Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Arkansas (2026)

The best Medicare Advantage plans in Arkansas for 2026 include options from Aetna, Humana and Blue Cross Blue Shield.

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

Updated: June 19, 2026

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Key Takeaways

Arkansas has 37 Medicare Advantage plans from seven providers. Plan types include HMO, HMO-POS, PPO and PFFS. While many plans have $0 monthly premiums, costs reach as high as $106 depending on the provider and plan type.

In Arkansas, Blue Cross Blue Shield leads the HMO Medicare Advantage market, while Aetna and Humana are the top providers for HMO-POS and PPO plans, respectively.

Choosing the right Medicare Advantage plan in Arkansas starts with your health care needs. Think about which doctors and specialists you want to see, the medications you take and how much you can spend on monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs.

Arkansas has seven providers competing across 37 Medicare Advantage plans in 2026, which is a thinner market than most larger states but still gives beneficiaries meaningful choices across plan types. The state's geography shapes those choices more than most people expect: provider networks in metro areas like Little Rock and Fayetteville tend to be deeper, while beneficiaries in rural counties often have fewer in-network specialists, a practical argument for PPO coverage even when the MOOP is higher.

When we reviewed plan availability by county, HMO plans that look competitive on paper in terms of premium and MOOP carry real access tradeoffs outside the state's main corridors.

Best Medicare Advantage Providers in Arkansas

Blue Cross Blue Shield ranks first in the HMO category with a $9 per month average premium and a $6,200 maximum out-of-pocket limit. Aetna earns the top HMO-POS spot with a 4.0-star CMS rating, $0 monthly cost and a $9,250 out-of-pocket maximum. Humana is the top PPO choice with a 4.0-star rating, $0 monthly premium and a $7,925 average MOOP.

Arkansas has 37 Medicare Advantage plans from seven providers in 2026, per our analysis of CMS plan data. Most plans charge $0 in additional monthly premiums, though costs vary by plan type and how much provider flexibility you need. HMO plans carry the lowest average out-of-pocket costs ($5,841 per year), while PPO plans, which let you see any Medicare-approved provider without a referral, average $7,257.


HMO	Blue Cross Blue Shield	3.00	$9	$6,200	BlueMedicare Classic Plus (HMO)
HMO-POS	Aetna	4.00	$0	$9,250	Aetna Medicare Signature (HMO-POS)
PPO	Humana	4.00	$0	$7,925	HumanaChoice H5216-231 (PPO)

Medicare Advantage Plans Explained

Medicare Advantage plans cover hospital and medical services through private insurers. Most combine Original Medicare's core benefits with extras like dental and vision coverage, plus hearing benefits. Private insurance companies provide these plans, and most include prescription drug coverage.

CMS Star Ratings: Medicare scores plans from 1 to 5 stars based on quality of care and customer satisfaction. Plans with 4 or 5 stars are worth prioritizing.
Monthly premiums: You'll pay your regular Part B premium plus any additional plan costs. Many Arkansas plans charge $0 beyond your standard Medicare costs.
Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits: Once you hit your annual MOOP, the plan covers 100% of covered services for the rest of the year. This cap matters more than the monthly premium for beneficiaries who use health care regularly.
Prescription drug coverage: Most plans bundle Part D medication benefits into your coverage. Check that your current prescriptions are on the plan's drug list before enrolling.

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Best HMO

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Quality

5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
3.0
Plan Types
HMO, PFFS

pros
- 2 of 4 plans charge $0 monthly premium
- Enhanced Part D drug coverage included with all plans
cons
- No PPO or HMO-POS plans
- Out-of-pocket maximums as high as $7,500
Blue Cross Blue Shield is the only Arkansas provider with both HMO and PFFS plan options. Its three HMO plans all carry a 3.0-star CMS rating and an average maximum out-of-pocket cost of $6,200. Two plans charge $0 per month, the BlueMedicare Independence plan costs $8 per month. Two of the three include enhanced Part D prescription coverage.

