Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Alabama (2026)

The best Alabama Medicare Advantage plan is not always the one with the lowest monthly premium. A $0-premium Cigna plan capped at $7,794 costs more in a year of regular medical use than a $20-a-month Humana plan capped at $3,000. The right choice depends on how much care you use, which is beyond what you pay each month.

Compare Alabama Medicare Advantage providers to find coverage that works for you.

Written by Mark Fitzpatrick

Updated: August 26, 2026

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

Key Takeaways

Cigna HealthCare leads HMO plans at $5 a month average with three of four plans at $0. Humana's best PPO plan caps annual costs at $3,000, which is $2,748 below Alabama's PPO average.

UnitedHealthcare leads HMO-POS plans because all four include out-of-network access and Part D drug coverage with no deductibles on select drug categories.

Your plan type matters more for cost than your insurer does. PPO plans average $22 a month vs. $19 for HMOs but carry a $430 lower average annual spending cap.

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS EXPLAINED

Private insurers sell Medicare Advantage plans as an alternative to Original Medicare. Each plan bundles hospital and medical coverage in one policy. Most plans also add Part D, which is Medicare's prescription drug coverage, along with dental, vision and hearing benefits that traditional Medicare excludes.

Before enrolling, confirm your current prescriptions are on the plan's formulary, which is its list of covered drugs and the cost tiers that determine your pharmacy price.

Best Medicare Advantage Providers in Alabama Comparison

Humana is the best Medicare Advantage plan choice in Alabama for most members because its top PPO plan caps annual costs at $3,000, the lowest spending cap of any Alabama PPO.

The most important number to compare across plans is the maximum out-of-pocket limit, or MOOP, which is the most you pay for covered services in a year before the plan covers everything. Cigna's HMO plans average a $5,742 MOOP. Humana's $3,000 cap is $2,742 lower, which makes it the stronger choice in high-use years.

CMS, the federal agency managing Medicare, rates plans from 1 to 5 stars based on quality. Cigna HealthCare and Humana hold 4.0 stars on their strongest plans. UnitedHealthcare earns 3.75. If your doctors are in-network, Cigna averages $5 a month at the same quality level.


HMO	Cigna HealthCare	4.00	$5	$5,742	HealthSpring Preferred (HMO)
HMO-POS	UnitedHealthcare	3.75	$18	$5,725	AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC AL-0003 (HMO-POS)
PPO	Humana	4.00	$28	$3,881	HumanaChoice H5216-368 (PPO)

*Before comparing providers, identify which plan type fits your situation. HMO plans limit you to an approved provider network and require a primary care physician to coordinate your care. HMO-POS plans follow the same structure but allow occasional out-of-network visits. PPO plans place no network restriction and require no referral. Regional PPO plans extend that flexibility across state lines.

Cigna

Best HMO

MoneyGeek Rating

4.8/ 5

4.8/5Affordability

5/5Quality

3.9/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
4.0
Plan Types
HMO, PPO

pros
- HMO plans hold a 4.0 CMS star rating
- Four of five plans charge $0 monthly
- Part D drug coverage included across all HMO plans
cons
- PPO plan rated only 3.0 CMS stars
- No HMO-POS plans offered in Alabama
- Some HMO plans reach $7,794 in annual costs
Cigna HealthCare earns the top HMO ranking because its four plans average $5 a month, the lowest premium of any reviewed plan type in Alabama. Three of the four carry $0 premiums.

All four plans hold a 4.0 CMS star rating and include Part D drug coverage without requiring separate enrollment. At $5,742, the average annual cap sits $436 below the Alabama HMO average of $6,178, which limits worst-case spending for in-network members.

Members with in-network providers pay $5 a month on average, which is $13 less than the next-reviewed plan type. Cigna's only PPO option carries a 3.0 CMS star rating, so members who need PPO flexibility will find a better-rated choice with Humana.
HMO plans require a primary care physician, chosen from the plan's approved network, to manage your overall treatment and refer you to specialists. Without a referral, most specialist visits are not covered.

