Company vs company · Mecklenburg County, NC · 2027 plan year

Humana vs Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Medicare Advantage plans

Medicare.gov compares Medicare Advantage plans with each other. This page also shows Original Medicare, so you can see the full trade-off: premiums, copays, the yearly limit, extra benefits, and the rules about doctors and approvals.

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In most states, including North Carolina, you cannot count on getting Medigap later

You can buy any Medigap plan with no health questions in the 6 months that start when you are 65 or older and have Part B. After that, a Medigap company in North Carolina can ask about your health. It can say no, or it can charge you more. So if you join a Medicare Advantage plan now, you may not be able to get Medigap later.

One exception is the trial right. If you joined Medicare Advantage when you first got Medicare at 65, or you left a Medigap plan to try Medicare Advantage for the first time, you can switch back within 12 months. Then you can buy a Medigap plan with no health questions.

Read about Medigap rights on Medicare.gov

Your yearly cost, side by side

Move the controls to match your year. Totals include premiums, the Part B premium, copays, and drug costs.

How much care do you expect?

Ongoing specialist care

Medigap plan with Original Medicare

Plan G pays almost everything after the $292 yearly Part B deductible.

Want to check your exact drugs? Medicare.gov lets you enter each drug and shows what each plan charges for it. Enter your drugs on Medicare.gov

Medicare.gov lists $114 to $505 a month for a 65-year-old woman who does not use tobacco. We start at the lowest price. Health questions can raise the price after your first 6 months with Part B.

Original Medicare

With Medigap Plan G at $114 a month and Wellcare Value Script (PDP)

$6,413 a year

Premiums
$3,946
Medical costs
$292
Drugs
$2,175

Most you can pay in a bad year, before drugs: $4,238.

Humana Gold Plus Giveback H1036-318 (HMO-POS)

HMO-POS from Humana

$4,614 a year

Premiums
$1,098
Medical costs
$1,813
Drugs
$1,703

Most you can pay in a bad year, before drugs: $10,948.

Blue Medicare Essential (HMO)

HMO from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina

$5,633 a year

Premiums
$2,082
Medical costs
$1,612
Drugs
$1,939

Most you can pay in a bad year, before drugs: $11,932.

With these settings, Humana Gold Plus Giveback H1036-318 (HMO-POS) costs about $1,019 less a year than Blue Medicare Essential (HMO).

Tipping point for Humana Gold Plus Giveback H1036-318 (HMO-POS): with this drug use, if your medical copays and coinsurance in this plan pass $3,612 in a year, Original Medicare with Plan G costs less. The plan caps those costs at $9,850.

Tipping point for Blue Medicare Essential (HMO): with this drug use, if your medical copays and coinsurance in this plan pass $2,392 in a year, Original Medicare with Plan G costs less. The plan caps those costs at $9,850.

These are estimates, not quotes. Check every number with Medicare (Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE) and with the plan before you choose. What you pay depends on your doctors and hospitals, your drugs and pharmacy, and the care you use. Drug costs use typical prices for generic and brand-name drugs. Original Medicare amounts are 2027 projections from the 2026 Medicare Trustees Report. CMS sets the final amounts in November.

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What you pay each time you get care

In-network costs for one visit or one stay. The Original Medicare amounts follow your Medigap choice above: Plan G.

Primary doctor visit

  • Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G

    $0

    after the $292 yearly Part B deductible

  • Humana Gold Plus H1036-335 (HMO-POS)

    $0

  • HumanaChoice Giveback H5525-035 (PPO)

    $0

  • Blue Medicare Essential Plus (HMO-POS)

    $0

  • Blue Medicare PPO Enhanced (PPO)

    $0

Specialist visit

  • Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G

    $0

    after the $292 yearly Part B deductible

  • Humana Gold Plus H1036-335 (HMO-POS)

    $10

    Prior authorization
  • HumanaChoice Giveback H5525-035 (PPO)

    $45

    Prior authorization
  • Blue Medicare Essential Plus (HMO-POS)

    $30

  • Blue Medicare PPO Enhanced (PPO)

    $20

Lab tests

  • Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G

    $0

    most Medicare-covered tests

  • Humana Gold Plus H1036-335 (HMO-POS)