Blue Cross Blue Shield's PFFS plan is the only PFFS option available in Arkansas. It charges $57 per month, caps out-of-pocket costs at $7,500 and carries a 3.5-star CMS rating. The plan includes basic drug coverage.
BCBS and Humana both carry a 3.0-star HMO rating, the lowest in the state. Beneficiaries who want a wider provider network or who see specialists regularly, will find better flexibility in Aetna's HMO-POS or UnitedHealthcare's plans. The PFFS option charges $57 per month, which is the highest monthly premium among Arkansas Medicare Advantage plans outside the Regional PPO category.

Aetna Medicare

Best HMO-POS

MoneyGeek Rating

4.5/ 5

4/5Affordability

5/5Quality

4.5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
4.0
Plan Types
HMO-POS, HMO, PPO

pros
- $0 monthly premium
- Strong 4.0 CMS rating
- Members can see out-of-network providers
- Multiple plan types provide flexibility
cons
- Higher costs for out-of-network care
Aetna has seven Medicare Advantage plans in Arkansas, all with $0 monthly premiums across HMO, HMO-POS and PPO options. Its two HMO plans earn 4.0-star CMS ratings with an average maximum out-of-pocket cost of $6,750. The Aetna Medicare Signature Care and Signature Plus HMO plans share the same coverage at no monthly cost.

The HMO-POS plan also earns a 4.0-star rating and adds out-of-network access, though the MOOP rises to $9,250. Beneficiaries who see out-of-network providers regularly should budget for that higher ceiling. The Elite PPO has the lowest ceiling in Aetna's PPO lineup at $7,900. Each of the three Signature PPO plans tops out at $9,250. All plans include enhanced Part D drug coverage with no deductible on select drug tiers.
Aetna's HMO-POS plan is the right call for beneficiaries who need occasional out-of-network access, but its $9,250 MOOP is the highest in the HMO-POS category.

Anyone who expects to use out-of-network care regularly will pay more with Aetna than with providers like Humana, whose HMO-POS plans average $4,144 in maximum out-of-pocket costs. The PPO options also carry higher MOOPs than UnitedHealthcare's single PPO offering, which caps at $6,200.

Humana

Best PPO

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Quality

5/5Availability

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

pros
- $0 monthly premium
- $4,500 MOOP for PPO plans beats state average of $7,257
- Nationwide provider access without referrals
- Broad plan selection
cons
- Higher costs for out-of-network care
- Only one HMO plan available
Humana is the only Arkansas provider with plans across all four types: HMO, HMO-POS, PPO and Regional PPO. Humana has the most PPO options in Arkansas with eight plans, two rated 4.5 stars at $0 per month.

The HumanaChoice H7617-066 pairs that 4.5-star rating with a $5,250 maximum out-of-pocket limit, which is among the lowest for 4.5-star PPO plans in the state.

The HumanaChoice H5216-231 carries a 3.5-star rating with a $0 premium and a $4,500 MOOP, $2,757 below the Arkansas PPO average. Six premium-free PPO plans range in MOOP from $4,500 to $7,925.

Humana also has HMO and HMO-POS options in Arkansas. The Gold Plus H5619-111 HMO-POS plan charges $0 per month with a $3,700 MOOP, the lowest across all Arkansas Humana plans. The Gold Plus H5619-122 HMO charges $13 per month with a $5,900 MOOP.
Humana's PPO average MOOP of $7,925 across PPO plans is higher than UnitedHealthcare's single PPO offering ($6,200 MOOP). Humana's single HMO plan also has the fewest options for members who prefer network-based care, providers like Blue Cross Blue Shield offer more HMO variety.

Best Arkansas HMO Medicare Advantage Providers

Arkansas has eight HMO Medicare Advantage plans from five providers, with maximum out-of-pocket costs ranging from $3,350 to $6,750 and an average of $5,841 per year. Six of the eight plans charge $0 per month. The average CMS rating is 3.56 stars across all plans, with four plans rated 4 stars or above. All plans include enhanced Part D coverage.

