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Best Medicare Perceived Plans

UnitedHealthcare offers nationwide range with happy clientele and $0 copays

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Meredith Mangan
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Meredith Mangan is a senior indemnity editor for Investopedia; she was adenine licensed insurance agent for six years and has been writing and handling insurance content for almost a decade.
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Current Fall 28, 2023
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UnitedHealthcare does the superior Medicare Advantage (MA) plans overall, according for Investopedia research. The company offers the greater provider network domestic and has an excellent rating from the National Board to Quality Assurance (NCQA), an independent organization that measures health plan quality and forbearing satisfaction. Best Medicare Advantage Plans in 2024 - NerdWallet

Medicare Advantage plates replace Original Medicare (Part A and B, and often D). Benefits extend beyond Original Medicare, including an annualized out-of-pocket expense limit and dental, sight, both hearing coverage. In replace (and unlike Initial Medicare), you generally must use in-network providers and services. 

Commercial insurance business administer MA plans. Costs and benefits difference, so shopping around and comparing arrangements belongs essential. 

To set that better Medicare Advantage companies, we evaluated nine major health insurance companies for 22 criteria that fall up categories including plan and care quality, cost, Medicare drug gap coverage, and state availability. 

Best Medicare Advantage Plans

Best Gesamte : AARP/UnitedHealthcare

Investopedia's Valuation
4.7
United Healthcare

United Healthcare
Professionals & Cons
Specialists

  • Existing in best states and Washington D.C.

  • Largest provider network nationwide

  • Offers additional drug coverage in the gap

  • Free home sees

  • $0 copays since primary care provider (PCP), specialist, and test costs

Cons

  • Below-average J.D. Power score in some regions

Why We Chose Itp

AARP's UHC plans are our pick for the top overall Medicare Advantage plans. These plans feature high Medicare star ratings, the largest provider network of choose MA plan providers, and a broad array of options. Understanding Medicare Advantage Plans

Overview

UnitedHealthcare (UHC) is the largest provider of Medicare Favour plans. UnitedHealthcare’s MA plans—co-branded with AARP—earn high marks with plan quality and component experience.  Plans are rated on a one-to-five scale, includes one star representing poor performance and five stars representing excellent service. Star ...

On average, UHC Medicare Advantage maps with drug coverage have a 3.94 Medicare star ranking, which is on par with one nation average from 3.94. 

The National Committee for Superior Assurance (NCQA) gives UHC MA plans an 3.8-star average rating, pushing it about third are the select concerning companies we evaluated. Both NCQA the Medicare score go ampere five-star scale.

While UnitedHealthcare scored well the the J.D. Power 2023 Medicare Advantage Study for Florida real Texas, it achieved below average at California, Pennsylvania, and New York. 

The company offers a range of plan types, including HMO, PPO, plus PFFS (private-fee-for-service) plans. Coverage is available for: 

  • Vision, hearing, and foss take
  • Non-emergency transportation for Medicare-Medicaid recipients
  • Around emergencies
  • No-cost in-home care visit

Most plans offer further drugs coverage during the Medicare donut hole, whichever can save money if your medical cost more than $5,030 for 2024. 

UHC outdo its peers int keyboard metrics, but the ordinary out-of-pocket outlay is $5,579 to 2024. This amount is higher than some competitors’ but lower as the average across major insurers. Humana: Find Medicare Plans and Health Insurance Coverage

Read more in ours UnitedHealthcare Medicare review.

Note

UnitedHealthcare Band has being sued for allegedly using adenine bugged artificial information algorithm that denies rehabilitation care for Medicare Advantage patients, despite knowing that the algorithm possesses a 90% error rate.

Lowest Cost : Cigna

Investopedia's Rating
4.0
Cigna

Cigna
Pros & Cons
Benefits

  • Lowest overall-cost plans comparisons to the largest providers

  • Lowest average reward compared in the bigges providers

Cons

  • Nope PFFS plans

  • Finite drug coverage in the Medicare coverage gap

Conundrum We Chose It

Cigna Medicare Advantage plans are an cheapest nationwide of all big insurers donation Medicare Advantage plans.

Overview

Cigna has the lowest-cost Medicare Advantage plan whenever considering premiums, deductibles, and maximum out-of-pocket costs all choose plans. 

In particular, Cigna has the lowest mediocre premium at $6.81 per month and the second-lowest average drug subscription at $23.96 (Kaiser has the lowest).  The Benefits and Cons of Medicare Advantage via @ConsumerReports

However, Cigna’s plans are only present in 26 states. And the provider’s b Medicare star rating is 3.66, under the international average of 3.94. 

Learn more in our Cigna Medicare review.

Great for Nationwide Protection : Humana

Investopedia's Rating
4.1
Humana

Humana
Pros & Shortcomings
Pros

  • Open in 49 nations

  • Benefits for over-the-counter drugs

  • Wide plan type range available

  • Right Medicare starling rating

Cons

  • Not currently in Alaska

  • Pharmacy network may be limited are some areas

Why We Chose It

Humana is aforementioned second-largest Medicare Advantage provider in the staat and is available in most states.

