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Anthem Medicare Advantage Ohio 2027 Plan

Reviewed by Russell Noga, Licensed Medicare Insurance Broker (all 50 states) — Last updated October 8, 2026

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Ohio’s Blue plan, offers Medicare Advantage plans in Ohio for 2027, while its parent company Elevance is pulling standard plans from 56 counties nationally and leaving South Carolina, and Ohio’s plan count drops from 212 to 180.

Anthem is the Blue Cross Blue Shield company for Ohio and part of Elevance Health. In Ohio, Anthem offers Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans, Special Needs Plans in some areas, and Medicare Supplement plans.

This guide covers Anthem’s Ohio plans, what changed for 2027, and how Anthem compares with other Ohio options. See compare 2027 Medicare Advantage plans in Ohio.

✔ Licensed in all 50 states

✔ Based on CMS 2027 data

✔ Free plan comparison

Key Highlights

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Anthem is Ohio’s Blue Cross Blue Shield company, part of Elevance Health.

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Elevance is pulling standard plans from 56 counties nationally and leaving South Carolina.

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Ohio Medicare Advantage plans drop from 212 to 180 for 2027.

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The national average 2027 Medicare Advantage premium is $12 a month, down from $14.37 (CMS).

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Annual Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, 2026.

Compare plans and enroll online

Anthem Medicare Advantage Plans in Ohio

Feature HMO PPO
Out-of-network care Not covered except emergencies and urgent care Covered at a higher cost
Referrals for specialists Usually required Usually not required
Premiums Usually lower Usually higher
Out-of-pocket maximum In-network limit In-network limit plus a higher combined limit
Best for Lower costs, local care Flexibility, travel, keeping specific doctors

Anthem’s Ohio lineup varies by county. Check whether your exact plan continues for 2027, and if it does, read the Annual Notice of Change for any changes to premiums, copays and networks.

Benefits Anthem Plans May Offer

Anthem Plans May Include

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Hospital and medical coverage, the same as Original Medicare Part A and B

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Part D prescription drug coverage on most plans

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Routine dental, vision and hearing benefits

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Fitness programs and over-the-counter allowances

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Telehealth visits and care coordination programs

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A yearly out-of-pocket maximum on every plan

Not all plans offer all benefits. Benefits vary by plan and county and can change for 2027. Check each plan’s Evidence of Coverage before you enroll.

What Is a medicare advantage plan

What Changed for 2027

Elevance, Anthem’s parent, is pulling standard plans from 56 counties and leaving South Carolina for 2027. Read your Annual Notice of Change or non-renewal letter to see how your Ohio plan is affected.

Watch for: if your plan is ending, you will get a non-renewal letter. Your coverage continues through December 31, 2026. If you do nothing, you return to Original Medicare without drug coverage.

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Ohio Changes for 2027

212 to 180

Ohio Medicare Advantage plans.

SNP Only

Wellcare in Ohio for 2027.

56 Counties

Elevance pulling standard plans nationally.

Whether Anthem’s county cuts reach your Ohio county is the first thing to confirm. A non-renewal letter means your plan ends December 31, 2026.

Anthem vs Other Ohio Insurers

Insurer 2027 Notes
Anthem (Elevance) Ohio’s Blue plan; Elevance pulling standard plans from 56 counties nationally
Humana 861 plans nationally, down from 887
UnitedHealthcare 852 plans nationally; cutting 34 PPOs
Aetna 654 plans nationally; cutting 20 PPOs
Wellcare Special Needs Plans only in Ohio

Medicare advantage plan options in Ohio

Anthem Medigap in Ohio

Anthem also sells Medicare Supplement plans in Ohio. Benefits are standardized by letter, so compare Anthem’s price with other insurers for the same plan. See Anthem Medicare Supplement plans.

Plan What You Pay Best For
Plan G The Part B deductible; after that, Medicare-approved costs are covered Most complete coverage for new enrollees
Plan N Part B deductible, copays up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for some ER visits, and Part B excess charges Lower premium, accepts small copays
High-Deductible Plan G A yearly deductible, then coverage like Plan G Healthy people who want the lowest premium

Medigap benefits are standardized by plan letter. Prices vary by insurer, age, ZIP code and tobacco use.

Ohio Medicare Help

Ohio’s free State Health Insurance Assistance Program is OSHIIP (Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program).

