Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Arizona (2026)

The best Arizona Medicare Advantage plan for you depends on more than the monthly premium. Two plans from the same insurer can have maximum out-of-pocket costs that differ by more than $5,000, even when both charge the same monthly rate. The plan type you choose and how much care you use this year determine what coverage will actually cost you.

Compare Arizona Medicare Advantage plans and find the right fit for your situation.

Written by Mark Fitzpatrick

Updated: August 27, 2026

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

Key Takeaways

SCAN Health Plan leads Arizona Medicare Advantage HMO coverage with a $0 premium and a $2,000 maximum out-of-pocket limit, the lowest of any plan we reviewed.

Plan type determines your Arizona Medicare Advantage cost more than the insurer you choose. HMO plans average $64 less per month than PPO plans but restrict you to a provider network.

A $0 premium does not limit your annual costs. Arizona Medicare Advantage out-of-pocket maximums reach $8,896, more than double the $4,270 HMO average. Compare both numbers before enrolling.

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS EXPLAINED

Medicare Advantage plans are sold by private insurers as a complete alternative to Original Medicare. They include dental, vision and hearing coverage that Original Medicare does not cover. Most plans bundle Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, which reduces what you pay for medications out-of-pocket. CMS, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, rates each plan's quality on a one-to-five-star scale.

Best Medicare Advantage Providers in Arizona

SCAN Health Plan, Wellpoint and Humana are the best Medicare Advantage providers in Arizona for 2026. SCAN leads HMO plans, Wellpoint leads HMO-POS plans and Humana leads PPO plans, each offering the strongest combination of cost and quality in its category.

The plan type determines more about your coverage than the insurer does. An HMO restricts care to a provider network and requires a referral (written approval from your primary care doctor before each specialist visit). A PPO covers any Medicare-approved provider without a referral at higher average cost. An HMO-POS plan adds occasional out-of-network access to the HMO structure.


SCAN Health Plan	HMO	4.5	$0	$2,250	SCAN Classic (HMO)
Wellpoint	HMO-POS	3.5	$0	$4,667	Wellpoint Medicare Advantage 1 (HMO-POS)
Humana	PPO	3.5	$18	$6,077	HumanaChoice Giveback H7617-051 (PPO)

SCAN Health Plan

Best HMO

MoneyGeek Rating

4.8/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Quality

2.5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
4.5
Plan Types
HMO

pros
- 4.5-star CMS rating
- $0 monthly premiums
- MOOP as low as $2,000
cons
- HMO only: no PPO or HMO-POS options
SCAN Health Plan is the best HMO in Arizona because no other HMO insurer combines a 4.5 CMS star rating with a $2,000 maximum out-of-pocket limit. Both plans charge $0 monthly and rate 4.5 CMS stars. SCAN Classic carries a $2,000 MOOP, the lowest of any Arizona plan we reviewed.

SCAN MyChoice caps annual costs at $2,500, still $1,770 below the state HMO average. Both plans include Part D drug coverage that exceeds basic Medicare requirements and covers more medications at lower cost.

SCAN covers only HMO plans. Out-of-network care is not covered outside emergencies and you pay 100% of those costs directly. Members who need occasional out-of-network access should compare Wellpoint's Medicare Advantage 1 at a $2,700 MOOP or Humana's HumanaChoice Giveback H7617-051 at a $6,100 MOOP.
- An HMO is the right choice if you have a primary care doctor you trust who is already in the plan's network. Your primary care doctor coordinates your care and refers you to in-network specialists, which keeps your annual costs more predictable and your care more organized than other plan types offer.
- An HMO is not the right fit if your current doctors are outside the plan's network or if you want to see specialists without a referral. Out-of-network care is not covered outside emergencies. Members who travel frequently or live in areas with limited in-network providers may find coverage harder to access.
Review SCAN Health Plans for 2026 below:

Plan Name
Plan Type
Monthly Premium
MOOP
SCAN Classic (HMO)

HMO

$0

$2,000

SCAN MyChoice (HMO)

HMO

$0

$2,500

Plan Name	Plan Type	Monthly Premium	MOOP
SCAN Classic (HMO)	HMO	$0	$2,000
SCAN MyChoice (HMO)	HMO	$0	$2,500

Wellpoint

Best HMO-POS

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Quality

5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
3.5
Plan Types
HMO-POS, HMO

pros
- $0 monthly premiums on all plans
- Out-of-network access through HMO-POS plans
- MOOP as low as $2,700
cons
- Medicare Advantage 2 plan has an $8,300 MOOP
- HMO selection limited to one plan
- No PPO options
Wellpoint is the best HMO-POS provider in Arizona for 2026. All three of its HMO-POS plans charge $0 monthly and its Medicare Advantage 1 plan carries the lowest MOOP of any HMO-POS plan in the state at $2,700.

