Updated: January 22, 2026
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Colorado residents have access to 48 Medicare Advantage different plans from 10 providers, including HMO, HMO-POS and PPO options. While many plans have $0 monthly premiums, costs can go up to $189 depending on the provider and plan type.
Kaiser Permanente has the best HMO and HMO-POS options, while Humana is the best PPO provider for Colorado Medicare Advantage coverage.
You can choose the right plan based on which doctors and specialists you prefer, the medications you take and how much you’re comfortable spending on monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
We reviewed Medicare Advantage plans across Colorado to identify top providers by plan type. Kaiser Permanente is the best Medicare Advantage company for both HMO and HMO-POS plans, with 4.5-star CMS ratings for both.
Humana offers plans with $0 monthly premiums and an average 3.62-star rating, though maximum out-of-pocket costs are higher at $7,850.
| HMO | Kaiser Permanente | 4.50 | $0 | $4,424 | Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Core DM (HMO) |
| HMO-POS | Kaiser Permanente | 4.50 | $74 | $4,082 | Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Silver DM (HMO-POS) |
| PPO | Humana | 3.62 | $0 | $7,850 | Humana Value Choice H5216-261 (PPO) |
Medicare Advantage Plans Explained
Medicare Advantage provides comprehensive health coverage through private insurance companies that includes hospital and medical services. These plans cover everything Original Medicare includes while adding prescription drugs, dental, vision, and hearing benefits.
Best HMO and HMO-POS
CMS Star Rating
Plan Types
Best PPO
CMS Star Rating
Plan Types
Colorado has 15 HMO Medicare Advantage plans available from eight providers, all with $0 monthly premiums. Maximum out-of-pocket costs range from $3,315 to $9,250, averaging $5,522 per year. Star ratings average 3.7 across all HMO options, with five plans earning 4 stars or higher. Every plan includes enhanced Part D prescription coverage.
| Kaiser Permanente | 4.50 | $0 | $4,424 | 3 | 4.80 |
| Devoted Health | 4.00 | $0 | $4,521 | 2 | 4.64 |
| Humana | 3.50 | $0 | $4,743 | 2 | 4.41 |
| Clear Spring Health | 3.00 | $0 | $3,315 | 1 | 4.25 |
| Cigna HealthCare | 3.00 | $0 | $4,700 | 1 | 4.23 |
| Anthem | 3.50 | $0 | $9,250 | 1 | 3.94 |
| Select Health | 3.50 | $0 | $5,946 | 4 | 3.85 |
| Elevate Medicare Advantage | 3.50 | $0 | $6,750 | 1 | 3.75 |
HMO Medicare Advantage plans require you to stay within their provider networks and get referrals from your primary care doctor before seeing specialists. While these restrictions limit your flexibility, you'll benefit from lower premiums and coordinated care that keeps your healthcare costs predictable. These plans work well for Colorado residents who want affordable coverage and don't mind having their primary care physician manage their healthcare decisions.
The benefit of HMO-POS plans is that they allow for out-of-network provider access. Colorado has 16 HMO-POS plans from three providers. Seven of these have $0 monthly premiums, though the average premium rises to $45 due to added flexibility. Maximum out-of-pocket limits range from $2,900 to $6,750, averaging $4,547 annually, providing protection for members who occasionally seek care outside their network.
| Kaiser Permanente | 4.50 | $74 | $4,082 | 5 | 5.00 |
| UnitedHealthcare | 4.53 | $20 | $4,308 | 10 | 4.50 |
| Aetna | 3.00 | $0 | $5,976 | 1 | 3.75 |
HMO-POS plans suit Colorado residents who want affordable healthcare with occasional flexibility to see out-of-network providers. These hybrid plans let you keep the lower costs and coordinated care of traditional HMOs while giving you the option to go outside your network when needed, though you'll pay more for that flexibility. They're helpful if you travel frequently or might need access to specific specialists not in your network.
