Choosing a Medicare Advantage Provider for 2027 May Be Easier, but Not Perfect

Last year, Blythe Carey wanted to be sure she wouldn’t be billed for her gynecologist appointment. So she called the doctor’s office and was glad to hear that the physician was part of her Medicare Advantage plan’s network.

When Ms. Carey, 67, arrived for her appointment, she showed her insurance card to the receptionist, who didn’t question it. But weeks later, she received a bill for $963 because the doctor was not in the plan’s network.

“I wouldn’t have chosen to see this doctor if I had known that she wasn’t in network,” Ms. Carey said.

Medicare Advantage is a private alternative to the government-run traditional Medicare program that offers extra benefits the federal program doesn’t. It also has a cap on out-of-pocket expenses. But it usually requires members to use health care professionals in a plan’s network. Doctors and hospitals can leave the network plan any time, while Advantage members cannot (with rare exceptions). During annual open enrollment, which begins on Thursday, people enrolled in Medicare can choose a new Advantage plan for 2027 or go with traditional Medicare, which has no network. The deadline for deciding is Dec. 7. People with buyer’s remorse can also switch Advantage plans during the first three months of the year.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/14/business/medicare-advantage-plan-finder.html