Medicare in Meridian at a Glance
The Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey counts 124,865 Meridian residents, which makes it the second-largest city in Idaho after Boise. 18,263 of them, about 14.6%, are 65 or older. Meridian is a little younger than Ada County as a whole, with a median age of 37.4, and its median household income of $98,686 is higher than the county's. If you are coming to Medicare from a job-based plan, the first question is often what you would be giving up, and that is where we start.
| Measure | Meridian | Ada County |
|---|---|---|
| Total population | 124,865 | 508,052 |
| Residents aged 65 and over | 18,263 (14.6%) | 15.7% |
| Median age | 37.4 | 38.3 |
| Median household income | $98,686 | $88,907 |
| Residents with no health insurance | 6.6% | 6.7% |
| County for Medicare plan purposes | Ada County | |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 5-year Data Profile DP05, Meridian city, Idaho, DP03 for Meridian and the same profiles for Ada County, accessed October 30, 2026.
Meridian's Health Profile
The CDC's PLACES estimates put Meridian below the Ada County figures on each of the conditions below. That is good news, and it also means a lot of Meridian clients come to us without a long list of specialists yet. For them the plan decision is often about flexibility for the future and how a plan handles the doctors they already see.
| Measure (adults) | Meridian | Ada County |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosed diabetes | 8.4% | 9% |
| High blood pressure | 29.8% | 31.2% |
| Arthritis | 24.9% | 25.8% |
| Obesity | 28.8% | 29% |
| No health insurance, ages 18 to 64 | 8.2% | 8.5% |
Source: CDC PLACES place data, Meridian and CDC PLACES county data, 2023 release, crude prevalence among adults, accessed October 30, 2026.
Ada County Plans Rated 4 Stars or Higher for 2027
CMS rates Medicare Advantage plans from 1 to 5 stars each year. For 2027, 12 of the 19 Ada County plans Meridian residents can buy are rated 4 stars or higher. A rating is a useful filter, not a verdict: a 4.5-star plan that leaves out your cardiologist is the wrong plan for you.
| Plan | Type | CMS rating | Part C premium | Out-of-pocket max | Drug coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humana Full Access (PPO) Humana | PPO | 4.5 of 5 | $0 | $5,900 | Included |
| Humana Value Choice (PPO) Humana | PPO | 4.5 of 5 | $0 | $7,150 | Included |
| Humana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO) Humana | PPO | 4.0 of 5 | $0 | $5,100 | No drug coverage |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC ID-0005 (HMO-POS) UnitedHealthcare | HMO-POS | 4.0 of 5 | $1 | $6,300 | Included |
| Humana Gold Plus H2486-005 (HMO) Humana | HMO | 4.0 of 5 | $0 | $6,520 | Included |
| Humana Total Complete (HMO) Humana | HMO | 4.0 of 5 | $0 | $6,660 | Included |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC ID-0001 (PPO) UnitedHealthcare | PPO | 4.0 of 5 | $0 | $6,700 | Included |
| AARP Medicare Advantage Patriot No Rx ID-MA01 (HMO-POS) UnitedHealthcare | HMO-POS | 4.0 of 5 | $0 | $6,700 | No drug coverage |
| HumanaChoice H5216-048 (PPO) Humana | PPO | 4.0 of 5 | $0 | $7,000 | Included |
| Humana Value Choice (PPO) Humana | PPO | 4.0 of 5 | $0 | $7,000 | Included |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC ID-0003 (PPO) UnitedHealthcare | PPO | 4.0 of 5 | $0 | $7,150 | Included |
| Humana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO) Humana | PPO | 4.0 of 5 | $0 | $9,150 | No drug coverage |
Source: CMS CY2027 Landscape file (202610), which added the 2027 Star Ratings on October 18, 2026, accessed October 30, 2026.
Meridian Medicare Advantage by the Numbers, 2027
Medicare Advantage plans are sold county by county, so Meridian 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 30, 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 Meridian
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 30, 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 30, 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 30, 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 Meridian 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 30, 2026.
Standalone Part D Plans in Meridian
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 30, 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.
