Medicare Advantage

Franklin Medicare 2027: 40 plans in Milwaukee County

People in Franklin can choose from 52 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027, against 52 this year. Six of this year’s plans are gone, 6 are new to Milwaukee County, and 31 that continue have changed their premium, deductible, plan type or name, 12 of them under a new name.

FRANKLIN, Wis. — If you're sorting through Medicare options in Franklin this fall, here's some grounding news: Milwaukee County residents have a wide field to consider for 2027. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) plan data, 40 Medicare Advantage plans are available in the county, offered by 7 carriers. That's a lot to sift through — but knowing the size of the field is the first step to picking with confidence.

What "52 plans" really means for Franklin

Medicare Advantage availability is set at the county level, not the city level. Franklin is in Milwaukee County, where CMS lists 40 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027. Every Franklin resident with Medicare sees the same county-wide menu — whether you live near Loomis Road or closer to the Oak Creek border. Compared with 2026, 34 plans continue, 6 are new, 6 are not returning, and 12 are renamed; 19 of the continuing plans change something in their terms (see each plan's ANOC for details).

Those 52 plans come from 7 different carriers. Some carriers offer several plan designs (for example, HMO and PPO versions, or plans built around different networks), which is why the plan count is much higher than the carrier count.

Why the Part D count looks unusual

The CMS snapshot for Milwaukee County shows 0 stand-alone Part D prescription drug plans available. Stand-alone Part D plans are typically paired with Original Medicare when someone wants drug coverage without joining a Medicare Advantage plan.

If that number surprises you, it's worth double-checking directly on Medicare's Plan Finder at medicare.gov, since plan availability can shift and the tool will show what's currently offered at your ZIP code. Most Franklin shoppers who want drug coverage through Medicare Advantage will find it built into an MA-PD plan.

Local population context

About 136,581 people age 65 and older live in Milwaukee County. That's a large Medicare-eligible population, which is one reason carriers compete here and the plan count runs high. More choices can mean a better fit — but it also means more homework.

Star Ratings in the area

CMS publishes Star Ratings each year to measure plan quality on things like customer service and care coordination. For the current snapshot in Milwaukee County, 0 contracts are rated 4 stars or higher. Ratings can change year to year and don't tell you whether a plan fits your doctors, medications, or budget. Use them as one input, not a verdict.

2027 program facts worth knowing

A few program-wide rules apply no matter which plan you pick:

• Part D out-of-pocket cap: $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027. Once your drug spending hits that ceiling, you pay nothing for covered Part D drugs the rest of the year.
• Part D maximum deductible: $615 in 2026 ($700 in 2027).
• No more donut hole: As of 2025, the coverage gap is gone. Part D now has three phases.
• Medicare Prescription Payment Plan: An optional program that lets you spread your drug costs into monthly payments across the year instead of paying at the pharmacy counter.
• IRMAA: Higher-income Medicare beneficiaries pay an income-related surcharge on Part B and Part D. In 2026, those surcharges start above $109,000 for a single filer.

Key dates for Franklin residents

• October 15 – December 7: Annual Enrollment Period. You can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. Changes take effect January 1.
• January 1 – March 31: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment. If you're already in an MA plan, you get one chance to switch to another MA plan or return to Original Medicare.

Where to get personal help

With 52 Medicare Advantage plans on the county menu, it pays to compare using tools built for your specific situation:

• medicare.gov — Use Plan Finder with your ZIP code and your list of prescriptions.
• 1-800-MEDICARE — Available 24/7 for questions.
• Wisconsin SHIP (Medigap Helpline / Board on Aging & Long Term Care): Free, unbiased Medicare counseling for Wisconsin residents. Call 1-800-242-1060.