bestMedicare AdvantageGeorgiaBest Georgia Medicare Advantage Plans
Updated: May 6, 2024
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MoneyGeek analyzed the best Medicare Advantage plans in Georgia using the five-star quality rating system from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). We also summarized the best plans based on the type of plan you choose, whether you want to limit out-of-pocket expenses and whether you want a plan with drug coverage.
MoneyGeek’s recommendations are based on sample profiles, so it is important to also consider what your specific needs are. Also, check that the plan you opt for has your preferred hospitals and providers in its network.
If you're not looking for a Medicare Advantage plan but want to cover out-of-pocket costs that your base Medicare plan doesn't cover, MoneyGeek also ranked the best Medicare Supplement Plans in Georgia.
bestMedicare AdvantageGeorgiaBest Medicare Advantage Plans in Georgia
Best plan overall - Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Best HMO plan - Cigna
Best plan without drug coverage - Cigna
Best plan for low out-of-pocket costs - Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Best Medicare Advantage Plan in Georgia - Overall
The best Medicare Advantage Plan for you will depend on the kind of coverage and benefits that best suit your needs. If you are looking for a PPO plan with a high star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that offers drug coverage and six core benefits, MoneyGeek found that Anthem MediBlue + Kroger Access and Anthem MediBlue Access Basic plans by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield are two of the best options. The UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Choice Plan 1 by UnitedHealthcare is also one of the best PPO plans in Georgia.
While more expensive, the benefit of choosing a PPO plan is that you have access to a wider network of providers. You also do not require a referral to see a specialist.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
MoneyGeek found that the Anthem MediBlue + Kroger Access plan is one of the three top-rated PPO plans in Georgia. However, the best option for you could vary depending on your needs.
The Anthem MediBlue + Kroger Access plan features include:
- $0 premium
- Drug coverage with a $150 deductible
- In-network maximum out-of-pocket payment limit of $6,700
- Overall CMS rating of 4.0 out of 5
The Anthem MediBlue + Kroger Access plan has the six common additional benefits, including vision, dental, hearing, fitness, worldwide emergency and telehealth. It also offers drug coverage.
This plan is highly rated by the CMS and is good for travelers since it has worldwide emergency benefits.
Anthem MediBlue Access Basic is one of the top three PPO plans in Georgia. However, the best option for you may depend on what coverage and benefits you are looking for.
The main features of the Anthem MediBlue Access Basic plan include:
- $0 premium
- Drug coverage with a $150 deductible
- In-network maximum out-of-pocket payment limit of $6,700
- Overall CMS rating of 4.0 out of 5
The Anthem MediBlue Access Basic plan has a high CMS rating and offers all the six common additional benefits, including vision, dental, hearing, fitness, worldwide emergency and telehealth. It also comes with a drug coverage benefit.
If you are a traveler, the inclusion of Worldwide Emergency makes this plan ideal.
The UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Choice Plan 1 is one of the top-rated PPO plans in Georgia, but the best option for you will depend on your needs.
This plan has the following key features:
- $0 premium
- Drug coverage with a $275 deductible
- In-network max-out-of-pocket payment limit of $6,700
- Overall CMS rating of 4.0 out of 5
The UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Choice Plan 1 offers all the six common additional benefits including, vision, dental, hearing, fitness, telehealth and worldwide emergency, which will come in handy for travelers. This plan also offers drug coverage.
Best HMO Medicare Advantage Plan in Georgia
When choosing the best Medicare Advantage plan in Georgia, it is important to find a plan that suits your individual needs. If you want an HMO plan with high star ratings from CMS that offers drug coverage and six core benefits, MoneyGeek found that the Cigna Preferred Medicare offered by Cigna is the best plan.
HMO plans are more affordable compared to other plan types. However, an HMO plan restricts you to a specified provider network, so they are a good option only if in-network providers are easily available to you. You also require a referral to see a specialist if you are on an HMO plan.
Cigna
The Cigna Preferred Medicare plan may be the best HMO plan in Georgia but this may vary depending on what your needs are. This plan has the following key features:
- $0 premium
- Drug coverage with a $200 deductible
- In-network max-out-of-pocket Payment limit of $7,000
- Overall CMS rating of 4.5 out of 5
The Cigna Preferred Medicare plan comes with Part D drug coverage and offers the six common additional benefits, including vision, dental, hearing, fitness, worldwide emergency and telehealth. This plan also has a high CMS rating.