    $0

    Prior authorization
  • HumanaChoice Giveback H5525-035 (PPO)

    $0

    Prior authorization
  • Blue Medicare Essential Plus (HMO-POS)

    $0-$35

    Prior authorization
  • Blue Medicare PPO Enhanced (PPO)

    $0-$25

    Prior authorization

MRI or CT scan

  • Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G

    $0

    after the $292 yearly Part B deductible

  • Humana Gold Plus H1036-335 (HMO-POS)

    $0-$345

    Prior authorization
  • HumanaChoice Giveback H5525-035 (PPO)

    $0-$345

    Prior authorization
  • Blue Medicare Essential Plus (HMO-POS)

    $0-$300 or 20%

    Prior authorization
  • Blue Medicare PPO Enhanced (PPO)

    $0-$300 or 20%

    Prior authorization

Emergency room

  • Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G

    $0

    after the $292 yearly Part B deductible

  • Humana Gold Plus H1036-335 (HMO-POS)

    $150

  • HumanaChoice Giveback H5525-035 (PPO)

    $115

  • Blue Medicare Essential Plus (HMO-POS)

    $130

  • Blue Medicare PPO Enhanced (PPO)

    $130

Urgent care

  • Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G

    $0

    after the $292 yearly Part B deductible

  • Humana Gold Plus H1036-335 (HMO-POS)

    $65

  • HumanaChoice Giveback H5525-035 (PPO)

    $40

  • Blue Medicare Essential Plus (HMO-POS)

    $50

  • Blue Medicare PPO Enhanced (PPO)

    $50

Outpatient surgery

  • Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G

    $0

    after the $292 yearly Part B deductible

  • Humana Gold Plus H1036-335 (HMO-POS)

    $0-$400

    Prior authorization
  • HumanaChoice Giveback H5525-035 (PPO)

    $0-$400

    Prior authorization
  • Blue Medicare Essential Plus (HMO-POS)

    $0-$350

    Prior authorization
  • Blue Medicare PPO Enhanced (PPO)

    $0-$300

    Prior authorization

Ground ambulance

  • Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G

    $0

    after the $292 yearly Part B deductible

  • Humana Gold Plus H1036-335 (HMO-POS)

    $325

    Prior authorization
  • HumanaChoice Giveback H5525-035 (PPO)

    $325

    Prior authorization
  • Blue Medicare Essential Plus (HMO-POS)

    $300

    Prior authorization
  • Blue Medicare PPO Enhanced (PPO)

    $250

    Prior authorization

Hospital stay, 5 days

  • Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G

    $0

    Plan G pays the $1,788 Part A deductible

  • Humana Gold Plus H1036-335 (HMO-POS)

    $1,475

    for a 5-day stay

    Prior authorization
  • HumanaChoice Giveback H5525-035 (PPO)

    $1,875

    for a 5-day stay

    Prior authorization
  • Blue Medicare Essential Plus (HMO-POS)

    $2,250

    for a 5-day stay

    Prior authorization
  • Blue Medicare PPO Enhanced (PPO)