For members whose current doctors participate in the plan's network, the HMO structure is the most affordable option in Alabama's Medicare Advantage market, averaging $19 a month across all Alabama HMO plans

Find Cigna's HMO Plans below:

Plan Name	Plan Type	Monthly Premium
HealthSpring Preferred (HMO)	HMO	$0
HealthSpring Preferred Full Savings (HMO)	HMO	$0
HealthSpring Preferred AL (HMO)	HMO	$0
HealthSpring Preferred Plus (HMO)	HMO	$20
HealthSpring True Choice (PPO)	PPO	$0

UnitedHealthcare

Best HMO-POS

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Quality

5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
3.75
Plan Types
HMO-POS, PPO

pros
- Two of four HMO-POS plans charge $0 monthly
- All plans include limited out-of-network access
- Part D drug coverage with no deductibles on select drug categories across all four plans
cons
- Lowest CMS star rating among Alabama's three leading providers
- Out-of-network visits cost more than in-network care
- Only one PPO plan offered in Alabama
UnitedHealthcare is the best HMO-POS option in Alabama because all four plans include out-of-network access, with two plans at $0 a month, one at $31 and one at $40. All four include Part D drug coverage with no deductibles on select drug categories.

The AL-0003 plan at $0 a month carries a $5,900 annual cap, which is $175 above the HMO-POS Alabama average of $5,725. AL-6 costs $31 a month with a $4,900 cap, which is $825 below average. For members who use care regularly, the $31 monthly premium is offset once annual covered spending exceeds $372.

Despite those strengths, a 3.75-star rating falls below the 4.0 held by both Cigna HealthCare and Humana. Members who need full PPO flexibility with no network restrictions will find better options with those two providers.
HMO-POS plans use the same lower cost-sharing rates as standard HMOs when you see in-network providers. Cost-sharing is what you pay out of pocket, including copays, deductibles and your percentage of each bill. Out-of-network care is covered at higher cost-sharing rather than excluded entirely.

For members who occasionally need an out-of-network provider, HMO-POS plans average $18 a month with a $5,725 annual cap.

Find UnitedHealthcare's HMO-POS Plans below:

Plan Name	Plan Type	Monthly Premium
AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC AL-0003 (HMO-POS)	HMO-POS	$0
AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC AL-6 (HMO-POS)	HMO-POS	$31
AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC AL-0001 (HMO-POS)	HMO-POS	$0
AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC AL-0002 (HMO-POS)	HMO-POS	$40
AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC AL-0004 (PPO)	PPO	$0

Humana

Best PPO

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Quality

5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
4.0
Plan Types
Regional PPO, PPO, HMO

pros
- Best PPO plan caps annual costs at $3,000, the lowest of any Alabama PPO plan
- Two PPO plans with $0 monthly premiums
- HMO and PPO plan types both available statewide
cons
- Out-of-network visits cost more than in-network care
Humana is Alabama's best PPO Medicare Advantage option. PPO plans let you see any Medicare-accepting doctor without a referral, including out-of-network providers.

The Alabama PPO average spending cap is $5,748. Humana's $3,000 cap means a high-use member saves up to $2,748 annually before the plan covers everything. It holds a 4.00 CMS star rating and includes Part D coverage with no deductibles on select drug tiers.

Out-of-network visits cost more than in-network care under all Humana plans. If your doctors are in-network and minimizing premiums is the priority, Cigna's HMO plans average $5 a month at the same 4.0-star quality rating.
A PPO Medicare Advantage plan places no restrictions on which providers you see. You can visit any Medicare-accepting doctor or specialist without a referral, whether in-network or not. Out-of-network care is covered, though in-network visits cost less at the point of service.

PPO plans fit members who see multiple specialists across different health systems, who travel and want consistent coverage regardless of location, or who want to choose any provider without prior coordination. This flexibility is most valuable when care needs are complex or geographically spread.

