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, earning 4.5-star CMS ratings for both plan types. Humana offers plans with $0 monthly premiums, though its average 3.62-star rating and maximum out-of-pocket costs of $7,850 are worth weighing before enrolling.
Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Colorado (2026)
Updated: June 15, 2026
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Key Takeaways
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.
Best Medicare Advantage Providers in Colorado
| 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 provides health coverage through private insurance companies that includes hospital and medical services. These plans cover everything Original Medicare includes, plus prescription drugs, dental, vision and hearing benefits.
- CMS Star Ratings: Medicare evaluates each plan's quality using a 1 to 5-star system based on care quality and member satisfaction. Plans with 4 or 5 stars show the best overall performance.
- Monthly premiums: You'll pay your regular Part B premium plus any extra costs your specific plan charges. Many Medicare Advantage plans in Colorado charge $0 in additional monthly fees.
- Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits: This annual cap protects you from unlimited medical expenses each year. Once you hit this limit, your plan covers 100% of remaining costs.
- Prescription drug coverage: Most plans bundle Part D medication benefits directly into your coverage. Check that your current prescriptions appear on the plan's approved drug list.
Kaiser Permanente
Best HMO and HMO-POS
MoneyGeek Rating
4.8/ 5
5/5Affordability
5/5Quality
3/5Availability
CMS Star Rating
4.5Plan Types
HMO, HMO-POS
Humana
Best PPO
MoneyGeek Rating
5/ 5
5/5Affordability
5/5Quality
5/5Availability
CMS Star Rating
3.62Plan Types
HMO, PPO
Best Colorado HMO Medicare Advantage Providers
Colorado has 15 HMO Medicare Advantage plans from eight providers, with $0 monthly premiums available across most options. 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 Part D prescription coverage.
- Kaiser Permanente leads with three plans at 4.5 stars, all at $0 monthly and an average MOOP of $4,424.
- Devoted Health offers two plans at $0 per month, with 4.0-star ratings and average maximum out-of-pocket costs of $4,521.
- Humana has two plans at $0 monthly, with 3.5-star ratings and an average MOOP of $4,743.
| Kaiser Permanente | 4.50 | $0 | $4,424 | 3 | 4.8 |
| 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 PROS AND CONS
HMO Medicare Advantage plans require you to stay within their provider networks and get referrals from your primary care doctor before seeing specialists. These restrictions limit your flexibility, but you'll benefit from lower premiums and coordinated care that keeps your health care costs predictable. These plans work well for Colorado residents who want affordable coverage and don't mind having their primary care physician manage their health care decisions.
Best Colorado HMO-POS Medicare Advantage Providers
HMO-POS plans allow members to see out-of-network providers, adding flexibility that standard HMOs don't offer. Colorado has 16 HMO-POS plans from three providers. Seven carry $0 monthly premiums, though the average premium rises to $45 for plans with added flexibility. Maximum out-of-pocket limits range from $2,900 to $6,750, averaging $4,547 annually.
- Kaiser Permanente is the best Colorado HMO-POS Medicare Advantage provider, with five plans averaging a $4,082 MOOP and a 4.5-star CMS rating.
- UnitedHealthcare offers 10 plans averaging $20 per month, a 4.53-star CMS rating and a $4,308 MOOP.
- Aetna provides one $0-premium plan with a 3.0-star CMS rating and a $5,976 MOOP.
| Kaiser Permanente | 4.50 | $74 | $4,082 | 5 | 5 |
| UnitedHealthcare | 4.53 | $20 | $4,308 | 10 | 4.5 |
| Aetna | 3.00 | $0 | $5,976 | 1 | 3.75 |
HMO-POS PROS AND CONS
HMO-POS plans suit Colorado residents who want affordable health care 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.
Best Colorado PPO Medicare Advantage Providers
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 has the best PPO plans in Colorado, with eight options at $0 monthly premiums, an average 3.62-star CMS rating and MOOPs up to $7,850.
- Aetna offers two plans at $18 per month with 4.5-star CMS ratings and a $6,019 MOOP.
- Devoted Health provides four plans averaging $0 monthly premiums, a $6,690 MOOP and a 4.0-star CMS rating.
| Humana | 3.62 | $0 | $7,850 | 8 | 5 |
| 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 PROS AND CONS
PPO Medicare Advantage plans come with higher premiums and out-of-pocket maximums, but offer complete provider flexibility. 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 who wants direct specialist access.
How to Find the Best Colorado Medicare Advantage Plans
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.
- 1Check Your Doctor and Hospital Network
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. PPO plans offer more flexibility in provider choice at higher costs. Learn more about health insurance network types to understand these differences.
- 2Compare Maximum Out-of-Pocket Costs
Don't focus only on monthly premiums when evaluating plans. Look at the maximum out-of-pocket costs, the most you'll pay for covered services in a year. A plan with a $0 premium but $7,833 maximum out-of-pocket cost is more than one with a $29 premium and $6,750 maximum if you need frequent medical care.
- 3Review Prescription Drug Coverage
Check whether your medications appear on the plan's formulary and what tier they're assigned to, since tier placement directly affects your costs. Most Medicare Advantage plans include Part D prescription drug coverage, but some require a separate purchase. Confirm this before enrolling so you know your potential out-of-pocket prescription expenses.
- 4Evaluate Additional Benefits
Many Medicare Advantage plans include extra benefits beyond Original Medicare: dental, vision, hearing aids, fitness memberships and medical transportation. These can add real savings depending on your health needs. Compare what each plan offers and whether those extras align with what you'd actually use.
- 5Consider CMS Star Ratings
CMS star rating measure plan quality and performance on a one-to-five scale, covering patient care, preventive services and member satisfaction. Higher-rated plans tend to deliver better care coordination and customer service. Plans earning four or five stars are worth prioritizing when two options look otherwise similar.
Average Colorado Medicare Advantage Cost
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 health care costs.
| HMO | $0 | $0 | $5,523 |
| HMO-POS | $30 | $46 | $4,547 |
| PPO | $0 | $19 | $6,126 |
Best Colorado Medicare Advantage: FAQ
Get answers about Colorado Medicare Advantage plans:
When can I enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan in Colorado?
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.
Does Medicare Advantage cover prescription drugs in Colorado?
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.
Do I need to change Medicare Advantage plans if I move to a different county in Colorado?
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.
Our Methodology: How We Chose the Best Colorado Medicare Advantage Plans
We analyzed Medicare Advantage plans in Colorado using a scoring system that weighs cost and quality. Three core criteria identify plans with the strongest value:
- Affordability (50%): Costs represent half the total score due to their direct 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 by reducing annual health care expenses.
- Star Ratings (40%): CMS star ratings evaluate plan performance in care quality, customer service and member experience. 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. Higher-rated plans score better in our evaluation.
- Availability (10%): We consider each insurer's coverage area across the United States. Providers serving more states score higher, as broader availability indicates stronger infrastructure, better support and better continuity if you relocate.
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.