Blue Cross Blue Shield has three HMO plans at a 3.0-star average and a $6,200 average MOOP.
Essence Healthcare has one plan at $0 monthly premium, the state's lowest $3,350 maximum out-of-pocket limit and a 4.5-star CMS rating.
Cigna HealthCare also provides a single $0 premium plan. It has a 4.0-star rating and an average out-of-pocket limit of $4,778.


Blue Cross Blue Shield	3.00	$9	$6,200	3	5
Essence Healthcare	4.50	$0	$3,350	1	4.75
Cigna HealthCare	4.00	$0	$4,778	1	4.4
Aetna	4.00	$0	$6,750	2	4.27
Humana	3.00	$13	$5,900	1	3.53

Essence Healthcare's $3,350 MOOP is $1,428 below the next-lowest Arkansas HMO option from Cigna ($4,778), and it carries the highest CMS star rating in the HMO category at 4.5 stars.

HMO PROS AND CONS

HMO Medicare Advantage plans require you to stay within a provider network and get referrals for specialists. The trade-off is lower premiums and lower out-of-pocket costs than PPO or HMO-POS options, plus coordinated care through a primary care physician. These plans are the right fit for Arkansas residents who want predictable health care costs and don't regularly need providers outside a set network.

Best Arkansas HMO-POS Medicare Advantage Providers

HMO-POS plans in Arkansas add out-of-network flexibility that standard HMOs don't include. The state has 11 plans from four providers, with nine at $0 per month. MOOP limits range from $3,700 to $9,250, averaging $6,845 per year. All 11 plans include Part D coverage, and the average CMS rating is 3.55 stars.

Aetna has the best Arkansas HMO-POS options with one plan at $0 per month with a 4.0-star rating, though its MOOP of $9,250 is the highest in this category.
Humana sells two HMO-POS plans averaging $2 per month with a $4,144 average MOOP, the lowest in the category. The trade-off is a 3.0-star CMS rating.
UnitedHealthcare has four plans at an average $10 per month with 4.0-star ratings and an average maximum out-of-pocket cost of $6,838.


Aetna	4.00	$0	$9,250	1	4.45
Humana	3.00	$2	$4,144	2	4.36
UnitedHealthcare	4.00	$10	$6,838	4	4.17
Wellcare	3.30	$0	$7,126	4	3.95

The $5,106 gap between Aetna's $9,250 HMO-POS MOOP and Humana's $4,144 average is the widest split between two providers that offer the same plan type on this page. Beneficiaries who stay in-network most of the year get Aetna's 4.0-star rating and $0 premium. No HMO-POS competitor in Arkansas matches that combination at $0 cost. Anyone with regular out-of-network needs saves up to $5,106 per year by choosing Humana's $4,144 ceiling over Aetna's $9,250.

HMO-POS PROS AND CONS

HMO-POS plans are the right choice for Arkansas residents who want coordinated care at lower cost but need the option to see out-of-network providers occasionally. You'll pay more for out-of-network visits, but you avoid the strict network limits of a standard HMO. If you expect frequent out-of-network use, compare the added costs against a PPO's higher MOOP before deciding.

Best Arkansas PPO Medicare Advantage Providers

PPO plans in Arkansas provide out-of-network access at a higher cost. The state has 15 PPO plans from five providers, with 12 at $0 per month and an average premium of $10. Maximum out-of-pocket limits average $7,257 and range from $4,150 to $9,250. The average CMS rating is 3.67 stars, and all 15 plans include enhanced Part D coverage with no deductible on select drug tiers. Nine of the 15 plans are rated 3.5 stars.

Humana leads PPO with eight options at $0 per month and 4.0-star CMS ratings, though average MOOP is $7,925.
UnitedHealthcare has one plan at $0 per month with a 4.0-star rating and a $6,200 MOOP, the strongest single-plan combination in the category.
Essence Healthcare has the state's lowest PPO MOOP at $4,150 with a $0 premium, though its single plan carries a 3.0-star rating.


