Medicare Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage runs Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2026. On Sept. 28, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published a Tennessee fact sheet that shows more Medicare Advantage (MA) choices and a slightly lower average MA premium in the state next year.
Tennessee by the numbers for 2027
CMS says 1,528,522 Tennesseans are enrolled in Medicare. For 2027:
| Tennessee measure | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Average monthly MA plan premium | $12.52 | $11.73 |
| MA plans available | 132 | 155 |
| Lowest monthly MA premium | — | $0 |
| Stand-alone drug plans available | — | 11 |
| Lowest stand-alone drug plan premium | — | $5.30 |
| Stand-alone drug plan members with a lower-premium option than 2026 | — | 58.01% |
| Stand-alone drug plan members getting Extra Help | — | 23.30% |
CMS also says 100% of Tennesseans with Medicare have access to an MA plan, and to an MA plan with a $0 monthly premium. A $0 premium does not mean $0 cost; deductibles, copays, networks, and drug lists still drive what you pay.
The national picture
Nationally, CMS projects the weighted average monthly MA premium will fall from $14.37 in 2026 to $12.00 in 2027, a 16.5% decline. The average stand-alone Part D premium is projected to rise less than $1, from $35.09 to $36. CMS says about eight in 10 MA enrollees can stay in their current plan with the same or a lower premium.
Key dates
- Around Oct. 8, 2026: 2027 Star Ratings for health and drug plans appear on Medicare.gov.
- Oct. 15, 2026: Open Enrollment begins.
- Dec. 7, 2026: Open Enrollment ends.
- Jan. 1, 2027: 2027 health and drug coverage begins.
CMS notes that people who want to keep their current Medicare coverage do not need to re-enroll. 1-800-MEDICARE is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Five things to check before Dec. 7
- Your plan’s 2027 changes. CMS says health and drug plans begin notifying enrollees about 2027 changes in September, when the “2027 Medicare & You” handbook also goes out. Look for premium, deductible, and copay changes.
- Your doctors and hospitals. Confirm they are in network for 2027, not just 2026.
- Your prescriptions. Run your exact drug list through the Medicare Plan Finder. Formularies change every year.
- Total cost, not premium. Add the premium to expected copays and the drug deductible.
- Extra Help and savings programs. If money is tight, ask whether you qualify.
Free, unbiased help in Tennessee
The Tennessee State Health Insurance Assistance Program (TN SHIP) is a federally funded program that provides free, unbiased counseling to Medicare-eligible Tennesseans, their families, and caregivers. Call 1-877-801-0044 or email [email protected].
For more on how Tennessee regulates health coverage, see TDCI’s Health Insurance 101 page lists ACA rating-area carriers and No Surprises links. and TDCI says healthcare sharing ministries are not insurance — help with bills is voluntary.. If you have a problem with a policy, How Tennesseans file an insurance complaint with TDCI’s Consumer Insurance Services. explains the process. Planning retirement income alongside health costs? See TDCI links the NAIC deferred annuities buyer’s guide for Tennesseans..
Related reading from All Seasons
- TDCI’s Health Insurance 101 page lists ACA rating-area carriers and No Surprises links.
- TDCI says healthcare sharing ministries are not insurance — help with bills is voluntary.
- How Tennesseans file an insurance complaint with TDCI’s Consumer Insurance Services.
- TDCI links the NAIC deferred annuities buyer’s guide for Tennesseans.
Free policy review
All Seasons Insurance Group offers a free personal policy review. Call 865-263-1400 or visit asigtn.com/get-a-quote/. This article is informational only and does not promise coverage or eligibility; your policy forms control. Seasons change. So should your coverage.
When is Medicare Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage?
CMS says Open Enrollment runs Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2026, and 2027 coverage begins Jan. 1, 2027.
How many Medicare Advantage plans are in Tennessee for 2027?
CMS lists 155 MA plans in Tennessee for 2027, compared with 132 in 2026.
Is the average Medicare Advantage premium in Tennessee going down?
CMS says the average monthly MA plan premium in Tennessee changed from $12.52 in 2026 to $11.73 in 2027.
How many stand-alone Part D plans are available in Tennessee?
CMS lists 11 stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plans in Tennessee for 2027.
Do I have to re-enroll to keep my current plan?
CMS says people who want to keep their current Medicare coverage do not need to re-enroll. Still review your plan’s changes for 2027.
Where can I get free Medicare counseling in Tennessee?
TN SHIP offers free, unbiased counseling at 1-877-801-0044 or [email protected].
Is a $0-premium plan free?
No. A $0 premium can still come with deductibles, copays, network limits, and drug costs. Compare total expected cost.
How can All Seasons help after reading this?
Call 865-263-1400 or visit asigtn.com/get-a-quote/ for a free personal policy review. Informational only; no coverage promises. Seasons change. So should your coverage.
Source links
- CMS: 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape state-by-state fact sheets (Tennessee)
- CMS press release: Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Programs Expected to Remain Stable in 2027 (Sept. 28, 2026)
- Tennessee State Health Insurance Assistance Program (TN SHIP)
- Get a Quote — All Seasons Insurance Group