    $1,995

    for a 5-day stay

    Prior authorization
See every cost in one table
What you pay in networkOriginal Medicare + Medigap Plan GHumana Gold Plus H1036-335 (HMO-POS)HumanaChoice Giveback H5525-035 (PPO)Blue Medicare Essential Plus (HMO-POS)Blue Medicare PPO Enhanced (PPO)
Monthly premiumPart B $209.50 + Medigap Plan G $114 + drug plan $5.30$0 (pays back $1 a month of your Part B premium) + Part B $209.50$0 (pays back $110 a month of your Part B premium) + Part B $209.50$0 + Part B $209.50$45 + Part B $209.50
Yearly limit on what you payYou pay the $292 Part B deductible. Plan G pays the rest.$3,950 in network$9,850 in network; $14,800 in and out of network$5,900 in network$6,900 in network; $6,900 in and out of network
Medical deductible$292 Part B. Plan G pays the $1,788 Part A deductible.$0$600$130$210
Primary doctor visit$0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible$0 copay$0 copay$0 copay$0 copay
Specialist visit$0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible$10 copayPrior authorization$45 copayPrior authorization$30 copay$20 copay
Lab tests$0, most Medicare-covered tests$0 copayPrior authorization$0 copayPrior authorization$0-$35 copayPrior authorization$0-$25 copayPrior authorization
MRI or CT scan$0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible$0-$345 copayPrior authorization$0-$345 copayPrior authorization$0-$300 copay, 20% coinsurancePrior authorization$0-$300 copay, 20% coinsurancePrior authorization
X-rays$0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible$0-$145 copayPrior authorization$0-$145 copayPrior authorization$0-$30 copayPrior authorization$0-$30 copayPrior authorization
Emergency room$0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible$150 copay$115 copay$130 copay$130 copay
Urgent care$0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible$65 copay$40 copay$50 copay$50 copay
Outpatient hospital$0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible$0-$475 copayPrior authorization$0-$475 copayPrior authorization$0-$575 copayPrior authorization$0-$410 copayPrior authorization
Surgery center$0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible$0-$400 copayPrior authorization$0-$400 copayPrior authorization$0-$350 copayPrior authorization$0-$300 copayPrior authorization
Ground ambulance$0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible$325 copayPrior authorization$325 copayPrior authorization$300 copayPrior authorization$250 copayPrior authorization
Hospital stay$0, Plan G pays the $1,788 Part A deductible$295 per day for days 1-5; $0 per day for days 6-90Prior authorization$375 per day for days 1-7; $0 per day for days 8-90Prior authorization$450 per day for days 1-6; $0 per day for days 7-90Prior authorization$399 per day for days 1-6; $0 per day for days 7-90Prior authorization
Skilled nursing facility$0, Plan G pays days 21-100$20 per day for days 1-20; $221 per day for days 21-100Prior authorization$0 per day for days 1-20; $221 per day for days 21-100Prior authorization$10 per day for days 1-20; $221 per day for days 21-100Prior authorization$10 per day for days 1-20; $221 per day for days 21-100Prior authorization
Mental health visit$0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible$35 copayPrior authorization$35 copayPrior authorization$30 copay$20 copay
Physical therapy$0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible$25 copayPrior authorization$25 copayPrior authorization$40 copay$25 copay
Home health care$0, Medicare-covered home health$0 copayPrior authorization$0 copayPrior authorization$0 copayPrior authorization$0 copayPrior authorization
Medical equipment$0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible20% coinsurancePrior authorization13% coinsurancePrior authorization20% coinsurancePrior authorization20% coinsurancePrior authorization
Part B drugs$0 after the $292 Part B deductible0%-20% coinsurancePrior authorization0%-20% coinsurancePrior authorization0%-20% coinsurancePrior authorization0%-20% coinsurancePrior authorization
Drug deductible (Part D)$700 with Wellcare Value Script (PDP)$700$700$700$700
Drug tiers (one month, retail)Generic: $0 copayPreferred Brand: 25% coinsuranceNon-Preferred Drug: 45% coinsuranceInjectable Drugs: 15% coinsuranceSpecialty Tier: 25% coinsuranceSelect Care Drugs: $11 copayPreferred Generic: $0 copayGeneric: $5 copayPreferred Brand: 17% coinsuranceNon-Preferred Drug: 44% coinsuranceSpecialty Tier: 25% coinsurancePreferred Generic: $0 copayGeneric: $4 copayPreferred Brand: 19% coinsuranceNon-Preferred Drug: 30% coinsuranceSpecialty Tier: 25% coinsurancePreferred Generic: $0 copayGeneric: $4 copayPreferred Brand: 21% coinsuranceNon-Preferred Drug: 26% coinsuranceSpecialty Tier: 25% coinsuranceSelect Care Drugs: $0 copayPreferred Generic: $0 copayGeneric: $4 copayPreferred Brand: 21% coinsuranceNon-Preferred Drug: 26% coinsuranceSpecialty Tier: 25% coinsuranceSelect Care Drugs: $0 copay

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A higher drug plan premium is not, by itself, a reason to switch

With Original Medicare, you buy a separate drug plan. In North Carolina, 11 drug plans are for sale for 2027, from $5.30 to $239.20 a month. Half of them cost $130.20 a month or less.