Humana	4.00	$0	$7,925	8	5
UnitedHealthcare	4.00	$0	$6,200	1	4.73
Essence Healthcare	3.00	$0	$4,150	1	4.25
Aetna	3.50	$0	$8,902	4	4.17
Cigna HealthCare	3.00	$0	$7,250	1	3.97

Across the 15 Arkansas PPO plans, UnitedHealthcare's 4.0-star rating, $0 premium and a $6,200 MOOP beats the state PPO average by $1,057.

PPO PROS AND CONS

PPO Medicare Advantage plans let you visit any Medicare-approved provider without a referral and choose between in-network and out-of-network care. You'll pay higher monthly premiums and MOOP limits than with HMO options. These plans are the right fit for Arkansas beneficiaries who want to keep their preferred providers or who travel outside Arkansas for care.

How to Find the Best Arkansas Medicare Advantage Plans

Three factors drive the right Medicare Advantage choice in Arkansas: your preferred doctors, your drug costs and how much out-of-pocket risk you can absorb.

1
Check Your Doctor and Hospital Network
Confirm your current doctors and specialists are in the plan's network before enrolling, and verify that your preferred hospitals are included too. HMO plans restrict you to in-network providers except for emergencies, PPO plans allow out-of-network access at a higher cost. HMO-POS plans offer a middle option: in-network pricing with occasional out-of-network access.

In Arkansas, where seven providers compete across 37 plans, network depth varies more by county than by provider, an HMO that covers your Little Rock cardiologist may not reach a specialist in a neighboring county. Check the plan's provider directory for your specific ZIP code, not just the state-level coverage map.
2
Compare Maximum Out-of-Pocket Costs
Don't focus only on monthly premiums. In MoneyGeek's analysis of Arkansas plans, the spread between the lowest and highest MOOP within a single plan type reaches $5,100 for HMO-POS and $4,752 for HMO plans, gaps large enough to erase years of premium savings after one hospital stay. A plan with a $0 premium but an $8,902 MOOP costsmore than one charging $10 per month capped at $6,200 any year you clear $1,752 in covered care costs. Run the math against your actual annual health care use before choosing on premium alone.
3
Review Prescription Drug Coverage
Verify your medications are on the plan's drug formulary and review their tier placement. Higher tiers mean higher copays at the pharmacy. Most Arkansas Medicare Advantage plans include Part D drug coverage, but confirm this before enrolling, some plans require separate enrollment.
4
Evaluate Additional Benefits
Medicare Advantage plans in Arkansas include extras that Original Medicare doesn't cover. Common additions include dental care, vision and hearing coverage, fitness memberships and medical transportation. These benefits vary by plan, so compare what's included across your top options before enrolling.
5
Consider CMS Star Ratings
CMS star ratings measure quality on a 1 to 5-star scale. The ratings cover care quality and customer service scores. In Arkansas, ratings range from 3.0 to 4.5 stars depending on the provider and plan type. Plans at 4 stars or above are worth prioritizing when cost differences between options are small.

Average Arkansas Medicare Advantage Cost

Medicare Advantage costs in Arkansas vary by plan type and network flexibility. The data shows a clear pattern: restricting your network lowers your costs. HMO plans, with the strictest network rules, carry the lowest average MOOP at $5,841 per year. Regional PPO plans, with nationwide access, top out at $8,350.

HMO plans provide the most affordable coverage, with a $0 median monthly premium and an average MOOP of $5,841 per year.
HMO-POS plans also start at a $0 median premium, averaging $5 per month, with an average MOOP of $6,845 for out-of-network access.
PPO plans offer greater provider choice, averaging $10 per month in premiums and $7,257 in maximum out-of-pocket costs.
PFFS plans carry a $57 monthly premium with a $7,500 MOOP.
Regional PPO plans are the most expensive, at $78 per month with an $8,350 MOOP.


