Union County, New Jersey

Union County, NJ Medicare Plans for 2027

Union County covers Westfield, Elizabeth, Summit and Rahway. It has the most highly rated Medicare Advantage plans of any county in this guide.

Plan data: CMS 2027 Landscape, retrieved 2026-10-20. Page reviewed 2026-10-20. Consultations by phone, Zoom or in person, at no cost to you.

  • 37 Medicare Advantage plans in Union County, 2027
  • 32 With a $0 Part C premium (23 with $0 for Parts C and D combined)
  • 7 Organizations offering plans
  • 15 Special Needs Plans, counted separately

Union County Medicare at a glance for 2027

  • 37 Medicare Advantage plans for Union County, Special Needs Plans not counted. Of those, 32 have a $0 Part C premium, and 23 have a $0 combined monthly premium for Parts C and D (17 of those include drug coverage; 6 have no drug coverage, so no Part D premium).
  • In-network out-of-pocket maximums from $4,500 to $9,850 a year
  • 7 insurance companies offer them
  • 11 standalone Part D plans across New Jersey
  • You still pay the Part B premium, $202.90 a month in 2026 (the 2027 amount is announced by CMS around November)
  • Annual Enrollment: October 15 to December 7, 2026, for coverage that starts January 1, 2027

Examples of plans with drug coverage and a $0 combined monthly premium for Parts C and D, by 2026 star rating and out-of-pocket limit

  • HumanaChoice Giveback H7617-045 (PPO)Humana · Part C + D premium $0 a month · 4.5★ (2026) · out-of-pocket max $8,000 · drug deductible $700
  • Aetna Medicare Prime (PPO)Aetna Medicare · Part C + D premium $0 a month · 4.5★ (2026) · out-of-pocket max $9,850 · drug deductible $700
  • Aetna Medicare Prime Giveback (PPO)Aetna Medicare · Part C + D premium $0 a month · 4.5★ (2026) · out-of-pocket max $9,850 · drug deductible $700

CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D Landscape, contract year 2027. A plan's fit depends on your doctors and prescriptions; Jackie checks both before you choose.

By the numbers

2027 Medicare Advantage in Union County

Every figure comes from the CMS Landscape file for contract year 2027. Special Needs Plans are counted separately.

  • $1.34 Average monthly Part C premium
  • $31.64 Average Part C + D premium
  • 31 Plans that include drug coverage
  • $4,500 Lowest in-network out-of-pocket limit
  • $8,758 Average in-network out-of-pocket limit
  • $9,850 Highest in-network out-of-pocket limit
  • $586.13 Average Part D deductible (plans with drugs)
  • 13 Plans with a 2026 rating of 4★ or more
  • 3.81★ Average 2026 star rating (rated plans)

Two ways to count "$0 premium" plans: 32 have a $0 Part C premium, and 23 have a $0 combined monthly premium for Parts C and D (17 of those include drug coverage; 6 have no drug coverage, so no Part D premium). The average premium figures likewise show the Part C premium and the combined Part C + D premium separately. Star ratings shown are 2026 ratings: the CMS plan file in this snapshot did not yet carry 2027 ratings, so each plan shows its 2026 rating, matched by plan ID. Check a plan’s 2027 rating on Medicare.gov Plan Finder.

PPO plans are the largest group here (21 of 37), and 6 plans have no drug coverage.

Union County Medicare Advantage plans by type, contract year 2027 (Special Needs Plans excluded)
Plan typePlans$0 Part C premiumAverage Part C premiumAverage out-of-pocket limitWithout drug coverage
PPO 21 18 $0.62 $9,124 4
HMO-POS 8 7 $4.38 $7,981 1
HMO 7 7 $0 $8,393 1
Regional PPO 1 0 $1.60 $9,850 0

Source: Medicare plan changes in Union County, 2026 to 2027.

Every plan

2027 Medicare Advantage plans in Union County

Grouped by plan type, because type decides how the network works: HMOs expect you to stay in network, PPOs let you go outside it at a higher cost.

