Best North Dakota Medicare Advantage Plans
The best North Dakota Medicare Advantage plan for you is one that matches your healthcare needs while staying within your budget. Comparing insurance can be challenging with multiple available options, so MoneyGeek researched the best Medicare Advantage plans in North Dakota that provide comprehensive benefits and are widely accessible. We discovered that the AARP Medicare Advantage Headwaters is the best PPO plan in the state.
Updated: May 6, 2024
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MoneyGeek discovered the best Medicare Advantage Plans that are widely available in North Dakota using the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) five-star rating system. MoneyGeek considered a number of factors when determining the best health insurance plan for you, including the type of plan you want, if you require drug coverage and how much you're prepared to spend out of pocket.
Please keep in mind that these are only generalizations. The best way to choose the right option for your healthcare needs is to do some research. It is also essential to examine if the hospitals and providers you use are covered by the insurance plan you want to purchase.
MoneyGeek also analyzed the best medicare supplement plans in North Dakota for those focused on covering out-of-pocket expenses.
Best Medicare Advantage Plans in North Dakota
Best Medicare Advantage Plan in North Dakota - Overall
The Medicare Advantage Plan that's right for you will be based on your healthcare needs. The six core benefits and a high CMS star rating are key determinants for a North Dakota Medicare Advantage plan buyer. MoneyGeek ranked UnitedHealthcare's AARP Medicare Advantage Headwaters (PPO) as the best Medicare Advantage plan in North Dakota.
With a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan, you don't have to go through a specialized referral process to see a specialist, and you have access to a far wider network of providers. These plans are good for flexibility if you can pay for them.
AARP
Based on MoneyGeek's study, North Dakota residents looking for a PPO might want to choose AARP Medicare Advantage Headwaters (PPO) plan. However, the right plan for you depends on your specific healthcare requirements.
This is what you need to know about this plan:
- Monthly premium: $0
- Drug coverage: $395
- An in-network max-out-of-pocket payment: $5,900
- Overall star rating of 4 out of 5 from CMS
The AARP Medicare Advantage Headwaters plan includes vision, dental, hearing, fitness, worldwide emergency and telehealth services (PPO). It is a solid option for travelers because of the worldwide emergency coverage. It also has a good CMS rating and provides Part D prescription drug coverage.
Best HMO Medicare Advantage Plan in North Dakota
North Dakota is one of the few states in the U.S. with no HMO plans. The only Medicare Advantage Plan types in the state include PPO, Costs, PFFS and MSA plans.
Best Medicare Advantage Plan in North Dakota Without Drug Coverage
You'll have more options for health insurance plans if you don't need Part D coverage for prescription drugs.
MoneyGeek found that the HealthPartners Freedom Prairie plan by HealthPartners could be the best Medicare Advantage plan for residents of North Dakota searching for six core benefits and a high star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
HealthPartners
Buyers in North Dakota with or without a need for prescription drug coverage might choose HealthPartners Freedom Prairie plan based on MoneyGeek's analysis.
The plan’s details are as follows:
- Monthly premium: $73.30
- An in-network max-out-of-pocket payment: $3,000
- Overall star rating of 5 out of 5 from the CMS
There are six common core additional benefits included in the HealthPartners Freedom Prairie (Cost) plan in addition to CMS's excellent rating. They include vision, dental, hearing, fitness, worldwide emergency and telehealth.
Best Medicare Advantage Plan in North Dakota for Low Max Out-of-Pocket Costs
Even though many Medicare Advantage plans have low or no premiums, paying out of pocket may lead to higher expenses in certain cases. To avoid this, look for a plan with a low maximum out-of-pocket spending limit.
MoneyGeek found that, for North Dakota buyers looking for a Medicare Advantage plan with a low maximum out-of-pocket limit, drug coverage, six core benefits and an excellent CMS star rating, the AARP Medicare Advantage Riverbank (PPO) plan from UnitedHealthcare is the top option.
AARP
For North Dakota buyers, the AARP Medicare Advantage Riverbank plan is the best choice, regardless of whether or not they need drug coverage. Drug coverage is included in this plan.
Here are more details about this plan:
- Monthly premium: $99
- An in-network max-out-of-pocket payment: $3,500
- Overall Star Rating 4 out of 5 from the CMS
If you have a lot of medical expenses in a year, a plan with a low maximum out-of-pocket cost may save you a lot of money. When you've used up your $3,500 deductible with AARP Medicare Advantage Riverbank (PPO), the insurance carrier will start paying for in-network services. Out-of-network coverage typically has a distinct maximum out-of-pocket limit in a PPO plan. However, for this plan, the out-of-network maximum is also $3,500.
Medicare Advantage Plan in North Dakota - Statistics
Eight different healthcare companies in North Dakota provide Medicare Advantage plans. The following information will help you learn more about plan types and benefits.
- 1
North Dakota Medicare Advantage Plans are a mix of PPO, Costs, PFFS and MSA, with 46.8% offering drug coverage
28.4% of Medicare Advantage Plans in North Dakota are Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans. Cost plans make up 35.5% of North Dakota plans, Medical Savings Account plans make up 15.&% and Private Fee-For-Service plans make up .1%. Drug coverage is available in 46.8% of plans.
- 2
28% of Medicare Advantage Plans in North Dakota have a $0 premium
In North Dakota, you can choose from nine different free options. These plans cover about 28% of all Medicare Advantage Plans on the market. Monthly payment is required for 72% of plans, and the cost for this averages $106.10.
- 3
Hearing, vision and fitness benefits are common in North Dakota, with most plans offering them
Hearing, fitness and vision are the three most popular Medicare Advantage Plan benefits. Home safety devices and modifications, in-home support and transportation are the rarest benefits in the state.
Methodology
MoneyGeek collected data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 2022 MA Landscape Source Files released in October 2021. Plans in North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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.