Company vs company · Barnstable County, MA · 2027 plan year
Tufts Health Plan vs Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts, you can go back to Medigap later
Massachusetts law makes Medigap companies accept you from February 1 to March 31 each year. Your age and health do not change the price. Coverage from that window starts on June 1. The companies also sell Medigap during the rest of the year. So you can try Medicare Advantage and go back to Original Medicare with Medigap later.
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.
Medigap plan with Original Medicare
Massachusetts sets its own Medigap plans: Core and Supplement 1A. Supplement 1 is open only to people who were eligible for Medicare before 2020. These plans are not the plans with letters, such as Plan G and Plan N. We have no prices for these plans, so the totals show Original Medicare without Medigap. Without Medigap you pay 20% of most costs, with no yearly limit. Check Medigap plans and prices for ZIP 02542 on Medicare.gov
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
Original Medicare
With no Medigap and Blue MedicareRx Value Plus (PDP)
$6,139 a year
- Premiums
- $2,820
- Medical costs
- $1,616
- Drugs
- $1,703
No yearly limit on what you pay for medical care.
Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Smart Saver Rx (HMO)
HMO from Tufts Health Plan
$5,969 a year
- Premiums
- $2,514
- Medical costs
- $1,575
- Drugs
- $1,880
Most you can pay in a bad year, before drugs: $12,364.
Medicare HMO Blue ValueRx (HMO)
HMO from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
$5,204 a year
- Premiums
- $3,330
- Medical costs
- $870
- Drugs
- $1,004
Most you can pay in a bad year, before drugs: $7,080.
With these settings, Medicare HMO Blue ValueRx (HMO) costs about $765 less a year than Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Smart Saver Rx (HMO).
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: no Medigap.
Primary doctor visit
Original Medicare, no Medigap
20%
after the $292 yearly Part B deductible
Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Smart Saver Rx (HMO)
$0
Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Basic Rx (HMO)
$10
Medicare PPO Blue ValueRx (PPO)
$0 copay
Medicare HMO Blue SaverRx (HMO-POS)
$0 copay
Specialist visit
Original Medicare, no Medigap
20%
after the $292 yearly Part B deductible
Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Smart Saver Rx (HMO)
$60
Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Basic Rx (HMO)
$45
Medicare PPO Blue ValueRx (PPO)
$0-$45
Prior authorizationMedicare HMO Blue SaverRx (HMO-POS)
$0-$50
Prior authorization
Lab tests
Original Medicare, no Medigap
$0
most Medicare-covered tests
Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Smart Saver Rx (HMO)
$0-$60
Prior authorizationTufts Medicare Preferred HMO Basic Rx (HMO)
$0-$45
Prior authorizationMedicare PPO Blue ValueRx (PPO)
$0 copay
Prior authorizationMedicare HMO Blue SaverRx (HMO-POS)
$0 copay
Prior authorization
MRI or CT scan
Original Medicare, no Medigap
20%
after the $292 yearly Part B deductible
Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Smart Saver Rx (HMO)
$145-$350
Prior authorizationTufts Medicare Preferred HMO Basic Rx (HMO)
$100-$350
Prior authorizationMedicare PPO Blue ValueRx (PPO)
$250
Prior authorizationMedicare HMO Blue SaverRx (HMO-POS)
$350
Prior authorization
Emergency room
Original Medicare, no Medigap
20%
after the $292 yearly Part B deductible
Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Smart Saver Rx (HMO)
$115
Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Basic Rx (HMO)
$130
Medicare PPO Blue ValueRx (PPO)
$130
Medicare HMO Blue SaverRx (HMO-POS)
$115
Urgent care
Original Medicare, no Medigap
20%
after the $292 yearly Part B deductible
Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Smart Saver Rx (HMO)
$40
Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Basic Rx (HMO)
$45
Medicare PPO Blue ValueRx (PPO)
$0-$50
Medicare HMO Blue SaverRx (HMO-POS)
$0-$40
Outpatient surgery
Original Medicare, no Medigap
20%
after the $292 yearly Part B deductible
Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Smart Saver Rx (HMO)
$0-$350
Prior authorizationTufts Medicare Preferred HMO Basic Rx (HMO)
$0-$170
Prior authorizationMedicare PPO Blue ValueRx (PPO)
$150
Prior authorizationMedicare HMO Blue SaverRx (HMO-POS)
$250
Prior authorization
Ground ambulance
Original Medicare, no Medigap
20%
after the $292 yearly Part B deductible
Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Smart Saver Rx (HMO)
$375
Prior authorizationTufts Medicare Preferred HMO Basic Rx (HMO)
$325
Prior authorizationMedicare PPO Blue ValueRx (PPO)
$325
Prior authorizationMedicare HMO Blue SaverRx (HMO-POS)
$375
Prior authorization
Hospital stay, 5 days
Original Medicare, no Medigap
$1,788
Part A deductible each benefit period; $447 a day for days 61-90
Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Smart Saver Rx (HMO)
$2,450
for a 5-day stay
Prior authorizationTufts Medicare Preferred HMO Basic Rx (HMO)
$1,750
for a 5-day stay
Prior authorizationMedicare PPO Blue ValueRx (PPO)
$2,165
for a 5-day stay
Prior authorizationMedicare HMO Blue SaverRx (HMO-POS)
$1,940
