Pro Tip: To learn more about the ins and outs of Medicare Advantage, read our guide to Medicare Advantage.
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View PlansMedicare Advantage Plans are growing in popularity, and it's no surprise. With the costs of everything rising, these plans can not only help lower healthcare costs, but they can also provide additional benefits beyond Medicare's Coverage.
Medicare Part C Medicare Advantage Plans include your Medicare Part A, Part B, and, in many cases, Part D benefits in an easy-to-use solution. These plans have lower premiums and predictable copays for most healthcare services. Another advantage over Original Medicare is that Medicare Advantage plans limit your annual out-of-pocket costs for medical services.
Below we'll go over the plans that we feel are the best Medicare Advantage plans available for 2022.
Pro Tip: To learn more about the ins and outs of Medicare Advantage, read our guide to Medicare Advantage.
Provider | Service Area | Standout benefits |
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Humana | 49 states |
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Cigna | 26 states and Washington, D.C |
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UnitedHealthcare | 49 states and Washington, D.C. |
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Wellcare | 36 states |
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Aetna | 49 states and Washington, D.C. |
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Blue Cross Blue Shield | 47 states |
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AARP | 49 states and Washington, D.C |
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Anthem | 7 states |
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Kaiser Permanente | 8 states and Washington, D.C. |
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Humana provides access to Medicare Advantage plans in 49 states.
Humana is one of the top providers of Medicare Advantage plans throughout the continental United States. They put extra care into customer service and offer various Medicare Advantage plan options. Humana is also a financially sound company with an AM Best rating of A-.
They provide access to gym memberships through SilverSneakers and have significant plan extras to help Medicare beneficiaries. Many of their plans have insulin-saving programs for their diabetic members.
They offer a 24/7 nurse hotline and a handful of other benefits, such as over-the-counter allowance, health food card, transportation, and dental benefits.
Humana provides incentives for living healthy through its Go365 program. This program helps to reward its members for taking advantage of plan benefits to help them stay healthy.
To learn more about Humana, be sure to check out our full review of Humana Medicare Advantage.
Cigna offers Medicare Advantage plans in 26 states and Washington, D.C.
Cigna is one of the oldest insurers in the nation. They strive to deliver a great customer experience. However, it has some of the lowest star ratings on average. In addition to their Medicare Advantage plan offerings, Cigna provides access to other insurance products as well.
Cigna’s additional products include life, dental, vision, and hearing coverage, along with stand-alone Part D prescription coverage. They also provide critical illness, cancer, and hospital indemnity plans. They have several plans that participate in the insulin savings program, the Senior Savings Model.
Cigna is also a strong contender in the Medicare supplement health insurance space, offering these plans in nearly every state.
To learn more about this provider, be sure to check out our full rundown of Cigna Medicare Advantage.
UnitedHealthcare provides Medicare Advantage Plans in 49 states and Washington, D.C.
UnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare health insurance in America. Their plan offerings include Part C Medicare Advantage, Medicare supplement, and Part D prescription drug plans. UHC is endorsed by AARP and has a financial rating of A- from AM Best.
They have some unique advantages for their over-the-counter benefit that allows their members to use the benefit not only in a retail location, but also for health food purchases.
Many of their competitors have a lower food allowance and require OTC benefits to be mail ordered for delivery.
To learn more about UnitedHealthcare, read our guide to UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage.
Wellcare provides access to Medicare Advantage plans in 36 states.
For those in need of coverage beyond that of Original Medicare, Wellcare offers a variety of plans that offer some of the best benefits of any provider. In particular, we appreciate their Flex Card system, which preloads a Visa gift card with up to $2,500 that can be spent on vision, dental, and hearing services.
Wellcare also offers over-the-counter benefits, which can provide reimbursement for over-the-counter medications, as well as free meal delivery and fitness membership on some of their plans.
While Wellcare received low scores on J.D. Power’s survey in terms of customer satisfaction, their extra benefits make them a compelling option to consider, especially considering many of their Medicare Advantage plans come with $0 monthly premiums, as well the potential for Part B premium reimbursement.
Aetna provides Medicare Advantage plans in 49 states and Washington, D.C.
Aetna has one of the most robust provider networks in the industry, and their PPOs stand out for the ability to be seen as in-network when traveling outside of the service area. Their doctor finder tool is easy to navigate, making this feature extremely simple and valuable.
Aetna is one of the few Medicare Advantage providers that cover dental implants. They have great dental benefits included in almost all of their plans. Aetna is part of the CVS Health family and maintains an AM Best rating of A+.
In addition to their Medicare Advantage plans, Aetna also provides access to Medigap insurance plans and offers Part D prescription drug plans through their SilverScript brand.
