Medicare in Boise at a Glance
Boise is Idaho's largest city. The Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey counts 235,701 residents, and 36,110 of them, about 15.3%, are 65 or older. That is a lot of neighbors facing the same fall decision, and most of them are choosing from the same county lineup.
| Measure | Boise |
|---|---|
| Total population | 235,701 |
| Residents aged 65 and over | 36,110 (15.3%) |
| County for Medicare plan purposes | Ada County |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 5-year Data Profile DP05, Boise City city, Idaho, accessed October 26, 2026.
Health matters to plan choice too. In Ada County, the CDC estimates 9% of adults have diabetes and 31.2% have high blood pressure (CDC PLACES, 2023 release). Those are the conditions where a drug list and a specialist network make the biggest difference.
Boise Medicare Advantage by the Numbers, 2027
Medicare Advantage plans are sold county by county, so Boise residents choose from the Ada County lineup. For 2027 CMS lists 19 Medicare Advantage plans in Ada County, not counting Special Needs Plans, from 5 carriers: Humana, Blue Cross of Idaho, UnitedHealthcare, PacificSource Medicare, St. Luke's Health Plan.
| Measure | Ada County, 2027 |
|---|---|
| Plans available | 19 |
| Plans at a $0 Part C premium | 13 of 19 |
| Average Part C premium | $8.26 per month |
| Plans that include drug coverage | 13 of 19 |
| In-network out-of-pocket maximum, lowest to highest | $3,000 to $9,150 per year |
| Plans rated 4 stars or higher by CMS | 63% |
| Medicare Advantage members today (same plan IDs, October 2026) | 35,967 |
Source: CMS CY2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Landscape file (202610) and CMS Monthly Enrollment by Contract, Plan, State and County, October 2026, accessed October 26, 2026. The $0 and average premium figures use the Part C premium; enrollment skips rows CMS suppresses for privacy, so it is a floor.
Most enrolled plans in Ada County
| Plan | Type | CMS 2027 rating | Members |
|---|---|---|---|
| True Blue Rx 33 (HMO) Blue Cross of Idaho | HMO | 3.0 of 5 | 11,476 |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC ID-0001 (PPO) UnitedHealthcare | PPO | 4.0 of 5 | 9,680 |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC ID-0003 (PPO) UnitedHealthcare | PPO | 4.0 of 5 | 7,422 |
| Humana Value Choice (PPO) Humana | PPO | 4.5 of 5 | 1,661 |
| AARP Medicare Advantage Patriot No Rx ID-MA01 (HMO-POS) UnitedHealthcare | HMO-POS | 4.0 of 5 | 989 |
Source: CMS monthly enrollment, October 2026, matched to the same plan IDs in the CY2027 Landscape file. Popularity is not a recommendation.
Every 2027 Medicare Advantage Plan Available in Boise
PPO plans (9)
A PPO lets you see providers outside the network, at a higher share of the cost, and does not normally require referrals. That flexibility matters most when your doctors are split across different health systems, or when you spend part of the year somewhere else.
| Plan | CMS rating | Part C premium | Out-of-pocket max | Part D deductible | CMS plan ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Secure Blue Courage (PPO) Blue Cross of Idaho | Not rated Not rated by CMS | $0 | $5,200 | No drug coverage | H1302_004 |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC ID-0001 (PPO) UnitedHealthcare | 4.0 of 5 4 stars or higher | $0 | $6,700 | $685 | H2406_044 |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC ID-0003 (PPO) UnitedHealthcare | 4.0 of 5 4 stars or higher | $0 | $7,150 | $685 | H2406_065 |
| HumanaChoice H5216-048 (PPO) Humana | 4.0 of 5 4 stars or higher | $0 | $7,000 | $700 | H5216_048 |
| Humana Value Choice (PPO) Humana | 4.0 of 5 4 stars or higher | $0 | $7,000 | $700 | H5216_132 |
| Humana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO) Humana | 4.0 of 5 4 stars or higher | $0 | $9,150 | No drug coverage | H5216_427 |
| Humana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO) Humana | 4.0 of 5 4 stars or higher | $0 | $5,100 | No drug coverage | H5216_455 |
| Humana Full Access (PPO) Humana | 4.5 of 5 4 stars or higher | $0 | $5,900 | $700 | H7617_028 |
| Humana Value Choice (PPO) Humana | 4.5 of 5 4 stars or higher | $0 | $7,150 | $700 | H7617_031 |
Source: CMS CY2027 Landscape file (202610), accessed October 26, 2026.
