Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Arkansas (2027)

The best Medicare Advantage plans in Arkansas for 2027 include options from Humana, Aetna Medicare and HealthSpring.

Compare Arkansas Medicare Advantage companies to find coverage that works for you.

Updated: October 29, 2026

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Best Medicare Advantage Providers in Arkansas

Humana is the best Medicare Advantage company in Arkansas for the 2027 plan year, with 15 plans available in all 75 counties. Its maximum annual cost exposure of $5,650 is the lowest in the state, and it has a 4-star median CMS quality rating, tied for highest in the state. Aetna Medicare has 13 plans across 53 counties with the same quality rating, though its median cost exposure is higher at $6,750.

HealthSpring has a $6,000 median cost exposure and serves 43 counties, while Essence Healthcare has a 4-star median CMS rating but is available in just 17 counties. UnitedHealthcare has broader geographic access, serving 74 counties with six plans, though its 3.5-star median CMS rating falls below Humana, Aetna and Essence Healthcare.


Humana	4.4	$5,650	4.0	75	15
Aetna Medicare	4.2	$6,750	4.0	53	13
HealthSpring	4.2	$6,000	3.5	43	5
Essence Healthcare	4.2	$6,100	4.0	17	2
UnitedHealthcare	4.0	$6,600	3.5	74	6

* Arkansas Blue Medicare, Wellcare, Healthy Arkansas and Devoted Health also operate in Arkansas but aren't included here because they either scored below our threshold or lacked sufficient data for a complete evaluation.

Arkansas Medicare Advantage Market Overview

Arkansas Medicare Advantage beneficiaries have broad plan access but uneven quality. The state has 49 non-SNP plans across nine carriers, and nearly all have a $0 monthly premium. But fewer than two in five Medicare contracts earn at least four CMS stars, and maximum annual cost exposure ranges from $4,000 to $9,850 by plan.


Non-SNP Medicare Advantage plans	49	Your choices depend on which plans are available in your county.
Carriers	9	Insurers differ in provider networks, medical costs and supplemental benefits.
CMS contracts	19	Quality ratings may vary between multiple contracts from the same insurer.
Median plans per county	25	Most residents have many options to compare plans without relying on a single carrier.
Plans with a $0 premium	90%	Monthly premiums are rarely charged, so out-of-pocket costs are a more important comparison factor.
Median max out-of-pocket (MOOP)	$6,750	Half of plans have annual in-network spending limits at or below this amount.
MOOP range	$4,000–$9,850	Spending limits differ by up to $5,850.
Average CMS star rating	3.76 out of 5	Average quality falls below 4 stars, so individual ratings are worth reviewing before enrolling.
Contracts rated 4+ stars	37%	Fewer than two in five rated contracts in Arkansas meet the 4-star quality benchmark.

Humana

MoneyGeek Rating

4.4/ 5

4.7/5Affordability

4.1/5Quality & Member Experience

4.5/5Benefits & Availability

Median Max Annual Cost Exposure
$5,650
Median CMS Star Rating
4.0
Counties Served
75
Plans Available
15

pros
- Statewide availability
- HMO, HMO-POS and PPO options
- All plans include vision and hearing benefits
- $5,650 median MOOP limit lowest in the state
cons
- Only 67% of plans have $0 premiums
- No OTC benefits
- Hearing aid benefits require copays
Humana is the best Medicare Advantage company in Arkansas for the 2027 plan year, with statewide availability and low out-of-pocket costs. Its PPO plans have a $6,275 median maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit, $1,475 below the state PPO median of $7,750, while its HMO median of $4,900 is $1,100 below the statewide HMO median.

Humana has 15 plans including HMO, HMO-POS, PPO and Regional PPO options. Its 4-star median CMS rating exceeds the statewide average of 3.76 stars, while its CAHPS member satisfaction rating of 86 is slightly above Arkansas' average of 85.

Only 67% of Humana plans have $0 monthly premiums, compared to 90% across all carrier plans statewide. Its remaining plans have monthly premiums from $10 to $76. Nearly all plans include dental benefits, and every plan includes vision and hearing coverage.
- Plans offered: 15 plans, including 1 HMO, 2 HMO-POS plans and 10 PPOs and 2 Regional PPOs
- Availability: All 75 Arkansas counties
- $0 premium plans: 67% of plans
- Supplemental benefits: All plans include vision and hearing benefits; 93% of plans include dental
- Out-of-pocket costs: Median MOOP is $5,650, with plans ranging from $4,700 to $9,250

Aetna Medicare

MoneyGeek Rating

4.2/ 5

4.3/5Affordability

4.1/5Quality & Member Experience

4.4/5Benefits & Availability

Median Max Annual Cost Exposure
$6,750
Median CMS Star Rating
4.0
Counties Served
53
Plans Available
13

pros
- $0 premiums on all plans
- All plans include dental, vision and hearing benefits
- $2,500 median dental benefit highest in Arkansas
- $20 median specialist copay lowest in state
cons
- PPO median MOOP $150 above the statewide PPO median
- 85 out of 100 median CAHPS member satisfaction rating
Aetna Medicare has 13 Medicare Advantage plans across 53 Arkansas counties for 2027, including two HMOs, two HMO-POS plans and nine PPOs. All plans have $0 monthly premiums and include dental, vision and hearing benefits. Its $2,500 median dental benefit maximum is the second-highest in the state, and all plans have a $1,000 hearing aid allowance.

