What you'll learn
- El Paso County has 42 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027, from 9 insurance companies.
- 34 plans have a $0 monthly premium, and out-of-pocket maximums range from $2,950 to $9,850.
- If you see doctors in Las Cruces or elsewhere in New Mexico, confirm they're in network. Original Medicare works with any provider that takes Medicare in the U.S.
- Medicare usually doesn't cover care in Mexico. Plan for that if you cross the border for care.
El Paso County, 2027 at a glance
Source: CMS 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape files. Counts include plans open to general enrollment; availability can vary by ZIP code. Compare all plans at Medicare.gov.
El Paso is far from the rest of Texas but close to two neighbors: New Mexico just up the road and Ciudad Juárez across the river. Add Fort Bliss and a large Spanish-speaking community, and El Paso County has Medicare questions you won't hear in Dallas or Houston.
El Paso County's 2027 numbers
CMS's 2027 data shows 42 Medicare Advantage plans in El Paso County from 9 insurance companies. 34 include drug coverage and 34 have a $0 monthly plan premium.
In-network out-of-pocket maximums range from $2,950 to $9,850, and 24 plans carry an overall CMS rating of 4 stars or higher. If you keep Original Medicare, there are 10 stand-alone Part D plans, starting at $5.30 a month.
Care in New Mexico
Plenty of El Pasoans see doctors in Las Cruces or the Upper Valley, and some specialists are easier to reach across the state line. Here's how that works:
- Medicare Advantage: Medicare says you may need to use doctors in the plan's network and service area for non-emergency care. A plan sold in El Paso County may or may not include New Mexico providers. Ask the plan about each one by name.
- Original Medicare: You can use any doctor or hospital that takes Medicare, anywhere in the U.S., including New Mexico. That's a real advantage if your care crosses state lines.
Care in Mexico
Some Medigap policies may cover emergency care when you travel outside the U.S. If you cross the border often, factor this into your choice between Original Medicare with Medigap and a Medicare Advantage plan.
Fort Bliss and military retirees
Many military families retire near Fort Bliss. If you have TRICARE For Life, TRICARE says that coverage is automatic only if you have Medicare Part A and Part B, and Medicare generally pays first. Read Medicare and TRICARE For Life in Texas before you make changes.
Help in Spanish
When you talk with a counselor or an agent, ask for a Spanish speaker if that's more comfortable. You should fully understand any plan before you join.
Medicare and Medicaid
El Paso County has 28 Dual Special Needs Plans for people who have both Medicare and Texas Medicaid, plus 15 chronic condition plans and 4 institutional plans. See Part B premium help in Texas to learn about Medicare Savings Programs.
Key dates
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Oct. 15 – Dec. 7, 2026 | Annual Enrollment Period: change plans for 2027 |
| Jan. 1, 2027 | New plan coverage starts |
| Jan. 1 – Mar. 31, 2027 | One plan change if you're already in Medicare Advantage |
Free local help
The Texas Health Information, Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling at 1-800-252-9240. In El Paso, the Rio Grande Area Agency on Aging is at 915-533-0998.
Compare every plan for your ZIP code on the Medicare.gov Plan Finder, or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Common questions
How many Medicare Advantage plans are in El Paso County for 2027?
CMS data shows 42 Medicare Advantage plans open to general enrollment in El Paso County for 2027, plus special needs plans for people with Medicaid, certain chronic conditions, or who live in a nursing home.
Does Medicare cover care in Ciudad Juárez?
Medicare says it usually doesn't cover health care outside the U.S., with limited exceptions. Some Medigap policies may cover emergency care abroad. If you get care in Mexico, expect to pay on your own unless your coverage says otherwise.
Can I get Medicare help in Spanish in El Paso?
Yes. Call 1-800-MEDICARE and ask for an interpreter, available 24 hours a day. You can also ask HICAP counselors and licensed agents for help in Spanish.
Sources
- CMS: 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D state-by-state fact sheets
- CMS: Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape files
- Medicare.gov: Plan Finder
- Medicare.gov: Travel outside the U.S.
- Medicare.gov: Compare Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage
- Medicare.gov: Get Medicare information in other languages
- TRICARE: TRICARE For Life
- Texas HHS: Medicare counseling (HICAP)
- Texas HHS: Area Agencies on Aging directory
