Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Connecticut (2026)

Key Takeaways

Connecticut has 24 Medicare Advantage plans from eight providers, including HMO, HMO-POS and PPO options. Most plans have $0 monthly premiums and feature enhanced Part D prescription drug coverage.

Top Connecticut Medicare Advantage providers include CarePartners of Connecticut for HMO, UnitedHealthcare for HMO-POS and Aetna for PPO plans.

To choose the best Medicare Advantage plan for you, consider the doctors and hospitals you prefer, your prescription drug needs and how each plan aligns with your budget.

Best Medicare Advantage Providers in Connecticut

We analyzed the best Medicare Advantage plans in Connecticut by plan type, considering CMS star ratings, premium costs and maximum out-of-pocket expenses.

Aetna is good for PPO plans with the highest CMS Star Rating (4.5) and a $0 premium, while CarePartners of Connecticut offers the most affordable HMO option with a $0 premium. UnitedHealthcare’s HMO-POS plan provides added flexibility at a moderate premium, balancing access and cost with a lower average out-of-pocket maximum than the HMO and PPO options.


HMO	CarePartners of Connecticut	3.50	$0	$6,750	CarePartners of CT CareAdvantage Preferred (HMO)
HMO-POS	UnitedHealthcare	3.50	$39	$6,333	UHC Medicare Advantage CT-0001 (HMO-POS)
PPO	Aetna	4.50	$0	$6,750	Aetna Medicare Elite (PPO)

Medicare Advantage Plans Explained

Medicare Advantage plans offer an alternative to Original Medicare by bundling hospital and medical coverage through private insurers. These plans include prescription drugs plus extras like dental and vision care that traditional Medicare doesn't cover.

CMS Star Ratings: Medicare scores plans from 1 to 5 stars based on quality of care and member satisfaction. Higher ratings mean better overall performance and service.
Monthly premiums: You'll pay your regular Part B premium plus any extra plan costs. Many Medicare Advantage plans in Connecticut charge $0 in additional monthly fees.
Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits: This cap protects you from unlimited medical bills each year. Once you hit this amount, your plan pays 100% of covered services.
Prescription drug coverage: Most plans include Part D medication benefits automatically. Check that your current prescriptions appear on the plan's approved drug list before enrolling.

CarePartners of Connecticut

Best HMO

MoneyGeek Rating

4.8/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Quality

2.5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
3.5
Plan Types
HMO, PPO

pros
- HMO plans earn 3.5-star CMS rating
- $0 monthly premium on all plans
- Enhanced Part D drug coverage included with all plans
cons
- No HMO-POS options
- Out-of-pocket maximums from $6,750 to $8,500
CarePartners of Connecticut offers one HMO Medicare Advantage plan with a 3.5-star CMS rating and a $6,750 out-of-pocket maximum. The plan charges a $0 monthly premium and includes enhanced Part D drug coverage. While the HMO's narrow network limits provider choices, it ensures coordinated care with your primary doctor managing referrals and treatment plans.

The provider's single PPO option earns a stronger 4.5-star CMS rating and includes enhanced Part D coverage. This PPO plan provides greater provider flexibility with a broad network, allowing you to see specialists without referrals and choose from more health care providers throughout Connecticut.

UnitedHealthcare

Best HMO-POS

MoneyGeek Rating

4.6/ 5

4.2/5Affordability

5/5Quality

5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
3.5
Plan Types
HMO-POS

pros
- One plan with $0 monthly premium
- Allows visits to out-of-network providers
cons
- HMO-POS plans only
- Higher costs for out-of-network care
UnitedHealthcare offers three HMO-POS Medicare Advantage plans in Connecticut, each earning a 3.5-star CMS rating and including enhanced Part D prescription drug coverage. The UHC Medicare Advantage CT-0001 plan features the lowest out-of-pocket maximum at $5,900 with a $78 monthly premium, while the CT-0002 plan has a $6,400 out-of-pocket maximum and a $39 premium.

The CT-0003 plan has a $0 monthly premium but a higher annual spending cap of $6,700. All three HMO-POS plans allow access to out-of-network providers when needed, providing more choice than traditional HMO plans while maintaining coordinated care.