PPO

21 plans, 18 with a $0 Part C premium, average Part C premium $0.62, average out-of-pocket limit $9,124, 4 without drug coverage.

PPO plans in Union County, contract year 2027
Plan2026 starsPart C premiumPart C + DOut-of-pocket limitPart D deductiblePlan ID
Aetna Medicare Eagle Giveback (PPO)Aetna Medicare, no drug coverage 4.5★ $0 $0 $9,850 No drug coverage H5521_504
Aetna Medicare Enhanced Extra (PPO)Aetna Medicare 4.5★ $5 $99 $9,850 $700 H5521_037
Aetna Medicare Prime (PPO)Aetna Medicare 4.5★ $0 $0 $9,850 $700 H5521_392
Aetna Medicare Prime Extra (PPO)Aetna Medicare 4.5★ $0 $84 $9,850 $700 H5521_275
Aetna Medicare Prime Giveback (PPO)Aetna Medicare 4.5★ $0 $0 $9,850 $700 H5521_277
HumanaChoice Giveback H7617-045 (PPO)Humana 4.5★ $0 $0 $8,000 $700 H7617_045
AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC NJ-0004 (PPO)UnitedHealthcare 3.5★ $0 $69 $8,900 $685 H8768_022
AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC NJ-0005 (PPO)UnitedHealthcare 3.5★ $7.10 $79 $8,400 $685 H8768_035
AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC NJ-6 (PPO)UnitedHealthcare 3.5★ $1 $29 $9,400 $685 H8768_058
AARP Medicare Advantage Patriot No Rx NJ-MA2 (PPO)UnitedHealthcare, no drug coverage 3.5★ $0 $0 $7,150 No drug coverage H8768_059
Clover Health Choice (PPO)Clover Health 3.5★ $0 $0 $9,850 $350 H5141_004
Clover Health Choice Giveback (PPO)Clover Health 3.5★ $0 $0 $9,850 $440 H5141_054
Clover Health Choice Value (PPO)Clover Health 3.5★ $0 $36.30 $9,850 $440 H5141_007
Clover Health Valor (PPO)Clover Health, no drug coverage 3.5★ $0 $0 $9,850 No drug coverage H5141_061
Humana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO)Humana, no drug coverage 3.5★ $0 $0 $6,750 No drug coverage H5216_174
HumanaChoice Giveback H5216-319 (PPO)Humana 3.5★ $0 $0 $8,000 $700 H5216_319
DEVOTED CHOICE 001 NJ (PPO)Devoted Health Not rated $0 $0 $9,350 $650 H1390_001
DEVOTED CHOICE GIVEBACK 002 NJ (PPO)Devoted Health Not rated $0 $0 $9,850 $650 H1390_002
DEVOTED CHOICE GIVEBACK EXTRAS 006 NJ (PPO)Devoted Health Not rated $0 $0 $9,650 $700 H1390_006
HumanaChoice Giveback H7617-127 (PPO)Humana Not rated $0 $0 $8,250 $700 H7617_127
HumanaChoice H5216-461 (PPO)Humana Not rated $0 $36.30 $9,250 $700 H5216_461

Source: Medicare plan changes in Union County, 2026 to 2027.

HMO-POS

8 plans, 7 with a $0 Part C premium, average Part C premium $4.38, average out-of-pocket limit $7,981, 1 without drug coverage.

HMO-POS plans in Union County, contract year 2027
Plan2026 starsPart C premiumPart C + DOut-of-pocket limitPart D deductiblePlan ID
Aetna Medicare Prime (HMO-POS)Aetna Medicare 4.0★ $0 $0 $9,850 $700 H3152_080
AARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC NJ-1 (HMO-POS)UnitedHealthcare 3.5★ $0 $0 $7,150 $685 H0755_038
AARP Medicare Advantage Extras from UHC NJ-7 (HMO-POS)UnitedHealthcare 3.5★ $0 $0 $7,150 $685 H0755_046
AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC NJ-0002 (HMO-POS)UnitedHealthcare 3.5★ $0 $79 $7,150 $595 H0755_044
AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC NJ-0003 (HMO-POS)UnitedHealthcare 3.5★ $0 $115 $6,900 $595 H0755_045
AARP Medicare Advantage Patriot No Rx NJ-MA01 (HMO-POS)UnitedHealthcare, no drug coverage 3.5★ $0 $0 $7,150 No drug coverage H0755_037
Wellcare Assist (HMO-POS)Wellcare 3.5★ $0 $0 $9,250 $700 H0913_015
Wellcare Low Premium (HMO-POS)Wellcare 3.5★ $35 $35 $9,250 $700 H0913_002

