Company vs company · Cherokee County, TX · 2027 plan year
Humana vs UnitedHealthcare 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.
Pinnie Direct is a free text line. Pinnie does not sell plans.
In most states, including Texas, 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 Texas 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.govYour yearly cost, side by side
Move the controls to match your year. Totals include premiums, the Part B premium, copays, and drug costs.
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
We have no Medigap Plan G price for a 65-year-old woman in Cherokee County. Enter the monthly price from your quote, or check Medigap prices for ZIP 75766 on Medicare.gov.
Original Medicare
We have no Medigap Plan G price for a 65-year-old woman here, so we cannot show this total yet. Enter your quote above to see it. Check Medigap prices on Medicare.gov
HumanaChoice H0473-005 (PPO)
PPO from Humana
$6,030 a year
- Premiums
- $2,670
- Medical costs
- $1,657
- Drugs
- $1,703
Most you can pay in a bad year, before drugs: $9,970.
AARP Medicare Advantage Giveback from UHC TX-41 (HMO-POS)
HMO-POS from UnitedHealthcare
$4,585 a year
- Premiums
- $1,362
- Medical costs
- $1,580
- Drugs
- $1,643
Most you can pay in a bad year, before drugs: $11,212.
With these settings, AARP Medicare Advantage Giveback from UHC TX-41 (HMO-POS) costs about $1,445 less a year than HumanaChoice H0473-005 (PPO).
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.
Text us about this comparisonWhat 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
HumanaChoice H5216-043 (PPO)
$0
Humana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO)
$0
AARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC TX-26 (HMO-POS)
$0
AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC TX-61 (Regional PPO)
$0-$20
Specialist visit
Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G
$0
after the $292 yearly Part B deductible
HumanaChoice H5216-043 (PPO)
$40
Prior authorizationHumana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO)
$40
Prior authorizationAARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC TX-26 (HMO-POS)
$0-$40
Prior authorizationAARP Medicare Advantage from UHC TX-61 (Regional PPO)
$0-$60
Prior authorization
Lab tests
Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G
$0
most Medicare-covered tests
HumanaChoice H5216-043 (PPO)
$0
Prior authorizationHumana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO)
$0
Prior authorizationAARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC TX-26 (HMO-POS)
$0
Prior authorizationAARP Medicare Advantage from UHC TX-61 (Regional PPO)
$0
Prior authorization
MRI or CT scan
Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G
$0
after the $292 yearly Part B deductible
HumanaChoice H5216-043 (PPO)
$0-$360
Prior authorizationHumana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO)
$0-$360
Prior authorizationAARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC TX-26 (HMO-POS)
$0-$320
Prior authorizationAARP Medicare Advantage from UHC TX-61 (Regional PPO)
$0-$320
Prior authorization
Emergency room
Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G
$0
after the $292 yearly Part B deductible
HumanaChoice H5216-043 (PPO)
$115
Humana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO)
$115
AARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC TX-26 (HMO-POS)
$130
AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC TX-61 (Regional PPO)
$115
Urgent care
Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G
$0
after the $292 yearly Part B deductible
HumanaChoice H5216-043 (PPO)
$40
Humana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO)
$40
AARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC TX-26 (HMO-POS)
$0-$50
AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC TX-61 (Regional PPO)
$0-$40
Outpatient surgery
Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G
$0
after the $292 yearly Part B deductible
HumanaChoice H5216-043 (PPO)
$0-$325
Prior authorizationHumana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO)
$0-$325
Prior authorizationAARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC TX-26 (HMO-POS)
$0-$325
Prior authorizationAARP Medicare Advantage from UHC TX-61 (Regional PPO)
$0-$610
Prior authorization
Ground ambulance
Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G
$0
after the $292 yearly Part B deductible
HumanaChoice H5216-043 (PPO)
$325
Prior authorizationHumana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO)
$325
Prior authorizationAARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC TX-26 (HMO-POS)
$350
Prior authorizationAARP Medicare Advantage from UHC TX-61 (Regional PPO)
$350
Prior authorization
Hospital stay, 5 days
Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G
$0
Plan G pays the $1,788 Part A deductible
HumanaChoice H5216-043 (PPO)
$1,950
for a 5-day stay
Prior authorizationHumana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO)
$1,725
for a 5-day stay
Prior authorizationAARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC TX-26 (HMO-POS)
$1,875
for a 5-day stay
Prior authorizationAARP Medicare Advantage from UHC TX-61 (Regional PPO)
$2,440
for a 5-day stay