Review Humana's PPO Plans below:

Plan Name	Plan Type	Monthly Premium
Humana Value Plus H7617-089 (PPO)	PPO	$28
Humana Value Plus H5216-179 (PPO)	PPO	$28
HumanaChoice H7617-091 (PPO)	PPO	$0
HumanaChoice H7617-090 (PPO)	PPO	$20
HumanaChoice H5216-269 (PPO)	PPO	$0
HumanaChoice H5216-368 (PPO)	PPO	$20
HumanaChoice H5216-448 (PPO)	PPO	$124
HumanaChoice H5216-466 (PPO)	PPO	$7

How to Find the Best Alabama Medicare Advantage Plans

Your current doctors and medications are the fastest way to eliminate plans. Choosing a plan whose network excludes your regular doctors, or whose formulary excludes your medications, means any premium savings disappear the first time you use care in Alabama.

1
Check Your Doctor and Hospital Network
Start with your current doctors and hospitals. An HMO plan covers them only if they are in-network. A PPO covers you out-of-network but charges more for it.

If you use UAB Hospital in Birmingham or Huntsville Hospital regularly, confirm they participate before selecting any plan. Choosing a plan whose network does not include your regular providers is the most common reason Alabama Medicare Advantage members pay more than expected.
2
Compare Maximum Out-of-Pocket Costs
Your MOOP is the most you'll pay for covered services in a year. After you reach it, the plan covers everything.

A $0-premium Cigna HMO plan with a $7,794 annual cap costs up to $2,521 more in a worst-case year than a UHC HMO-POS plan at $31 a month with a $4,900 cap. Work through that math for your expected usage before you commit.
3
Review Prescription Drug Coverage
Cigna HealthCare, UnitedHealthcare and Humana all include Part D drug coverage in their Alabama Medicare Advantage plans. Before enrolling, look up your medications in the plan's formulary to confirm which cost tier they fall into.

Your drug's tier determines what you pay at the pharmacy. A medication moved to a higher tier can raise your pharmacy costs more than any premium difference between plans.
4
Evaluate Additional Benefits
Many Alabama Medicare Advantage plans add dental, vision, hearing and fitness benefits beyond Original Medicare. Some include gym access through networks such as the YMCA in Tuscaloosa. Others add transportation to medical appointments. Compare these extras across your shortlisted plans, since they can offset a higher premium if you'd pay for those services out of pocket anyway.
5
Consider CMS Star Ratings
CMS star ratings score each plan from 1 to 5, drawing on care quality metrics, member satisfaction surveys and health outcome data.

A higher score does not guarantee the lowest cost, but it tells you how consistently the plan performs for its members. Cigna HealthCare and Humana both hold 4.0 stars on their leading plan types and UnitedHealthcare earns 3.75 on its HMO-POS plans.

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE IN ALABAMA: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Alabama has 1,125,411 Medicare enrollees in 2026 with 98 Medicare Advantage plans available, up from 93 in 2025. Every eligible resident can access a plan with a $0 monthly premium.

Alabama now has 98 Medicare Advantage plans available, up from 93 in 2025. Medicare Advantage premiums are separate from your Medicare Part B premium. Most Alabama Medicare enrollees pay the Part B premium monthly in addition to their Medicare Advantage plan premium. Most plans bundle Part D drug coverage without requiring a separate enrollment.

Alabama Medicare Resources

Alabama residents can compare every Medicare Advantage plan available at their address, including premiums, drug coverage and CMS star ratings, using Medicare.gov's Plan Finder. For personalized guidance, the Alabama State Health Insurance Assistance Program, known as SHIP, provides free counseling from trained state volunteers.

SHIP counselors help residents compare plans, understand costs and work through enrollment decisions at no charge. To find your local SHIP counselor, visit Medicare.gov/plan-compare or call 1-800-MEDICARE.

How Much Does Medicare Advantage Cost in Alabama?