Aetna's HMO-POS plans have a $5,825 median maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit, $875 below Arkansas' HMO-POS median of $6,700. Its PPO median of $7,900, however, is slightly above the statewide PPO median of $7,750. The carrier also has a 4-star median CMS rating, above the state average, and its median CAHPS member satisfaction rating of 85 matches the state average.
- Plans offered: 13 plans, including 2 HMOs, 2 HMO-POS plans and 9 PPOs
- Availability: 53 Arkansas counties, or 70.7% of the state
- Counties: Arkansas, Benton, Calhoun, Carroll, Clark, Cleburne, Columbia, Conway, Crawford, Crittenden, Cross, Dallas, Faulkner, Franklin, Garland, Grant, Greene, Hempstead, Hot Spring, Howard, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Lawrence, Lee, Logan, Lonoke, Madison, Miller, Mississippi, Montgomery, Nevada, Newton, Ouachita, Perry, Phillips, Pike, Poinsett, Polk, Pope, Prairie, Pulaski, Saline, Scott, Searcy, Sebastian, St. Francis, Union, Van Buren, Washington, White, Woodruff and Yell
- $0 premium plans: 100% of plans
- Supplemental benefits: All plans include dental, vision and hearing benefits
- Out-of-pocket costs: Median MOOP is $6,750, with plans ranging from $4,900 to $9,250

HealthSpring

MoneyGeek Rating

4.2/ 5

4.6/5Affordability

3.8/5Quality & Member Experience

4/5Benefits & Availability

Median Max Annual Cost Exposure
$6,000
Median CMS Star Rating
3.5
Counties Served
43
Plans Available
5

pros
- $6,000 median MOOP second-lowest in state
- $0 premiums on all plans
- All plans include dental and vision benefits
- $120 median OTC allowance
cons
- PPO MOOP $1,250 above the state PPO median
- 3.5-star CMS quality rating
- Hearing coverage is copay-only
- $100 median vision allowance tied for lowest in state
HealthSpring provides five Medicare Advantage plans across 43 Arkansas counties for 2027, including four HMOs and one PPO. Its HMO plans have a $5,475 median maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit, $525 below Arkansas' HMO median of $6,000. Its PPO plan is less competitive, with a $9,000 MOOP, $1,250 above the statewide PPO median of $7,750.

All five plans have $0 monthly premiums and include dental and vision benefits. HealthSpring's $1,600 median dental benefit maximum slightly exceeds Humana's $1,500, and its plans have a $120 median over-the-counter (OTC) allowance.

HealthSpring's 3.5-star median CMS rating is below the state average. Hearing coverage is also less widely available, included in 80% of its plans compared with 98% across all carrier plans statewide.
- Plans offered: 5 plans, including 4 HMOs and 1 PPO
- Availability: 43 Arkansas counties, or 57.3% of the state
- Counties: Benton, Calhoun, Carroll, Clark, Clay, Cleburne, Conway, Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Faulkner, Franklin, Garland, Grant, Greene, Hot Spring, Independence, Jackson, Johnson, Lawrence, Lee, Logan, Lonoke, Madison, Mississippi, Montgomery, Newton, Perry, Poinsett, Pope, Prairie, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Scott, Sebastian, St. Francis, Stone, Van Buren, Washington, White, Woodruff and Yell
- $0 premium plans: 100% of plans
- Supplemental benefits: All plans include dental and vision benefits; 80% of plans include hearing
- Out-of-pocket costs: Median MOOP is $6,000, with plans ranging from $4,500 to $9,000

Essence Healthcare

MoneyGeek Rating

4.2/ 5

4.4/5Affordability

4.1/5Quality & Member Experience

3.9/5Benefits & Availability

Median Max Annual Cost Exposure
$6,100
Median CMS Star Rating
4.0
Counties Served
17
Plans Available
2

pros
- HMO MOOP $2,000 below the statewide HMO median
- 87 out of 100 CAHPS member satisfaction rating
- Both plans have $0 premium
- Both plans include dental, vision and hearing benefits
cons
- Only two plan options
- Limited to 17 counties
- PPO MOOP $450 above the state PPO median
Essence Healthcare offers two Medicare Advantage plans in 17 Arkansas counties for 2027, with lower out-of-pocket costs on its HMO plan and above-average quality ratings. Its HMO has a $4,000 maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit, $2,000 below Arkansas' HMO median of $6,000. Its PPO has an $8,200 MOOP, $450 above the statewide PPO median of $7,750.

