How to Choose the Best Medicare Advantage Plan

Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Medicare Part C, are an alternative to Original Medicare coverage and can provide additional benefits. To help you explore the options that best fit your needs, we have broken down the highest rated Medicare Advantage plans from top insurance companies. Kaiser Permanente is one of the most highly rated plans and could be a great choice for anyone who values quality and lives in an area where a Kaiser Medicare plan is available. Price is often the first factor people consider when looking at Medicare Advantage plans, and Cigna Medicare plans are often praised for their affordability.

Aetna Medicare Advantage plans are known for offering additional benefits that Original Medicare (Medicare Parts A and B) does not cover, such as dental, vision and hearing, or prescription drug coverage. Some of the extra benefits you can find in an Aetna Medicare Advantage plan include memberships to the SilverSneakers fitness program, a home meal delivery program, coverage of over-the-counter drugs and health products, home delivery of prescription drugs, and even a concierge service to help plan members find local health resources. Humana is another great option for those who prioritize customer experience. Their plans are simple and easy to use.

Anthem is also a great choice for those who want to trust well-known brands like CVS and Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Many Medicare Advantage plans also include prescription drug coverage, which people with Original Medicare can purchase separately. When choosing a Medicare Advantage plan, it is important to consider the total costs, not just premiums, but also maximum outlays, as well as the benefits and services that matter most to you. Even if you enroll in the best Medicare Advantage plan in your area, you may still be subject to one of these common Medicare Advantage restrictions.

Aetna also offers dual-eligible special needs plans for people who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, which allow coverage offered by Original Medicare along with additional special benefits. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rates all Medicare Advantage plans and insurance companies on a 5-point scale using several quality criteria. Almost anyone who buys a Medicare Advantage plan (also called Medicare Part C or Medicare health plans) wants to know which plan is best. These plans don't always have an established network of providers to choose from, which means members can see virtually any provider participating in Medicare. Humana offers a simple website with clear plan pricing that doesn't require users to enter any personal information or create an account to get quotes.

CMS has many categories of quality and performance that a plan must meet before earning a five-star rating.

Elise Woehl
Elise Woehl

Subtly charming student. Award-winning twitter practitioner. Incurable coffee scholar. Friendly thinker.