each one's exact type.

Which carriers offer HMO plans in Plano for 2027?

In Collin County for 2027, the carriers offering HMO plans 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.

HMO plans tend to be built around a specific network of local doctors and hospitals. If you already have primary care and specialists you want to keep, check each plan's provider directory before you enroll.

Which carriers offer HMO-POS plans in Plano for 2027?

For 2027, the HMO-POS carriers in Collin County are Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Elevance Health (Anthem), ProCare Advantage, and UnitedHealthcare.

The "point of service" piece gives you some ability to go outside the network for specific services. The rules vary by plan, so read the Evidence of Coverage to see which services qualify and what the out-of-network cost share is.

Which carriers offer PPO plans in Plano for 2027?

For 2027, the PPO carriers in Collin County are Aetna (CVS Health), Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, HealthSpring, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare.

PPOs are often a fit for people who travel, split time between homes, or want the option of out-of-network specialists. Just remember that out-of-network care usually costs more, and some PPOs are "regional" rather than local.

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

Compared with 2026, 37 plans are not returning in Collin County, 21 are new, and 9 have been renamed. The county's total drops from 97 plans in 2026 to 81 for 2027.

If your plan is one of those not returning, your carrier will have sent a non-renewal notice. If your plan is renaming or restructuring, the ANOC describes the specifics. Either way, the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 – Dec. 7, 2026) is the time to make a change for coverage starting Jan. 1, 2027.

What should Plano shoppers check before picking a plan type?

Start with your doctors. Call each provider or check the plan's directory to confirm they are in-network for the specific plan you are considering — not just the carrier. Then think about travel: if you spend meaningful time outside the Dallas–Fort Worth area, a PPO's out-of-network coverage may matter more to you than it would to someone who stays close to home.

Also check whether a plan requires referrals, whether it has prior authorization rules for services you use, and how it handles prescription drugs. For 2027, Part D has an out-of-pocket cap of $2,400 and a maximum deductible of $700 — figures CMS has already published. The 2027 Part B premium and IRMAA brackets will be announced by CMS later this fall.