We identified the best Medicare Advantage plans in Georgia based on CMS star ratings, premiums, maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits and coverage features. Kaiser Permanente provides the best HMO options with a $28 average monthly premium and $6,703 average MOOP, earning an impressive 4.5 CMS star rating. Wellcare leads for HMO-POS plans with $25 average monthly premiums, while Blue Cross Blue Shield offers top PPO coverage at $28 monthly with a $5,100 MOOP. All three providers deliver competitive pricing and broad benefits to Georgia residents.
Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Georgia (2026)
Updated: January 27, 2026
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Key Takeaways
Kaiser Permanente is the best HMO Medicare Advantage provider in Georgia with an impressive 4.5-star CMS rating, $28 average monthly premium and $6,703 maximum out-of-pocket limit.
Wellcare has the best HMO-POS Medicare Advantage plans in Georgia, while Blue Cross Blue Shield has the best PPO plans.
Before enrolling in a Georgia Medicare Advantage plan, make sure your preferred doctors, hospitals, and prescription medications are included in the plan’s network and formulary. Costs and coverage vary by plan and county, so it’s important to compare monthly premiums, out-of-pocket maximums, and network restrictions against your specific healthcare needs to avoid unexpected expenses during the year.
Best Medicare Advantage Companies in Georgia
| HMO | Kaiser Permanente | 4.50 | $28 | $6,703 | Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Basic 2 (HMO) |
| HMO-POS | Wellcare | 3.50 | $25 | $7,500 | Wellcare Giveback (HMO-POS) |
| PPO | Blue Cross Blue Shield | 4.00 | $28 | $5,100 | BlueAdvantage Sapphire (PPO) |
Medicare Advantage plans bundle hospital stays, doctor visits and prescription drugs into private insurance alternatives to Original Medicare. These Part C plans must cover everything Original Medicare does while adding dental, vision and hearing benefits.
- CMS Star Ratings: Medicare rates these plans from 1 to 5 stars based on quality, customer service and member satisfaction. Plans earning 4 or 5 stars deliver superior care and high customer satisfaction.
- Monthly premiums: Your total cost includes Part B premium plus any plan-specific premium, though many charge $0 additional. Actual costs depend on your coverage level and location within the state.
- Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits: These annual caps protect you from excessive medical bills by limiting what you'll pay for covered services. Your plan pays 100% of covered costs once you reach this limit.
- Drug coverage: Most plans include prescription drug benefits with their own formulary of covered medications. Check that your drugs are covered and understand any prior authorization requirements before enrolling.
Kaiser Permanente
Best HMO
MoneyGeek Rating
5/ 5
5/5Affordability
5/5Quality
5/5Availability
CMS Star Rating
4.5Plan Types
HMO, HMO-POS
WellCare
Best HMO-POS
MoneyGeek Rating
5/ 5
5/5Affordability
5/5Quality
5/5Availability
CMS Star Rating
3.5Plan Types
HMO-POS, PPO
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Best PPO
MoneyGeek Rating
5/ 5
5/5Affordability
5/5Quality
5/5Availability
CMS Star Rating
4.0Plan Types
PPO
Best HMO Medicare Advantage Plans in Georgia
Georgia’s HMO Medicare Advantage market offers a strong mix of quality and affordability. CMS star ratings range from 2.5 to 4.5 stars, with six plans earning 4 stars or higher. Across the state, seniors can choose from 15 HMO plans from five insurers. Eleven of these plans have $0 monthly premiums, while annual out-of-pocket maximums average $7,128.
- Kaiser Permanente has the best HMO plans in Georgia with four plans that average $28 per month, a $6,703 out-of-pocket maximum, and a 4.5-star CMS rating.
- Aetna follows with two $0-premium plans, also rated 4.5 stars, though with a higher average out-of-pocket cap of $9,019.
