What changes for health coverage in 2027

Published · Source published October 8, 2026 · Event October 8, 2026

2027 Medicare Star Ratings are out before open enrollment

Use the rating alongside the plan’s coverage, costs and provider information.

CMS published the 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Star Ratings on October 8. About 37% of rated Medicare Advantage contracts with drug coverage received at least four stars. Those contracts account for about 71% of current enrollment in the rated MA-PD population. These are different denominators: the share of contracts is not the share of people.

The ratings arrive before the October 15–December 7 enrollment period for 2027 coverage. A high rating does not establish that a particular doctor, hospital or medicine will be covered. Compare the specific plan’s network, drug formulary, premiums, cost sharing and authorization rules before choosing. The ratings also have a separate payment role: the 2027 ratings inform 2028 quality bonus payments.

Sources: CMS: 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Star Ratings

Announced payment schedule · Source published October 3, 2026 · Event October 3, 2026

A $90 Medicare rebate applies to certain Original Medicare beneficiaries

The CMS FAQ describes an automatic payment, not an application service.

CMS’s October 3 FAQ describes a one-time $90 Part B premium rebate for certain people in Original Medicare; it excludes Medicare Advantage enrollment. CMS says most eligible people would receive the rebate automatically beginning October 8, with some paper payments arriving later. That schedule does not confirm that an individual payment has arrived.

Use the official FAQ or 1-800-MEDICARE to check eligibility and payment questions. Do not pay an intermediary to apply for an automatic rebate or share personal information in response to an unsolicited offer. The rebate is separate from selecting a plan for 2027 and does not establish next year’s Part B premium.

Sources: CMS: Medicare Improvement Fund premium rebate FAQ

Published · Source published October 1, 2026 · Event October 1, 2026 · Effective from October 1, 2026

For affected Medi-Cal members, October’s funding change does not end full-scope care

The state notice also describes a January 2027 change in how care is accessed.

DHCS’s October 1 member notice tells affected qualified noncitizen members that California will continue full-scope Medi-Cal despite the federal funding change. The notice is addressed to a defined group; it is not a statement about every person’s immigration or benefits situation.

The same notice describes a January 1, 2027 transition from managed care to fee-for-service Medi-Cal for affected members. It tells members to ask whether their current providers accept that form of Medi-Cal and explains that the Benefits Identification Card will be used. It also warns that some services available only through managed care will change.

If immigration information has changed or the county lacks current information, the notice asks members to update it by December 1. Use the official letter and county eligibility office for the applicable steps. A funding change, a delivery-system change and a loss of eligibility are not interchangeable.

Sources: DHCS MEDIL I 26-21 with October 1 member notice