  • Every 2027 drug plan limits what you pay for covered drugs to $2,400 a year. The drug coverage in Medicare Advantage plans has the same limit.
  • The premium is one part of your yearly cost. The calculator above adds premiums, medical costs, and drug costs, so you can see the whole year.
  • A Medicare Advantage plan can cost less in a light year. But you also take on its network and prior authorization rules, and you may not be able to get Medigap later.
  • If your income is limited, Extra Help can pay most of your drug plan premium and drug costs. Check Extra Help at SSA.gov

The two companies in Mecklenburg County

Humana

  • 14 plans for 2027 (not counting special needs plans)
  • 10 with a $0 premium; 8 pay back part of your Part B premium
  • Yearly limits from $3,950 to $9,850
  • Star ratings 3.5 to 4.5

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina

  • 6 plans for 2027 (not counting special needs plans)
  • 4 with a $0 premium; 3 pay back part of your Part B premium
  • Yearly limits from $3,900 to $9,850
  • Star ratings 4 to 4.5

Doctors, referrals, and prior authorization

Cost is one side. The other side is how you get care. These rules come from the CMS plan files. Prior authorization means the plan must approve a service before you get it.

Original Medicare

  • Any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that takes Medicare
  • No referrals
  • Prior authorization only for a short list of services

Humana Gold Plus H1036-335 (HMO-POS)

HMO-POS

  • You use the plan network. Some care outside the network is covered at a higher cost.
  • No referral needed to see a specialist.

Prior authorization for 24 services

Specialist visits, Diagnostic tests, MRI or CT, Radiation therapy, Outpatient hospital, Observation stay, Surgery center, Ambulance, Mental health visits, Psychiatrist visits, Physical therapy, Occupational therapy, Home health, Partial hospitalization, Cardiac rehab, Pulmonary rehab, Medical equipment, Prosthetics, Diabetic supplies, Dialysis, Substance use care, Hospital stay, Skilled nursing, Part B drugs

HumanaChoice Giveback H5525-035 (PPO)

PPO

  • The plan has a network. You can go outside it, but you pay more.
  • No referral needed to see a specialist.

Prior authorization for 24 services

Specialist visits, Diagnostic tests, MRI or CT, Radiation therapy, Outpatient hospital, Observation stay, Surgery center, Ambulance, Mental health visits, Psychiatrist visits, Physical therapy, Occupational therapy, Home health, Partial hospitalization, Cardiac rehab, Pulmonary rehab, Medical equipment, Prosthetics, Diabetic supplies, Dialysis, Substance use care, Hospital stay, Skilled nursing, Part B drugs

Blue Medicare Essential Plus (HMO-POS)

HMO-POS

  • You use the plan network. Some care outside the network is covered at a higher cost.
  • No referral needed to see a specialist.

Prior authorization for 14 services

Diagnostic tests, MRI or CT, Radiation therapy, Outpatient hospital, Surgery center, Ambulance, Home health, Partial hospitalization, Medical equipment, Prosthetics, Diabetic supplies, Hospital stay, Skilled nursing, Part B drugs

Blue Medicare PPO Enhanced (PPO)

PPO

  • The plan has a network. You can go outside it, but you pay more.
  • No referral needed to see a specialist.

Prior authorization for 14 services

Diagnostic tests, MRI or CT, Radiation therapy, Outpatient hospital, Surgery center, Ambulance, Home health, Partial hospitalization, Medical equipment, Prosthetics, Diabetic supplies, Hospital stay, Skilled nursing, Part B drugs

Extra benefits

Extra benefitOriginal MedicareHumana Gold Plus H1036-335 (HMO-POS)HumanaChoice Giveback H5525-035 (PPO)Blue Medicare Essential Plus (HMO-POS)Blue Medicare PPO Enhanced (PPO)
DentalNoComprehensive, up to $4,000 a yearPreventive onlyPreventive onlyComprehensive, up to $1,500 a year
Eye examNoYesYesYesYes
Glasses or contactsNoYes, $450 allowanceYes, $150 allowanceYesYes
Hearing aidsNoYes, copays from $0Yes, copays from $575Yes, copays from $499No
Over-the-counter allowanceNoNoNoYes, limited$136 a year
Fitness benefitNoYesYesYesNo
Rides to careNoNoNoNoNo
Meals after a hospital stayNoYesYesYesNo
Emergency care abroadPlan G and Plan N pay 80% after a $250 deductibleYesYesYesYes
Part B premium givebackNo$1 a month$110 a monthNoNo