PPO plans offer greater flexibility but come with higher costs. There are 17 PPO plans available in Colorado from five different providers. Average monthly premiums are $19, but 10 plans in the state have $0 premiums. Maximum out-of-pocket limits average $6,125, ranging from $3,800 to $7,900.
| Humana | 3.62 | $0 | $7,850 | 8 | 5.00 |
| Aetna | 4.50 | $18 | $6,019 | 2 | 4.39 |
| Devoted Health | 4.00 | $0 | $6,690 | 4 | 4.08 |
| Cigna HealthCare | 3.00 | $0 | $6,800 | 1 | 3.84 |
| UnitedHealthcare | 4.00 | $55 | $6,700 | 2 | 3.82 |
PPO Medicare Advantage plans cost more through higher premiums and out-of-pocket maximums, but you get complete provider flexibility in return. You can visit any Medicare-approved doctor without referrals and access both in-network and out-of-network care, though out-of-network services cost more. These plans work well for frequent travelers, people with established doctor relationships, or anyone wanting direct specialist access.
The right Medicare Advantage plan in Colorado depends on whether your doctors are covered, your medications are included, and the total costs fit your budget.
Before selecting a Medicare Advantage plan, confirm that your current doctors, specialists and preferred hospitals are part of the plan's network. In Colorado, HMO plans require referrals for specialists and limit you to in-network providers, while PPO plans offer more flexibility in provider choice at higher costs. Learn more about health insurance network types to understand these differences.
Don't focus only on monthly premiums when evaluating plans. Look at the maximum out-of-pocket costs, which represent the most you'll pay for covered services in a year. A plan with a $0 premium but $7,833 maximum out-of-pocket could cost more than one with a $29 premium and $6,750 maximum if you need frequent medical care.
Check whether your medications are covered under the plan's formulary and what tier they're assigned to, as this affects your costs. Most Medicare Advantage plans include Part D prescription drug coverage, while others require you to purchase it separately. Verify this coverage to understand your potential out-of-pocket prescription expenses.
Medicare Advantage plans often include extra benefits beyond Original Medicare, such as dental care, vision services, hearing aids, fitness memberships and transportation to medical appointments. These supplemental benefits can provide savings and enhance your healthcare experience. Compare which additional services each plan offers and whether they match your specific health needs.
Review the plan's CMS star rating, which measures quality and performance on a scale of one to five stars. Higher star ratings indicate better performance in patient care, preventive services and member satisfaction. Plans with four or five stars provide superior customer service and care coordination.
Colorado Medicare Advantage costs vary by plan type and provider. Plans with more restrictive networks usually have lower monthly premiums, while options with broader access carry higher out-of-pocket limits.
HMO and PPO plans in Colorado both have a $0 median monthly premium, making them the most affordable upfront. On average, HMO plans have a $5,523 maximum out-of-pocket limit, while PPO plans reach $6,126 due to their broader provider access. HMO-POS plans cost an average of $30 per month but offer the strongest out-of-pocket protection, with a $4,547 average MOOP. This makes HMO-POS plans a good trade-off for members willing to pay slightly more each month in exchange for lower annual healthcare costs.
| HMO | $0 | $0 | $5,523 |
| HMO-POS | $30 | $46 | $4,547 |
| PPO | $0 | $19 | $6,126 |
Get answers about Colorado Medicare Advantage plans:
In Colorado, enrollment opportunities include the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15-Dec. 7) and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (Jan. 1-March 31). You may also enroll during a Special Enrollment Period if you qualify due to circumstances like relocating or losing other coverage.
Yes, most Medicare Advantage plans in Colorado include prescription drug coverage as part of their benefits package. Before enrolling, confirm your medications appear on the plan's formulary and review their tier levels, since higher tiers result in increased copay expenses.
Moving within Colorado may require switching Medicare Advantage plans since coverage networks differ by county. Contact your current insurer within 30 days of relocating to understand your options. You'll qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to choose a new plan if needed.
We analyzed Medicare Advantage plans in Colorado using a scoring system that emphasizes cost and quality. Three core criteria identify plans with the strongest value:
These factors create a fair comparison of Medicare Advantage plans, weighing costs against care quality and service.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
