Medicare provides low-cost health insurance for people over 65 and younger individuals struggling with disabilities or debilitating illnesses. This complex coverage option includes multiple types or parts, including Part A (hospital coverage) and Part B (doctor and outpatient services), as well as Part D (prescription coverage). Part C is Medicare Advantage.
Medicare Advantage plans combine Part A and Part B (and sometimes Part D) policies to create comprehensive coverage at reasonable prices. However, Advantage differs from other Medicare options because it’s provided by private companies, not the federal government. As a result, these unique Part C plans can vary heavily in quality, price, and coverage options.
At Senior Insurance Solutions, I can help you navigate the ins and outs of Medicare Advantage plans without charging a penny so you can confidently choose the best option for your needs. In this article, I’ll review several Medicare Advantage plans from multiple providers, highlight details and information on the most comprehensive plan, and cover great alternative options. If you’re in the market for a Medicare Advantage plan, keep reading!
Best Overall: Blue Cross Blue Shield
A Quick Look
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is one of the oldest still-operating insurance companies in the world. Founded in 1929, this nearly 100-year-old organization provides a Medicare Advantage plan that ranks 4.17 out of 5 from the Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS). Beyond this high ranking, it tops my list because it provides excellent protection for health care, including:
- Vision services
- Hearing health coverage
- Wellness programs
- Telehealth services
- Transportation support
- Over-the-counter health product coverage
- Gift card rewards
What are other people saying about this plan? Well, Forbes Health ranked BCBS’s plan 5 out of 5. Likewise, A.M. Best gave this plan a perfect A ranking in 2023. These high rankings highlight this plan’s broad appeal. Like many plans on this list, BCBS offers may be available for as little as $0 per month, though premiums and benefits vary.
Availability
BCBS provides insurance coverage in multiple areas nationwide, but its Medicare Plan is available in just 47 states and Puerto Rico. That provides a high coverage level, though other providers offer plans in all 50 states. That said, BCBC’s plan is adaptable and works with HMO, PPO, and regional PPO plans, and may include drug coverage (Medicare Part 2).
Downsides
While BCBS offers a robust Medicare Advantage plan, it’s important to note a few downsides. For example, it’s one of the higher-priced options on the market, with an average price of $40 per month. Furthermore, BCBS providers may provide varying levels of protection and satisfaction. Read through your options carefully when applying for this coverage.
Runner Up: Humana
A Quick Look
Initially founded as a nursing home in 1961, Humana has expanded to become a billion-dollar company that sells many types of health insurance. Its Medicare Advantage plan is available in 50 states and earned a 4.02 out of 5 from the CMS. We think it’s an excellent alternative to BCBS due to its low cost and excellent coverage options, like:
- Insulin savings
- Over-the-counter allowances
- Meal delivery support
- Healthy food cards
- Part B giveback
- Transportation services
- SilverSneaker fitness programs
- Wig payments for people receiving chemotherapy
We’re not alone in praising this plan. It’s also received broad acclaim from other organizations, including an A- rating in 2023 from A.M. Best and a 692 ranking out of 1,000 in 2023 from J.D. Power. How much will you pay? Well, plans are available for as little as $0 per month. However, not everyone qualifies for this low-cost protection. Currently, the average price is about $18.
Availability
Currently, Humana offers its Medicare Advantage plan in all 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. Within these states, it covers multiple provider networks and beneficiaries, including HMO, PPO, and SNP organizations. Each plan comes with dental, vision, and hearing benefits beyond general health treatments to keep you strong.
Downsides
Are there any disadvantages to this plan? A few. While it’s available in all 50 states (as well as Puerto Rico and Washington D.C.), not every zip code has coverage. Furthermore, Special Needs Plans (SNP) are only available in some states. When applying for this Medicare Advantage Plan, talk with your agent to ensure you qualify for protection.
