In addition to Original Medicare’s benefits, Medicare Advantage plans often include extras, like dental, vision, and fitness. Consider your overall health, budget, and location when choosing a plan.
To help you navigate the often complex world of Medicare, we’ve considered multiple factors, including geographic availability and ratings, and vetted insurance providers to find options based on different needs.
- Top for preventive services: HealthSpring (Cigna Medicare) | Skip to review
- Top for customer satisfaction: Humana | Skip to review
- Top for chronic (long-term) condition management: Devoted Health | Skip to review
- Most above-average ratings: UnitedHealthcare | Skip to review
We considered the following factors when deciding on the top Medicare Advantage plan carriers:
- Vetting: The private insurers in this article have been vetted to ensure they align with Healthline’s brand integrity standards and approach to well-being. You can read more about our vetting process.
- CMS ratings: Using publicly available information from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), we reviewed the different rating criteria to ensure each private insurance company and its plan offerings are fairly reflected.
- Benefits: Everyone is different and has different health conditions and needs. We selected private insurers that consistently rated highly in the multiple CMS rating categories. We carefully selected insurance carriers that offer a range of services and benefits essential for your healthcare journey.
- Multi-state coverage: We have included health insurers with national or wide coverage areas. Some of the companies highlighted may only administer plans in specific local regions. However, similar plans can typically be acquired through each insurer in the state they serve.
Remember…
Private, Medicare-approved insurance companies administer Medicare Advantage plans. Plan variables can change depending on your state, health conditions, the insurance company offering the plan, and various other factors.
Everyone’s individual circumstances are different. To receive the best insurance plan for your specific needs, it’s essential to conduct your own research and ensure you consider the benefits, costs, and preparations for the unexpected.
Medicare’s plan finder tool can help you navigate your Medicare Advantage plan research journey. If you need extra assistance, you can also contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which can help provide independent, tailor-made advice.
Medicare Advantage plans vary by location. Plans of the same name may have varying costs and provide varying benefits in different service areas. They may also have differing CMS ratings. Always check using your ZIP code for the most accurate cost information.
Top for preventive services: HealthSpring (Cigna Medicare)
New for 2026, Cigna Healthcare Medicare is now called HeathSpring.
HealthSpring’s Medicare Advantage plans are available in 29 states and the District of Columbia, and will include the following Medicare Advantage plan types:
- HMOs
- PPOs
- Dual-eligible special needs plans (D-SNPs)
- Chronic condition special needs plans (C-SNPs)
These plans have achieved some of the highest ratings for preventive care, such as:
- breast cancer screenings
- colorectal cancer screenings
- annual flu vaccinations
- physical and mental health maintenance
- physical health monitoring
Many HealthSpring plans have a $0 copayment for preventive care services that Original Medicare covers. The list is extensive, but coverage includes various cancer screenings, cardiovascular disease screening, bone mass measurements, and diabetes screening.
Coverage may also be available for preventive and comprehensive dental care, vision care, and hearing aids. Depending on the plan available in your area, exact benefits and cost-sharing may apply.
HealthSpring plans offer additional benefits, such as advance care planning and caregiver support. It also has Silver&Fit fitness programs, which are healthy aging exercise programs that provide fitness center memberships and a home fitness kit, which may include a wearable fitness tracker.
In addition to rating highly for preventive care, HealthSpring plans have also received high ratings for customer satisfaction, with people stating they can get appointments and care quickly and receive good care coordination. The company also received good ratings for the time it took them to resolve claim appeals, and for having multiple language options available when contacting its call center.
Top for health plan customer satisfaction: Humana
In 2026, Humana will offer Medicare Advantage plans in 46 states and Washington, D.C. The company advises that this includes coverage for 85% of U.S. counties. It will also offer new plan types in four states and 177 counties.
Humana rates highly for customer service, specifically with:
- the time it takes to make appeals decisions
- the time it takes to review appeals decisions
- call center accessibility
The company also received high ratings for health plan complaints and quality improvements, indicating that it responded to customer complaints in a timely manner and made plan improvements that customers would have found beneficial.
Humana rated reasonably well in its preventive and long-term condition management, with an above-average score for getting appointments and care quickly and receiving quality healthcare.
Depending on where you live, Humana Medicare Advantage plans may offer:
- routine dental care with a set dental allowance
- allowance for glasses or contact lenses
- hearing aid coverage
- freedom to visit any healthcare professional or facility that accepts Medicare
- emergency benefits throughout the United States
- allowance for transportation to medical appointments
- over-the-counter (OTC) item allowance
- membership in the SilverSneakers fitness program
Top for chronic (long-term) condition management: Devoted Health
In 2026, Devoted Health offers plans in multiple counties in 29 different states.
Devoted Health rates highly for chronic condition care management, specifically:
- overall care management
- medication review and reconciliation
- pain assessment
- osteoporosis management in females who have experienced a fracture
- diabetes management, including blood sugar, blood pressure, and kidney health control
- statin therapy for people with cardiovascular disease
- follow-up care after an emergency room visit for people with numerous high-risk chronic conditions
Depending on where you live, you could benefit from a C-SNP from Devoted Health, a D-SNP if you are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, or various PPO and HMO options.
The company also rates above average for the way it manages and reviews appeals, and its overall customer service and call center accessibility.
If you live in a plan’s service area and meet the qualifying criteria, as well as Original Medicare-covered services, Devoted Health’s C-SNPs may include:
- $0 copayments for outpatient consultations
- $0 copayments for inpatient care and diagnostic tests when also using Medicaid benefits
- hearing aids from TruHearing with up to around a $700 copayment
- up to $2,000 per year for many in-network dental services
- up to $300 per year for in-network eyewear
- medical nutritional therapy above Original Medicare’s coverage
- $50 per quarter for OTC items
- $406 per month toward eligible food, utility, or rent or mortgage costs
- SilverSneakers membership
Most above-average ratings: UnitedHealthcare
Examining the broad CMS data, UnitedHealthcare sits marginally ahead in areas including preventive care, chronic condition management, and customer experience.
In 2026, UnitedHealthcare states that 94% of Medicare beneficiaries will have access to one of its Medicare Advantage plans, meaning nationwide coverage.
The company offers HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, and multiple SNP plans, with many options for taking your coverage with you if you travel within the United States.
It has a partnership with AARP, and some plans are only available to people with an AARP membership, which typically begins at around $15 per year. However, nonmembers may be eligible to apply for some AARP Medicare Advantage plans.
SNPs from UnitedHealthcare may typically cover some of the following services:
- prescription medications
- allowance for eligible dental services
- OTC, food, and utility benefit
- eyewear allowance and eye exam benefit
- hearing aid allowance
- allowance for transportation to doctor and pharmacy visits
HMO, HMO-POS, and PPOs from UnitedHealthcare may cover many of the same benefits, but with different limits and cost-sharing options.
If you have Original Medicare and are considering switching to Medicare Advantage, a plan from UnitedHealthcare may include some of the following added benefits:
- dental care
- vision benefits
- hearing benefits, including the cost of hearing aids (copayments may apply)
- low cost or $0 monthly premiums
- rewards for physical activity
- telehealth services
- $0 or low copay options
- allowance for OTC items
- $0 copayment for Renew Active membership
- foot care
- meal benefit, which includes a set number of home-delivered meals right after an inpatient hospital or skilled nursing facility stay
There are several dates to keep in mind for jumping into the Medicare pool:
- Medicare initial enrollment period (IEP): This is the 7-month window surrounding your 65th birthday. It begins 3 months before your birth month and 3 months after your birthday month.
- Medicare Advantage open enrollment period: If you already have a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch plans during the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period that runs from January 1 through March 31.
- Medicare open enrollment period: If you’ve missed your initial enrollment period, you can sign up or make changes to your Medicare benefits from October 15 through December 7. If you don’t qualify for a special enrollment period, late enrollment penalties may apply.
Viewing your eligible plans
Private insurance companies administer Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, and specific plan availability varies between states, cities, and local areas.
At Medicare.gov, you can determine your eligibility and start reviewing plans by entering your ZIP code. This will bring up a list of Medicare Advantage plans available in your area.
You’ll then have the option of comparing plan attributes, such as:
- monthly premium cost
- covered services, such as hearing, dental, and vision
- copays and coinsurance (your out-of-pocket costs per medical visit or treatment)
- annual deductibles (the amount you pay out of pocket before your plan starts to pay. Your plan may have one deductible for health services and another for prescription drug costs.
Premiums
Medicare Advantage plan premiums don’t include the standard Part B monthly premium. In 2025, the standard monthly premium for Part B is $185. This may increase in 2026.
Part B premiums are typically deducted from your monthly Social Security checks. If you do not receive Social Security benefits, you can deduct your Medicare premiums when calculating your total medical expenses for your taxes.
Prescriptions
When you’re researching Medicare Advantage plans, you’ll be given the option of entering any prescription medications you currently take.
Not every Medicare Advantage plan includes Part D drug coverage, but many do. Those that include coverage or prescriptions publish a drug list called a formulary. The formulary provides information about the drugs each plan pays for and the out-of-pocket costs you can expect to pay for your prescriptions.
Terms to know
- Medicare Parts: Original Medicare comprises Part A (covering inpatient care) and Part B (covering outpatient medical services). Part C is commonly referred to as Medicare Advantage. Stand-alone Part D prescription drug plans complement Original Medicare to provide coverage for prescription medications taken at home. Many Medicare Advantage plans include Part D coverage.
- Plans: Different Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) plans have letters to differentiate the coverage options. There are currently 12 Medigap plans available: Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, Plan D, Plan F, Plan G, Plan K, Plan L, Plan M, and Plan N, including high-deductible versions of plans F and G.
- Premium: This is the monthly payment for Medicare services. Depending on your chosen plan options, you may pay multiple premiums monthly, such as the Part B premium alongside a Part D premium.
- Deductible: This is the amount you must pay before the plan covers its portion of eligible costs.
- Copayment or copay: This is the set amount you pay for a particular service or prescription after you have paid your deductible.
- Coinsurance: This is a percentage cost for a particular service or prescription after you have paid your deductible.
- Formulary: This is a list of drugs covered by Part D prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans that include drug coverage. Formularies typically separate prescription drugs into different tiers, with more expensive drugs being in a higher tier and often with higher copayments.
Types of Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plans
There are several types of Medicare Advantage plans you may wish to consider. They include:
- PPO (preferred provider organization) plan: PPOs cover in-network andout-of-network healthcare professionals and facilities, although you’ll often pay more when you visit a doctor outside of your local network.
- HMO-POS (health maintenance organization with a point-of-service option): HMO-POS plans have a network of healthcare professionals and facilities to choose from. They provide coverage for in- and out-of-network services.
- HMO (health maintenance organization) plan: HMOs provide coverage for doctors and healthcare professionals within their own local networks only.
Many Medicare Advantage plans have $0 monthly premiums, but you will still be required to pay the Part B premium directly to Medicare.
Some Medicare Advantage plans have a give-back benefit, in which the plan will pay a set amount toward the Part B premium. If you receive Social Security benefits, this will go straight into your check. If not, you will pay a reduced monthly amount to Medicare.
Some Medicare Advantage plans do have a monthly cost, but they will typically offer more services or have lower out-of-pocket costs.
| Medicare Advantage | Original Medicare | Medigap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who manages the plan? | private insurers | federal government | private insurers |
| What Medicare parts are covered? | A, B, and sometimes D | A and B | n/a |
| Do I have to use a network? | • some plans are in-network only • some plans have cost-sharing options for out-of-network services | • no network restrictions • healthcare professionals and facilities must accept Medicare | n/a |
| Dental coverage | • varies by plan • many plans include preventive dental coverage • some plans also include comprehensive dental coverage | • no routine coverage • may cover inpatient dental procedures | may cover out-of-pocket inpatient costs |
| Hearing coverage | • audiology and ENT specialist visits are covered • many plans cover the cost of hearing aids and hearing care although network rules may apply | • audiology and ENT specialist visits are covered • Medicare may cover 20% of the costs of cochlear implants • Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids | may cover the out-of-pocket costs associated with cochlear implants |
| Vision coverage | many plans cover routine eye exams, contact lenses, and eyeglasses | • Original Medicare does not cover routine eye exams, eyeglasses, or contact lenses • covers eligible, medically necessary treatments like cataract surgery | may cover the out-of-pocket costs associated with cataract surgery |
| Prescription drug coverage | many plans include Part D prescription drug coverage | • covers inpatient, and limited outpatient prescription drugs • stand-alone Part D prescription drug plans work alongside Original Medicare | may cover the out-of-pocket costs associated with inpatient and outpatient prescription drugs |
| Meal service coverage | some plans offer food delivery services | covers inpatient meals only | n/a |
| Transportation coverage | • some plans cover nonemergency medical transportation • most plans cover some or all of the cost of emergency ambulance services | Part B covers emergency ground ambulance services | may cover the out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare’s transport benefit |
| Mental telehealth coverage | yes | yes | n/a |
| Gym membership discounts | many plans include fitness benefits | not covered | n/a |
| Help paying copays and deductibles | some special needs plans (SNPs) cover copays and deductibles | not covered | specifically covers many out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare |
Use Medicare’s plan finder tool to help you choose a plan that best meets your needs.
No hospital will ever turn a Medicare Advantage recipient away for emergency room services, but knowing whether you have network restrictions is important.
If you become an inpatient, your bill may be astronomically high if the hospital is out of your plan’s network. For that reason, it makes sense to know what hospitals near you accept your plan and which may not.
It’s more than four things. It helps to understand that Medicare only covers medically necessary services.
For example, Original Medicare doesn’t cover hearing aids, eyeglasses, or contact lenses. It also won’t cover long-term custodial care in nursing homes, concierge care, or cosmetic surgery.
No single plan rises above the rest, and many Medicare Advantage plan carriers have good options.
If you’re in the market for a Medicare Advantage plan, think about the plan attributes that are important to you, such as monthly benefit type, out-of-pocket costs, or you preferred healthcare professionals and facilities being in-network.
Keep in mind that you have specific enrollment windows each year. During these periods, you can change plans if you’re not happy with your current one or if your needs change.
When you first become eligible for Medicare, you have the option of choosing Original Medicare coverage with a Medigap plan or a Medicare Advantage plan.
It’s hard to know which will serve you best in the long run.
Some people choose Original Medicare and Medigap instead of Medicare Advantage because they don’t want to be tied down to a network. Other people like knowing their out-of-pocket costs for healthcare will be covered.
If you’re not concerned about added benefits like the dental, vision, and hearing benefits that Medicare Advantage plans may cover, you could keep Original Medicare and buy Medigap plan instead.
Keep in mind that you can’t be turned down for Medigap during your initial enrollment period. After that, you may no longer be able to access a plan.
Many Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are available throughout the United States, and individual plans vary by cost and by the healthcare services they cover.
Choosing a plan is an important decision. When shopping for Medicare Advantage plans, it’s wise to look for a plan that will serve you now and in the future.
If you wish to change plans later on, you’ll be able to do so during the Medicare open enrollment period, which takes place annually from October 15 to December 7.