- Humana rounds out the top three with four $0 premium plans averaging $6,977 in annual out-of-pocket costs and a 3.5-star rating.
| Kaiser Permanente | 4.50 | $28 | $6,703 | 4 | 5.00 |
| Aetna | 4.50 | $0 | $9,019 | 2 | 4.48 |
| Humana | 3.50 | $0 | $6,977 | 4 | 4.33 |
| Clear Spring Health | 2.50 | $0 | $4,200 | 1 | 4.25 |
| Cigna HealthCare | 3.52 | $7 | $6,853 | 4 | 3.73 |
WHY CHOOSE AN HMO PLAN?
Best for people who want coordinated care through one primary doctor and don't mind getting referrals to see specialists. HMO plans cost less than other Medicare Advantage options because they use smaller networks, making them ideal if you're comfortable with referral requirements and want to keep your premiums and out-of-pocket expenses low.
Best HMO-POS Medicare Advantage Plans in Georgia
Georgia's HMO-POS Medicare Advantage plans deliver strong affordability despite mixed quality ratings. Four of the seven available plans carry $0 monthly premiums, though only one provider earns a CMS rating above 4 stars. Out-of-pocket maximums average $7,731 annually, ranging from $5,900 to $9,250 depending on which plan you choose.
- Kaiser Permanente leads the HMO-POS market with one HMO-POS plan featuring a $0 monthly premium, 4.5-star CMS rating, and an $8,000 out-of-pocket maximum.
- Wellcare offers three HMO-POS plans averaging $25 per month with a $7,500 out-of-pocket maximum and a 3.5-star CMS rating.
- UnitedHealthcare ranks close behind one plan at just $1 per month and a relatively low $6,700 out-of-pocket maximum alongside a 3.5-star CMS rating.
| Kaiser Permanente | 4.50 | $0 | $8,000 | 1 | 5.00 |
| Wellcare | 3.50 | $25 | $7,500 | 3 | 5.00 |
| UnitedHealthcare | 3.50 | $1 | $6,700 | 1 | 4.93 |
| Anthem | 3.50 | $13 | $7,575 | 2 | 3.93 |
WHY CHOOSE AN HMO-POS PLAN?
If you're looking for lower monthly costs but don't want to feel trapped by an HMO's restrictions, consider HMO-POS plans. You'll pay less than PPO premiums while gaining the flexibility to see out-of-network specialists without referrals when needed.
Best PPO Medicare Advantage Plans in Georgia
Georgia has 31 PPO Medicare Advantage plans, giving seniors greater freedom to see out-of-network providers compared to HMO options, though that flexibility often comes at a higher cost. Monthly premiums range from $0 to $82, with a $0 median premium statewide. Average out-of-pocket maximums are $8,585 and range from $5,100 to $9,250.
- Blue Cross Blue Shield has the best PPO plans in the state with two options averaging $28 per month, a low $5,100 out-of-pocket maximum, and a strong 4-star CMS rating.
- UnitedHealthcare provides one $0-premium PPO plan with a 4-star CMS rating, though it carries the highest out-of-pocket maximum at $9,250.
- Humana delivers a broad selection of 15 PPO plans with a low $5 average premium but a high $9,250 average MOOP and a slightly lower average CMS rating of 3.79 stars.
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | 4.00 | $28 | $5,100 | 2 | 5.00 |
| UnitedHealthcare | 4.00 | $0 | $9,250 | 1 | 4.50 |
| Humana | 3.79 | $5 | $9,205 | 15 | 4.34 |
| Aetna | 3.89 | $16 | $9,250 | 7 | 4.29 |
| Cigna HealthCare | 3.00 | $0 | $6,841 | 1 | 4.15 |
| Wellcare | 3.50 | $0 | $9,250 | 1 | 4.05 |
| Anthem | 4.00 | $82 | $9,250 | 1 | 3.80 |
WHY CHOOSE A PPO PLAN?
PPO plans come with higher premiums but deliver maximum healthcare freedom by removing all provider restrictions and referral requirements. Georgia residents can see any specialist without primary care approval and access out-of-network doctors when needed, though staying in-network saves money.
How to Choose the Best Georgia Medicare Advantage Plan
Finding the best plan for you requires balancing your medical needs, budget constraints and how much provider choice you want.
- 1Confirm Your Doctors and Hospitals Are In-Network
Contact your doctors and hospitals to verify they're in the plan's network, not just with the insurance company generally. Each plan from the same insurer can have different provider networks.