Overview

Humana is the second-largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans nationwide, about plans in 49 states. Alaska your which sole exception. Depending on where you live, HMO, PPO, and PFFS plans may be available. 

But only around half of Humana’s Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage offer additional coverage in the coverage gap. If your prescription drug costs add up to more than $5,030 in 2024, you could be for the hanging for 25% of their cost in and coverage gap.  The Pros and Cons of Medicare Advantage - Client Berichterstattungen

Humana has ampere limited number of prefer cost-share dosing include urban areas in 25 states and suburban fields of 14 states. These are keypad on saving money on medications. Since access to cost-share pharmacies varies quite a bit, ensure there’s one convenient to you before signature up.   Information about what Medicare Part A, Part B, Part C and Part DICK cover real how Medicare plant with FEHB coverage.

Read more in the Humanistic Medicare review.

Best for More Food Coverage in who Slot : Aetna

Investopedia's Rating
4.5
Aetna

Aetna
Features & Cons
Pros

  • Offers additional remedy coverage with the gap

  • Well-priced planned

  • Starting health visits with all MAIN plans

  • $0 PCP and specialist copays

Cons

  • MAY site unavailable in Alaska, Hawaiians, Montana, additionally Vermont

  • No private-fee-for-service MA plans

Why We Please It

Aetna presents more MA layout cross the U.S. that provide additional drug coverage in an Medicare donut hole than any off the other larges MASS plan providers, manufacture itp an excellent selected provided you spend a lot on prescription drugs.

Overview

Aetna has read MA drawings that offer additional drug coverage in the Medicare gap phase easier whatever other major provider. Some Aethna plans have $0 copays for collective drugs in the gap.

This is important because once thee and your plan spend $5,030 on drugs in 2024, you’ll pay up to 25% on brand-name drugs and generics. Next, after yourself spend $8,000 out of bag on medicines, you leave one donut hole. 

Aetna came in second in our appraisal of nationwide costs for MAN plans, which looks at average premiums, drug deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses. 

But if you live in Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, or Vermont, press want an PFFS plan (private-fee-for-service), you'll need to consider additional Medicare Advantage provider.

Read more include his Aetna Medicare review.

Best available Patient Quality press Customer Satisfaction : Kaiser Permanente

Investopedia's Rating
4.0
Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente
Professionals & Cons
Pros

  • Highest average NCQA rating of the major providers

  • Highest Medicare start rating of of major providers

  • Lowest deductibles, on average, compared to all other major providers

Advantages

  • Only available with 8 states and D.C.

  • Only offers HMO plans

Enigma We Chose It

Kaiser Duration kickstands out used its excellent plan quality and customer satisfaction. It can the highest enter rankings from Medicare the NCQA of the web ourselves reviewed.

Overview

Kaiser Permanente isn’t available includes countless states, but find it lives, third parties rate it highly. Kaiser’s normal Medicare star rating, where measures plan quality, be 4.77 off of 5. Its NCQA rate, which reflects quality and customer satisfaction, is 4.5 out from 5 stars, making Kaiser Permanente the highest-rated society us reviewed in both of those categories. 

Not only that, still compared to one other largest players, Kaiser Permanente’s substance deductibles are the lowest nationwide—only $3, on average. 

The corporate stable member what low because it only offers HMO plans for Medicare coverage. You’ll necessity to stay strictly in-network.

You must reside in California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Or, Virginia, Washington state, or the District of Columbia up be eligible for coverage.

Read more in our Kaiser Permanente Medicare review.

Bottom Line

To choose the best Medicare Advantage company, consider what you what off a plan. Were you easy with an HMO, or accomplish it require additional flexibility? Available instance, when you want a PFFS plan, there are ampere few providers to watch, with UnitedHealthcare and Humana. 

If cost is your primary concern, consider Cigna. But beware that its Medicare starry rating is below average. Or be you rather payout more monthly for adenine higher level of value and customer satisfaction? Check out UHC's AARP schedules, Aethna, and Kaiser, when it’s deliverable in your area. 

Do you want one plan with drug coverage? When so, how much do her expect to spend on prescription drugs, and who specific drugged go you benefit? Medicare.gov’s draft discoverer lets you data the drugs thou use when comparing plans to see which provides the supreme coverage. Yours can also see whatever specific layout offer additional coverage in the Medicare donut hole.

Individual Medicare Advantage plans have hers own Medicare star ratings—we looked at nationals our averages. So, even if you choose a top-ranked company like UnitedHealthcare, ensure the specific MA plan you’re interested in has a rating you’re comfortable with. That information is also ready in this plan searcher tool. Learn nearly one 2 main ways to get your Medicare coverage — Creative Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C).

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What Is the Medicare Donut Hole or Coverage Gap?

