Best Medicare Advantage Plans And Providers Of 2024

Medicare Glossary of Terms

Why You Can Trust Forbes Health

• Offers plans in 48 states as well as Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico in 2025
• Offers health maintenance organization (HMO) plans, (preferred provider organization) PPO plans, (private fee-for-service) PFFS plans and special needs plans (SNPs)
• $0 premium local preferred provider organization (LPPO) “Giveback Plans” are offered in 35 states
• Aggregate rating of 4.23 out of 5 from CMS as of 2024
• “A” credit rating from AM Best
• Ranked above region average for customer satisfaction in two out of 10 regions, according to J.D. Power.

• Offers plans in 49 states and Washington D.C.
• Offers HMO plans, health maintenance organization with point of service (HMO-POS) plans, PPO plans and SNPs
• Many HMO and PPO plans come with $0 premiums
• Aggregate rating of 3.98 out of 5 from CMS in 2024
• “A” credit rating from AM Best in 2023
• Ranked above region average in six out of 10 regions for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power

• Offers plans in 44 states and Washington D.C. in 2025
• Offers HMO plans, PPO plans and SNPs
• 83% of Medicare-eligible beneficiaries have access to a $0 monthly premium Aetna Medicare Advantage plan in 2025, according to the company
• “A” rating from AM Best
• Aggregate rating of 3.95 out of 5 from CMS in 2024
• Ranked above region average in three out of 10 regions for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power

• Offers plans in 48 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico
• Offers HMO, PPO, PFFS plans and SNPs
• Offers plans with monthly premiums, physician copays and specialist copays starting at $0 per month
• Aggregate rating of 3.80 out of 5 from CMS in 2024
• “A+” credit rating from AM Best
• Ranked above region average in five out of 10 regions for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power

• Offers plans in 29 states and Washington D.C.
• Offers HMO plans, PPO plans and DSNPs
• Offers plans with a $0 premium and some plans give offer money back on insurees’ Social Security check
• Aggregate rating of 3.56 out of 5 from CMS in 2024
• “A” credit rating from AM Best
• Ranked above region average in one region out of 10 for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power.

To determine the best Medicare Advantage providers, the Forbes Health editorial team evaluated all insurance companies that offer plans nationwide in terms of:

• How many states in which they provide coverage (25%)
• The types of benefits they can offer (though it varies from plan to plan) (45%)
• How CMS ranked their plans, using an average to represent the company as a whole (10%)
• How agencies like A.M. Best ranked them in terms of their financial health (which impacts how reliable an insurer is when it comes to paying claims) (10%)
• How agencies like J.D. Power ranked them in terms of consumer feedback (10%)

We focused exclusively on providing general summaries of the companies and their reputations. In order to provide specific plan recommendations accurately, it’s important to take into account the ZIP code and demographic details of the individual seeking insurance coverage. To do so, we recommend using Medicare.gov’s plan finder tool or seeking the expertise of an independent, agnostic insurance agent. What’s more, while the companies listed here are large, national providers, there are smaller, more local options that may be a better fit for a person’s needs and location.

Medicare Advantage is an all-in-one plan choice alternative for receiving Medicare benefits. It’s also referred to as Medicare Part C. This plan is bundled with Medicare Part A (which covers hospital stays; it has no premium but does have a deductible) and Part B (which covers most doctor bills and comes with a premium; in 2024 that was about $174) and usually includes Part D, which provides prescription drug coverage.

In 2025, out-of-pocket limits for medications covered by Part D will have a $2,000 limit—when total costs go beyond that, enrollees will not have to pay anything.

Medicare pays private insurance companies to administer the benefits of Medicare Advantage plans they sell. These plans then function the same way Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does, with the addition of benefits the private insurance provider elects to include in a given plan.

Depending on the provider and plan an enrollee chooses, Medicare Advantage coverage works similarly to employer-sponsored health insurance. For a monthly premium in addition to the Medicare Part B premium, an MA plan provides set copays, coinsurance rates and deductibles for various components of care, as well as additional coverage benefits and perks.

Individuals enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan must use the network providers covered in their plan and must live in the service area for at least six months of the year, which can provide limitations in some cases. It’s also worth noting Medicare Advantage plans require prior authorizations for hospital stays, procedures, home health care and medical equipment.

All Medicare Advantage plans are required to offer all coverage provided by Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), which generally includes:

• Hospital inpatient care
• Skilled nursing facility care
• Hospice care
• Home health care
• Clinical research
• Ambulance services
• Durable medical equipment (DME)
• Inpatient and outpatient mental health services
• Limited outpatient prescription drugs

Some Medicare Advantage plans offer valuable additional benefits, such as:

• Prescription drug coverage
• Vision coverage
• Dental coverage
• Hearing coverage
• Fitness program coverage (including gym memberships or discounts)
• Transportation to doctor visits
• Over-the-counter drug coverage
• Other services that promote health and wellness

Individuals who want a bundled health insurance plan that includes coverage for benefits like vision, hearing and dental services may prefer Medicare Advantage. Additionally, most Medicare Advantage plans include Part D coverage, which may be appealing to individuals who take prescription medications.