The mid-tier Wellpoint Medicare Advantage plan caps at $3,000, $1,275 below the state HMO-POS average. Wellpoint also has a standalone HMO plan with a $3,400 MOOP, $870 below the state HMO average.

Two of Wellpoint's three HMO-POS plans rate 3.0 CMS stars and only the Medicare Advantage 2 plan reaches 3.5. UnitedHealthcare's nine HMO-POS plans average 4.33 stars at roughly $14 more per month. Members who prioritize quality ratings over savings should compare UnitedHealthcare. The Wellpoint Medicare Advantage 2 plan carries an $8,300 MOOP, the highest of any HMO-POS plan in Arizona and $5,600 above the MA1 plan.
- An HMO-POS is the right choice if you want the lower-cost structure of an HMO but occasionally need to see a provider outside the network. Like an HMO, it requires a primary care doctor and specialist referrals for in-network care. Unlike an HMO, it lets you see out-of-network providers at a higher cost per visit.
- An HMO-POS is not the right fit if you regularly see out-of-network specialists or prefer choosing any provider without a referral. Out-of-network visits cost more per visit, and those costs add up for members who use them often. A PPO is a better fit for frequent out-of-network care needs.

Find Wellpoint plans for 2026 below:

Plan Name	Plan Type	Monthly Premium	MOOP
Wellpoint Medicare Advantage 1 (HMO-POS)	HMO-POS	$0	$2,700
Wellpoint Medicare Advantage (HMO-POS)	HMO-POS	$0	$3,000
Wellpoint Medicare Advantage 2 (HMO-POS)	HMO-POS	$0	$8,300
Wellpoint Premium Savings (HMO)	HMO	$0	$3,400

Humana

Best PPO

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Quality

5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
3.5
Plan Types
Regional PPO, PPO, HMO

pros
- Many options for HMO and PPO plans
- 13 out of 16 plans have $0 premium
- PPO flexibility to see specialists without referrals
cons
- PPO MOOP averages $327 above Aetna's PPO average
- Higher costs for out-of-network care
Humana is the best PPO provider in Arizona for 2026. It has 16 Medicare Advantage plans, more than any other insurer in our data. Its top PPO, HumanaChoice Giveback H7617-051, earns 4.5 CMS stars with a $0 premium and a $6,100 MOOP.

Humana's eight HMO plans average a $4,105 MOOP, $1,972 below its PPO average of $6,077. Members who want Humana's plan variety without PPO cost levels can choose from those HMO plans. Humana Gold Plus H4461-059 offers the strongest HMO entry at $2,550 MOOP and $0 premium, $1,720 below the state HMO average.

Humana's PPO plans average a $6,077 MOOP, $327 above Aetna's $5,750 average. Aetna's Medicare Elite rates 4.5 CMS stars with a $5,000 MOOP, $1,100 below Humana's top-rated PPO. Members who need the lowest PPO cost ceiling should compare Aetna.
- A PPO is the right choice if you travel frequently, have doctors outside any HMO network or want to see specialists without a referral. PPO plans cover both in-network and out-of-network Medicare-approved providers, and you can see most providers without waiting for a referral to be approved.
- A PPO is not the right fit if your doctors are already in the plan's network and you want to keep monthly costs low. Monthly premiums and out-of-pocket maximums run higher than HMO plans, so members who rarely go out-of-network pay for flexibility they may not nee

Review Humana Plans for 2026 below:

Plan Name	Plan Type	Monthly Premium	MOOP
HumanaChoice H5216-224 (PPO)	PPO	$11	$4,150
HumanaChoice H5216-265 (PPO)	PPO	$0	$4,990
HumanaChoice H5216-263 (PPO)	PPO	$0	$5,450
HumanaChoice Giveback H7617-051 (PPO)	PPO	$0	$6,100
HumanaChoice Giveback H5216-371 (PPO)	PPO	$0	$6,100
Humana Essentials Plus Giveback H5216-435 (PPO)	PPO	$0	$7,850
HumanaChoice H5216-034 (PPO)	PPO	$114	$7,900

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE IN ARIZONA: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Arizona had 68 Medicare Advantage plans from 11 insurers in 2026, available as HMO, HMO-POS, PPO and Regional PPO options. Most Arizona Medicare-eligible members can enroll without paying a monthly plan fee on top of their Medicare Part B premium, which is the standard federal fee all Medicare members pay for medical coverage.