Hospitals Near Meridian
Meridian sits between Boise and Nampa, and most of the Medicare-certified acute care hospitals its residents use are in those two cities. In the CMS hospital file, the only hospital with a Meridian address is a psychiatric hospital. Some health system campuses report to CMS under a parent hospital's certification number, so a campus you know in Meridian may not appear under its own name.
| Hospital | City | Type | Emergency services | CMS overall rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Luke's Regional Medical Center | Boise | Acute care | Yes | 5 of 5 |
| Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center | Boise | Acute care | Yes | 3 of 5 |
| St. Luke's Nampa Medical Center | Nampa | Acute care | Yes | 5 of 5 |
| Saint Alphonsus Medical Center, Nampa | Nampa | Acute care | Yes | 3 of 5 |
| Cottonwood Creek Behavioral Hospital | Meridian | Psychiatric | No | Not rated |
Source: CMS Care Compare, Hospital General Information (dataset updated July 22, 2026), accessed October 30, 2026. A hospital rating says nothing about whether a plan covers it; we check the network.
Choosing a Plan in Meridian: What We Look At
CarrieAnne sorts every choice into six comparison areas. For Meridian clients these three usually carry the most weight.
- Leaving an employer plan. If you or your spouse are still working, we compare your job-based coverage with Medicare first, so you do not sign up for Part B too early or too late.
- Your doctors on both sides of the city. Meridian residents often see doctors in Boise and in Nampa. A plan has to include both, so we check each provider by name against the 2027 directory.
- Room to grow. With 12 plans rated 4 stars or higher and out-of-pocket limits from $3,000 to $9,150, we look past this year's premium to how a plan would treat you in a hard year. If you want to see any doctor who takes Medicare, a Medicare Supplement with a Part D plan is the other path, and we compare that too.
We meet Meridian clients by Zoom or phone. Our Idaho City office is about 32 miles from Meridian in a straight line (Census 2023 Gazetteer) and is open by appointment if you would rather meet in person. 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.
In Meridian? Let's compare your 2027 options
Bring your doctors, your prescriptions and, if you are still working, your employer plan details. 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 Meridian for 2027?
19, not counting Special Needs Plans. Meridian is in Ada County, and CMS lists 19 Medicare Advantage plans there for 2027 from 5 carriers, 12 of them rated 4 stars or higher. There are also 8 Special Needs Plans and 8 standalone Part D plans sold statewide.
Is there a hospital in Meridian?
In the CMS hospital file, the only Medicare-certified hospital with a Meridian address is Cottonwood Creek Behavioral Hospital, a psychiatric hospital. Health systems also run campuses and clinics in Meridian, and some campuses report to CMS under a parent hospital in Boise. What matters for your plan is whether your doctors and the places you actually go are in its 2027 network, and we check that by name.
Do you have a Meridian office I can visit?
No. We meet Meridian clients by Zoom or phone, which covers the same full comparison an office visit would. If you would rather sit down face to face, our Idaho City office, about 32 miles from Meridian in a straight line, is open by appointment.
I am still working in Meridian at 65. Do I have to take Medicare now?
Not always. If you have coverage through your own or your spouse's current job, you may be able to delay Part B without a penalty, but the rules depend on the size of the employer and the type of coverage. We walk through your situation before your 65th birthday so the timing is right.
When can Meridian 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 30, 2026
- CMS Monthly Enrollment by Contract, Plan, State and County, October 2026, accessed October 30, 2026
- CMS CY2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Rate Announcement (Part D deductible and out-of-pocket threshold), accessed October 30, 2026
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 5-year Data Profile DP05, Meridian city, Idaho, accessed October 30, 2026
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 5-year Data Profile DP03, Meridian city, Idaho, accessed October 30, 2026
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 5-year Data Profiles, Ada County, Idaho (API query), accessed October 30, 2026
- CDC PLACES place data (2023 release), Meridian, accessed October 30, 2026
- CDC PLACES county data (2023 release), accessed October 30, 2026
- CMS Care Compare, Hospital General Information, accessed October 30, 2026
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 Gazetteer Files, Idaho places, accessed October 30, 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.