Most Popular Option: AARP/UnitedHealthcare
A Quick Look
What do we mean when we say that AARP/UnitedHealthcare provides the most popular Medicare Advantage plan? We examined customer reviews and found that AARP/UnitedHealthcare provided the highest customer satisfaction ratings. That doesn’t mean it’s the best, but simply that it’s very popular. It covers costs for many treatments, including:
- General healthcare treatments
- Vision care
- Dental treatments
- Prescription drug costs (Part D Medicare)
- Gym memberships
- Fitness plans
Forbes Health gave AARP/UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage plan an excellent review, highlighting its availability and diversity of plans. Part of Forbes’ respect comes down to the plan’s price, which includes $0 monthly payment options. In fact, this plan’s average cost is just $17, which means you pay just around $0.50 a day, which should easily fit into most budgets.
Availability
Currently, AARP/UnitedHealthcare is available in 49 states and Washington, D.C, with Alaska being the only holdout. This plan includes the largest network of Medicare Advantage doctors in the nation. It also provides HMO and PPO protection, giving you one of the largest and most diverse options. Even better, this provider includes low-cost PPO plans compared to others.
Downsides
Of course, no Medicare Advantage plan is perfect, and AARP/UnitedHealthcare’s coverage has some issues. For example, some options may include a high out-of-pocket maximum, which could lead to higher healthcare costs. Furthermore, availability in some states may be limited, with some regions like Alabama having only 13 available options in the whole state.
Best Budget Option: Cigna
A Quick Look
If you’re on a limited budget and need a lower-cost Medicare Advantage option, try Cigna. It provides protection for as little as $0 a month, including $0 copays for appointments like annual physical exams, visits with your primary care provider, and telehealth visits. In fact, Cigna provides 24/7 telehealth access to cover a broad array of treatments, including:
- Dental care
- Vision protection
- Hearing assessments
- Gym memberships
- Health-related product discounts
Cigna’s lower-cost Medicare Advantage plan has received strong praise from many experts. For example, A.M. Best gave it a perfect A rating, particularly for its reasonable price range. J.D. Power ranked it at 668 out of 1,000 in 2023. Note that outside-of-network expenses beyond ER services may not be covered, a common issue with lower-priced insurances like this one.
Availability
Currently, Cigna only provides its plan in 27 states and Washington, D.C., primarily in HMOs. Thankfully, its 24/7 telehealth service can help you receive HMO-based treatment even if you’re outside of your network. That option helps balance Cigna’s relatively narrow spread across the nation, protecting you if you plan on traveling outside your HMO’s coverage area.
Downsides
Cigna’s low-cost Medicare Advantage plan has a few issues that may limit its appeal. The biggest problem is availability, as Cigna provides it in only 27 states. Furthermore, most plans are for HMOs with few PPO or SNP options available. That said, this plan can work well for anyone on a tight budget, so review your options when applying for this protection.
A Few Other Options to Consider
Let’s briefly touch on a few other Medicare Advantage plans. These options aren’t quite as popular or high quality as the ones we listed above, but they are still worth looking into. They include:
- Aetna: Available in 50 states with dental, vision, hearing, transportation, and lifestyle coverage for various health issues.
- Anthem: Offered in 14 states to help with dental, vision, hearing, holistic, transportation, and lifestyle care and access to BCBS’s provider network.
- Kaiser Permanente: Limited to just eight states but very popular in those areas due to exceptional customer service.
Protect Yourself and Your Family With a Medicare Advantage Plan
No matter which Medicare Advantage plan you choose, it’s important to consider your physical and emotional health, finances, and family. You need to find a plan that fits easily into your budget while providing the protection that you need to stay healthy. Doing so can ensure an enjoyable life without worrying about devastating healthcare bills.
If you’re still unsure which option to pick and want help, please contact Senior Insurance Solutions for support. I’m dedicated to helping people like you get the high-quality and effective insurance plans they require at a price they can afford.
