Medicare Part D
Medicare in Hilo: 16 Advantage Plans Available for 2026
HILO, Hawaii — If you're one of the tens of thousands of Medicare-eligible residents on the Big Island, here's a straightforward look at what's on the menu heading into the fall 2026 Annual Enrollment Period. Hilo is in Hawaii County, where CMS Landscape files listed 16 Medicare Advantage plans for the 2026 plan year; the 2027 lineup is detailed in each plan's Annual Notice of Change and on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder.
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Click to call 855-729-3240Key takeaways
- Hawaii County residents had 16 Medicare Advantage plans from 6 carriers to choose from for 2026; check each plan's ANOC and Medicare.gov's Plan Finder for the 2027 lineup.
- Hawaii has 8 stand-alone Part D plans for 2026, sold statewide, and residents with Original Medicare can join any of them; drug coverage can also come bundled in a Medicare Advantage plan (MA-PD). The 2027 list is on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder.
- Under CMS's 2026 Star Ratings, 2 of the Medicare Advantage contracts offering plans in the county are rated 4 stars or higher, though Star Ratings are just one tool and don't show network or drug formulary details.
- Residents can compare plans using the Medicare.gov Plan Finder, talk to Hawaii SHIP for free counseling, or call 1-800-MEDICARE for official answers.
Hilo Residents Had 16 Medicare Advantage Plans to Compare for 2026; 2027 Lineup on Plan Finder; 2027 Lineup on Plan Finder
Those 2026 plans came from 6 different carriers offering Medicare Advantage with prescription drug coverage (MA-PD) in the county. The 2027 carrier and plan lineup is spelled out in each plan's ANOC and on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder during the fall 2026 Annual Enrollment Period.
A Quick Snapshot of Hawaii County
Roughly 49,001 residents age 65 and older live in Hawaii County, and every one of them has the same core Medicare choices as folks on the mainland: stay with Original Medicare (Parts A and B), add a stand-alone Part D drug plan, pick up a Medigap policy, or enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that bundles hospital, medical, and usually drug coverage into one.
One point worth knowing: Hawaii has 8 stand-alone Part D plans for 2026, sold statewide, and anyone in the county with Original Medicare can join one of them. Residents can also get drug coverage bundled inside a Medicare Advantage plan that includes Part D (an "MA-PD"). The 2027 list is on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder. If you're on Original Medicare and need drug coverage, it's worth calling 1-800-MEDICARE or your local SHIP counselor to talk through your options.
What About Star Ratings?
CMS publishes Star Ratings — a 1-to-5 scale that measures plan quality, customer service, and member experience. Under CMS's 2026 Star Ratings, 2 contracts are rated 4 stars or higher among the Medicare Advantage contracts offering plans in the county.
Star Ratings are one tool among several. They don't tell you whether your doctor is in-network, whether your prescriptions are on the formulary, or what your total costs might be. Use them as a starting point, not a finish line.
By the numbers
Medicare Part B premium, 2006–2026
The standard monthly Part B premium has climbed from $88.50 in 2006 to $202.90 in 2026. Hover any point for that year’s premium.
Source: CMS. Standard premium shown; in some hold-harmless years many existing enrollees paid less. Confirm at Medicare.gov.
By the numbers
How people get Medicare in Hawaii County
(MA penetration in Hawaii County)
MA penetration from CMS enrollment data; Medigap share is an estimate. U.S. average is about 54% Medicare Advantage. These are area-level figures, not plan-specific.
2027 Program Changes Everyone Should Know
Even if your plan choices in Hilo look similar to the prior year, the Medicare program itself has some important updates for 2027:
- Part D out-of-pocket cap: $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027. Once your out-of-pocket spending on covered drugs hits that amount, you pay nothing for covered prescriptions the rest of the year.
- Part D maximum deductible: $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027. No Part D plan can charge a deductible higher than this.
- The coverage gap ("donut hole") is gone. As of 2025, Part D has three phases instead of four.
- Medicare Prescription Payment Plan. This optional program lets you spread your drug costs across monthly payments rather than paying big amounts at the pharmacy counter.
- IRMAA income thresholds. Higher-income beneficiaries pay an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount on Part B and Part D. For single filers in 2026, IRMAA kicks in above $109,000 in modified adjusted gross income.
Key Enrollment Dates
Mark your calendar:
- Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15 – December 7. This is when anyone with Medicare can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. Changes take effect January 1.
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: January 1 – March 31. If you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you get one chance during this window to switch to a different MA plan or drop back to Original Medicare.
How to Compare Your Options
With 16 Medicare Advantage plans listed in Hawaii County for 2026 and the 2027 lineup detailed on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder during the fall 2026 Annual Enrollment Period, comparing them one-by-one can feel overwhelming. A few practical steps:
1. Make a list of your doctors, pharmacies, and prescriptions. Network and formulary fit matter more than headline numbers. 2. Use the Plan Finder at medicare.gov. Enter your ZIP code and drugs to see personalized cost estimates. 3. Talk to Hawaii SHIP. The State Health Insurance Assistance Program offers free, unbiased counseling from trained volunteers — no sales pitch. 4. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Available 24/7 for official answers.
Try it
How the 2026 Part D drug cap works
Slide to your estimated yearly prescription costs and see how the new $2,100 out-of-pocket cap protects you. This illustrates the standard Part D benefit; your plan may structure costs differently.
Once your out-of-pocket spending on covered drugs reaches $2,100, you pay nothing more for the rest of 2026. Confirm details at Medicare.gov.
Explore
When can you enroll? An interactive year
Enrollment windows are federal and the same nationwide. Confirm your personal dates at Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Q: I live in Hilo. Were all 16 Medicare Advantage plans available to me for 2026?
Q: How do I get Part D drug coverage in my county?
Q: What happens if I miss the December 7 deadline?
- CMS — Medicare Part D program rules (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.