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Highmark Medicare Plans 2027

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

Highmark offers both Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans for 2027 in Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia and parts of New York, where it is the Blue Cross Blue Shield company.

Highmark is one of the largest Blue Cross Blue Shield companies in the country. Its Medicare Advantage lines include Freedom Blue PPO and Community Blue Medicare HMO, and it also sells Medicare Supplement plans, so Highmark members can choose either path.

In western Pennsylvania, Highmark is closely tied to the Allegheny Health Network, and its main competitor is UPMC Health Plan, so which health system your doctors belong to often decides which plan fits. See Highmark Medicare Advantage plans, Highmark PPO and Highmark HMO.

✔ Licensed in all 50 states
✔ Based on CMS 2027 data
✔ Free plan comparison

Key Highlights

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Highmark is the Blue Cross Blue Shield company in PA, DE, WV and parts of NY.

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Highmark offers Freedom Blue PPO, Community Blue Medicare HMO and Medigap plans.

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In western Pennsylvania, compare Highmark with UPMC.

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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

Highmark Medicare Plan Options

Plan Type How It Works
Freedom Blue PPO Medicare Advantage PPO In-network and out-of-network coverage; out-of-network costs more
Community Blue Medicare HMO Medicare Advantage HMO Use the network except emergencies; usually lower costs
Highmark Medicare Supplement Medigap Works with Original Medicare; any provider who accepts Medicare
Highmark Part D Prescription drug plan Drug coverage to pair with Original Medicare and Medigap

Plan names, premiums and benefits vary by county and can change each year. Your Annual Notice of Change lists any 2027 changes to your plan.

Benefits Highmark Plans May Offer

Highmark 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.

Highmark Medicare Plans (2027)

What Changed for 2027

Key Takeaway

Highmark adjusts its plans every year. Read your Annual Notice of Change for 2027 changes to premiums, copays, networks and drug lists.

Across the country, several Blue Cross Blue Shield companies are pulling back from Medicare Advantage for 2027: HCSC is shrinking from 948 counties to about 478, Anthem is leaving 56 counties and South Carolina, and Wellmark and the Blue plans in North Dakota and Mississippi are leaving Medicare Advantage. We found no report of Highmark leaving Medicare Advantage for 2027.

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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Highmark vs UPMC in Western Pennsylvania

Highmark

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Blue Cross Blue Shield plan

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Closely tied to Allegheny Health Network

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Freedom Blue PPO and Community Blue HMO

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Also sells Medigap

UPMC Health Plan

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Owned by the UPMC health system

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Built around UPMC doctors and hospitals

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HMO and PPO Medicare Advantage plans

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Strong in western and central PA

Start with your doctors. If most of your care is at AHN, Highmark usually fits better; if it is at UPMC, a UPMC plan usually does. See UPMC Medicare Advantage plans.

Medicare Advantage or Highmark Medigap?

Because Highmark sells both, its members face the same choice everyone does: a Medicare Advantage plan with a low premium and a network, or Original Medicare with a Medigap plan and a Part D plan for any-doctor freedom and predictable costs.

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.

Verify Highmark Plans in your county, doctors, pharmacies and costs

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, Highmark 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.

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

If Your Plan Is Ending

If your Highmark 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.

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

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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 Highmark 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.

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.

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

Highmark offers Medicare Advantage PPO and HMO plans and Medigap for 2027. Read your Annual Notice of Change, confirm your doctors and their health system, and compare during Annual Enrollment, October 15 to December 7, 2026.

Compare plans and enroll online

Frequently Asked Questions

➤ Does Highmark offer Medicare Advantage for 2027?

Yes. Highmark offers Freedom Blue PPO and Community Blue Medicare HMO plans in its service area for 2027. Plans vary by county, so enter your ZIP code in Medicare Plan Finder to see which Highmark options are available where you live and compare premiums, networks and drug coverage.

➤ Does Highmark sell Medigap?

Yes. Highmark also offers Medicare Supplement plans, which work with Original Medicare rather than Medicare Advantage. Medigap does not include drug coverage, so most people pair it with a separate Part D plan, and a Medigap policy cannot be used with a Medicare Advantage plan.

➤ Where does Highmark offer Medicare plans?

Highmark offers Medicare plans in Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia and parts of New York. The specific plans available differ by county within each state, so check your ZIP code before you compare options. You generally must live in a plan’s service area to join it.

➤ Should I choose Highmark or UPMC?

It usually depends on where your doctors practice. Highmark is closely tied to Allegheny Health Network, while UPMC plans are built around UPMC doctors and hospitals. Before you choose, check each plan’s 2027 provider directory for your doctors and hospitals, then compare premiums, copays and drug coverage.

➤ Is Highmark leaving Medicare Advantage?

We found no report of Highmark leaving Medicare Advantage for 2027. Individual plans can still change benefits, costs or service areas, so read your Annual Notice of Change for plan-level changes. If your plan no longer fits your needs, you can switch during Annual Enrollment, October 15 to December 7, 2026.

➤ When can I enroll in a Highmark 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

ZRN Health & Financial Services, LLC, a Texas limited liability company

MedicarePlansGuide.org
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Austin, TX 78734

TERMS & CONDITIONS | PRIVACY POLICY | EDITORIAL POLICY | DISCLOSURE

This website and MedicarePlansGuide.org are privately owned and operated and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Federal Medicare program or any other government agency. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent multiple organizations which offer Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement Insurance plans, and Medicare Prescription Drug plans. Not all plans offer all benefits mentioned. Benefits, premiums, deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, exclusions, and limitations may vary by plan, carrier, and location and may change over time.

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Enrollment in a Medicare plan may be limited to certain times of the year unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Plan availability depends on contract renewal. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information provided is limited to the plans we offer in your area.

For complete and official information about Medicare benefits and coverage options, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users: 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

MedicarePlansGuide.org is owned and operated by ZRN Health & Financial Services, LLC, a Texas limited liability company.