HMO plans (6)
An HMO keeps your care inside one network and usually asks you to pick a primary care doctor who coordinates referrals. Premiums and copays tend to be the lowest of the plan types, and the trade is that out-of-network care generally is not covered except in an emergency.
| Plan | CMS rating | Part C premium | Out-of-pocket max | Part D deductible | CMS plan ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humana Gold Plus H2486-005 (HMO) Humana | 4.0 of 5 4 stars or higher | $0 | $6,520 | $300 | H2486_005 |
| Humana Total Complete (HMO) Humana | 4.0 of 5 4 stars or higher | $0 | $6,660 | $700 | H5619_177 |
| True Blue Rx 32PSP (HMO) Blue Cross of Idaho | 3.0 of 5 Below 3.5 stars | $0.10 | $5,900 | $205 | H1350_032 |
| St. Luke's Advantage Rx 01 (HMO) St. Luke's Health Plan | Not rated Not rated by CMS | $17 | $5,950 | $299 | H3012_001 |
| True Blue Valor (HMO) Blue Cross of Idaho | 3.0 of 5 Below 3.5 stars | $34 | $3,000 | No drug coverage | H1350_006 |
| True Blue Rx 33 (HMO) Blue Cross of Idaho | 3.0 of 5 Below 3.5 stars | $64 | $5,900 | $205 | H1350_033 |
Source: CMS CY2027 Landscape file (202610), accessed October 26, 2026.
HMO-POS plans (4)
HMO-POS is an HMO with a point-of-service option bolted on, so a defined set of services can be used out of network at a higher cost share. Which services qualify varies plan by plan, so it is worth reading that part of the benefit summary closely.
| Plan | CMS rating | Part C premium | Out-of-pocket max | Part D deductible | CMS plan ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PacificSource Medicare Idaho Basic (HMO-POS) PacificSource Medicare | 3.0 of 5 Below 3.5 stars | $0 | $7,150 | No drug coverage | H3864_050 |
| AARP Medicare Advantage Patriot No Rx ID-MA01 (HMO-POS) UnitedHealthcare | 4.0 of 5 4 stars or higher | $0 | $6,700 | No drug coverage | H4604_019 |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC ID-0005 (HMO-POS) UnitedHealthcare | 4.0 of 5 4 stars or higher | $1 | $6,300 | $685 | H4604_012 |
| PacificSource Medicare River Select Rx (HMO-POS) PacificSource Medicare | 3.0 of 5 Below 3.5 stars | $40.90 | $7,150 | $700 | H3864_049 |
Source: CMS CY2027 Landscape file (202610), accessed October 26, 2026.
How CMS rates these plans for 2027
| Rating | Plans | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 4.5 stars | 2 | 11% |
| 4.0 stars | 10 | 53% |
| 3.0 stars | 5 | 26% |
| Not rated by CMS | 2 | 11% |
Source: CMS CY2027 Landscape file (202610), which added the 2027 Star Ratings on October 18, 2026. A plan too new to rate is not the same as a low score.
Special Needs Plans for Boise Residents
Ada County also has 8 Special Needs Plans for 2027. Medicare sets who qualifies, and we check eligibility against your records rather than assuming. The Chronic Condition plans here are built around cardiovascular disorders, chronic heart failure and diabetes.
| Type | Plans | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNP) | 4 | for people who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid |
| Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans (C-SNP) | 3 | for people living with specific chronic conditions named by the plan |
| Institutional Special Needs Plans (I-SNP) | 1 | for people who live in a nursing home or need that level of care at home |
Source: CMS CY2027 Landscape file (202610), accessed October 26, 2026.