Prior authorization
See every cost in one table
| What you pay in network | Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G | HumanaChoice H5216-043 (PPO) | Humana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO) | AARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC TX-26 (HMO-POS) | AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC TX-61 (Regional PPO) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium | Part B $209.50 + Medigap Plan G at the price of your quote + drug plan $5.30 | $12 + Part B $209.50 | $0 (pays back $135 a month of your Part B premium) + Part B $209.50 | $0 + Part B $209.50 | $138 + Part B $209.50 |
| Yearly limit on what you pay | You pay the $292 Part B deductible. Plan G pays the rest. | $8,150 in network; $11,000 in and out of network | $7,900 in network; $11,300 in and out of network | $4,900 in network | $9,850 in network; $9,850 in and out of network |
| Medical deductible | $292 Part B. Plan G pays the $1,788 Part A deductible. | $175 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Primary doctor visit | $0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible | $0 copay | $0 copay | $0 copay | $0-$20 copay |
| Specialist visit | $0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible | $40 copayPrior authorization | $40 copayPrior authorization | $0-$40 copayPrior authorization | $0-$60 copayPrior authorization |
| Lab tests | $0, most Medicare-covered tests | $0 copayPrior authorization | $0 copayPrior authorization | $0 copayPrior authorization | $0 copayPrior authorization |
| MRI or CT scan | $0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible | $0-$360 copayPrior authorization | $0-$360 copayPrior authorization | $0-$320 copayPrior authorization | $0-$320 copayPrior authorization |
| X-rays | $0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible | $0-$145 copayPrior authorization | $0-$145 copayPrior authorization | $10 copayPrior authorization | $30 copayPrior authorization |
| Emergency room | $0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible | $115 copay | $115 copay | $130 copay | $115 copay |
| Urgent care | $0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible | $40 copay | $40 copay | $0-$50 copay | $0-$40 copay |
| Outpatient hospital | $0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible | $0-$400 copayPrior authorization | $0-$400 copayPrior authorization | $0-$375 copayPrior authorization | $0-$610 copayPrior authorization |
| Surgery center | $0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible | $0-$325 copayPrior authorization | $0-$325 copayPrior authorization | $0-$325 copayPrior authorization | $0-$610 copayPrior authorization |
| Ground ambulance | $0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible | $325 copayPrior authorization | $325 copayPrior authorization | $350 copayPrior authorization | $350 copayPrior authorization |
| Hospital stay | $0, Plan G pays the $1,788 Part A deductible | $390 per day for days 1-6; $0 per day for days 7-90Prior authorization | $345 per day for days 1-6; $0 per day for days 7-90Prior authorization | $375 per day for days 1-6; $0 per day for days 7-90Prior authorization | $610 per day for days 1-4; $0 per day for days 5-90Prior authorization |
| Skilled nursing facility | $0, Plan G pays days 21-100 | $0 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 | $0 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 |
| Mental health visit | $0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible | $20 copayPrior authorization | $0 copayPrior authorization | $0-$25 copayPrior authorization | $0-$25 copayPrior authorization |
| Physical therapy | $0, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible | $30 copayPrior authorization | $30 copayPrior authorization | $40 copayPrior authorization | $55 copayPrior authorization |
| 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 deductible | 20% coinsurancePrior authorization | 15% coinsurancePrior authorization | 20% coinsurancePrior authorization | 20% coinsurancePrior authorization |
| Part B drugs | $0 after the $292 Part B deductible | 0%-20% coinsurancePrior authorization | 0%-20% coinsurancePrior authorization | 0%-20% coinsurancePrior authorization | 0%-20% coinsurancePrior authorization |
| Drug deductible (Part D) | $700 with Wellcare Value Script (PDP) | $700 | No drug coverage | $595 | $685 |
| Drug tiers (one month, retail) | Generic: $0 copayPreferred Brand: 25% coinsuranceNon-Preferred Drug: 49% coinsuranceInjectable Drugs: 15% coinsuranceSpecialty Tier: 25% coinsuranceSelect Care Drugs: $11 copay | Preferred Generic: $0 copayGeneric: $5 copayPreferred Brand: 17% coinsuranceNon-Preferred Drug: 41% coinsuranceSpecialty Tier: 25% coinsurance | No drug coverage | Preferred Generic: $0 copayGeneric: $0 copayPreferred Brand: 22% coinsuranceNon-Preferred Drug: 30% coinsuranceSpecialty Tier: 27% coinsurance | Preferred Generic: $0 copayGeneric: $10 copayPreferred Brand: 18% coinsuranceNon-Preferred Drug: 27% coinsuranceSpecialty Tier: 26% coinsurance |
Not sure which of these costs apply to you?
Text us what you have now. We will help you read this comparison and check it with Medicare.gov.