Both plans have $0 monthly premiums and include dental, vision and hearing benefits. Essence also has a 4-star median CMS rating and a CAHPS member satisfaction rating of 87, the third-highest in the state.

Dental coverage is less competitive, with a $1,200 median benefit maximum compared with Aetna Medicare's $2,500. Its limited service area also means most Arkansas residents won't have access to its plans.
- Plans offered: 2 plans, including 1 HMO and 1 PPO
- Availability: 17 Arkansas counties, or 22.7% of the state
- Counties: Benton, Carroll, Conway, Crawford, Franklin, Grant, Johnson, Logan, Lonoke, Madison, Newton, Perry, Prairie, Pulaski, Scott, Sebastian and Washington
- $0 premium plans: 100% of plans
- Supplemental benefits: All plans include dental, vision and hearing benefits
- Out-of-pocket costs: Median MOOP is $6,100, with plans ranging from $4,000 to $8,200

UnitedHealthcare

MoneyGeek Rating

4/ 5

4/5Affordability

3.8/5Quality & Member Experience

4.4/5Benefits & Availability

Median Max Annual Cost Exposure
$6,600
Median CMS Star Rating
3.5
Counties Served
74
Plans Available
6

pros
- Available in all counties except Craighead county
- $0 premiums on all plans
- All plans include vision and hearing
- PPO MOOP $1,250 below the statewide PPO median
cons
- 3.5-star CMS quality rating
- 83 out of 100 CAHPS member satisfaction rating lowest in state
- Dental included in only 67% of plans
- $50 median specialist copay highest in state
UnitedHealthcare serves all counties in Arkansas except for Craighead county for one of the state's broadest Medicare Advantage coverage areas. Its six plans include five HMO-POS options and one PPO, all with $0 monthly premiums.

The carrier's $6,700 median HMO-POS MOOP matches Arkansas' statewide HMO-POS median. Its single PPO plan has a $6,500 MOOP, $1,250 below the statewide PPO median of $7,750. UnitedHealthcare also has a $1,750 median dental benefit maximum and a $700 median hearing aid allowance.

Quality ratings and medical copays are less competitive. Its 3.5-star median CMS rating is below the state average, and its CAHPS member satisfaction rating of 83 is the lowest in the state. No OTC benefits are included with any of its plans. Its $530 median daily inpatient copay and $50 median specialist copay are both the highest in the state.
- Plans offered: 6 plans, including 5 HMO-POS plans and 1 PPO
- Availability: 74 Arkansas counties, or 98.7% of the state
- Counties: All but Craighead county
- $0 premium plans: 100% of plans
- Supplemental benefits: All plans include vision and hearing benefits; 67% of plans include dental
- Out-of-pocket costs: Median MOOP is $6,600, with plans ranging from $6,100 to $9,850

How to Choose the Best Arkansas Medicare Advantage Plans

Arkansas has 49 non-SNP Medicare Advantage plans from nine carriers for 2027. The best plan depends on your expected medical costs, preferred doctors, provider network needs and supplemental benefits. With 90% of plans charging $0 monthly premiums, comparing out-of-pocket expenses is especially important.

1
Network type
Arkansas HMO plans have a median maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit of $6,000, compared with $6,700 for HMO-POS plans and $7,750 for PPOs. Regional PPOs have a $6,600 median MOOP. HMOs require in-network care, while PPOs allow greater flexibility to see out-of-network providers. Check whether your preferred doctors and hospitals participate before choosing a plan type.
2
Maximum out-of-pocket limits
Annual MOOP limits range from $4,000 to $9,850 across Arkansas Medicare Advantage plans, a difference of $5,850 in potential medical cost exposure. Compare each plan's spending limit alongside its inpatient and specialist copays. HMO plans have a $338 median daily inpatient copay, compared with $485 for HMO-POS plans and $375 for PPOs.
3
CMS star ratings
Arkansas Medicare Advantage plans have an average CMS rating of 3.76 out of 5 stars, with only 37% of rated contracts earning 4 stars or higher. Ratings measure performance in care quality, customer service and member experience. Because some carriers operate with multiple contracts in the state, be sure to compare individual plan ratings rather than assuming all plans from the same insurer perform equally.
4
Supplemental benefits
92% of Arkansas Medicare Advantage plans include dental benefits, while all include vision and 98% include hearing coverage. Aetna Medicare, Arkansas Blue Medicare and Essence Healthcare include all three benefits across their plans. Compare individual plan annual dental maximums, eyewear allowances and hearing aid costs as well, since coverage limits can vary widely.
5
County availability
Humana serves all 75 Arkansas counties, while UnitedHealthcare covers 74. Other insurers have smaller service areas, like Aetna Medicare in 53 counties, HealthSpring in 43 and Essence Healthcare in 17. The median Arkansas county has 25 Medicare Advantage plans available, so confirm your local options before comparing costs and benefits.
6
Member experience
The Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) health plan rating measures members' experiences with customer service, care access and communication. Arkansas Medicare Advantage plans average 85 out of 100 for 2027. Use CAHPS ratings alongside CMS star ratings to compare insurers with similar costs and coverage.