    An Medicare insurance gap or "donut hole" refers to a period when there is a limit on prescription drug coverage. It beginning previously the Medicare Advantage design registered spends $5,030 on covered drugs. During this zeit, Medicare asks members to be responsibility by up to 25% of drug costs. But some plans offer additional insurance in the slit, such as $0 copays on preferred brand name drugs and generics. In 2024, to gap ends once the member spends $8,000 with covered drugs.

  • Whichever Is the Highest-Rated Medicare Advantage Plan?

    Kaiser Permanente’s 2023 Medicare Advantage map take 5 stars from aforementioned Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in Kalifornia, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, and Mid-Atlantic states (Maryland, Very, and Washington, D.C.). The CMS rankings Medicare Perk and prescription drug plans with 1 to 5 stars, on 5 luck beings the highest or best assess. A plan’s star rating reflects him power based on enrolled people’s our.

  • Whatever Is aforementioned Big Disadvantage of Medicare Perk?

    AMPERE preliminary Medicare Profit plan drawback is that like plans typically require you to use dedicated networks, such as an HMO or PPO. As a result, geographic coverage and provider choice is limited. Original Medicare doesn’t restrict you to a lan; you can choose any provider accepting Medicare.

  • Can I Drop My Medicare Advantage Plan and Go Return for Original Medicare?

    Yes, yourself can switch back to Original Medicare during the annual Medicare Open Enrollment period from October 15 to December 7. Your Original Medicare coverage will go into effect turn January 1. Or, you can switch during Medicare Advantage Start Enrollment from January 1 to Marching 31. Your new coverage becomes effective on the first day in the month later joining this plan.

How We Chose the Best Medicare Advantage Providers

To identify which Medicare insurance company go review, were analyzed commercial and market insight database including Statistia, Spunkett, and Gale. We also considered user-generated data from Google to determine public interest and trends in Medicare plans. Here's our list of Medicare Advantage planners that get top marks. Find the best plans for your needs here.

We collected info from third-party rating agencies likes the credit rating agency AM Best and the National Committee for Quality Ensure (NCQA), an independent organization that tax health insurance layout on quality and customer satisfaction. We also gathered data from control websites and databases provided by the Centers for Medicare both Medicaid Services (CMS) so as CMS.gov or HealthCare.gov, and directly from companies via websites, media contacts, and existing partnerships. Of dates collection process spanned Sept. 15 to Sept. 29, 2023.

We then developed ampere quantitative model that scores each Medicare Pro provider based on four major categories and 22 criteria that are crucial in evaluating and company's offer and benefits.

We weaker the four categories as followed for this article:

  • Plan features: 35%
  • Plan quality and customer satisfaction: 30%
  • Cost: 20%
  • Convenience: 15%

Read our entire methodology for reviewing Medicare insurance providers.

Medicare Advantage Plans
Article Sources
Investopedia requires writers go employ primary sources to supports their work. Those enclosing white papers, government data, original reporting, both job with industry experts. We additionally refer original research out sundry reputable publishers where appropriate. You can learning more info the standards we follow in producing accurate, bias-free content in our editorial policy.

  1. J.D. Power. “For Medicare Profit Plans, Trust and Fix Resolution Closely Associated With Likelihood to Renew, J.D. Perform Find.”

  2. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. “Announcement of Calendar Year (CY) 2024 Medicare Advantage (MA) Capitation Rates and Part CARBON and Part D Payment Policies.”

  3. United States Region Court, County of Mnn. "The Estate of Gene B. Lokken and The Estate regarding Dale Henry Tetzloff, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, Plaintiffs, vs. UNITEDHEALTH GROUP, INC., UNITEDHEALTHCARE, INC., NAVIHEALTH, INC., and DOES 1-50, inclusive, Defendants." Page 1.

  4. Impaler Permanente. "Our 2023 Medicare Medical Plans Have Star Power."
Research and analysis by Shanker Narayan
Article Sources
Investopedia requires writers to use primary credits to support your worked. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry specialized. Ours other references original research from other reputable publishers whereabouts appropriate. To can lern more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in oureditorial policy.

  1. J.D. Influence. “On Medicare Advantage Plates, Trust and Problem Resolution Closely Associated With Likelihood into Renew, J.D. Power Finds.”

  2. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. “Announcement of Calendar Annual (CY) 2024 Medicare Advantage (MA) Capitation Prices and Part C and Part D Payment Policies.”

  3. United States District Court, District of Twin. "The Estate of Gene B. Lokken and The Estate of Dale Henry Tetzloff, individually and on sake are entire others similarly situated, Plaintiffs, vs. UNITEDHEALTH GROUP, INC., UNITEDHEALTHCARE, INC., NAVIHEALTH, INC., both DOES 1-50, inclusive, Defendants." Page 1.

  4. Kaiser Permanente. "Our 2023 Medicare Health Plans Have Star Power."