How Medicare Advantage Works

Medicare Advantage, also called Part C, is a way to get your Medicare benefits through a private insurance company approved by Medicare. The plan covers everything Original Medicare Part A and Part B cover, except hospice care, which Original Medicare still pays. Most plans also include Part D drug coverage, and many may add extras such as routine dental, vision and hearing benefits.

In exchange, Anthem plans generally use networks of doctors and hospitals, and may require referrals or prior authorization for some services. Every Medicare Advantage plan has a yearly out-of-pocket maximum for covered medical care, which Original Medicare does not have. You keep paying your Part B premium, plus your plan’s premium if it has one.

Pros and Cons of Medicare Advantage

Advantages

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Often a low or $0 premium

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A yearly out-of-pocket maximum

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Drug coverage usually included

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Many plans may include dental, vision and hearing benefits

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One card and one plan

Tradeoffs

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Networks; HMOs require in-network care except emergencies

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Prior authorization and referrals are common

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Copays add up if you use a lot of care

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Plans and networks can change every year

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Switching to Medigap later may require health questions

Anthem Drug Coverage for 2027

Most Anthem Medicare Advantage plans include Part D drug coverage. Each plan has its own formulary, drug tiers and pharmacy network, and plans commonly charge less at preferred pharmacies and through mail order. For 2027, any plan’s Part D deductible can be up to $700, and the out-of-pocket cap on covered drugs is $2,400.

Tier Typical Drugs Typical Cost
Tier 1 Preferred generics Lowest copay
Tier 2 Generics Low copay
Tier 3 Preferred brand-name drugs Moderate copay
Tier 4 Non-preferred drugs Higher copay or coinsurance
Tier 5 Specialty drugs Highest coinsurance

Tier structures vary by plan. Check each plan’s formulary.

Sometimes a drug you take is not on a plan’s 2027 formulary, or it carries a rule like prior authorization. You still have options:

If Your Drug Is Not Covered

1

Ask for a transition fill. In the first 90 days of a new plan year or a new plan, plans generally must give you a temporary supply of a drug you were already taking, so you have time to switch or request an exception.

2

Ask your doctor about alternatives. A covered drug in the same class may work as well and cost less.

3

Request a formulary or tiering exception. Your doctor submits a statement explaining why you need the drug or a lower copay. Plans must decide within set time limits.

4

Appeal a denial. If the plan says no, you can appeal, and there are several levels of review.

See steps to appeal a Medicare Part D denial.

If Your Plan Is Ending

If your Anthem plan will not be offered in your county for 2027, you should have received a non-renewal notice in early October. Your coverage does not stop right away: it continues through December 31, 2026, so you have time to choose.

If Your Plan Is Ending

1

Read the non-renewal letter. It confirms your plan is ending and explains your options.

2

List your doctors and drugs. You will need them to compare replacement plans.

3

Compare plans for 2027. Check networks, drug coverage and the out-of-pocket maximum, not just the premium.

4

Choose by December 31 for no gap. Enrolling during Annual Enrollment by December 7 gives you coverage on January 1, 2027.

5

Use your Special Enrollment Period if needed. People whose plans end generally can still make a choice through the end of February 2027.

If you do nothing: you return to Original Medicare on January 1, 2027, without drug coverage unless you choose a Part D plan. Going without drug coverage can lead to a late enrollment penalty.

Medigap rights: when your Medicare Advantage plan leaves your area, you generally have a guaranteed issue right to buy certain Medicare Supplement plans without health questions, up to 63 days after your coverage ends.

How to Compare Anthem Plans for 2027

How to Compare

1

Read your Annual Notice of Change. It lists every change to your current plan for 2027.

2

Check your doctors and hospitals. Confirm each provider is in the 2027 network, not just the 2026 one.

3

Check your prescriptions. Confirm each drug, its tier and any prior authorization or step therapy rules.

4

Compare total yearly cost. Add the premium, typical copays and drug costs, and look at the out-of-pocket maximum.

5

Check star ratings. Medicare rates plans from 1 to 5 stars on quality and service.

6

Enroll by December 7. Your new coverage starts January 1, 2027.