for a 5-day stay
Prior authorization
See every cost in one table
| What you pay in network | Original Medicare, no Medigap | Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Smart Saver Rx (HMO) | Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Basic Rx (HMO) | Medicare PPO Blue ValueRx (PPO) | Medicare HMO Blue SaverRx (HMO-POS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium | Part B $209.50 + drug plan $25.50 | $0 + Part B $209.50 | $82 + Part B $209.50 | $108 + Part B $209.50 | $0 + Part B $209.50 |
| Yearly limit on what you pay | No yearly limit | $9,850 in network | $4,500 in network | $6,600 in network; $10,000 in and out of network | $9,200 in network; $9,200 in and out of network |
| Medical deductible | $292 Part B; $1,788 Part A each benefit period | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Primary doctor visit | 20%, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible | $0 copay | $10 copay | $0 copay | $0 copay |
| Specialist visit | 20%, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible | $60 copay | $45 copay | $0-$45 copayPrior authorization | $0-$50 copayPrior authorization |
| Lab tests | $0, most Medicare-covered tests | $0-$60 copayPrior authorization | $0-$45 copayPrior authorization | $0 copayPrior authorization | $0 copayPrior authorization |
| MRI or CT scan | 20%, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible | $145-$350 copayPrior authorization | $100-$350 copayPrior authorization | $250 copayPrior authorization | $350 copayPrior authorization |
| X-rays | 20%, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible | $0-$60 copayPrior authorization | $10-$45 copayPrior authorization | $10 copayPrior authorization | $10 copayPrior authorization |
| Emergency room | 20%, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible | $115 copay | $130 copay | $130 copay | $115 copay |
| Urgent care | 20%, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible | $40 copay | $45 copay | $0-$50 copay | $0-$40 copay |
| Outpatient hospital | 20%, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible | $0-$450 copayPrior authorization | $0-$300 copayPrior authorization | $300 copayPrior authorization | $350 copayPrior authorization |
| Surgery center | 20%, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible | $0-$350 copayPrior authorization | $0-$170 copayPrior authorization | $150 copayPrior authorization | $250 copayPrior authorization |
| Ground ambulance | 20%, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible | $375 copayPrior authorization | $325 copayPrior authorization | $325 copayPrior authorization | $375 copayPrior authorization |
| Hospital stay | $1,788, Part A deductible each benefit period; $447 a day for days 61-90 | $490 per day for days 1-5; $0 per day for days 6-90Prior authorization | $350 per day for days 1-5; $0 per day for days 6-90Prior authorization | $433 per day for days 1-7; $0 per day for days 8-90Prior authorization | $388 per day for days 1-7; $0 per day for days 8-90Prior authorization |
| Skilled nursing facility | $0, days 1-20, then $223.50 a day for 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; $170 per day for days 21-44; $0 per day for days 45-100Prior authorization | $10 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 | 20%, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible | $0-$30 copay | $0-$25 copay | $0-$30 copayPrior authorization | $0-$30 copayPrior authorization |
| Physical therapy | 20%, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible | $30 copayPrior authorization | $30 copayPrior authorization | $30 copayPrior authorization | $35 copayPrior authorization |
| Home health care | $0, Medicare-covered home health | $0 copayPrior authorization | $0 copayPrior authorization | $0 copay | $0 copay |
| Medical equipment | 20%, after the $292 yearly Part B deductible | 20% coinsurancePrior authorization | 20% coinsurancePrior authorization | 20% coinsurancePrior authorization | 20% coinsurancePrior authorization |
| Part B drugs | 20% 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 Blue MedicareRx Value Plus (PDP) | $700 | $200 | $500 | $500 |
| Drug tiers (one month, retail) | Preferred Generic: $0 copayGeneric: $3 copayPreferred Brand: 17% coinsuranceNon-Preferred Drug: 35% coinsuranceSpecialty Tier: 25% coinsurance | Preferred Generic: $0 copayGeneric: $2 copayPreferred Brand: 20% coinsuranceNon-Preferred Drug: 25% coinsuranceSpecialty Tier: 25% coinsuranceVaccines: $0 copay | Preferred Generic: $0 copayGeneric: $4 copayPreferred Brand: 20% coinsuranceNon-Preferred Drug: 40% coinsuranceSpecialty Tier: 30% coinsuranceVaccines: $0 copay | Preferred Generic: $0 copayGeneric: $6 copayPreferred Brand: 20% coinsuranceNon-Preferred Drug: 31% coinsuranceSpecialty Tier: 27% coinsurance | Preferred Generic: $0 copayGeneric: $5 copayPreferred Brand: 20% coinsuranceNon-Preferred Drug: 32% coinsuranceSpecialty Tier: 27% coinsurance |
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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 Massachusetts, 10 drug plans are for sale for 2027, from $13.30 to $284.70 a month. Half of them cost $114.75 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.