Source: Medicare plan changes in Union County, 2026 to 2027.

HMO

7 plans, 7 with a $0 Part C premium, average Part C premium $0, average out-of-pocket limit $8,393, 1 without drug coverage.

HMO plans in Union County, contract year 2027
Plan2026 starsPart C premiumPart C + DOut-of-pocket limitPart D deductiblePlan ID
Aetna Medicare Eagle Giveback (HMO)Aetna Medicare, no drug coverage 4.0★ $0 $0 $9,850 No drug coverage H3152_045
Aetna Medicare Elite (HMO)Aetna Medicare 4.0★ $0 $25 $9,850 $700 H3152_098
Aetna Medicare Signature (HMO)Aetna Medicare 4.0★ $0 $109 $9,850 $700 H3152_048
Clover Health Classic (HMO)Clover Health 4.0★ $0 $0 $6,000 $0 H8010_002
Clover Health Value (HMO)Clover Health 4.0★ $0 $36.30 $4,500 $200 H8010_003
Humana Gold Plus H6622-100 (HMO)Humana 3.5★ $0 $0 $8,850 $325 H6622_100
Wellpoint Extra Help (HMO)Wellpoint Not rated $0 $0 $9,850 $0 H3240_026

Source: Medicare plan changes in Union County, 2026 to 2027.

Regional PPO

1 plan, 0 with a $0 Part C premium, average Part C premium $1.60, average out-of-pocket limit $9,850.

Regional PPO plans in Union County, contract year 2027
Plan2026 starsPart C premiumPart C + DOut-of-pocket limitPart D deductiblePlan ID
Aetna Medicare Enhanced (Regional PPO)Aetna Medicare 4.0★ $1.60 $149 $9,850 $700 R6694_006

Source: Medicare plan changes in Union County, 2026 to 2027.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

Quality

How the 2026 stars fall

CMS rates each contract from 1 to 5 stars. This shows the 2026 rating for each of the 37 Union County plans. The CMS plan file in this snapshot did not yet carry 2027 ratings, so check a plan’s 2027 rating on Medicare.gov Plan Finder. New plans and some small contracts are not rated.

  • 4.5★ 6 plans (16%)
  • 4.0★ 7 plans (19%)
  • 3.5★ 18 plans (49%)
  • Not rated 6 plans (16%)

No plan on the Union County list has a 5-star 2026 rating.

The county

Who lives in Union County

The Census Bureau counts about 579,300 Union County residents, 15.1% of them 65 or older, and 13.0% without health insurance, well above the 7.5% New Jersey figure.

For 2027 CMS lists 37 Medicare Advantage plans in Union County, and 13 of them carry a 2026 star rating of 4 or higher. The county also has 15 Special Needs Plans.

How Jackie helps here. Union County clients work with Jackie by phone and on Zoom, and in person by arrangement.

An older couple walking together on a city street

15.1% of Union County residents are 65 or older, against 17.2% for New Jersey, and 13.0% have no health insurance.

Union County compared with New Jersey, U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020 to 2024 5-year estimates
Measure Union County New Jersey
Population 579,290 9,343,809
Residents aged 65 and over 87,277 1,605,758
Share aged 65 and over 15.1% 17.2%
Median age 39.1 Not shown
Median household income $103,202 Not shown
Share with no health insurance (all ages) 13.0% 7.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020 to 2024 5-year estimates: Union County, New Jersey.

How did Union County begin?

