The Best Medicare Advantage Plans of 2024

Medicare Advantage plans are offered by Medicare-approved companies and generally bundle hospital (Part A) and medical (Part B) benefits, often with prescription (Part D) coverage included. Some of these plans cover things original Medicare doesn’t, like eye exams or fitness programs.

To help you compare 2023 Medicare Advantage plans, MoneyGeek identified the best insurance providers based on their quality ratings from Medicare among those widely available in the U.S. And because not every plan is available everywhere, and some plans only operate in one or a few states, MoneyGeek also rated the best plans in each state.

MoneyGeek’s top pick for the best overall Medicare Advantage option is Blue Cross Blue Shield's preferred provider organization plans.

To identify the best Medicare Advantage plan, MoneyGeek looked at insurance companies that offer benefits in at least 25 states, provide robust coverage options and earn high-quality ratings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the federal agency that oversees Medicare.

PPOs offer more flexibility than health maintenance organizations, with more extensive networks and more freedom to see specialists without a primary care provider’s referral. Although PPOs tend to have higher costs than HMO plans, MoneyGeek put them in the top spot because of their access to a wide selection of services.

As with any important financial decision, the best Medicare Advantage plan for you will depend on your needs, preferences and your locally-available options.

Not all insurers offer Medicare Advantage plans in every state, and some operate in just one state. The best option where you live may not be one of the large national health insurance carriers. Local plans can be high-quality and reasonably priced.

Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana and United Healthcare earn the highest rankings among the national carriers in many states. Overall, Aetna Medicare ranks the best in the most (23) states.

That said, there is no single “best plan.” Your needs and preferences will determine the best choice for you. Consider how much you can afford and what extra services and benefits matter most.

Click on your state to learn more about your options and find the best plan to fit your needs.

Among Medicare Advantage HMOs available in at least 25 states, MoneyGeek’s pick for the best carrier overall is UnitedHealthcare based on Medicare Star Ratings and the availability of robust extra benefits.

The best HMO for you depends on where you live, what options are available, and what you care most about. Your budget, as well as your preferences and priorities, may point you to a different option.

If you’re not sure if an HMO is right for you, consider the pros and cons. HMOs tend to be less expensive but more restrictive.

If you need to see a specialist, you’ll likely need to get a referral from your primary care doctor. You’ll also probably have to get care from a set network of providers; seeing a provider outside that network may be difficult and more expensive.

Prescription drug coverage is optional for Medicare members and is not included in Original Medicare. Though many Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage, you can choose a Medicare Advantage plan without drug benefits.

The upside of a Medicare Advantage plan without drug coverage is that you can save money if you don’t need any prescription medications. But if you develop a need for a prescription down the road, you could wind up paying a lot more for that medicine because you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket.

If you don’t sign up for drug coverage in your initial enrollment period with Medicare, you’ll pay a penalty if you eventually sign up for it later. The size of the penalty depends on how long you went without drug coverage.

If you decide to sign up for a separate prescription drug plan, keep in mind that you cannot get stand-alone drug coverage and stay on Medicare Advantage.

MoneyGeek analyzed Medicare Advantage plans without prescription drug coverage and ranked UnitedHealthcare as number one in this category.

Medicare Advantage plans can be relatively low-cost, many with zero premiums. But the trade-off can come in the form of higher out-of-pocket costs. When evaluating the price of a plan, consider all the costs, not just the [premiums]((https://www.moneygeek.com/insurance/health/average-cost-of-health-insurance).

Pay special attention to the maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) cost, which sets the cap on how much you’ll have to pay for covered services in a given year. To find the best plan with lower MOOPs, MoneyGeek looked at highly rated national carriers offering Medicare Advantage plans in at least 25 states and MOOPs in the bottom 75th percentile.

Based on those criteria, MoneyGeek identified Aetna Medicare as the best option.

More than 26 million people — 42% of all Medicare beneficiaries — enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan in 2021, more than double the number enrolled a decade ago. There are only more Medicare Advantage options for people in 2022.

Medicare Advantage is comprehensive health insurance that brings together separate parts of the Medicare program into one package. Medicare Advantage can be convenient and cost-effective.

But, it’s not for everyone. Some people prefer the flexibility of piecing together different types of coverage for themselves. And some people already have coverage through an employer, the military or other source. Medicare Advantage is great, but there are other amazing health insurance options as well.

Because most people have access to a wide range of Medicare Advantage options, it should at least be part of your consideration if you’re eligible for Medicare.

Medicare Advantage, also known as Medicare Part C, brings together the benefits of Original Medicare and extra services and benefits into one comprehensive health plan. Medicare Advantage plans are offered through private insurers.

Many Medicare Advantage plans also include prescription drug coverage, which people on Original Medicare can buy separately. Increasingly, Medicare Advantage plans also have coverage for hearing, vision and dental care, fitness benefits and many others.

Medicare Advantage plans cannot be combined with supplemental coverage such as Medigap or stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.

Because Medicare Advantage plans bundle different kinds of coverage, these plans are best for people who appreciate a one-stop-shop approach to health insurance. Most Medicare-eligible people have a wide range of Medicare Advantage options, so the chances of finding one that suits your needs are high for most people.

If you only need supplemental coverage or prefer to manage the different elements of Medicare benefits individually, you may not need a Medicare Advantage plan. Also, if you have access to retirement benefits through an employer, the military (TRICARE) or another source, you probably don’t need Medicare Advantage.

Finally, some people have limited Medicare Advantage options; though less common, it may work out better for these individuals to go with Original Medicare and buy separate supplemental coverage.