Turn Medicare and ACA insights into results.

Recent findings

Star Ratings Deep Dive

Humana went from 42% → 95% of members at 4+ stars.

42%

2026

95.1%

2027

Humana members · % in 4+ star contracts, by star year. CMS 2026 and 2027 Star Ratings, CPSC (Sept 2026).

Read the analysis

In focus · AEP 2027 deep dive · Part 1 of 7New

Medical deductibles are becoming harder to avoid.

One in five plans now has a medical deductible, double last year. Explore it state by state, carrier by carrier.

21.8%

of plans in scope have a deductible in 2027, from 11% in 2026

62.9%

of giveback MAPDs, from 30.1% in 2026

Read the deep dive

A continuing body of work12 studies

From the analysis desk.

12 analyses · Medicare & ACA

AEP 2027 · CMS Star Ratings

Humana is the big winner of the 2027 Star Ratings.

CMS released the 2027 Star Ratings. 4.69M members moved into 4+ star contracts and 4.88M fell below 4. Humana gained the most, UnitedHealth lost the most. See every parent, the biggest swings, and the 5-star contracts.

Read the deep dive

AEP 2027 · CMS plan crosswalk

3.2M Medicare Advantage members are forced to shop.

CMS released the 2027 plan crosswalk. Of 5.3M members whose plan is going away in their county, 3.2M have no plan to land in. See who is affected by carrier, plan type, and state.

Read the deep dive

AEP 2027 · Part 1 of 7

Medical deductibles are becoming harder to avoid.

One in five plans now has a medical deductible, double last year. A closer look at where deductibles apply, which carriers changed, and how the pattern varies by state.

Read the deep dive

AEP 2027 · Part 2 of 7

Worldwide emergency coverage: one carrier changes the picture.

UnitedHealthcare dropped worldwide emergency coverage from nearly every plan, leaving 6.1M members without it. Every other large carrier kept it.

Read the deep dive

Coming soon

AEP 2027 · Part 3 of 7

Drug deductibles

Coming soon

Coming soon

AEP 2027 · Part 4 of 7

OTC allowances

Coming soon

Coming soon

AEP 2027 · Part 5 of 7

Giveback plans

Coming soon

Coming soon

AEP 2027 · Part 6 of 7

Special needs plans

Coming soon

Coming soon

AEP 2027 · Part 7 of 7

The local story

Coming soon

$0 premium plans

What changed in $0 plans for 2027.

Medical deductibles, drug costs, OTC, meals, dental, and more: a comparison of non-SNP Medicare Advantage plans with Part D and a $0 premium.

Read the study

EOC Analyzer · 2027 plans

Every 2027 Medicare Advantage plan, side by side.

Pick a state and county to compare every individual MA and C-SNP plan: premiums, MOOP, copays, drugs, dental, vision, hearing, OTC and enrollment, with the source behind every cell.

Open the tool

Coming soon

Minnesota individual market

Minnesota ACA

Coming soon

About

I’m Mike Zehrer.

MBA · BSN

I’ve spent my career helping Medicaid, ACA and Medicare Advantage plans launch products, improve member outcomes, turn around struggling markets and grow.

Today I help health plans do all of that with data behind every decision.

Let’s talk about how I can help your team

Turn Medicare and ACA insights into results.

Humana went from 42% → 95% of members at 4+ stars.

3.2 million MA members have to pick a new plan for 2027.

UnitedHealthcare dropped worldwide coverage: 97% → 0% of its plans.

Medical deductibles doubled: 11% → 22% of plans.

Deductibles are becoming the norm on giveback plans: 30% → 63%.

C‑SNPs with deductibles nearly tripled: 86 → 233.

Medical deductibles are twice as common.

Only 1 in 10 $0 plans has a $0 drug deductible.

Fewer plans offer OTC.

Medical deductibles are becoming harder to avoid.

From the analysis desk.

Humana is the big winner of the 2027 Star Ratings.

3.2M Medicare Advantage members are forced to shop.

Medical deductibles are becoming harder to avoid.

Worldwide emergency coverage: one carrier changes the picture.

Drug deductibles

OTC allowances

Giveback plans

Special needs plans

The local story

What changed in $0 plans for 2027.

Every 2027 Medicare Advantage plan, side by side.

Minnesota ACA

I’m Mike Zehrer.