Union County broke from Essex County in 1857 to become New Jersey’s youngest county. Its courthouse stands at Broad Street and Rahway Avenue in Elizabeth.

Who helps older adults in Union County?

The Division on Aging is one of New Jersey’s 21 Area Agencies on Aging and the county’s lead agency for the ADRC (908-527-4870 or 888-280-8226; ADRC 1-877-222-3737). It is working from a temporary address, 300 North Avenue East in Westfield, so call ahead for an in-person visit. Its services include home-delivered meals, the Senior Café, caregiving programs, utility assistance and transportation.

The Union County Paratransit System gives curb-to-curb rides to people 60 and over and people with disabilities 18 and over, for $3 each way, booked up to three weeks ahead (908-241-8300, option 1).

Where do Union County residents apply for NJ FamilyCare?

The Division of Social Services at 342 Westminster Avenue, Elizabeth, and 200 West 2nd Street, Plainfield, administers Medical Assistance and PAAD, weekdays 8 to 4; its Aged, Blind and Disabled unit is at ABDUnit@ucnj.org. The county notes that federal rules on NJ FamilyCare eligibility change starting in fall 2026.

Local sources: Union County: County History · Union County: Division on Aging · Union County: Paratransit · Union County: Division of Social Services

New Jersey totals are the sum of all 21 New Jersey counties in the same Census release; a statewide median is not computed here. Survey estimates for small towns carry wide margins of error.

Hospitals

Hospitals in Union County

Medicare-certified hospitals the CMS Hospital General Information file records in Union County, with the CMS overall star rating. A rating is not network status: check each hospital against a plan.

3 Medicare-certified hospitals are listed, 1 with a 5 of 5 CMS overall rating; whether each is in a plan’s network is a separate question.

Hospitals from the CMS Hospital General Information file, retrieved 2026-10-20
HospitalAddressEmergency servicesCMS overall rating
Trinitas Regional Medical CenterAcute Care 225 Williamson Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07207 Yes 3 of 5
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at RahwayAcute Care 865 Stone Street, Rahway, NJ 07065 Yes 4 of 5
Overlook Medical CenterAcute Care 99 Beauvoir Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901 Yes 5 of 5

Source: Medicare-certified hospitals in and near Union County (CMS Hospital General Information).

Names, addresses, counties and emergency flags are shown as the CMS file records them, except rows with a note, where the name or campus was checked against the health system’s own website (listed under Sources). County pages group hospitals by the county in the CMS record.

What changes for 2027

Union County plans: 2026 to 2027

Your plan mailed an Annual Notice of Change by September 30, 2026. It lists what changes on January 1, 2027: premium, deductible, out-of-pocket limit, copays, drug list and network. Compare it line by line, or go through it with Jackie.

Counting plans with drug coverage, Special Needs Plans included, the Union County list goes from 48 plans in 2026 to 46 in 2027, and the average in-network out-of-pocket limit moves from $7,956 to $8,966.

Union County: Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage, Special Needs Plans included (CMS Landscape 2026 and 2027)
Measure20262027
Plans with drug coverage (SNPs included)4846
With a $0 combined monthly premium for Parts C and D2025
Average in-network out-of-pocket limit$7,956$8,966
Average Part D deductible$463.54$597.50
Maximum Part D deductible allowed by CMS$615$700
Part D out-of-pocket cap$2,100$2,400

Source: Medicare plan changes in Union County, 2026 to 2027.

These counts cover plans with drug coverage, Special Needs Plans included, so they differ from the headline count of 37, which leaves out Special Needs Plans and includes plans without drug coverage. Braven Health and HealthSpring have no Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage in Union County for 2027; Devoted Health is new to the Union County list.

Of the 13 plans below, 12 plans end with no similar plan in the county, 0 plans end but the same company offers a plan with the same or a similar name under a new plan ID, and 1 plan folds into another plan automatically.