Who Shouldn’t Get a Medicare Advantage Plan?

Medicare Advantage may not be the best option for individuals who prefer to manage their health benefits individually, whose providers aren’t part of the Medicare Advantage network or who receive specific treatments or medications for which prior authorization is required. Instead, these beneficiaries may prefer to shop for supplemental coverage via a Medigap plan. Individuals who maintain health insurance coverage from a former employer or through Medicaid may not need the additional benefits Medicare Advantage offers.

During the open enrollment period, which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year, individuals can join, switch or drop a plan for their coverage to begin on January 1 of the following year.

If a person is already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, they can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or Original Medicare during the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period, which starts on January 1 and ends on March 31 annually. An individual can only make one switch during that time period.

If a person is already enrolled in Original Medicare (Parts A and B), they may be eligible to switch to a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C). A person must be at least 65 years old or have certain disabilities, such as permanent kidney failure or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). If the Medicare Advantage plan a customer chooses doesn’t already have prescription drug coverage, they will have the option to enroll in Part D.

When Will 2025 Medicare Advantage Plans Be Available?

Any Medicare-eligible individual can enroll in, drop or switch Medicare Advantage plans during Medicare’s annual enrollment period, which runs from October 15 to December 7 annually. Meanwhile, those already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan specifically can also switch Medicare Advantage plans during the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period, which runs from January 1 to March 31 annually. All 2025 plans will be available via Medicare.gov on October 15, 2024 as the next general open enrollment period begins.

Some Medicare Advantage plans may have lower out-of-pocket costs than Original Medicare, and some have a $0 monthly premium. Here are a few questions to consider before purchasing a plan.

• Does the plan have a monthly premium?
  • Most have a $0 premium.
  • Some pay part of the Part B premium.
  • If selecting a plan with a premium, it will be paid separately from the Part B premium.
• Does the plan have an annual or additional deductible?
• How much is the copayment for each visit or service?
• What type of health care services are needed, and how often are those services required?
• Does a primary care or other service provider accept Medicare?
• What is the plan’s annual limit on out-of-pocket expenses?

Once enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, it becomes the enrollee’s primary insurance. The provider handles paying all claims, and the cost of the enrollee’s plan is likely to change every year. The plan provider (rather than Medicare) sets the amounts charged for premiums, deductibles and services. An Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) is mailed to the individual each September, and goes into effect the following January 1.

Factors like location play a major role in determining the cost of a Medicare Advantage plan. Costs are typically lower when a customer uses providers in their plan’s network and service area. To find the cost of a Medicare Advantage plan in a specific zip code, visit Medicare.gov.

The following example shows how Medicare Advantage plan prices vary by state. Note:  Costs may differ from these ranges even if they live near but not in one of these areas, as rates are set by ZIP code.

Average Cost of Medicare Advantage Plans by Location

There are four common types of Medicare Advantage plans to compare when making a selection.

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)

• Must receive care from providers in the plan’s network except in the case of emergency care or out-of-area dialysis
• Requires choosing a primary care provider
• Typically covers prescription drugs
• Requires specialty referrals

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)

• Allows enrollees to choose their service provider, but will cost more if they select out-of- network providers
• Typically covers prescription drugs
• Doesn’t require users to select a primary care provider
• Usually doesn’t require a specialty referral

Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS)

• Allows enrollees to choose any provider who agrees to accept PFFS plans
• Typically covers prescription drugs
• Doesn’t require customers to select a primary care provider

Special Needs Plans (SNP)

• Benefits, drug coverage and provider choices are tailored to best meet the needs of the groups served by the plan.
• Membership is limited to people with specific chronic diseases or conditions that are disabling, those who require institutional or nursing home care and people who have both Medicare and Medicaid coverage.

It’s easy to switch Medicare Advantage plans if an individual is already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. Simply enroll in a new plan during one of the open enrollment periods, and the old plan will automatically disenroll the user once their new coverage begins. If a person receives medical insurance through an employer or elsewhere, it’s important they speak with their provider to understand how their coverage and their family’s coverage may change while under Medicare Advantage before deciding to make the switch.

Individuals interested in Medicare coverage should consider the following details when deciding whether a Medicare Advantage plan or Original Medicare is best for their needs.

Medicare Advantage plans serve as a substitute for Original Medicare, providing that same coverage plus additional benefits like prescription drugs coverage (Part D). Meanwhile, Medicare Supplement plans, or Medigap plans, are sold by private insurance companies to people enrolled in Original Medicare to help fill the gaps of that coverage.

The 10 types of Medigap plans provide standardized coverage to beneficiaries nationwide and help pay for expenses like deductibles, coinsurance and copays. Because plan coverages are standardized, only monthly premium rates vary from provider to provider. Also, Medigap policies don’t typically cover prescription drugs. A person enrolled in Original Medicare who wants prescription drug coverage needs to purchase a separate Medicare Part D plan in addition to any Medicare Supplement plan. Many Medigap plans don’t provide dental, vision or hearing coverage, either.