- 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 Barnstable County
Tufts Health Plan
- 7 plans for 2027 (not counting special needs plans)
- 1 with a $0 premium; 0 pay back part of your Part B premium
- Yearly limits from $3,850 to $9,850
- Star ratings 4 to 4
- Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Smart Saver Rx (HMO) · $0 a month · limit $9,850
- Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Basic Rx (HMO) · $82 a month · limit $4,500
- Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Prime Rx (HMO) · $214 a month · limit $3,850
- Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Prime Rx Plus (HMO) · $252 a month · limit $3,850
- Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Value Rx (HMO) · $185 a month · limit $4,200
- Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Prime No Rx (HMO) · $163 a month · limit $3,850
- Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Value No Rx (HMO) · $133 a month · limit $4,200
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
- 7 plans for 2027 (not counting special needs plans)
- 1 with a $0 premium; 0 pay back part of your Part B premium
- Yearly limits from $3,750 to $9,850
- Star ratings 4 to 4.5
- Medicare PPO Blue ValueRx (PPO) · $108 a month · limit $6,600
- Medicare HMO Blue SaverRx (HMO-POS) · $0 a month · limit $9,200
- Medicare PPO Blue EssentialRx (PPO) · $69 a month · limit $9,850
- Medicare HMO Blue ValueRx (HMO) · $68 a month · limit $3,750
- Medicare PPO Blue PlusRx (PPO) · $300 a month · limit $4,200
- Medicare HMO Blue FlexRx (HMO-POS) · $119 a month · limit $4,100
- Medicare HMO Blue PlusRx (HMO) · $245 a month · limit $3,800
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
Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Smart Saver Rx (HMO)
HMO
- You use doctors and hospitals in the plan network. Outside the network, the plan pays for emergencies and urgent care.
- You need a referral to see a specialist.
Prior authorization for 18 services
Diagnostic tests, MRI or CT, Radiation therapy, Outpatient hospital, Observation stay, Surgery center, Ambulance, Physical therapy, Occupational therapy, Home health, Cardiac rehab, Pulmonary rehab, Medical equipment, Prosthetics, Diabetic supplies, Hospital stay, Skilled nursing, Part B drugs
Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Basic Rx (HMO)
HMO
- You use doctors and hospitals in the plan network. Outside the network, the plan pays for emergencies and urgent care.
- You need a referral to see a specialist.
Prior authorization for 18 services
Diagnostic tests, MRI or CT, Radiation therapy, Outpatient hospital, Observation stay, Surgery center, Ambulance, Physical therapy, Occupational therapy, Home health, Cardiac rehab, Pulmonary rehab, Medical equipment, Prosthetics, Diabetic supplies, Hospital stay, Skilled nursing, Part B drugs
Medicare PPO Blue ValueRx (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 18 services
Specialist visits, Diagnostic tests, MRI or CT, Radiation therapy, Outpatient hospital, Surgery center, Ambulance, Mental health visits, Psychiatrist visits, Physical therapy, Occupational therapy, Partial hospitalization, Medical equipment, Diabetic supplies, Substance use care, Hospital stay, Skilled nursing, Part B drugs
Medicare HMO Blue SaverRx (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 18 services
Specialist visits, Diagnostic tests, MRI or CT, Radiation therapy, Outpatient hospital, Surgery center, Ambulance, Mental health visits, Psychiatrist visits, Physical therapy, Occupational therapy, Partial hospitalization, Medical equipment, Diabetic supplies, Substance use care, Hospital stay, Skilled nursing, Part B drugs
Extra benefits
| Extra benefit | Original Medicare | Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Smart Saver Rx (HMO) | Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Basic Rx (HMO) | Medicare PPO Blue ValueRx (PPO) | Medicare HMO Blue SaverRx (HMO-POS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dental | No | Comprehensive, up to $500 a year | Comprehensive, up to $1,000 a year | Comprehensive, up to $575 a year | Comprehensive, up to $575 a year |
| Eye exam | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Glasses or contacts | No | No | Yes, $150 allowance | Yes, $200 allowance | Yes, $200 allowance |
| Hearing aids | No | Yes, copays from $250 | Yes, copays from $250 | Yes, up to $1,700 | Yes, copays from $699 |
| Over-the-counter allowance | No | No | No | No | $100 a year |
| Fitness benefit | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rides to care | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Meals after a hospital stay | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Emergency care abroad | No, unless your Medigap plan pays for it | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Part B premium giveback | No | No | No | No | No |
What changed for 2027
Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Smart Saver Rx (HMO)
Consolidated Renewal Plan; New Plan · 2026 plan H2256-046-0
- In-network out-of-pocket maximum up from $6,400 to $9,850
- Drug deductible up from $615 to $700
- Specialist visit: $50 copay to $60 copay
- Emergency care: $130 copay to $115 copay
- Urgent care: $50 copay to $40 copay
- Diagnostic radiology (MRI, CT): $100-$200 copay to $145-$350 copay
- Outpatient hospital: $0-$370 copay to $0-$450 copay
- Ground ambulance: $350 copay to $375 copay
- Inpatient hospital: $425 per day for days 1-6; $0 per day for days 7-90 to $490 per day for days 1-5; $0 per day for days 6-90
- 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
- Dental maximum down from $1,500 to $500
- Eyewear removed
- OTC allowance removed
- Fitness benefit removed
Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Basic Rx (HMO)
Renewal Plan · 2026 plan H2256-026-2
- Monthly premium up from $58 to $82
- In-network out-of-pocket maximum up from $3,850 to $4,500
- Drug deductible up from $0 to $200
- Specialist visit: $40 copay to $45 copay
- Emergency care: $125 copay to $130 copay
- Diagnostic radiology (MRI, CT): $100-$250 copay to $100-$350 copay
- Outpatient hospital: $0-$270 copay to $0-$300 copay
- Inpatient hospital: $275 per day for days 1-5; $0 per day for days 6-90 to $350 per day for days 1-5; $0 per day for days 6-90
- Skilled nursing facility: $20 per day for days 1-20; $160 per day for days 21-44; $0 per day for days 45-100 to $0 per day for days 1-20; $170 per day for days 21-44; $0 per day for days 45-100
Medicare PPO Blue ValueRx (PPO)
Renewal Plan with SAR · New for 2027
No change found in the fields we track.
Medicare HMO Blue SaverRx (HMO-POS)
Renewal Plan with SAR · 2026 plan H2261-024-0
- Drug deductible up from $0 to $500
- 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
- Dental maximum up from $500 to $575
- Yearly OTC allowance down from $200 to $100
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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. Massachusetts sets its own Medigap plans: Core and Supplement 1A. Supplement 1 is open only to people who were eligible for Medicare before 2020. These plans are not the plans with letters, such as Plan G and Plan N. We have no prices or cost model for these plans, so the totals show Original Medicare without Medigap. You can look up Medigap plans and prices for ZIP 02542 on Medicare.gov. Totals use typical Medicare-allowed amounts for each service and typical drug prices.
- Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Smart Saver Rx (HMO) on Medicare.gov · plan website · drug list · doctor directory
- Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO Basic Rx (HMO) on Medicare.gov · plan website · drug list · doctor directory
- Medicare PPO Blue ValueRx (PPO) on Medicare.gov · plan website · drug list · doctor directory
- Medicare HMO Blue SaverRx (HMO-POS) on Medicare.gov · plan website · drug list · doctor directory
- Medigap prices for ZIP 02542 on Medicare.gov
- Medigap plans in Massachusetts: Medicare.gov, Choosing a Medigap Policy (2026), Section 7
- 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.