2027 Enrollment Dates

Enrollment Period Dates What You Can Do
Annual Enrollment Period October 15 to December 7, 2026 Join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan for January 1, 2027
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment January 1 to March 31, 2027 If you are in Medicare Advantage, switch to another plan or return to Original Medicare once
Initial Enrollment Period 7 months around your 65th birthday month Sign up for Medicare and choose your first plan
Special Enrollment Periods Varies Change plans after events like moving, losing other coverage or your plan leaving your area

Most people make changes during Annual Enrollment. If you are happy with your current plan, you do not have to do anything; it renews automatically. Still, read your Annual Notice of Change, because premiums, copays, networks and drug lists can all change on January 1.

Special Needs Plans

Special Needs Plans (SNPs) are Medicare Advantage plans built for specific groups. Benefits, networks and drug lists are designed around the members they serve, and many include care coordinators. For 2027, Special Needs Plans are one of the few areas where large insurers are adding plans, even as they cut PPOs.

Type Who Qualifies What Is Different
Dual Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) People with both Medicare and Medicaid Coordinates both programs; often very low costs and added benefits
Chronic Condition SNP (C-SNP) People with qualifying conditions such as diabetes, heart failure or chronic lung disease Doctors, drugs and programs built around the condition
Institutional SNP (I-SNP) People living in a nursing home or who need that level of care at home Care delivered where the member lives

Turning 65 in 2027

If you turn 65 in 2027, your Initial Enrollment Period lasts seven months: the three months before your birthday month, your birthday month and the three months after. Signing up during the first three months means your coverage starts on the first day of your birthday month.

Turning 65 Checklist

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Sign up for Part A and Part B, unless you have qualifying employer coverage and choose to delay Part B

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Decide between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare with Medigap

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Join a drug plan, or a Medicare Advantage plan with drugs, to avoid a Part D late penalty

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If you choose Medigap, buy during your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period

Star Ratings

Medicare rates every Medicare Advantage and Part D plan from 1 to 5 stars each fall, based on things like preventive care, how well the plan manages chronic conditions, member complaints, customer service and drug pricing accuracy. The ratings are shown in Medicare Plan Finder.

Using Star Ratings

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A rating of 4 stars or higher is generally a good sign of quality and service

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Five-star plans have a special enrollment period, so you can switch into one once during the year

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New plans may not have a rating yet, which is not a bad sign by itself

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Ratings measure the plan overall, not how well it covers your specific doctors and drugs

Medicare Advantage or Medigap?

Medicare Advantage Original Medicare + Medigap
Monthly premium Often low or $0 (2027 average $12, CMS) Higher; varies by plan letter, age and ZIP
Doctors Usually a network Any provider in the U.S. that accepts Medicare
Costs when you get care Copays and coinsurance up to a yearly maximum Low and predictable; little or nothing on Plan G after the Part B deductible
Drug coverage Usually included Add a separate Part D plan
Dental, vision, hearing Many plans may include some coverage Not included
Changing later Every year during Annual Enrollment Health questions in most states after your Medigap Open Enrollment Period

Guaranteed issue: if your Medicare Advantage plan leaves your area, you generally can buy certain Medicare Supplement plans without health questions, until 63 days after your coverage ends.

Help Paying Medicare Costs

If your income and savings are limited, two programs can cut your Medicare costs sharply:

Medicare Savings Programs

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Run by your state Medicaid office

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Can pay your Part B premium, and sometimes deductibles and coinsurance

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Income and asset limits vary by state

Extra Help (Part D)

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Run by Social Security

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Lowers Part D premiums, deductibles and copays

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People in a Medicare Savings Program qualify automatically

If you qualify for both Medicare and full Medicaid, you may also be able to join a Dual Special Needs Plan. See help for low-income Part D beneficiaries.

Reading Your Annual Notice of Change

Check Every Line

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Your 2027 premium and deductible

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Copays for doctors, specialists and hospital stays

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The out-of-pocket maximum

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Changes to your drug list, tiers and coverage rules

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Whether your doctors, hospitals and pharmacy are still in network

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Changes to dental, vision, hearing and other extras

Plans must send the Annual Notice of Change by September 30. It is the single most useful document you get each fall, because it tells you exactly how your plan changes on January 1.

Special Enrollment Periods

Outside the fall and early-year windows, you generally need a Special Enrollment Period to change plans. Common reasons include:

You May Qualify If

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Your plan is leaving your area or ending

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You move outside your plan’s service area

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You lose employer or union coverage

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You qualify for Extra Help or a Medicare Savings Program, or your Medicaid status changes

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You want to join a 5-star plan, once a year

Each Special Enrollment Period has its own time limit, so act as soon as the event happens.