Standalone Part D Plans in Boise
If you keep Original Medicare, alone or with a Medigap policy, you add a standalone Part D plan. Idaho has 8 for 2027, all sold statewide. For 2027 the standard deductible is $700 and out-of-pocket spending on covered drugs is capped at $2,400 for the year, per the CMS CY2027 Rate Announcement.
| Plan | Benefit | Monthly premium | Deductible |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wellcare Classic (PDP) Wellcare | Basic | $7.30 | $700 |
| Humana Basic Rx Plan (PDP) Humana | Basic | $30.60 | $700 |
| AARP Medicare Rx Saver from UHC (PDP) UnitedHealthcare | Basic | $92.70 | $700 |
| HealthSpring Assurance Rx (PDP) HealthSpring | Basic | $94.80 | $700 |
| Wellcare Value Script (PDP) Wellcare | Enhanced | $5.30 | $700 |
| Humana Value Rx Plan (PDP) Humana | Enhanced | $34.70 | $687 |
| Humana Premier Rx Plan (PDP) Humana | Enhanced | $134 | $350 |
| AARP Medicare Rx Preferred from UHC (PDP) UnitedHealthcare | Enhanced | $238 | $300 |
Source: CMS CY2027 Landscape file (202610); deductible and cap from the CMS CY2027 Rate Announcement, accessed October 26, 2026. The premium is only part of the cost; your drug list decides the rest.
Want the whole county picture, including the health profile and Medigap basics? See our Ada County Medicare guide.
Choosing a Plan in Boise: What We Look At
With 19 Medicare Advantage plans on the table, the premium is the least interesting number. CarrieAnne sorts the choice into six comparison areas, and in Boise three of them usually decide it.
- Your doctors and hospital system. Boise plans are often built around St. Luke's or Saint Alphonsus, and a plan can include one and not the other. We check every doctor by name against the 2027 directory.
- Your prescriptions. The same drug can land on a different tier from plan to plan. We run your actual list, dose and pharmacy included.
- Your worst-case year. The out-of-pocket maximum runs from $3,000 to $9,150 here. If you expect a surgery or ongoing treatment, that number matters more than a $0 premium.
Neighborhood does not change your plan list. Whether you live in the North End, the Bench, West Boise or Harris Ranch, you choose from the same Ada County plans. What changes is which clinics are near you, and that is part of the network check.
We meet Boise clients by Zoom or phone. Watch the short video on our Medicare Resources page, start the plan review survey, then call or text 208-350-9933 and we will set a time.
Boise neighbor? Let's compare your 2027 options
Bring your doctors and prescriptions. We compare the plans we represent side by side over Zoom or the phone, with no pressure and no cost to you.
Call or text 208-350-9933 Send us a messageFrequently Asked Questions
How many Medicare Advantage plans are available in Boise for 2027?
19, not counting Special Needs Plans. Boise is in Ada County, and CMS lists 19 Medicare Advantage plans there for 2027 from 5 carriers, 13 of them at a $0 Part C premium. There are also 8 Special Needs Plans and 8 standalone Part D plans sold statewide.
Do you have a Boise office I can visit?
We meet Boise clients by Zoom or phone, which covers the same full comparison an office visit would. Our Boise address on Federal Way is for mail only. If you would rather meet face to face, our Idaho City office is open by appointment.
Are there $0 premium Medicare Advantage plans in Boise?
Yes. 13 of the 19 Ada County Medicare Advantage plans for 2027 have a $0 Part C premium. You still pay your Part B premium, and a $0 plan can have higher copays or a higher out-of-pocket maximum, which ranges from $3,000 to $9,150 a year here.
Which hospital system does my Boise plan use?
It depends on the plan. Boise plans are often built around St. Luke's or Saint Alphonsus, and a network can change from one year to the next. We check your exact doctors, clinics and pharmacy against each 2027 plan directory before you choose.
When can Boise residents change Medicare plans?
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 to December 7, 2026 for coverage starting January 1, 2027. If you are on a Medicare Advantage plan, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31, 2027 allows one more change.
Does it cost anything to compare plans with Personal Touch?
No. Our help is free, and your premium is the same whether you enroll with us or on your own. Call or text 208-350-9933 to set up a Zoom or phone appointment.
Keep Reading
Sources
- CMS CY2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Landscape file (202610), accessed October 26, 2026
- CMS Monthly Enrollment by Contract, Plan, State and County, October 2026, accessed October 26, 2026
- CMS CY2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Rate Announcement (Part D deductible and out-of-pocket threshold), accessed October 26, 2026
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 5-year Data Profile DP05, Boise City city, Idaho, accessed October 26, 2026
- CDC PLACES county data (2023 release), accessed October 26, 2026
Figures are labelled with the year they apply to and were checked against the official sources above on the date shown. This page is general education, not individual advice. Personal Touch Ins. & Benefits, LLC is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.