- 2Compare Total Costs, Not Just Premiums
Plans with no premium may carry higher out-of-pocket costs through copays and deductibles. Factor in your expected medication expenses and typical specialist visits when calculating annual costs.
- 3Check Prescription Drug Coverage
Review the drug list to verify your prescriptions are included and check which tier they're in. You'll pay more for higher-tier medications, and some drugs need prior approval from the plan.
- 4Compare Different Plan Types
Pick an HMO plan type for the lowest premiums and coordinated care through your primary doctor. HMO-POS works if you want occasional out-of-network flexibility. PPO suits frequent travelers or those wanting unrestricted specialist access.
- 5Review Star Ratings and Quality Metrics
Star ratings measure plan quality, service and member satisfaction on a 1-5 scale. Higher-rated plans, especially those with 4 or 5 stars, deliver superior care and customer service.
- 6Compare Extra Benefits
Many Georgia Medicare Advantage plans include dental, vision, hearing, fitness memberships and over-the-counter allowances. Compare extras based on what you need most.
- 7Check Out-of-Pocket Maximums
Out-of-pocket maximums protect you from excessive medical expenses by capping what you pay annually. Plans with lower caps offer stronger financial protection but charge higher monthly premiums.
How Much Does Medicare Advantage Cost in Georgia?
Medicare Advantage costs in Georgia depend heavily on which plan type you choose. HMO plans offer the most affordable option with a $0 median premium and $9 average monthly cost, though they carry $7,128 average out-of-pocket maximums. HMO-POS plans cost slightly less at $7 monthly averages with $7,731 MOOP limits, while PPO plans top the spectrum at $12 average premiums and $8,585 out-of-pocket maximums. PPOs charge more because they let you see out-of-network providers and access specialists without referrals.
| HMO | $0 | $9 | $7,128 |
| HMO-POS | $0 | $7 | $7,731 |
| PFFS | $27 | $27 | $6,700 |
| PPO | $0 | $12 | $8,585 |
| Regional PPO | $100 | $100 | $9,250 |
Best Georgia Medicare Advantage: FAQ
You'll find answers to common questions about Medicare Advantage enrollment processes, what's covered and enrollment timing for residents.
How do you get a Medicare Advantage plan in Georgia?
You must have Medicare Part A and B to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. Sign up during Annual Enrollment (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7) or other qualifying periods through Medicare.gov, insurers or licensed agents.
What does Medicare Advantage cover?
Medicare Advantage plans cover everything Original Medicare does plus often include prescription drugs, dental, vision, hearing services, and fitness benefits.
What's the difference between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement?
Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare with bundled coverage from private insurers, while Medicare Supplement (Medigap) works alongside Original Medicare to cover deductibles and copays.
When is open enrollment for Medicare Advantage in Georgia?
Georgia offers multiple enrollment periods for Medicare Advantage plans. The main Annual Enrollment Period runs Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, plus Jan. 1 to March 31 for current enrollees.
Our Methodology: How We Ranked Georgia's Best Medicare Advantage Plans
Our analysis of Medicare Advantage plans uses a scoring methodology and three key factors:
- Affordability (50%): Cost comprises half of our overall score because it affects your budget. We evaluated monthly premiums for Part C and Part D coverage combined (30% weight) and in-network maximum out-of-pocket limits (20% weight). Plans with lower premiums and MOOP amounts score higher since they reduce your total annual health care spending.
- Star Ratings (40%): CMS star ratings measure plan quality across categories like care effectiveness, customer service and member satisfaction. The Overall Star Rating combines both Part C (medical coverage) and Part D (prescription drug) ratings on a scale from 1 to 5 stars. Plans with higher ratings earn better scores in our analysis.
- Availability (10%): We score providers based on how many states they operate in, including Washington, D.C. Providers with broader geographic availability score higher because they're more likely to maintain coverage if you move and often have more resources for customer support and plan improvements.
This scoring system helps you compare plans objectively while accounting for what matters most: what you'll pay and the quality of care you'll receive.
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.