To learn more about Aetna, read our guide to Aetna Medicare Advantage plans.
Blue Cross Blue Shield provides Medicare Advantage plans in 47 states.
Blue Cross Blue Shield is one of the most trusted names in the insurance industry. They have 34 different affiliates that split the United States into territories. They have an excellent customer satisfaction rating, and most of their plans earn 4 stars on a 5-star rating system.
Blue Cross Blue Shield offers all varieties of Medicare coverage. Their plan offerings include Medicare Advantage, Medicare supplemental insurance, and Part D prescription drug plans.
They offer the MyBlue Medicare concierge service to help the members navigate and understand Medicare. Blue Cross Blue Shield members also have access to the Blue Rewards program that incentivizes members to practice healthy behaviors.
To learn more about this provider, read our guide to Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage.
AARP provides Medicare Advantage plans backed by UnitedHealthcare in 49 states and Washington, D.C.
AARP was founded in 1958 to help individuals age 50 and older navigate the later years of their lives. Their members enjoy access to discounts, advice, and advocacy in all aspects of life. AARP partners with UnitedHealthcare to offer great Medicare products to Medicare beneficiaries.
AARP is financially sound and provided a rating of A+ from AM Best. Their plan offerings include Medicare supplemental health insurance, Medicare Advantage plans, and Part D prescription plans everywhere except Alaska.
They have very forgiving underwriting on their Medigap health insurance and offer unique plan extras on their Medicare Advantage plans. Most AARP Medicare plans include dental, vision, and hearing coverage.
To learn more about this provider, read our guide to AARP Medicare plans.
Anthem is the most prominent member of Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) and offers Medicare Advantage plans in seven states.
Anthem BCBS is the largest affiliate of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. They are a trusted name for many Medicare beneficiaries and healthcare providers. Anthem provides access to many low-cost Medicare Advantage plans in the seven states they offer these plans. They also offer Anthem Medicare supplement plans.
While Anthem does offer dental and vision benefits, you’ll typically have to pay an additional cost for these benefits. They provide an over-the-counter allowance and have an A rating from AM Best in terms of financial strength.
Anthem’s additional benefits include a 24-hour nurse hotline, wellness programs, LiveHealth Online, and healthy pantry services. Their innovative online app helps members stay on top of their healthcare and get the most out of their Medicare Advantage program.
To learn more about this provider, read our guide to Anthem Medicare plans.
Kaiser Permanente provides Medicare Advantage plans in eight states and Washington, D.C.
Kaiser Permanente offers a unique perspective on Medicare Advantage plans. They have some of the most restrictive networks; however, they offer one of the best inclusive healthcare models. Kaiser plans are limited to in-network HMO coverage, but there is an excellent reason for that.
Kaiser’s medical facilities are all-inclusive, so you won’t be driving all over town for different appointments. They are pretty much a one-stop shop for all your Medicare needs. This model works so well for them that most plans hold the highest rating of 5 stars.
Their plan extras include transportation to and from the medical facility and providing a healthy aging and wellness program through Silver&Fit.
To learn more about this provider, read our guide to Kaiser Permanente Medicare plans.
Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare are not the same. Original Medicare is comprised of Medicare Part A and Part B. There are no limits on what you can spend for the year, and the costs are unpredictable. Original Medicare has fewer restrictions on healthcare providers and services.
Medicare Advantage plans are Part C of Medicare. These plans are another way to receive your Medicare benefits. Medicare Advantage plans will typically include Part D drug coverage, additional benefits not covered under Medicare, and a cap on how much you can spend. The biggest drawbacks are that they are network-based plans and you must get authorization for some services and providers.
When you're trying to determine the right Medicare Advantage plan for you, there are a few things that are recommended. You should find an agent who has access to all the plans in your area. Have your agent check your doctors and drugs against the plans approved providers and formulary. Then check for the plan extras that will benefit you the most. Finally, have your agent assist you with the enrollment process.
While Medicare Advantage plans have many pros, there are also a few cons. They have restrictive networks and lock you in for the year. Plus, a non-medical plan administrator approves or denies services.
Best is a relative term. What is best for you may not be the same as your neighbor. The best plan for you is the one that fits your budget and needs. You should also review the participating doctor list and drug formulary to cover your doctors and prescriptions.
Medicare Advantage Plans combine your benefits from Original Medicare into an easy-to-use program. These plans will typically include your Part D drug coverage and additional benefits not included under Medicare.
Medicare Advantage premiums can vary depending on where you live and which plan you choose. You can find plans as low as $0 monthly. The average cost of a Medicare Part C plan ranges from $38 to $105 per month.
You must have a valid enrollment period to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. Valid enrollment periods include the following: