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Expert Reviewed
| GeriatricsMedicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies and are a popular form of health insurance coverage for U.S. adults age 65 and older who choose to forgo Original Medicare.
However, finding the best Medicare Advantage plan can be complicated—the average Medicare beneficiary had a choice of 43 Medicare Advantage plans in 2024[1]Medicare Advantage in 2024: Enrollment Update and Key Trends. Accessed 10/2/2024 .Kaiser Family Foundation. Accessed 10/1/2024. .
Private insurance companies often offer limited information on company websites before a person is required to enter their personal information to receive more plan details, leaving potential customers with the job of comparing dozens of plans.
To help make the process easier, Forbes Health evaluated the most notable Medicare Advantage insurance providers to determine the best from the rest. The Forbes Health editorial team evaluated U.S. insurance companies that offer plans on how many states they provide coverage in, the types of benefits they offer, how the government’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) ranked their plans, how agencies like A.M. Best ranked them in terms of their financial health, how agencies like J.D. Power ranked them in terms of consumer feedback by region and more. Read on to see which providers made the list.
Language surrounding Medicare can be confusing and some key terms tend to reappear consistently. To help you navigate Medicare research and decisions, Forbes Health offers the below glossary of key terms.
Original Medicare: A health insurance program offered by the federal government to adults age 65 and older, or another qualifying person, which allows enrollees to see all doctors who accept Medicare. Original Medicare consists of Part A, which covers hospital insurance, and Part B which covers medical insurance.
Medicare Advantage plans: Also known as Part C, Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private health insurance companies that contract with the federal government. Medicare Advantage plans cover at least the same benefits as Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), but have their own costs and benefits, such as hearing and vision health.
Medicare Supplement/Medigap plans: Plans sold by private insurance companies designed to cover costs that aren’t covered by Original Medicare. These plans are sometimes referred to as Medigap plans.
Deductible: The amount of money a person must pay for health care expenses before their health insurance begins to pay.
In-network: Providers or hospitals that are contracted with a person’s private health insurance company to be part of their network. Seeing providers or going to hospitals within a plan’s network may result in lower payments than if a person seeks care from out-of-network providers or hospitals.
Out-of-pocket costs: Costs related to health care that aren’t covered by Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage and must be paid by insurees.
Why You Can Trust Forbes Health
The Forbes Health editorial team prioritizes the accuracy and integrity of the data collected. Our ranking is based on quantitative data and is free from conflicts of interest. We carefully fact check the information featured in our ranking and are committed to producing rankings and supplemental content about Medicare Advantage providers that readers can trust. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our methodology for the rankings below.
Humana’s Medicare Advantage plans are the second-most popular choice for eligible adults in the U.S., according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Humana has 5.6 million people enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans as of June 2024, according to the company. It offers a full spectrum of Medicare Advantage plans with some starting at $0 premium per month, however the number of providers available varies based on where a person lives.
“In my experience, many people who have Humana are satisfied with the coverage and tend to want to keep their plan,” says John Freitag, an independent insurance broker at Freitag Family Agency in Pennsylvania. “Humana Medicare Advantage plans can help control costs that traditional [Medicare parts] A and B alone don’t cover. Medicare alone only covers 80% of health care costs, leaving you vulnerable to large bills with no limit.”
Read our Humana Medicare Advantage review to learn more.
For eligible customers prioritizing network size, UnitedHealthcare offers a variety of potentially suitable Medicare Advantage plans. The company took on 29% of all Medicare Advantage enrollment in 2024 and covers about 9.4 million enrollees. Its nationwide network has more than 1.5 million physicians and care professionals, and 7,000 hospitals and care facilities. In 2025 the company is offering 140 new plans.
“I think UnitedHealthcare is a great company,” says Jennifer Croslin, independent insurance broker and founder of Starlight Insurance Agency LLC in Littleton, Colorado. “With UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage, you can choose different coverage options to best suit your needs and get the most out of your health care.”
To learn more, read our UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Review.
Aetna, a CVS Health company, makes it easy to get the coverage a person needs with its Medicare Advantage plans available in nearly every state. In 2025 Aetna Medicare Advantage plans include dental, vision, hearing and SilverSneakers benefits. Many plans offer a $0 monthly plan premium, $0 primary care copay and $0 copay for Tier 1 drugs (generic, less expensive medications).
Though Aetna’s Medicare Advantage plans vary widely across locations, experts find the provider to be a reliable option. “The Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO in Florida is a strong plan with regard to the depth and breadth of the doctor and facilities network, low cost co-pays and generous supplemental benefits,” says Elisa Karen Ball, a Medicare insurance specialist licensed in Florida who is also an Aetna Medicare Advantage plan beneficiary.
Read our Aetna Medicare Advantage review to learn more.
BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS) is a major national insurance provider. In 2024, the company accounted for 14% of Medicare Advantage enrollment, including its many affiliates, such as Anthem. Since coverage eligibility is largely based on a person’s location, BlueCross BlueShield runs a collection of state-based companies, each with unique plan and benefit offerings. Customers interested in purchasing Medicare Advantage coverage through BlueCross BlueShield should consider the reputation of their local BlueCross BlueShield company when searching for their ideal plan, as experiences can vary from state to state.
“The Medicare Advantage audience in particular benefits from high-value care and coverage that prioritize the overall well-being of the entire person,” says John Bulger, D.O., chief medical officer for insurance operations and strategic partnerships at Geisinger Health, and a Forbes Health Advisory Board member. “Plans that put the member first and deliver this type of experience are usually great options for people [ages] 65 and over, and often tend to come from nonprofit, community-based payers.”