A higher drug plan premium is not, by itself, a reason to switch
With Original Medicare, you buy a separate drug plan. In Texas, 10 drug plans are for sale for 2027, from $5.30 to $199 a month. Half of them cost $104.70 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 Cherokee County
Humana
- 9 plans for 2027 (not counting special needs plans)
- 3 with a $0 premium; 2 pay back part of your Part B premium
- Yearly limits from $6,000 to $8,200
- Star ratings 3 to 4.5
- HumanaChoice H5216-043 (PPO) · $12 a month · limit $8,150
- Humana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO) · $0 a month · limit $7,900
- Humana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO) · $0 a month · limit $7,900
- HumanaChoice R4182-004 (Regional PPO) · $46 a month · limit $8,200
- HumanaChoice H0473-005 (PPO) · $13 a month · limit $7,300
- HumanaChoice H5216-042 (PPO) · $62 a month · limit $6,750
- HumanaChoice R4182-003 (Regional PPO) · $100 a month · limit $8,200
- HumanaChoice H7617-027 (PPO) · $48 a month · limit $7,650
- HumanaChoice R4182-001 (Regional PPO) · $0 a month · limit $6,000
UnitedHealthcare
- 5 plans for 2027 (not counting special needs plans)
- 3 with a $0 premium; 1 pay back part of your Part B premium
- Yearly limits from $4,900 to $9,850
- Star ratings 3 to 4
- AARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC TX-26 (HMO-POS) · $0 a month · limit $4,900
- AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC TX-61 (Regional PPO) · $138 a month · limit $9,850
- AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC TX-0007 (PPO) · $10 a month · limit $7,150
- AARP Medicare Advantage Giveback from UHC TX-41 (HMO-POS) · $0 a month · limit $9,850
- AARP Medicare Advantage Extras from UHC TX-48 (HMO-POS) · $0 a month · limit $7,150
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
HumanaChoice H5216-043 (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
Humana USAA Honor Giveback (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
AARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC TX-26 (HMO-POS)
HMO-POS
- You use the plan network. Some care outside the network is covered at a higher cost.
- You need a referral 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
AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC TX-61 (Regional PPO)
Regional 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
Extra benefits
| Extra benefit | Original Medicare | HumanaChoice H5216-043 (PPO) | Humana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO) | AARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC TX-26 (HMO-POS) | AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC TX-61 (Regional PPO) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dental | No | Comprehensive, up to $2,000 a year | Comprehensive, up to $1,000 a year | Comprehensive, up to $1,000 a year | Preventive only |
| Eye exam | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Glasses or contacts | No | Yes, $150 allowance | Yes, $150 allowance | Yes, $250 allowance | Yes, $250 allowance |
| Hearing aids | No | Yes, copays from $575 | Yes, copays from $575 | Yes, up to $700 | Yes, up to $700 |
| Over-the-counter allowance | No | No | No | $120 a year | No |
| Fitness benefit | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Rides to care | No | No | No | No | No |
| Meals after a hospital stay | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Emergency care abroad | Plan G and Plan N pay 80% after a $250 deductible | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Part B premium giveback | No | No | $135 a month | No | No |
What changed for 2027
HumanaChoice H5216-043 (PPO)
Renewal Plan · 2026 plan H5216-043-5
- Monthly premium down from $15 to $12
- In-network out-of-pocket maximum up from $7,700 to $8,150
- Medical deductible down from $750 to $175
- Drug deductible up from $420 to $700
- Outpatient hospital: $0-$350 copay to $0-$400 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
Humana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO)
Consolidated Renewal Plan · 2026 plan H5216-348-0
- Part B giveback up from $130 to $135
- Outpatient hospital: $0-$350 copay to $0-$400 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
AARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC TX-26 (HMO-POS)
Renewal Plan · 2026 plan H0609-060-0
- Drug deductible up from $355 to $595
- Diagnostic radiology (MRI, CT): $0-$260 copay to $0-$320 copay
- Ground ambulance: $275 copay to $350 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
- Yearly OTC allowance down from $180 to $120
- Eyewear allowance down from $300 to $250
- Comprehensive dental added
- Worldwide emergency coverage removed
- Overall star rating down from 4.5 to 4
AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC TX-61 (Regional PPO)
Renewal Plan · 2026 plan R6801-012-0
- Monthly premium up from $102 to $138
- In-network out-of-pocket maximum up from $8,200 to $9,850
- Drug deductible up from $600 to $685
- Specialist visit: $0-$55 copay to $0-$60 copay
- Diagnostic radiology (MRI, CT): $0-$260 copay to $0-$320 copay
- Outpatient hospital: $0-$485 copay to $0-$610 copay
- Ground ambulance: $290 copay to $350 copay
- Inpatient hospital: $485 per day for days 1-5; $0 per day for days 6-90 to $610 per day for days 1-4; $0 per day for days 5-90
- 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
- Eyewear added
- Worldwide emergency coverage removed
- Overall star rating down from 3.5 to 3
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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. We do not have a Medigap price for Cherokee County, TX. So the Original Medicare total needs your own Medigap quote. You can look up prices for ZIP 75766 on Medicare.gov. Totals use typical Medicare-allowed amounts for each service and typical drug prices.
- HumanaChoice H5216-043 (PPO) on Medicare.gov · plan website · drug list · doctor directory
- Humana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO) on Medicare.gov · plan website · drug list · doctor directory
- AARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC TX-26 (HMO-POS) on Medicare.gov · plan website · drug list · doctor directory
- AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC TX-61 (Regional PPO) on Medicare.gov · plan website · drug list · doctor directory
- Medigap prices for ZIP 75766 on Medicare.gov
- CMS Plan Benefit Package files, 2027
- CMS 2027 landscape files (premiums and limits)
- CMS 2027 plan crosswalk
- CMS 2027 Star Ratings
- 2026 Medicare Trustees Report: projected 2027 Part A and Part B amounts (Tables V.E1 and V.E2)
- CMS 2026 Part A and Part B amounts
- Medicare.gov: Medigap guaranteed issue rights
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.