bestMedicare AdvantageMissouriThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has a five-star quality rating system that MoneyGeek used to determine which plans were widely available in Missouri. Our guide lists the best choices for different categories, including plan type, whether drug coverage is required and limits for out-of-pocket costs.
Since these are general recommendations, it’s advisable to shop around when determining which plans fit your individual needs. Shopping around helps you make sure that hospitals and providers are in the network of your chosen plan.
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 Missouri.
bestMedicare AdvantageMissouriBest Medicare Advantage Plans in Missouri
Best plan overall - Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Best HMO plan - AARP
Best plan for low out-of-pocket costs - Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Best Medicare Advantage Plan in Missouri - Overall
Generally, MoneyGeek found that Anthem MediBlue Access Basic by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield may be the best plan for Missouri shoppers who want a PPO plan with drug coverage, nine core benefits and a high rating from the CMS. However, the best Medicare Advantage Plan for you depends on your needs and preferences.
A Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) gives you a broader network, several benefits and more flexibility compared to other plans. Having a broad network means you have more choices of doctors, treatment centers and hospitals. However, PPOs usually have higher premiums.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
For those looking for a PPO, MoneyGeek found that the best option in Missouri is Anthem MediBlue Access Basic. With this plan, expect:
- No monthly premium
- Includes drug coverage
- An in-network maximum out-of-pocket limit of $3,900
- An overall star rating of 4 out of 5 from CMS
Anthem MediBlue Access Basic receives a high rating from the CMS and provides Part D drug coverage. You also get all the six common benefits including vision, dental, hearing, fitness, worldwide emergency and telehealth. This plan also has the additional benefits of transportation, home safety devices and modifications and over-the-counter drugs.
Best HMO Medicare Advantage Plan in Missouri
It’s best to assess your health care needs and use that to decide which is the best HMO Medicare Advantage plan in Missouri. For example, UnitedHealthcare’s AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 2 is the best choice for a Missouri buyer who needs an HMO plan with drug coverage, seven core benefits and a high star rating from the CMS.
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans are more affordable and are the most common health care plans available. However, you need a referral to see a specialist. To ensure coverage, you’re required to stay within your network except during emergencies.
AARP
In Missouri, we found that AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 2 could be the best option for those shopping for a HMO. But the best plan for you depends on your individual needs. You can expect the following with this plan:
- No monthly premium
- Drug coverage
- A $3,700 in-network max out-of-pocket limit
- A 4.5 out of 5 overall rating from the CMS
WIth AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 2, you’ll get all six of the most common additional benefits like vision, dental, hearing, fitness, worldwide emergency and telehealth. This plan also offers Part D drug coverage and receives a high rating from the CMS.
Best Medicare Advantage Plan in Missouri Without Drug Coverage
If you don’t need Part D prescription drug coverage, other plans in Missouri are available. Missouri shoppers looking for a Medicare Advantage plan regardless of whether it has drug coverage or not, seven core benefits and a high star rating from the CMS, AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 2 from UnitedHealthcare might be the best plan.
AARP
Regardless of whether you need drug coverage, AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 2 could be the best choice in Missouri. With this plan, expect:
- No monthly premium
- A $3,700 in-network maximum out-of-pocket limit
- An overall star rating of 4.5 out of 5 from the CMS
Aside from receiving a high rating from the CMS, AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 2 offers buyers with all the six common additional benefits including vision, dental, hearing, fitness, worldwide emergency and telehealth as well as the added benefit of over-the-counter drugs.
Best Medicare Advantage Plan in Missouri for Low Max Out-of-Pocket Costs
In Missouri, many Medicare Advantage plans offer low or no premiums. However, you may need to pay thousands of dollars more in co-pays as a result. To avoid this, you need to find a plan with a low in-network max out-of-pocket limit.
We found that the best option for Missouri buyers is Anthem MediBlue Access Basic by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. This plan is particularly good for those who want a Medicare Advantage plan with a low max out-of-pocket limit, drug coverage, nine core benefits and a high star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Anthem MediBlue Access Basic might be the best plan in Missouri for buyers who need a plan regardless of whether it has drug coverage or not. With Anthem MediBlue Access Basic, you can expect:
- No monthly premium
- An in-network max out-of-pocket limit of $3,900
- An overall star rating of 4 out of 5 from the CMS
A plan with a low max out-of-pocket limit protects you from significant expenses, especially if you have significant health care needs during a calendar year. Once you reach the $3,900 max out-of-pocket limit with Anthem MediBlue Access Basic, your insurance provider will shoulder in-network coverages. The max out-of-pocket limit for out-of-network coverage is $10,000 since it’s a PPO plan.
Medicare Advantage Plan in Missouri - Statistics
There are 14 different health care organizations that offer Medicare Advantage plans in Missouri. To help you understand which plan components are common or rare, MoneyGeek has various statistics on Medicare Advantage in Missouri in the segment below.
1
Missouri Medicare Advantage Plans are a mix of HMO and PPO with 70.3% offering drug coverage
In Missouri, a majority of Medicare Advantage Plans are Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans and make up 54.8% of the market while Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans make up 31.1%. Out of all the plans in the state, 70.3% offer drug coverage.
2
65% of Medicare Advantage Plans in Missouri have a $0 premium
There are 51 unique plans in Missouri that have a $0 premium. This is 65% of plans in Missouri. For plans that need you to pay a monthly premium, the average premium costs $41.90.
3
Hearing, telehealth and vision benefits are common in Missouri, with most plans offering them
Among all plans in Missouri, hearing, telehealth and vision are the most common benefits. Worldwide emergency is also a common component, found in 96% of plans. Meanwhile, rare benefits include emergency response device, in-home support and home safety devices & modifications.
Methodology
MoneyGeek collected data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 2022 MA Landscape Source Files released in October 2021. Plans in Missouri 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 Missouri based on county availability.
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