Aetna Medicare

Best PPO

MoneyGeek Rating

4.8/ 5

4.7/5Affordability

5/5Quality

4.8/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
4.5
Plan Types
PPO, HMO-POS

pros
- 4 out of 5 plans have $0 monthly premium
- No Part D deductible on select drug tiers
- Nationwide provider access without referrals
cons
- HMO-POS plans have lower 3.5 star rating
- Higher costs for out-of-network care
- All plans have high $6,750 out-of-pocket limit
Aetna leads Connecticut’s Medicare Advantage PPO plans with three $0 premium plans with a 4.5-star CMS rating. All three PPO options, Elite, Elite Extra and Signature, include prescription drug coverage with no Part D deductible and cap annual out-of-pocket costs at $6,750.

Aetna also offers two HMO-POS plans. The Elite HMO-POS plan has a $0 premium, 3.5-star rating, and $6,750 MOOP, while the Signature HMO-POS plan costs $72 per month and has the same rating and out-of-pocket maximum. Choose Aetna's PPO plans if you want nationwide provider access and strong coverage without a monthly premium.

Best Connecticut HMO Medicare Advantage Providers

Connecticut has two HMO Medicare Advantage plans from two providers, with maximum out-of-pocket costs ranging from $6,750 to $9,250. One plan charges a $0 monthly premium, and both include enhanced Part D prescription drug coverage. The average CMS Star Rating across HMO options is 3.5, with no plans earning four stars or higher.

CarePartners of Connecticut offers one HMO plan with a 3.5-star CMS rating, a $0 monthly premium, and a $6,750 out-of-pocket maximum.
Anthem also provides only one HMO plan with a 3.5-star rating, an average monthly premium of $45, and a higher out-of-pocket maximum of $9,250.


CarePartners of Connecticut	3.50	$0	$6,750	1	4.75
Anthem	3.50	$45	$9,250	1	4.00

HMO PROS AND CONS

HMO Medicare Advantage plans require you to stay within a provider network and get referrals for specialist care. But you'll get lower premiums, reduced out-of-pocket costs and coordinated care. These plans suit Connecticut residents who prefer having a primary care doctor manage their health care and don't regularly need out-of-network specialists.

Best Connecticut HMO-POS Medicare Advantage Providers

Connecticut’s HMO-POS Medicare Advantage plans provide added flexibility by allowing access to out-of-network providers, which is not available with standard HMOs. Four providers offer a total of 12 plans, with an average monthly premium of $42. Maximum out-of-pocket limits range from $4,150 to $9,250, with an average of $6,845 per year, helping protect members who occasionally need out-of-network care. All plans include Part D prescription drug coverage and enhanced benefits, and the average CMS Star Rating across providers is 3.5.

UnitedHealthcare leads Connecticut’s HMO-POS market with three plans averaging $39 per month with a $6,333 out-of-pocket maximum and a 3.5-star CMS rating.
Aetna follows with two plans averaging $36 per month with a 3.5-star rating and a $6,750 out-of-pocket cap.
Wellcare offers two plans with $0 monthly premiums and 3.5-star ratings, though these plans have higher average out-of-pocket limits of $9,250.


UnitedHealthcare	3.50	$39	$6,333	3	4.60
Aetna	3.50	$36	$6,750	2	4.53
Wellcare	3.50	$0	$9,250	2	4.37
ConnectiCare	3.50	$65	$6,230	5	4.25

HMO-POS PROS AND CONS

HMO-POS plans provide affordable Medicare coverage without network restrictions. These hybrid plans give you the lower premiums and coordinated care of traditional HMOs while letting you see out-of-network providers when needed, though you'll pay extra for that flexibility. They work well if you want predictable health care costs but occasionally need access to specialists outside the network.

Best Connecticut PPO Medicare Advantage Providers

Connecticut offers 10 PPO Medicare Advantage plans from five providers, giving members greater flexibility through out-of-network access. Nine of these plans charge $0 monthly premiums, with an overall average premium of just $1. Maximum out-of-pocket limits are higher due to out-of-network coverage, averaging $7,165 and ranging from $5,200 to $9,250. PPO plans in the state average a 3.8 CMS Star Rating, with most earning 3.5 stars, indicating slightly lower satisfaction compared with more restrictive plan types.