Arizona's large retirement population in the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas attracts more insurer competition in those counties. Rural counties have fewer plan options.

How to Find the Best Arizona Medicare Advantage Plans

The best Arizona Medicare Advantage plan depends on whether your doctors are in the plan's network, what your prescriptions cost on that plan and how much care you expect to use. Work through these steps before enrolling.

1
Check Your Doctor and Hospital Network
Start here. Look up your doctors and specialists in the plan's provider directory (the list of in-network doctors, specialists and hospitals) before signing up. Check each plan's directory at Medicare.gov.

HMO plans pay nothing for out-of-network care outside emergencies. PPO plans cover out-of-network visits at higher cost. If your specialists are outside any HMO network, a PPO gives you more flexibility.
2
Compare Maximum Out-of-Pocket Costs
If you use care regularly, the MOOP matters more than the monthly premium. In our Arizona data, two $0-premium HMO plans carry MOOPs of $2,000 (SCAN Classic) and $6,750 (Devoted Health DEVOTED CORE 007 AZ).

The $4,750 difference in their annual cost ceilings means the lower-MOOP plan saves you more if you need significant care. Decide how much care you expect before choosing on premium alone.
3
Review Prescription Drug Coverage
Your medications need to appear on the plan's formulary (the list of covered drugs). Each drug falls into a tier from low-cost generics to higher-cost brand-name drugs and the tier determines what you pay at the pharmacy.

Part D drug coverage comes bundled into most Arizona Medicare Advantage plans. If you take three or more daily prescriptions, review the formulary for each drug before enrolling.
4
Evaluate Additional Benefits
If you need dental or hearing care regularly, check what each plan covers in detail. A dental benefit exists on most Arizona Medicare Advantage plans but the scope and annual maximum (the most the plan pays for dental in a year) vary between them.

Some plans cover preventive dental only while others add restorative work. The difference can add hundreds of dollars annually for someone who needs fillings or hearing aids.
5
Consider CMS Star Ratings
CMS rates each plan on a one-to-five-star scale based on quality, customer service and care coordination. A rating of four or higher means the plan performs above average across those measures. If you have had disputes with an insurer over coverage decisions, a higher-rated plan reduces the chance of those problems recurring.

Arizona Medicare Resources

Medicare.gov Plan Finder: It lets you compare every plan available in your Arizona ZIP code, including star ratings, premium costs and drug formularies.
CMS Medicare Advantage Plan Data: Provides official plan performance data and star rating methodologies for every insurer operating in Arizona.
Arizona State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): Offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling to Arizona residents and their families. SHIP counselors can help you compare plans, understand coverage options and resolve billing issues at no cost. Access the program through the Arizona Department of Economic Security at des.az.gov.
Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS): It offers assistance paying Medicare premiums, copays and deductibles for Arizona residents who meet income requirements.

How Much Does Arizona Medicare Advantage Cost?

In Arizona, plan type shapes Medicare Advantage costs more than the insurer you choose. HMO plans restrict care to a provider network, which keeps the monthly premium and annual MOOP lower than PPO alternatives.

PPO plans cover any Medicare-approved provider without a referral. That flexibility raises both the monthly premium and the out-of-pocket maximum.


HMO	$44	$4,270
HMO-POS	$41	$4,275
PPO	$108	$5,875
Regional PPO	$37	$6,800

The $64-per-month difference between HMO and PPO premiums adds up to $768 annually. When two plans carry the same monthly premium, the MOOP determines which costs less.

Regional PPOs function like standard PPOs but limit provider access to a defined geographic region rather than a national network. Arizona has one Regional PPO option available in 2026.

Cost of Medicare Advantage Plans by State

Arizona's $44 average HMO monthly premium matches Alabama's and is higher than Arkansas' $11, one of the lowest in our state data. PPO plans in Arizona average $108 monthly.