Best Medicare Advantage Plan in Georgia Without Drug Coverage
If you do not require a Medicare Advantage Plan that has drug coverage, you may have more options when shopping for the best Medicare Advantage Plans in Georgia.
For a sample shopper in Georgia who wants a Medicare Advantage Plan with or without drug coverage, six core benefits and a high star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Cigna Preferred Medicare by Cigna is the best plan. It is also the best HMO plan in the state.
Cigna
MoneyGeek found that the Cigna Preferred Medicare plan may be the best in Georgia if you are looking for a plan with or without drug coverage.
This plan includes a drug coverage benefit and has the following key features:
- $0 premium
- Drug coverage with a $200 deductible
- In-network max-out-of-pocket payment limit of $7,000
- Overall CMS rating of 4.5 out of 5
The Cigna Preferred Medicare plan has a high CMS rating and, apart from drug coverage, also comes with the six common additional benefits, including vision, dental, hearing, fitness, worldwide emergency and telehealth.
Best Medicare Advantage Plan in Georgia for Low Max Out-of-Pocket Costs
Although most Medicare Advantage Plans have low or no premiums, you may still incur high out-of-pocket expenses.
According to MoneyGeek’s research, Anthem MediBlue + Kroger Access and Anthem MediBlue Access Basic (PPO) by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield are the best plans if you are looking for a Medicare Advantage Plan in Georgia that has a low in-network out of pocket limit, drug coverage, six core benefits and a high star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
MoneyGeek filtered out plans with a high MOOP and found that the Anthem MediBlue + Kroger Access plan is one of the best options in Georgia if you need a plan with or without drug coverage that has a low in-network max out-of-pocket (MOOP).
The main features of the Anthem MediBlue + Kroger Access plan include:
- $0 premium
- In-network max-out-of-pocket payment limit of $6,700
- Overall CMS rating of 4.0 (out of 5)
A plan with a low MOOP ensures that you do not incur excessive out-of-pocket costs. With the Anthem MediBlue + Kroger Access plan, you will not pay more for in-network coverage once you reach the $6,700 in-network MOOP limit. However, you will have a different out-of-network MOOP of $10,000.
The Anthem MediBlue Access Basic is one of the best options in Georgia if you want a plan with or without drug coverage that has a low in-network max out-of-pocket (MOOP). The main features of the Anthem MediBlue Access Basic plan include:
- $0 premium
- In-network max-out-of-pocket payment limit of $6,700
- Overall CMS rating of 4.0 (out of 5)
A plan with a low MOOP protects you in case you incur high medical costs in a year by limiting your out-of-pocket costs. With the Anthem MediBlue Access Basic plan, your in-network MOOP is limited to $6,700, meaning that you will not pay more than that for in-network coverage. However, the MOOP limit for out-of-network coverage for this plan is $10,000.
Medicare Advantage Plan in Georgia - Statistics
In Georgia, there are 12 healthcare organizations that offer Medicare Advantage plans. The following statistics on Medicare Advantage plans in Georgia can help you understand the common vs. rare coverages and benefits in Georgia.
- 1
Georgia Medicare Advantage Plans are a mix of PPO, HMO, PFFS and MSA plans, with 71.8% offering drug coverage
The Medicare Advantage plans available In Georgia are Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) at 26.6%, Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) at 66.3%, Private Fee-For-Service at 1% and Medical Savings Account at 6.2%. In Georgia, 71.8% of Medicare Advantage plans offer drug coverage.
- 2
65% of Medicare Advantage Plans in Georgia have a $0 premium
65% of Medicare Advantage plans in Georgia have no premiums. For those that charge a premium, the average rate is $49.10.
- 3
Hearing, dental, vision, fitness and telehealth benefits are common in Georgia, with most plans offering them
Most Medicare Advantage plans in Georgia offer hearing, dental, vision, fitness and Telehealth benefits. However, in-home support, home safety devices & modification and emergency response device benefits are rare in Georgia.
Methodology
MoneyGeek collected data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 2022 MA Landscape Source Files released in October 2021. Plans in Georgia were filtered down to those that offer drug coverage (unless otherwise noted), offer six of the most common Medicare Advantage coverage benefits and are available to at least 50% of the population of Georgia based on county availability.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.