Plans ending, leaving or merging in Union County for 2027 (CMS plan crosswalk)
2026 planCarrierCMS crosswalk statusMembers move to
Braven Medicare Choice (PPO) H0885-001 Braven Health Terminated/Non-renewed Contract Ends with no similar plan in this county. Not moved automatically: choose a new plan.
Braven Medicare Freedom (PPO) H0885-002 Braven Health Terminated/Non-renewed Contract Ends with no similar plan in this county. Not moved automatically: choose a new plan.
Braven Medicare Choice Plus (PPO) H0885-007 Braven Health Terminated/Non-renewed Contract Ends with no similar plan in this county. Not moved automatically: choose a new plan.
Wellcare Giveback (HMO-POS) H0913-021 Wellcare Terminated/Non-renewed Contract Ends with no similar plan in this county. Not moved automatically: choose a new plan.
Wellcare Simple (HMO-POS) H0913-022 Wellcare Terminated/Non-renewed Contract Ends with no similar plan in this county. Not moved automatically: choose a new plan.
Wellpoint Full Dual Advantage Secure (HMO-POS D-SNP) H3240-024 Wellpoint Consolidated Renewal Plan Wellpoint Full Dual Advantage (HMO D-SNP)H3240-013 (moved automatically)
Aetna Medicare Enhanced Extra (PPO) H5521-513 Aetna Medicare Terminated/Non-renewed Contract Ends with no similar plan in this county. Not moved automatically: choose a new plan.
Erickson Advantage Signature (HMO-POS) H5652-001 UnitedHealthcare Terminated/Non-renewed Contract Ends with no similar plan in this county. Not moved automatically: choose a new plan.
Erickson Advantage Guardian (HMO-POS I-SNP) H5652-003 UnitedHealthcare Terminated/Non-renewed Contract Ends with no similar plan in this county. Not moved automatically: choose a new plan.
Erickson Advantage Champion (HMO-POS C-SNP) H5652-004 UnitedHealthcare Terminated/Non-renewed Contract Ends with no similar plan in this county. Not moved automatically: choose a new plan.
Erickson Advantage Freedom (HMO-POS) H5652-006 UnitedHealthcare Terminated/Non-renewed Contract Ends with no similar plan in this county. Not moved automatically: choose a new plan.
Erickson Advantage Liberty (HMO-POS) H5652-008 UnitedHealthcare Terminated/Non-renewed Contract Ends with no similar plan in this county. Not moved automatically: choose a new plan.
HealthSpring True Choice (PPO) H7849-149 HealthSpring Renewal Plan with SAR Ends with no similar plan in this county. Not moved automatically: choose a new plan.

Source: Medicare plan changes in Union County, 2026 to 2027.

New to the Union County list for 2027: UHC Complete Care NJ-8 (HMO-POS C-SNP), DEVOTED CHOICE 001 NJ (PPO), DEVOTED CHOICE GIVEBACK 002 NJ (PPO), DEVOTED C-SNP CHOICE PLUS 003 NJ (PPO C-SNP), DEVOTED C-SNP CHOICE ENHANCED 004 NJ (PPO C-SNP), DEVOTED C-SNP CHOICE GIVEBACK EXTRAS 005 NJ (PPO C-SNP), DEVOTED CHOICE GIVEBACK EXTRAS 006 NJ (PPO), Wellpoint Extra Help (HMO), HumanaChoice H5216-461 (PPO), HumanaChoice Giveback H7617-127 (PPO), Horizon Specialty Care (HMO C-SNP).

If your plan is not renewing: you receive a non-renewal letter in October. You can pick a new plan during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7, 2026), and a Special Enrollment Period runs through the end of February 2027. Confirm your dates on Medicare.gov. The official Medicare & You handbook explains each option.

Health profile

What is common in Union County

Plan choice follows the conditions you actually live with, because they decide which specialists and drugs you need covered.

Compared with the New Jersey county average, Union County reads higher on diagnosed diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, adults 18 to 64 without health insurance and stroke.

