MoneyGeek identified the highest-rated and most widely available plans in Idaho through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) five-star quality rating system. We ranked the best Medicare Advantage plans in Idaho based on factors such as plan type, the need for drug coverage and low out-of-pocket expenses.

We based our analysis on a few generalizations. For the best Medicare Advantage plan, make sure the hospitals and medical providers in your network are included in the plan as well, and shop around for the best deal.

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 Idaho.

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2024

Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Idaho

Best Medicare Advantage Plan in Idaho - Overall

Each individual's ideal Medicare Advantage Plan will be different, due to their needs and requirements. According to MoneyGeek, the Regence MedAdvantage + Rx Primary (PPO) plan from Regence BlueShield of Idaho is the best option for Idaho consumers seeking PPO plans that include drug coverage, the six core benefits and a high star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

PPO plans, the second-most popular type of health insurance in the state, have a larger network. You can obtain healthcare services from in-network and out-of-network doctors and specialists without the need for a referral with a PPO plan. However, because of their flexibility, these plans are also more expensive.

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MoneyGeek Top Pick
Blue Cross of Idaho Health Service, Inc

MoneyGeek's ratings indicate that Regence MedAdvantage + Rx Primary is Idaho's best PPO plan. The plan includes the following features:

  • No monthly premium
  • Drug coverage with a $200 deductible
  • In-network maximum out-of-pocket payment of $5,500
  • A 4 out of 5 star rating from CMS.

Vision, dental, hearing, fitness, worldwide emergency and telehealth — the most commonly purchased additional benefits — are all included in the plan. In addition, the plan includes Part D coverage for prescription drugs. Travelers also benefit from this coverage, due to its worldwide emergency benefit.

Regence MedAdvantage + Rx Primary (PPO) may be the best choice for some, but the best plan for you may differ based on your specific needs.

Best HMO Medicare Advantage Plan in Idaho

Consider your individual healthcare requirements when selecting an HMO Medicare Advantage Plan. UnitedHealthcares' AARP Medicare Advantage Focus (HMO) is the best choice for an average Idaho shopper looking to purchase an HMO plan with drug coverage, the six core benefits and a high CMS star rating.

HMO plans are cheaper because they only cover services provided by in-network hospitals and doctors. Your primary care physician will refer you to an in-network specialist, if necessary. In an emergency, these policies cover out-of-network services. They work for those seeking plans with lower premiums and who prefer easy access to in-network providers.

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MoneyGeek Top Pick
AARP

AARP Medicare Advantage Focus is the best health insurance plan for the average shopper in Idaho. The following features of the plan are noteworthy:

  • No monthly premium
  • Drug coverage with $100 deductible
  • An in-network max-out-of-pocket limit of $4,900
  • A high 4.5 star rating from CMS

Idaho's AARP Medicare Advantage Focus (HMO) plan offers Part D drug coverage, along with the six most common supplementary benefits: vision, hearing, fitness, dental, worldwide emergency and telehealth. Policyholders also receive coverage for for medically required transportation, and the plan received a high rating from CMS.

Best Medicare Advantage Plan in Idaho Without Drug Coverage

Individuals who do not require Part D prescription drug coverage as part of their Medicare Advantage plan have several options. UnitedHealthcare's AARP Medicare Advantage Focus (HMO) plan is the best Medicare Advantage plan in Idaho that does not feature prescription drug coverage. It includes the six core benefits and has a high CMS star rating, making it one of the state's best Medicare Advantage plans.

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MoneyGeek Top Pick
AARP

According to MoneyGeek, regardless of whether Idaho residents require prescription coverage, UnitedHealthcare's AARP Medicare Advantage Focus (HMO) is the best option. Its highlights include:

  • No monthly premium
  • An in-network max-out-of-pocket limit of $4,900
  • A high 4.5 out of 5 CMS rating

The plan includes the vision, dental, fitness, hearing, telehealth and worldwide emergency benefits, as well as medically necessary transportation coverage. It also received a very high rating from CMS.

Best Medicare Advantage Plan in Idaho for Low Max Out-of-Pocket Costs

Many Medicare Advantage plans feature little or no premiums, resulting in substantial out-of-pocket payments in hundreds or thousands of dollars. Customers can avoid these payments by choosing plans with low maximum out-of-pocket expenses.

Idahoans can look to Regence BlueShield Of Idaho's Regence MedAdvantage + Rx Primary (PPO) plans for the lowest maximum out-of-pocket expenditures, on average. The plan delivers the six core benefits and prescription coverage. It also received a strong overall rating from CMS.

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MoneyGeek Top Pick
Blue Cross of Idaho Health Service, Inc

MoneyGeek only considered plans with low maximum out-of-pocket costs to find that Regence MedAdvantage + Rx Primary (PPO) from Regence BlueShield of Idaho is the best option in the state for low-out-of-pocket costs with or without prescription coverage. The plan includes the following features:

  • No monthly premium
  • An in-network max out-of-pocket limit of $5,500
  • A good CMS rating of 4 out of 5

Avoiding large medical expenditures is easier if you have an insurance plan with a low maximum out-of-pocket cost. Regence MedAdvantage + Rx Primary (PPO) begins covering in-network charges once you've paid the maximum out-of-pocket premium of $5,500. The maximum out-of-pocket cost for out-of-network coverage is $10,000.

Medicare Advantage Plan in Idaho - Statistics

Idaho residents can buy Medicare Advantage plans from nine different healthcare organizations. The figures in the next section explore a few of the components relevant to the plans. Use these numbers to determine the availability of certain benefits.

1

In Idaho, Medicare Advantage Plans are a combination of Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans, with 73.7% of plans covering prescription drugs.

The great majority of Medicare Advantage plans in Idaho are HMOs. PPOs are available in the market and account for around 16.8% of all plans, with 73.7% of the state's plans offering drug coverage.

2

In Idaho, 48% of Medicare Advantage Plans do not charge a premium.

In Idaho, there are 27 different plans with no premium. This accounts for 48% of all Medicare Advantage Plans on the market. The remaining 52% require a monthly premium, which averages to $60.30.

3

The six core benefits are available in all the Medicare Advantage Plans in Idaho.

The six core benefits are provided by all Medicare Advantage plans offered in Idaho. In-home care is the most rare type of coverage. You may have to shop around for policies that offer this benefit.

Methodology

MoneyGeek collected data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 2022 MA Landscape Source Files released in October 2021. Plans in Idaho 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 Idaho based on county availability.

About Mark Fitzpatrick


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Mark Fitzpatrick has analyzed the property and casualty insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. Currently, he leads P&C insurance content production at MoneyGeek. Fitzpatrick 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.