Alabama	$44	$36	$73
Arkansas	$11	$37	$46
California	$50	$210	$74
Colorado	N/A	$82	$42
Connecticut	$45	$86	$18
Delaware	$46	N/A	$92
Florida	$31	$78	$73
Georgia	$38	$25	$31
Hawaii	$143	N/A	$52
Idaho	$99	$64	$58
Illinois	$59	$47	$55
Indiana	$54	$34	$34
Iowa	$34	$46	$46
Kansas	$35	$47	$39
Kentucky	$15	$39	$34
Louisiana	$21	$79	$57
Maine	$21	$59	$57
Maryland	$56	$76	$45
Massachusetts	$141	$94	$110
Michigan	$54	$51	$62
Minnesota	$95	N/A	$100
Mississippi	$16	$27	$30
Missouri	$46	$35	$70
Montana	$18	$13	$92
Nebraska	N/A	N/A	$49
Nevada	$93	$32	$28
New Hampshire	$18	$59	$38
New Jersey	$55	$57	$58
New Mexico	$67	N/A	$48
New York	$86	$65	$88
North Carolina	$27	$42	$55
North Dakota	N/A	N/A	$68
Ohio	$75	$74	$54
Oklahoma	$61	$36	$70
Oregon	$130	$67	$91
Pennsylvania	$70	$57	$101
Rhode Island	N/A	$49	$26
South Carolina	$29	$40	$31
South Dakota	N/A	N/A	$79
Tennessee	$25	$30	$58
Texas	$9	$82	$63
Utah	N/A	$55	$80
Virginia	$21	$47	$58
Washington	$117	$68	$89
West Virginia	N/A	N/A	$74
Wisconsin	$145	$170	$50
Wyoming	N/A	N/A	$75
Washington, D.C.	N/A	$67	$40

Best Arizona Medicare Advantage: FAQ

Arizona residents can enroll, switch or drop Medicare Advantage plans during the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7). If you already have a Medicare Advantage plan, you can also switch plans or return to Original Medicare during the Open Enrollment Period (Jan. 1 to March 31).

You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period outside those windows if you experience a qualifying life event such as moving or losing other health coverage.

Most Arizona Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage. Before enrolling, confirm your medications are on the plan's formulary. Drug tiers go from low-cost generics to high-cost specialty drugs and the tier your medication falls on determines what you pay at the pharmacy.

A move within Arizona may require switching plans since Medicare Advantage networks differ by county. Contact your current insurer within 30 days of relocating. The move qualifies you for a Special Enrollment Period to select a new plan.

HMO plans restrict you to a provider network and require specialist referrals. PPO plans cover in-network and out-of-network providers without a referral. In Arizona, HMOs average a $4,270 out-of-pocket maximum versus $5,875 for PPO plans. In-network doctors make the HMO cheaper.

Look up your doctors in the plan's provider directory before enrolling. HMO plans require in-network providers and you pay 100% for out-of-network non-emergency care. PPO plans cover out-of-network visits at higher cost. Confirm the specific plan with your doctor's office before signing up.

Most Arizona Medicare Advantage plans include some dental coverage but the scope varies. Some cover preventive care only while others add restorative work. Check each plan's Evidence of Coverage (the insurer's full benefits guide) for the annual dental maximum and covered procedures before enrolling.

Our Methodology

We ranked Medicare Advantage plans in Arizona using these weighted criteria:

Affordability (50%): Costs account for half the total score because they affect your spending every month and every time you use care. We analyzed combined monthly premiums for Part C (medical coverage) and Part D (prescription drug coverage), weighted at 30%, and in-network maximum out-of-pocket limits, weighted at 20%. Plans with lower premiums and MOOP limits score higher.
Star Ratings (40%): CMS star ratings evaluate plan performance in care quality, customer service and member experience. The Overall Star Rating integrates Part C (medical benefits) and Part D (prescription drug coverage) scores into one rating on a 1 to 5-star scale.
Availability (10%): We consider each insurer's coverage area across the United States. Providers serving more states score higher, as broader availability indicates more reliable infrastructure and better service continuity when 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 »

Sources

CMS.gov. "Medicare Advantage Resources." Accessed September 20, 2026.
Medicare.gov. "Welcome to Medicare." Accessed September 20, 2026.

Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Arizona (2026)

Best Medicare Advantage Providers in Arizona

SCAN Health Plan

Wellpoint

Humana

How to Find the Best Arizona Medicare Advantage Plans

Arizona Medicare Resources

How Much Does Arizona Medicare Advantage Cost?

Cost of Medicare Advantage Plans by State

Best Arizona Medicare Advantage: FAQ

When can I enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan in Arizona?

Does Medicare Advantage cover prescription drugs in Arizona?

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

What is the difference between HMO and PPO Medicare Advantage plans in Arizona?

Can I keep my current doctor with a Medicare Advantage plan in Arizona?

Does Medicare Advantage cover dental care in Arizona?

Our Methodology

About Mark Fitzpatrick