Updated: May 28, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
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.
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's PPO plans carry the highest CMS Star Rating in Connecticut at 4.5 stars and a $0 premium. CarePartners of Connecticut has the top-rated HMO option, also at $0 a month. UnitedHealthcare's HMO-POS plan averages $39 a month and has a lower average out-of-pocket maximum than either the HMO or PPO category.
| 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
Original Medicare covers hospital and medical care separately through the federal program. Medicare Advantage replaces that structure with a single private plan that bundles both, and most plans add prescription drugs, dental and vision coverage that Original Medicare doesn't include.
Best HMO
CMS Star Rating
Plan Types
Best HMO-POS
CMS Star Rating
Plan Types
Best PPO
CMS Star Rating
Plan Types
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 | 3.50 | $0 | $6,750 | 1 | 4.75 |
| Anthem | 3.50 | $45 | $9,250 | 1 | 4 |
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.
Connecticut's HMO-POS Medicare Advantage plans add out-of-network access that standard HMOs don't have. Four carriers cover 12 plans, averaging $42 a month. Out-of-pocket maximums run from $4,150 to $9,250, with an average of $6,845 a year. Every plan includes Part D drug coverage and enhanced benefits. The average CMS Star Rating is 3.5.
| UnitedHealthcare | 3.50 | $39 | $6,333 | 3 | 4.6 |
| 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 plans combine the lower premiums and coordinated care of traditional HMOs with the option to see out-of-network providers when needed. You'll pay more for that flexibility, but it's there when you need it. These plans work well if you want predictable costs with occasional access to specialists outside your network.
Connecticut has 10 PPO Medicare Advantage plans from five carriers. Out-of-network access is included across all of them. Nine plans charge $0 a month; the average across all 10 is $1 a month. Out-of-pocket maximums average $7,165 and range from $5,200 to $9,250. The average CMS Star Rating is 3.8, with most plans at 3.5 stars.
| 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 |
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.
Don't just compare premiums, also think about your health care needs, medication costs and total budget to find the right plan.
Confirm your current doctors, specialists and hospitals are in the plan's network before enrolling. HMO plans cover in-network care only outside emergencies. PPO plans allow out-of-network access, but at higher cost. Health insurance network types explains what those differences mean in practice.
The out-of-pocket maximum is what you could spend in a high-use year. A $0-premium plan with a $7,833 MOOP can cost more than a $29-a-month plan capped at $6,750 if you need frequent care.
Check that your medications are on the plan's formulary and note their tier. Higher tiers mean higher costs at the pharmacy. Most Connecticut Medicare Advantage plans include Part D coverage, but a few require separate enrollment.
Dental, vision, hearing aids, fitness memberships and medical transportation vary by plan. Check which extras are included and whether they match your actual needs.
CMS star ratings score plans from 1 to 5 on care quality, customer service and member outcomes. Plans at 4 or 5 stars consistently perform better across all three.
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 |
Get answers about Connecticut Medicare Advantage plans:
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.
Most Connecticut Medicare Advantage plans include Part D prescription drug coverage. Before enrolling, confirm your medications are on the plan's formulary and check their tier placement. Higher tiers mean higher copays at the pharmacy.
You may need to switch plans. Provider networks vary by county, so your current plan may not cover your new area. Contact your insurer within 30 days of moving to confirm coverage. If your plan doesn't extend to your new county, a Special Enrollment Period lets you choose a different one.
MoneyGeek scored Connecticut Medicare Advantage plans on three criteria to find the strongest overall 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 (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.