HMO	$0	$3	$5,841
HMO-POS	$0	$5	$6,845
PFFS	$57	$57	$7,500
PPO	$0	$10	$7,257
Regional PPO	$78	$78	$8,350

Which Arkansas Medicare Advantage Plan Should You Choose?

Arkansas beneficiaries choosing between plan types pay $1,416 more per year on average for PPO flexibility: $7,257 average MOOP versus $5,841 for an HMO. PPO beneficiaries who stay in-network most of the year pay $1,416 annually for flexibility they don't use.

For beneficiaries who want the lowest total cost and can commit to a network, Aetna's $0-premium HMO is the starting point: a 4.0-star rating with a $6,750 average MOOP.

If out-of-network access matters, UnitedHealthcare's single PPO plan is worth a close look: $0 per month, a $6,200 MOOP, a 4.0-star rating and $1,057 below the Arkansas PPO average.

Best Arkansas Medicare Advantage: FAQ

Get answers about Arkansas Medicare Advantage coverage:

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

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.

Does Medicare Advantage cover prescription drugs in Arkansas?

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.

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

Moving within Arkansas may require a plan change because coverage networks differ by county. Notify your current insurer within 30 days of relocating. You can use a Special Enrollment Period to switch plans if your current coverage becomes unavailable in your new county.

What should I do if my doctor isn't in an HMO plan's network?

You have two options. Contact your doctor's office to ask whether they plan to join the network before your coverage starts, panels change annually. If not, switch to a PPO or HMO-POS plan during the same enrollment window. In Arkansas, UnitedHealthcare's PPO and Aetna's HMO-POS both offer $0 monthly premiums with out-of-network access, so you don't have to pay more for flexibility. Don't enroll in an HMO expecting to pay out-of-network rates as a workaround, most Arkansas HMO plans cover out-of-network services only for emergencies, not routine specialist visits.

How do I choose between an HMO, HMO-POS and PPO in Arkansas?

Start with how often you use out-of-network care. If you see the same in-network doctors every year and rarely need specialists outside your area, an HMO gives you the lowest average MOOP ($5,841) and the most $0-premium options. If you occasionally need out-of-network access, an HMO-POS lets you keep most of the cost savings while adding flexibility, Humana's two HMO-POS plans average $4,144 in MOOP at $2 per month. If you travel frequently, see out-of-network specialists regularly or want the freedom to choose any Medicare-approved provider, a PPO is the right fit. UnitedHealthcare's single PPO plan covers all three priorities at $0 premium with a $6,200 MOOP.

Our Methodology: How We Chose the Best Arkansas Medicare Advantage Plans

MoneyGeek assessed all 37 Medicare Advantage plans available to Arkansas beneficiaries in the 2026 CMS plan year, using enrollment data published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Plans were evaluated for a 65-year-old nonsmoker enrolling during the Annual Enrollment Period, across three criteria:

Affordability (50%): Carries the most weight because cost drives enrollment decisions. Monthly premiums for Part C and Part D coverage account for 30% of the total score, and in-network MOOP limits account for 20%. Plans with lower premiums and MOOP thresholds score higher.
Star Ratings (40%): Reflect CMS evaluations of care quality, customer service and member experience. The Overall Star Rating merges Part C and Part D scores into a single 1 to 5-star scale. Higher-rated plans score better.
Availability (10%): Providers covering more states score higher. Broader availability points to stronger infrastructure and better continuity if you relocate after enrolling.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has spent nearly a decade analyzing the market, first at LendingTree and now at MoneyGeek, where he produces original research on hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.

He covers economics and insurance at MoneyGeek, and his work has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among other outlets.

Like all MoneyGeek analysts, he draws on independent cost and consumer experience data. No insurance company partnership influences his recommendations.

Fitzpatrick earned his degrees from Johns Hopkins University (M.A. Economics and International Relations) and Boston College (B.A.). His career began in financial risk management at State Street. He's also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.

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Sources

CMS.gov. "Medicare Advantage Resources." Accessed June 22, 2026.
Medicare.gov. "Welcome to Medicare." Accessed June 22, 2026.