Conversely, Medicare Advantage policies are only standardized in that they must provide the same benefits of Original Medicare. Once this threshold is met, private insurance providers can add any number of benefits and services to a plan—prescription drugs, dental care, vision care and more—to make them more comprehensive (and often more expensive).

Some elements of Medicare Advantage plans may be appealing, while other features may not match a person’s needs. Consider both the benefits and drawbacks below before enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan.

“Find a knowledgeable insurance agent,” says Joe Valenzuela, co-owner of Vista Mutual Insurance Services in the San Francisco Bay area. “Having an agent doesn’t cost the member anything. Medicare insurance agents are subject matter experts—many have spent years learning the ins and outs of each plan they represent. There are also many nuanced differences between Medicare Advantage plans. An agent can narrow down the search to only those plans that most closely align with the client’s needs.”

Valenzuela recommends asking what is most important to a person’s needs when choosing a Medicare Advantage plan and keeping that priority top of mind. He also suggests paying attention to the fine print in the plan selected.

“Once you narrow your search down to one or two plans, look through the plan’s benefits line by line—you don’t want any surprises,” he says. “For example, a plan may have a low premium and copayments but might cost you much more each month in prescription copays.”

“A couple of important benefits to look at are the plan’s annual out-of-pocket maximum (the maximum amount the member could be responsible for in a calendar year) and your prescription drug costs,” adds Valenzuela. “Check all your medications on the plan’s formulary so you’re aware of the prescription copayments, deductibles and any restrictions.”

HealthCompare Insurance Services does not offer every plan available in a given area. Currently it represents 18 organizations, which offers 52,101 products in an area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or a local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all available options.

HealthCompare Insurance Services represents Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PFFS organizations and stand-alone PDP prescription drug plans that are contracted with Medicare. Enrollment depends on the plan’s contract renewal. 

The top provider on our list for the best Medicare Advantage provider is Humana due to the wide availability of its many different plans and benefits and its high ranking from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Our list offers a view of qualified, reputable providers for users looking to enroll in coverage, however, the best Medicare Advantage provider and plan for an individual is the one that best suits their specific health needs, preferences and location requirements. When choosing a plan, consider budget, where a person lives, their annual health expenses, additional coverage benefits that may be required and whether coverage is available within a person’s previously established network of providers.

Tamrah Harris also contributed to this article.

What is the best Medicare Advantage plan?

Humana ranks number one on our list of top Medicare Advantage providers due to its wide availability of various plan offerings and robust brand reputation. However, the best Medicare Advantage plan depends on factors like the type of benefits an individual needs, where they live, where plans provide coverage, monthly premium costs and more.

Which Medicare Advantage Plan has the most members?

UnitedHealthcare maintains the largest share of Medicare Advantage members across the country, managing 29% of all Medicare Advantage enrollment in 2024, according to a report from the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Which Medicare Advantage plan has the best dental coverage?

The Medicare Advantage plan with the best dental coverage depends on an enrollee’s geographical location. Entering a ZIP code in Medicare.gov’s plan finder tool offers insight into which plans are available and which of those plans include dental care benefits. Of that shorter list, review each plan’s Evidence of Coverage document supplied by the provider to learn more about its dental coverage details.

Why are some Medicare Advantage plans free?

Many Medicare Advantage providers offer plans with $0 monthly premiums to entice prospective enrollees in a fairly competitive market. However, many of these plans balance low premium costs with higher copays, deductibles and coinsurance, so be sure to review all details of a plan to make sure it’s the best option for both health care needs and budget.

Are Medicare Advantage plans bad?

Medicare Advantage plans aren’t outright bad—they just aren’t the best fit for every beneficiary. Many Medicare Advantage plans come with $0 premiums, which leads many enrollees to expect a low-cost plan overall. However, out-of-pocket costs can add up if a person needs care outside of their local provider network, and many $0 premium plans feature high out-of-pocket maximums. What’s more, Medicare Advantage plan benefits tend to change annually, so enrollees must review what their coverage looks like, including their drug formulary, each year during the open enrollment period to ensure that the coverage is truly meeting their health care needs.

How does Medicaid work with Medicare Advantage plans?

For individuals who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid and elect to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, Medicaid assistance can help cover health care costs that aren’t first covered by their Medicare Advantage plan. Such expenses can include remaining prescription drug costs, as well as additional health services not covered by the beneficiary’s particular Medicare Advantage plan.

When can I enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan?

Once approved for Original Medicare by Social Security, an individual can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan via Medicare.gov, directly with the insurance provider or with the assistance of a broker. Beyond their initial enrollment period, the annual enrollment period for Medicare Advantage begins on January 1 and ends on March 31 each yea

How much does the government pay Medicare Advantage plan providers?

Generally, the federal government pays Medicare Advantage providers a set rate per person they insure per year. In 2019, this rate was around $1,000 a month, or $12,000 a year, excluding Medicare Part D–related expenses. By accepting this payment from the government, Medicare Advantage providers agree to assume the full risk of providing all care to those they insure with these plans.