Read our BlueCross BlueShield Medicare Advantage review to learn more.
Many Cigna Medicare Advantage plans come with dental and vision coverage, as well as virtual care for non-emergency urgent care, behavioral health, dermatology and speech therapy. In 2025, Cigna Healthcare is offering a “living needs allowance” as part of many of its DSNPs, which may be spent on certain living expenses, such as healthy foods, transportation, gas, cleaning supplies and utility costs.
Cigna Medicare Advantage plan availability and pricing varies based on a customer’s location and health needs. “While the [plan] name might be the same, there could be slight differences [in plans], such as with network providers and benefits offered,” says Ruthlyn Noel-Joseph, an Advocating for Health Insurance Providers certified insurance agent and founder of Healthwhiz Solutions in New York. “For anyone considering Medicare Advantage plans, it’s necessary to first check to see if their providers are in network and how prescriptions are covered (if they’re covered), as benefits vary by region,” she adds.
Read our Cigna Medicare Advantage review to learn more.
To determine the best Medicare Advantage providers, the Forbes Health editorial team evaluated all insurance companies that offer plans nationwide in terms of:
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 2025 that is $185) 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:
Some Medicare Advantage plans offer valuable additional benefits, such as:
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.
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.
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.
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.
| LOCATION | ZIP CODE | COST RANGE |
|---|---|---|
| Montgomery, AL | 36064 | $0-$164 |
| Jonesboro, AR | 72401 | $0-$131 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 90210 | $0-$87 |
| Washington, DC | 20001 | $0-$108 |
| Tampa, FL | 33611 | $0-$111 |
| Atlanta, GA | 30005 | $0-$103 |
| Waukee, IA | 50263 | $0-$59 |
| Chicago, IL | 60601 | $0-$187 |
| Boston, MA | 02114 | $0-$258 |
| Portland, ME | 04019 | $0-$99 |
| Plymouth, MN | 55441 | $0-$196 |
| Durham, NC | 27701 | $0-$135 |
| Gerlach, NV | 89412 | $0-$180 |
| New York, NY | 10001 | $0-$254 |
| Richmond, VA | 23173 | $0-$98 |
| Seattle, WA | 98006 | $0-$296 |
| Horsecreek, WY | 82061 | $0-$95 |
There are four common types of Medicare Advantage plans to compare when making a selection.
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS)
Special Needs Plans (SNP)
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 | ORIGINAL MEDICARE | |
|---|---|---|
| Plan Management | Benefits are administered by a private insurance company | Benefits are administered by the federal government |
| Plan Parts | Parts A, B and C, and most include Part D as well | Part A and Part B, but may purchase a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan for additional coverage |
| Network Coverage | Must use in-network providers unless for an emergency or dialysis | Can use any provider in the U.S. who accepts Medicare |
| Dental Coverage | Available on some plans | Not available |
| Vision Coverage | Available on some plans | Not available |
| Hearing Coverage | Available on some plans | Not available |
| Gym Membership Discounts | Available on some plans | Not available |
| Prescription Drug Coverage | Available on some plans | Must purchase Part D |
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.
| MEDICARE ADVANTAGE BENEFITS | MEDICARE ADVANTAGE DRAWBACKS |
|---|---|
| Offers at least the same level of coverage as Original Medicare | Must use network providers and live in the service area for at least six months of the year |
| Easy to switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another if already enrolled in one | Out-of-network provider costs may be higher or not covered and may go toward an enrollees out-of-pocket limit |
| Costs are typically low, with most premiums starting at $0, lower coinsurance or copayments, limits on out-of-pocket spending and potential coverage for Part B premiums | Requires prior authorizations for some hospital stays, procedures, home health care and medical equipment |
| Many plans offer added benefits, such as vision coverage, dental coverage, hearing coverage, drug coverage and fitness benefits | Often requires referrals for specialist |
“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.”
Medicare beneficiaries with income over a set amount are required to pay a monthly fee in addition to their Medicare Part B and Part D premiums called an income-related monthly adjustment amount, or IRMAA.
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.
| PRODUCT | FORBES HEALTH RATINGS | BEST FOR | LEARN MORE |
|---|---|---|---|
 5.0   | Best Nationwide Coverage | On Chapter’s Website | |
| 4.9 | Largest Provider Network | On Chapter’s Website | |
| 4.7  | Best Local Support Services | On Chapter’s Website | |
| 4.7 | Best Consumer Reputation | On Chapter’s Website | |
| 3.4  | Best Additional Benefits | On Chapter’s Website |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Information provided on Forbes Health is for educational purposes only. Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans. For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional.
Forbes Health adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved or otherwise endorsed by our advertisers.
Nicole Gregory is an editor and writer in Los Angeles who has contributed to the Los Angeles Times, the Orange County Register, Vegetarian Times, Good Housekeeping, Family Circle, New Woman and Living Fit, among other publications. She enjoys interviewing medical experts and researchers about their work and is passionate about communicating accurate and relevant health information to the public.
Cheryl Phillips, M.D., is a senior program consultant with the John A. Hartford Foundation, a private, nonpartisan philanthropy dedicated to improving the care of older adults. She has extensive experience in health policy, Medicare Advantage and the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). As a fellowship-trained geriatrician, her clinical practice focused on the long-term care continuum. Dr. Phillips continues to serve on multiple technical advisory groups for chronic care, long-term care quality, home and community-based services, and person-centered measures, and she has provided multiple testimonies to the U.S. Congress.
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