How Much Does Arkansas Medicare Advantage Cost?

Most Arkansas Medicare Advantage plans have a $0 monthly premium in 2027, but costs vary by plan type. HMOs have the lowest median out-of-pocket maximum at $6,000, compared with $7,750 for PPOs. This $1,750 difference matters if you expect regular medical care. Primary care and specialist copays are similar across plan types, so the tradeoff between maximum cost exposure and network flexibility is the main consideration.


HMO	$0	$6,000	$338	$15	$35
HMO-POS	$0	$6,700	$485	$15	$30
PPO	$0	$7,750	$375	$15	$30
Regional PPO	$38	$6,600	$442	$15	$38

Arkansas Medicare Advantage Resources

Use these state and federal resources to compare Medicare Advantage plans, understand eligibility and get help choosing coverage.

Medicare Plan Finder: Compare Medicare Advantage plans available in your ZIP code, including premiums, cost sharing and CMS star ratings.
Arkansas State Health Insurance Assistance Program: Get free, unbiased counseling from trained advisors who can help you compare plans and understand your Medicare options.
Arkansas Insurance Department: Access consumer resources, learn about state insurance regulations and file complaints about insurers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Two main enrollment windows apply. The Annual Enrollment Period starts from October 15 to December 7 and coverage begins January 1. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period starts January 1 to March 31 and allows one plan switch if you're already enrolled. Qualifying life events such as moving to a new county or losing other health coverage, trigger a Special Enrollment Period outside these windows.

Most Arkansas Medicare Advantage plans include Part D drug coverage. Before enrolling, confirm your medications are on the plan's formulary and check their tier level, higher tiers mean higher copays at the pharmacy. Some plans waive deductibles on lower-tier drugs, which can reduce your annual costs if you take maintenance medications.

Arkansas offers HMO, PPO, Special Needs Plans (SNPs) and PFFS plans. HMOs require you to use a provider network and get referrals for specialists. PPOs give you more flexibility to see out-of-network providers, usually at a higher cost.

Most plans in Arkansas include dental, vision and hearing benefits that Original Medicare doesn't cover. Some plans also offer OTC allowances, fitness memberships and transportation assistance. Benefit amounts and coverage details differ by plan, so comparing options before you enroll matters.

Our Methodology

MoneyGeek evaluated Arkansas Medicare Advantage companies using five CMS data sources for the 2027 plan year, including the Medicare Plan Landscape File, Plan Benefit Package files, CMS Star Ratings, the CAHPS Report Card Master Table and the Contract/Plan Enrollment file.

How We Score Carriers

Each carrier in the state receives an overall MoneyGeek score out of five from a weighted average of three category scores:

Affordability (40%): Maximum annual cost exposure, calculated as annual premiums plus the maximum out-of-pocket limit, along with inpatient hospital, specialist and primary care costs.
Quality and Member Experience (40%): CMS Star Ratings make up 60% of this category and CAHPS C26 member ratings make up 40%. Both are measured at the contract level.
Benefits and Access (20%): Supplemental benefits, including dental, OTC, vision and hearing, make up 50% of this category. County coverage makes up 30% and plan choice per county makes up 20%.

About Patrick Bryant

Patrick Bryant is the Vertical Lead for Health Insurance at MoneyGeek, where he researches insurance products, writes consumer guides and maintains the scoring methodologies behind our provider comparisons. He analyzed more than 100 health insurance carriers across all 50 U.S. states and multiple policy types. His methodologies are reviewed quarterly to reflect current market conditions and carrier data.

Read Full Bio »

Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Arkansas (2027)

Best Medicare Advantage Providers in Arkansas

Arkansas Medicare Advantage Market Overview

Humana

Aetna Medicare

HealthSpring

Essence Healthcare

UnitedHealthcare

How to Choose the Best Arkansas Medicare Advantage Plans

How Much Does Arkansas Medicare Advantage Cost?

Arkansas Medicare Advantage Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Does Medicare Advantage cover prescription drugs in Arkansas?

What types of Medicare Advantage plans are available in Arkansas?

Do Arkansas Medicare Advantage plans cover dental, vision and hearing?

Our Methodology

About Patrick Bryant