What changed for 2027

Humana Gold Plus H1036-335 (HMO-POS)

Renewal Plan with SAR · 2026 plan H1036-335-2

  • Drug deductible up from $250 to $700
  • Part B giveback down from $2 to $1
  • Diagnostic radiology (MRI, CT): $0-$335 copay to $0-$345 copay
  • Outpatient hospital: $0-$395 copay to $0-$475 copay
  • Ground ambulance: $335 copay to $325 copay
  • Skilled nursing facility: $20 per day for days 1-20; $218 per day for days 21-100 to $20 per day for days 1-20; $221 per day for days 21-100
  • Dental maximum up from $2,500 to $4,000
  • Eyewear allowance up from $250 to $450
  • OTC allowance removed

HumanaChoice Giveback H5525-035 (PPO)

Renewal Plan with SAR · 2026 plan H5525-035-0

  • In-network out-of-pocket maximum up from $9,250 to $9,850
  • Medical deductible up from $400 to $600
  • Drug deductible up from $450 to $700
  • Part B giveback down from $117 to $110
  • Specialist visit: $35 copay to $45 copay
  • Diagnostic radiology (MRI, CT): $0-$335 copay to $0-$345 copay
  • Outpatient hospital: $0-$450 copay to $0-$475 copay
  • Ground ambulance: $335 copay to $325 copay
  • Skilled nursing facility: $0 per day for days 1-20; $218 per day for days 21-100 to $0 per day for days 1-20; $221 per day for days 21-100
  • Overall star rating up from 3.5 to 4

Blue Medicare Essential Plus (HMO-POS)

Consolidated Renewal Plan · 2026 plan H3449-023-1

  • In-network out-of-pocket maximum up from $4,900 to $5,900
  • Medical deductible up from $0 to $130
  • Drug deductible up from $615 to $700
  • Specialist visit: $20 copay to $30 copay
  • Outpatient hospital: $0-$400 copay to $0-$575 copay
  • Inpatient hospital: $400 per day for days 1-6; $0 per day for days 7-90 to $450 per day for days 1-6; $0 per day for days 7-90
  • Skilled nursing facility: $0 per day for days 1-20; $218 per day for days 21-100 to $10 per day for days 1-20; $221 per day for days 21-100
  • Comprehensive dental removed
  • Rides to care removed

Blue Medicare PPO Enhanced (PPO)

Renewal Plan · 2026 plan H3404-003-1

  • Monthly premium up from $35 to $45
  • In-network out-of-pocket maximum up from $6,300 to $6,900
  • Medical deductible up from $0 to $210
  • Drug deductible up from $100 to $700
  • Outpatient hospital: $0-$335 copay to $0-$410 copay
  • Inpatient hospital: $350 per day for days 1-6; $0 per day for days 7-90 to $399 per day for days 1-6; $0 per day for days 7-90
  • Skilled nursing facility: $0 per day for days 1-20; $218 per day for days 21-100 to $10 per day for days 1-20; $221 per day for days 21-100
  • Dental maximum down from $2,000 to $1,500
  • Yearly OTC allowance down from $160 to $136
  • Hearing aids removed
  • Rides to care removed
  • Fitness benefit removed
  • Meals after a hospital stay removed

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Sources and method

Plan data comes from the CMS 2027 Plan Benefit Package and landscape files. The data is from 2026-10-10. We checked a sample of plans field by field against Medicare.gov. Original Medicare amounts are the 2027 projections in the 2026 Medicare Trustees Report (Tables V.E1 and V.E2). CMS sets the final amounts in November. Medigap prices are the range Medicare.gov showed for ZIP 28202 on 2026-10-09. Totals use typical Medicare-allowed amounts for each service and typical drug prices.

These are estimates, not quotes, and they are for education only. Check every number with Medicare and with the plan before you choose. What you pay depends on your doctors and hospitals, your drugs and pharmacy, and the care you use. Plans can change their benefits, premiums, drug lists, and networks each year.

Pinnie is not an insurance agent or broker and does not sell Medicare plans. Pinnie is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. For all your options, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), TTY 1-877-486-2048.

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