Alabama Medicare Advantage plans average $19 to $22 a month depending on plan type. A PPO costs $3 more per month than an HMO on average but carries a $430 lower annual spending cap, which is where most of the real cost difference between plan types actually appears.

HMO-POS plans offer the strongest overall value among Alabama plan types. At $18 a month on average with a $5,725 annual spending cap, they cost only $1 more per month than HMO plans and also cover out-of-network care that HMOs exclude. For members who occasionally see out-of-network providers, HMO-POS costs up to $71 less per year than a comparable PPO.


HMO	$0	$19	$6,178
HMO-POS	$16	$18	$5,725
PPO	$0	$22	$5,748
Regional PPO	$86	$86	$6,500

Regional PPO plans average $86 a month with a $6,500 annual cap, $64 more per month than a standard PPO. The higher cost covers care across state lines. For most Alabama residents who get all their care locally, the Regional PPO is the wrong choice. Members who regularly receive care in more than one state, or who live near a state border and use providers on both sides, may find the broader coverage worth the higher premium.

Best Alabama Medicare Advantage: FAQ

Most Alabama Medicare Advantage plans include Part D drug coverage. Confirm your medications are on the plan's formulary before enrolling. Higher cost tiers mean higher pharmacy costs regardless of which plan you choose.

Moving to a different Alabama county may require a plan change since networks are county-specific. Notify your insurer within 30 days of your move. If your coverage lapses, a Special Enrollment Period lets you switch without waiting for Annual Enrollment.

Original Medicare covers hospital stays through Part A and outpatient care through Part B. Medicare Advantage bundles both and usually adds drug coverage and extras like dental, vision and hearing, but limits you to a provider network.

You can switch back during Annual Enrollment, which runs Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, or during Open Enrollment from Jan. 1 to March 31. If you want Medicare Supplement coverage after returning, Alabama insurers may review your health history and deny coverage outside specific guaranteed enrollment windows.

Our Methodology

MoneyGeek analyzed Medicare Advantage plans in Alabama using a scoring system:

Affordability (50%): Costs represent half the total score due to their immediate effect on your spending. We analyzed combined monthly premiums for Part C and Part D coverage (weighted at 30%) and in-network maximum out-of-pocket limits (weighted at 20%). Plans with lower premiums and MOOP thresholds score higher. Lower annual costs translate directly to lower out-of-pocket health care spending.
Star Ratings (40%): CMS star ratings evaluate plan performance across care quality metrics, customer service records and member satisfaction data. The Overall Star Rating merges Part C (medical benefits) and Part D (prescription drug coverage) scores into one rating on a 1 to 5-star scale. Plans earning four or more CMS stars consistently outperform lower-rated plans on preventive care, management of chronic conditions and resolution of member complaints, based on CMS performance data.
Availability (10%): We consider each insurer's coverage area across the United States. Providers serving more states score higher. Wider availability usually reflects more reliable infrastructure and easier coverage continuity if you relocate.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick is a licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut and MoneyGeek's resident expert in insurance and economics. In nearly a decade covering the insurance market at LendingTree and MoneyGeek, he's analyzed hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.

His work has appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR. He draws on independent cost and consumer experience data, and no insurance company partnerships affect his recommendations.

Mark studied at Boston College and later earned a master's in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University. He worked in financial risk management at State Street before joining MoneyGeek. He's also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.

Read Full Bio »

Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Alabama (2026)

Best Medicare Advantage Providers in Alabama Comparison

Cigna

UnitedHealthcare

Humana

How to Find the Best Alabama Medicare Advantage Plans

When Can You Enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan?

Who Can Enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan?

Alabama Medicare Resources

How Much Does Medicare Advantage Cost in Alabama?

Best Alabama Medicare Advantage: FAQ

Does Medicare Advantage cover prescription drugs in Alabama?

Do I need to change Medicare Advantage plans if I move to a different county in Alabama?

What is the difference between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare?

Can I switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare?

Our Methodology

About Mark Fitzpatrick