Chronic condition estimates, adults 18 and over: Union County and New Jersey (CDC PLACES, 2023 estimates)
Measure Union County New Jersey county average
Diagnosed diabetes 11.6% 10.9%
High blood pressure 33.7% 32.9%
Obesity 29.7% 28.9%
Coronary heart disease 5.5% 5.6%
COPD 5.0% 5.1%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance 15.0% 11.3%
Arthritis 19.5% 22.2%
High cholesterol 37.8% 39.3%
Stroke 3.2% 3.1%

Source: Chronic condition estimates for Union County, New Jersey (CDC PLACES).

CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, County Data, 2025 release (2023 survey estimates), retrieved 2026-10-20. Model-based small-area estimates of crude prevalence among adults 18 and over, not a count of local diagnoses. Crude rates follow the age mix of a place: an older community reads higher on most conditions. New Jersey figure: average of the 21 New Jersey counties, weighted by adult population.

Why this matters for plan choice

Of the conditions above where Union County reads higher than the New Jersey county average, high blood pressure, diagnosed diabetes and stroke are among those a chronic-condition Special Needs Plan can cover. The chronic-condition Special Needs Plans on the Union County list are built around: Cardiovascular Disorders; Chronic Heart Failure; Chronic Kidney Disease; Diabetes Mellitus. If you live with one of those, a C-SNP may be worth a look; you need a qualifying diagnosis to join.

Special needs

15 Special Needs Plans in Union County

An SNP is a Medicare Advantage plan limited to people who meet a condition. They are left out of the counts above because not everyone can join.

D-SNP: 5 plans

For people with both Medicare and NJ FamilyCare (New Jersey Medicaid).

C-SNP: 7 plans

For people with qualifying chronic conditions: Cardiovascular Disorders; Chronic Heart Failure; Chronic Kidney Disease; Diabetes Mellitus.

I-SNP: 3 plans

For people who live in, or need the level of care of, a long-term care facility.

D-SNP

5 plans, with a monthly Part C + D premium from $0 to $36.30. You must meet the plan’s condition to join.

D-SNP plans in Union County, contract year 2027
PlanType2026 starsPart C + D premiumOut-of-pocket limitPlan ID
Horizon NJ TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey HMO D-SNP 4.0★ $36.30 $9,850 H8298_001
Wellcare Fidelis Dual Align (HMO D-SNP)Wellcare HMO D-SNP 3.5★ $28.40 $9,850 H0913_013
UHC Dual Complete NJ-Y001 (HMO D-SNP)UnitedHealthcare HMO D-SNP 3.5★ $4.10 $9,850 H3113_005
Aetna Medicare FIDE (HMO D-SNP)Aetna Medicare HMO D-SNP 3.0★ $0 $9,850 H6399_001
Wellpoint Full Dual Advantage (HMO D-SNP)Wellpoint HMO D-SNP 3.0★ $30.70 $9,850 H3240_013

Source: Medicare plan changes in Union County, 2026 to 2027.

C-SNP

7 plans, each with a monthly Part C + D premium of $0. You must meet the plan’s condition to join.

C-SNP plans in Union County, contract year 2027
PlanType2026 starsPart C + D premiumOut-of-pocket limitPlan ID
Humana Gold Plus - Diabetes and Heart (HMO C-SNP)Humana: Cardiovascular Disorders, Chronic Heart Failure, Diabetes Mellitus HMO C-SNP 3.5★ $0 $9,350 H6622_098
Wellpoint Kidney Care (HMO-POS C-SNP)Wellpoint: Chronic Kidney Disease HMO-POS C-SNP 3.0★ $0 $9,850 H3240_017
Horizon Specialty Care (HMO C-SNP)Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey: Cardiovascular Disorders, Chronic Heart Failure, Diabetes Mellitus HMO C-SNP Not rated $0 $9,850 H8298_002
UHC Complete Care NJ-8 (HMO-POS C-SNP)UnitedHealthcare: Cardiovascular Disorders, Chronic Heart Failure, Diabetes Mellitus HMO-POS C-SNP Not rated $0 $7,150 H0755_047
DEVOTED C-SNP CHOICE PLUS 003 NJ (PPO C-SNP)Devoted Health: Cardiovascular Disorders, Chronic Heart Failure, Diabetes Mellitus PPO C-SNP Not rated $0 $9,850 H1390_003
DEVOTED C-SNP CHOICE ENHANCED 004 NJ (PPO C-SNP)Devoted Health: Cardiovascular Disorders, Chronic Heart Failure, Diabetes Mellitus PPO C-SNP Not rated $0 $9,850 H1390_004
DEVOTED C-SNP CHOICE GIVEBACK EXTRAS 005 NJ (PPO C-SNP)Devoted Health: Cardiovascular Disorders, Chronic Heart Failure, Diabetes Mellitus PPO C-SNP Not rated $0 $9,650 H1390_005