Aetna leads Connecticut's PPO options with a $0-premium structure, $6,750 MOOP and 4.5-star CMS rating.
Cigna HealthCare ranks second with only one plan earning a 3.0-star CMS ratings and charging $0 premiums, though the $6,800 MOOP is among the state's highest.
Humana ranks third with three plans charging $6 monthly on average, featuring an average $5,867 MOOP and 3.5-star CMS rating.


Aetna	4.50	$0	$6,750	3	4.82
Cigna HealthCare	3.00	$0	$6,800	1	4.21
Humana	3.50	$6	$5,867	3	4.08
CarePartners of Connecticut	4.00	$0	$8,500	1	4.06
Wellcare	3.50	$0	$9,250	2	3.95

PPO PROS AND CONS

You'll pay more with PPO Medicare Advantage plans through higher monthly premiums and out-of-pocket maximums. These plans let you visit any Medicare-approved doctor without referrals and give you both in-network and out-of-network options, though out-of-network care costs more. PPO plans work well for Connecticut residents who travel often, have established relationships with specific physicians or want direct access to specialists without needing permission first.

How to Find the Best Connecticut Medicare Advantage Plans

Don't just compare premiums, also think about your health care needs, medication costs and total budget to find the right plan.

1
Check Your Doctor and Hospital Network
Check that your current doctors, specialists and hospitals are in the Medicare Advantage plan's network. HMO plans restrict you to in-network providers except for emergencies, while PPO plans allow out-of-network access at higher costs. Learn more about health insurance network types to understand these differences.
2
Compare Maximum Out-of-Pocket Costs
Consider the maximum out-of-pocket costs to understand your total expenses. A plan with a $0 premium but $7,833 MOOP could cost more than one with a $29 premium and $6,750 MOOP if you need frequent medical care.
3
Review Prescription Drug Coverage
Check that your medications appear on the plan's drug formulary and understand their tier placement, which affects your costs. Higher tiers mean higher out-of-pocket expenses. Most Medicare Advantage plans include Part D drug coverage, though some require separate enrollment.
4
Evaluate Additional Benefits
Look for extras, including dental care, vision services, hearing aids, fitness memberships and transportation to medical appointments. Match the available benefits to your specific health and wellness needs.
5
Consider CMS Star Ratings
Review the plan's CMS star rating, which measures quality and performance on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Higher-rated plans provide better customer service, care coordination and health outcomes. Plans earning 4 or 5 stars offer superior overall performance and member satisfaction.

Average Connecticut Medicare Advantage Cost

Medicare Advantage costs in Connecticut vary by plan type and insurer. PPO plans are the most affordable in the state, with a $0 median premium and a $2 average premium, though they come with a higher average out-of-pocket maximum of $7,165. HMO-POS plans have higher monthly costs with a $20 median premium and $43 average premium, but they provide stronger financial protection with a lower average MOOP of $6,846. HMO plans fall between the two in premium cost, with a $22 median and $23 average monthly premium, but they expose enrollees to the highest out-of-pocket risk, with an $8,000 average annual maximum.


HMO	$22	$23	$8,000
HMO-POS	$20	$43	$6,846
PPO	$0	$2	$7,165

Best Connecticut Medicare Advantage: FAQ

Get answers about Connecticut Medicare Advantage plans:

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

In Connecticut, enrollment occurs during the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7) and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (Jan. 1 to 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 Connecticut?

Yes, most Medicare Advantage plans in Connecticut include prescription drug coverage as part of their benefits. Before enrolling, confirm your medications appear on the plan's formulary and review their tier levels, since higher tiers result in increased copay expenses at the pharmacy.

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

Moving to a different county in Connecticut may require changing your Medicare Advantage plan since provider networks vary by location. Contact your current insurer within 30 days of relocating to verify coverage in your new area. You can use a Special Enrollment Period to select a different plan if needed.

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

We assessed Medicare Advantage plans in Connecticut using a scoring system and three core criteria to identify plans with the strongest value:

Affordability (50%): Costs represent half the total score due to their immediate 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 more robust infrastructure, better support and better continuity if you relocate.

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.

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