Prior Authorization and Referrals

Most Medicare Advantage plans require prior authorization for some services, such as certain surgeries, advanced imaging, skilled nursing stays and some drugs. Your doctor usually requests it, but ask whether a planned service needs approval so a denial does not surprise you.

If a request is denied, you or your doctor can appeal. Medicare rules set deadlines for plans to decide, with faster deadlines when waiting could seriously harm your health.

Emergency, Urgent and Out-of-Area Care

Every Medicare Advantage plan covers emergency care and urgent care anywhere in the U.S., in or out of network, and you do not need prior approval for an emergency. Routine care away from home is a different story: HMOs generally do not cover it, while PPOs cover out-of-network care at a higher cost.

If you spend months away from home each year, ask each plan how it handles care in your second location. It is one of the most common reasons people switch plans mid-year.

Appeals and Complaints

If your plan denies a service, a drug or payment for care, you have the right to appeal. The plan’s denial notice explains how. There are several levels of appeal, starting with the plan and moving to independent reviewers.

For problems that are not about coverage, such as customer service or wait times, you can file a grievance with the plan. You can also contact 1-800-MEDICARE or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program for help.

The 2027 Part B Premium

The Part B premium is the one big number not released with the plans. CMS normally announces it in November. The 2026 Medicare Trustees Report projects a 2027 standard premium of about $209.50 a month and a deductible of about $292, up from $202.90 and $283 in 2026. You keep paying it with Medicare Advantage.

If You Miss December 7

If you miss the Annual Enrollment deadline, your current plan renews automatically for 2027, with the changes in your Annual Notice of Change. If you are in Medicare Advantage, you get one more chance from January 1 to March 31, 2027, to switch Medicare Advantage plans or return to Original Medicare and join a Part D plan.

Telehealth

Many Medicare Advantage plans may cover telehealth visits for some services, sometimes at a lower copay than an office visit. Telehealth is convenient for follow-ups and minor issues, but it does not replace confirming that your regular doctors are in network.

What Original Medicare Leaves You to Pay

A Medicare Supplement plan is built to cover the gaps in Original Medicare. These are the costs it can pick up:

Original Medicare Gap What It Means for You Covered By
Part A deductible A deductible for each hospital benefit period, not once a year. It was $1,736 in 2026. Plans B, C, D, F, G and N in full; K, L and M in part
Part A hospital coinsurance Daily charges after day 60 of a hospital stay, rising after day 90 All 10 plans, plus 365 extra hospital days
Part B deductible A yearly deductible before Part B pays. It was $283 in 2026. Only Plans C and F
Part B coinsurance Usually 20% of the approved amount, with no yearly cap All plans (K and L in part, N with copays)
Part B excess charges Up to 15% above the approved amount from doctors who do not take assignment Plans F and G
Skilled nursing coinsurance Daily charges from day 21 to day 100 of a covered stay Plans C, D, F, G, M and N (K and L in part)
Emergency care abroad Original Medicare generally does not cover care outside the U.S. Plans C, D, F, G, M and N, up to plan limits

No cap without a supplement: Original Medicare has no out-of-pocket maximum. Without a Medigap plan or other coverage, there is no limit to the 20% you can owe on Part B services.

All 10 Medigap Plans Compared

Federal law sets exactly what each plan letter covers, so the same letter has the same benefits from every insurer in your state.

Benefit A B C* D F* G K L M N
Part A coinsurance and hospital costs up to 365 extra days Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Part B coinsurance or copayment Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 50% 75% Yes Yes***
First 3 pints of blood Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 50% 75% Yes Yes
Part A hospice coinsurance or copayment Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 50% 75% Yes Yes
Skilled nursing facility coinsurance No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 50% 75% Yes Yes
Part A deductible No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 50% 75% 50% Yes
Part B deductible No No Yes No Yes No No No No No
Part B excess charges No No No No Yes Yes No No No No
Foreign travel emergency (up to plan limits) No No 80% 80% 80% 80% No No 80% 80%
Out-of-pocket limit None None None None None None Yes** Yes** None None

*Plans C and F can only be bought by people who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. **Plans K and L have a yearly out-of-pocket limit that Medicare sets each year; after you reach it, the plan pays 100% of covered services for the rest of the year. ***Plan N pays all Part B coinsurance except copays of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that do not lead to an inpatient admission. Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin standardize their plans differently.