Source: Medicare plan changes in Union County, 2026 to 2027.

I-SNP

3 plans, with a monthly Part C + D premium from $18.10 to $172. You must meet the plan’s condition to join.

I-SNP plans in Union County, contract year 2027
PlanType2026 starsPart C + D premiumOut-of-pocket limitPlan ID
UHC Nursing Home Plan EX-F003 (PPO I-SNP)UnitedHealthcare PPO I-SNP 4.5★ $18.10 $9,850 H0710_026
Longevity Health Plan (PPO I-SNP)Longevity Health Plan PPO I-SNP 4.0★ $172 $4,500 H9942_002
Longevity Health Plan (PPO I-SNP)Longevity Health Plan PPO I-SNP 4.0★ $18.80 $9,850 H9942_001

Source: Medicare plan changes in Union County, 2026 to 2027.

The other path

Medigap in Union County

Every Advantage plan on this page replaces Original Medicare with a plan network. The other path keeps Original Medicare and adds a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy plus a separate Part D plan.

Medigap has no network: any provider that accepts Medicare accepts it, anywhere in the country. Premiums are higher than most Advantage plans, and in exchange your costs are more predictable.

New Jersey also protects people under 65 who have Medicare because of a disability. According to the Department of Banking and Insurance, if you became eligible on or after your 50th birthday but before 65, and on or after January 1, 2020, Medigap insurers in your area must issue Plan D when you apply within 12 months of enrolling in Part B, and may not charge more than they charge a 65-year-old for the same policy.

Under 50, the state contracting carrier, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, must issue Plan D to any applicant, at the same premium it charges people buying at 65, with no rating on health, age or claims.

Timing matters. Your 6-month Medigap open enrollment window starts when you are 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. Inside it, an insurer cannot turn you down or charge more for your health. See Medigap rules in New Jersey and Medicare Advantage vs Medigap.

Source: New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance: Medicare Supplement coverage for people under 65.

When you can change

How and when to enroll

You must have Medicare Part A and Part B to join a Medicare Advantage plan, and live in the plan's service area, here Union County.

Initial Enrollment Period

Seven months around your 65th birthday: the 3 months before, your birthday month, and the 3 months after.

Annual Enrollment Period

October 15 to December 7, 2026. Choose or change plans for 2027; coverage starts January 1.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment

January 1 to March 31. If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch plans or return to Original Medicare once.

Special Enrollment Periods

Moving, losing employer coverage, gaining or losing NJ FamilyCare, or a plan not renewing can open a window outside the normal calendar.

Ways to enroll: with a licensed agent such as Jackie ((856) 727-4221), directly with a plan, or on Medicare.gov. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). More detail: Medicare enrollment periods.

Next steps

Before you choose a plan in Union County

Plain English

Medicare plan terms on this page

Medicare Advantage (Part C)
A Medicare approved plan from a private company that provides your Part A and Part B benefits in place of Original Medicare. Most include drug coverage and some extras. You keep paying your Part B premium.
$0 Part C premium
The plan charges no monthly premium of its own for medical coverage. You still pay your Part B premium, any drug premium the plan lists, and copays or coinsurance when you use care.
In-network out-of-pocket maximum (MOOP)
The most you pay in a calendar year for covered Part A and Part B services from in-network providers. Once you reach it, the plan pays for covered in-network care for the rest of the year. Premiums and Part D drug costs do not count toward it.
HMO
Health Maintenance Organization. You generally use doctors and hospitals in the plan network, except for emergencies and urgent care, and many HMOs ask for a referral before you see a specialist.
PPO
Preferred Provider Organization. You can use doctors in or out of the network, but out-of-network care usually costs more. Referrals are usually not required.
HMO-POS
An HMO with a point of service option. You mostly use the network, but the plan lets you get some services out of network, usually at a higher cost.
Special Needs Plan (SNP)
A Medicare Advantage plan open only to people with particular needs: both Medicare and Medicaid (NJ FamilyCare in New Jersey), certain chronic conditions, or living in an institution such as a nursing home.
Star rating
A yearly CMS quality score from 1 to 5 stars, based on measures such as preventive care, member experience and customer service. It describes the plan overall; it does not tell you whether your doctors or drugs are covered.
FAQ

Union County Medicare questions

How many Medicare Advantage plans are available in Union County for 2027?

Union County has 37 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027 (Special Needs Plans not included) from 7 organizations. Of those, 32 have a $0 Part C premium, and 23 have a $0 combined monthly premium for Parts C and D (17 of those include drug coverage; 6 have no drug coverage, so no Part D premium). You still pay the Part B premium, which is $202.90 a month in 2026; the 2027 amount is announced around November 2026. Source: CMS 2027 Landscape file.

Does Westfield use the Union County plan list?

Yes. Westfield is in Union County, so every Westfield address uses the Union County Medicare Advantage list, as do Elizabeth, Summit, Rahway and the county’s other towns.

Which Union County hospital has a 5 star CMS rating?

Overlook Medical Center in Summit carries a 5 out of 5 CMS overall rating in the Hospital General Information file.

What changes for Medicare plans in Union County in 2027?

Counting Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage, Special Needs Plans included, Union County goes from 48 plans in 2026 to 46 in 2027. (The headline count of 37 plans on this page leaves out Special Needs Plans and includes plans without drug coverage, which is why the numbers differ.) The CMS crosswalk shows 12 plans ending with no similar plan in the county, 0 plans ending while the same company offers a plan with the same or a similar name under a new plan ID (members must enroll in it themselves), 1 plan folding into another plan automatically, and 11 new plans. Braven Health and HealthSpring have no Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage in Union County for 2027; Devoted Health is new to the Union County list. Your plan’s Annual Notice of Change lists what changes for you on January 1.

How many people aged 65 and over live in Union County?

Census figures (ACS 2020 to 2024 5-year estimates) show 15.1% of Union County residents aged 65 or older (about 87,277 people), against 17.2% for New Jersey, and 13.0% of residents of all ages with no health insurance (7.5% statewide). For people with Medicare and a limited income, New Jersey's Medicare Savings Programs, PAAD, Senior Gold and NJ FamilyCare can help with costs; the guides linked on this page explain each one.

Provenance

Sources and methodology

How the figures are derived

  • Headline plan counts and averages exclude Special Needs Plans, which have their own eligibility rules and are reported separately.
  • "$0 Part C premium" counts plans whose Part C premium is $0. "$0 combined monthly premium for Parts C and D" counts plans whose consolidated Part C + D premium is $0 (for a plan without drug coverage, its Part C premium); our guides and blog use this second count. Out-of-pocket limits are in-network amounts. The average Part D deductible covers plans with drug coverage only.
  • The 2026 to 2027 comparison counts Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage, Special Needs Plans included, and its "$0" row uses the combined Part C + D premium, so it differs from the headline count.
  • When the CMS crosswalk ends a plan with no successor but the same company files a plan with the same or a similar name under a new plan ID, we say so; members are not moved into the new ID automatically.
  • We do not publish per-plan enrollment: the source does not carry it, and we never estimate plan figures.

Garden State Medicare Solutions is not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. Medicare has neither endorsed nor reviewed this information.

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Content reviewed by Jackie Layser, Licensed Medicare Insurance Agent at Garden State Medicare Solutions, New Jersey, helping Medicare clients since 2008. How we source and review our content. Last updated .