Plan G, Plan N and High-Deductible Plan G

Most people new to Medicare choose one of these three. Plan G covers every gap except the Part B deductible. Plan N trades a lower premium for copays of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for ER visits that do not lead to admission, and it does not cover Part B excess charges. High-Deductible Plan G has a $3,050 deductible for 2027, up from $2,950, then covers like Plan G. See Plan G vs Plan N.

Plan G

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You pay the Part B deductible, then little or nothing

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Covers Part B excess charges

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Highest premium of the three

Plan N

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You pay the Part B deductible plus small copays

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Does not cover Part B excess charges

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Usually a lower premium than Plan G

High-Deductible G

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You pay up to $3,050 in 2027 before coverage starts

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Then covers like Plan G

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Lowest premium

How Medigap Prices Are Set

Your Age

Many insurers charge more as you get older.

Your ZIP Code

Prices vary by state and area.

Tobacco Use

Tobacco users usually pay more.

Discounts

Household or other discounts, depending on the insurer and state.

Pricing Method How the Premium Is Set Over Time
Community-rated Everyone in an area pays the same premium, regardless of age Does not rise because you get older, but can rise for inflation and other reasons
Issue-age-rated Based on your age when you buy Does not rise because you get older, but can rise for other reasons
Attained-age-rated Based on your current age Rises as you age, on top of other increases

The method depends on the insurer and the state. Ask how a policy is priced before you buy, not just what it costs today.

Getting Help

You do not have to compare plans alone, and you should not have to pay for help. These are the free options:

Free Help Comparing Plans

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Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov, available any time

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1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), available 24 hours a day, seven days a week

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Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which offers free, unbiased counseling

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A licensed insurance agent or broker, who can compare plans from several insurers at no cost to you

Before any call, have your Medicare card, your list of drugs and doses, your doctors and your preferred pharmacies ready. It turns a long conversation into a short one.

Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

Anthem remains Ohio’s Blue plan for 2027 as Ohio loses 32 Medicare Advantage plans. Confirm your Anthem plan continues, compare with Humana, UnitedHealthcare and Aetna, and enroll during Annual Enrollment, October 15 to December 7, 2026.

Compare plans and enroll online

Frequently Asked Questions

➤ Does Anthem offer Medicare Advantage in Ohio for 2027?

Yes, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield offers Medicare Advantage plans in Ohio for 2027. Availability varies by county, so enter your ZIP code in Medicare Plan Finder to see which Anthem plans are offered where you live. Compare premiums, out-of-pocket maximums, networks and drug coverage before December 7, 2026.

➤ Is Anthem cutting Medicare Advantage plans?

Elevance, Anthem’s parent, is pulling standard plans from 56 counties nationally and leaving South Carolina’s Medicare Advantage market for 2027. Check your Annual Notice of Change to see whether your Ohio plan is changing. If your plan is ending, you will get a non-renewal notice and a Special Enrollment Period.

➤ How many Medicare Advantage plans are in Ohio for 2027?

Ohio has 180 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027, down from 212 in 2026. Most counties still have options from several insurers. Compare plans by ZIP code, since the plans available to you depend on your county, and check that your doctors and prescriptions are covered.

➤ Does Anthem sell Medigap in Ohio?

Yes, Anthem sells Medicare Supplement plans in Ohio. Medigap works with Original Medicare, not Medicare Advantage, and does not include drug coverage, so most people add a separate Part D plan. The best time to buy is your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, when insurers cannot use health questions.

➤ Where can I get free Medicare help in Ohio?

OSHIIP, Ohio’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program, offers free, unbiased counseling. Counselors can help you compare 2027 Medicare Advantage, Medigap and Part D options and understand notices from your plan. They do not sell insurance, so their guidance is independent.

➤ When can I enroll in a Anthem Medicare Advantage plan for 2027?

Annual Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, 2026, with coverage starting January 1, 2027. If you are already in Medicare Advantage, you can also make one change from January 1 to March 31, 2027.

➤ What happens if my Medicare Advantage plan is ending?

You will get a non-renewal notice, and your coverage continues through December 31, 2026. You can choose a new plan during Annual Enrollment or a Special Enrollment Period, and you generally have a guaranteed issue right to buy certain Medigap plans.

Have Questions?

Speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-855-398-0716

TTY users 711

Mon-Fri: 8am-9pm ET

Find & Compare Plans Online

Speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-855-398-0716TTY 711

Mon-Fri: 8am-9pm ET

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