Kaiser Permanente has the best HMO options in Georgia for members in its Atlanta-area service network, with a 4.5 CMS star rating, $28 average monthly premium and $6,703 average MOOP. Wellcare leads for HMO-POS plans with $25 monthly premiums. Blue Cross Blue Shield has the top PPO coverage at $28 monthly and a $5,100 MOOP. Georgia's Medicare Advantage market has 53 plans as of 2026.
Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Georgia (2026)
Updated: June 17, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
Kaiser Permanente is the best HMO Medicare Advantage provider in Georgia for Atlanta metro residents with an established primary care relationship. It earns a 4.5-star CMS rating, charges $28 per month on average and caps out-of-pocket costs at $6,703.
Wellcare has the best HMO-POS Medicare Advantage plans in Georgia. Blue Cross Blue Shield has the best PPO plans.
Before enrolling in a Georgia Medicare Advantage plan, confirm your doctors, hospitals and medications are in the plan's network and formulary. Premiums, out-of-pocket maximums and network restrictions vary by plan and county. Compare all three against your actual health care use before committing.
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) |
The highest and lowest average MOOP across these three winners is $2,400 annually, the difference between Wellcare's $7,500 cap and Blue Cross Blue Shield's $5,100. Georgia's average HMO MOOP of $7,128 per year runs $1,457 below the PPO average of $8,585. The premium difference is only $3 per month.
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 scores plans on a 1-to-5 scale based on care quality, member satisfaction and care coordination. Plans at four stars or above are top performers.
- Monthly premiums: You pay your standard Part B premium plus any plan-specific cost. Many Georgia Medicare Advantage plans charge $0 in added monthly fees.
- Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits: This annual cap is the most you'll spend on covered care in a year. Once you hit it, the plan pays 100% of covered services through December 31.
- Drug coverage: Most plans include Part D coverage with a formulary listing covered drugs. Confirm your medications are on the formulary and note 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 has 15 plans from five carriers. Six plans earn four stars or higher, with ratings ranging from 2.5 to 4.5 stars. Eleven plans have $0 monthly premiums. Out-of-pocket maximums average $7,128 per year.
- Kaiser Permanente has the best HMO plans in Georgia, four plans averaging $28 per month, a $6,703 out-of-pocket maximum and a 4.5-star CMS rating.
- Aetna also earns 4.5 stars with two $0-premium plans. Its average out-of-pocket cap of $9,019 is $2,316 above Kaiser's $6,703.
- Humana has four $0-premium plans averaging $6,977 in annual out-of-pocket costs and a 3.5-star CMS rating.
| Kaiser Permanente | 4.50 | $28 | $6,703 | 4 | 5 |
| 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 |
Aetna matches Kaiser on star ratings at 4.5 but carries an average out-of-pocket maximum of $9,019, $2,316 more per year than Kaiser's $6,703. For most members, that gap outweighs Aetna's $0 premium advantage.
WHY CHOOSE AN HMO PLAN?
HMO plans are the right fit for members who want coordinated care through one primary doctor and are comfortable getting referrals before seeing specialists. These plans cost less than PPO and HMO-POS options because they use narrower networks. If you have an established primary care relationship and prefer lower monthly costs, an HMO structure saves you money without sacrificing covered services.
Best HMO-POS Medicare Advantage Plans in Georgia
Georgia's HMO-POS market has seven plans. Four have $0 monthly premiums. Only Kaiser Permanente earns a CMS rating above four stars. Out-of-pocket maximums average $7,731 per year. They range from $5,900 to $9,250.
- Kaiser Permanente leads HMO-POS with one plan at $0 per month, a 4.5-star CMS rating and an $8,000 out-of-pocket maximum. Wellcare has three HMO-POS plans with a $7,500 out-of-pocket maximum and a 3.5-star CMS rating. UnitedHealthcare offers one plan at $1 per month, a $6,700 out-of-pocket maximum and a 3.5-star rating.
- Wellcare has three HMO-POS plans averaging $25 a month, a $7,500 out-of-pocket maximum and a 3.5-star CMS rating.
- UnitedHealthcare has one plan at $1 per month, a $6,700 out-of-pocket maximum and a 3.5-star rating
| Kaiser Permanente | 4.50 | $0 | $8,000 | 1 | 5 |
| Wellcare | 3.50 | $25 | $7,500 | 3 | 5 |
| UnitedHealthcare | 3.50 | $1 | $6,700 | 1 | 4.93 |
| Anthem | 3.50 | $13 | $7,575 | 2 | 3.93 |
Kaiser Permanente is the only HMO-POS carrier in Georgia above a 4-star CMS rating. All three have 3.5-star CMS ratings. UnitedHealthcare has the lowest premium at $1 per month and the lowest MOOP at $6,700. Wellcare's premium reaches $25 per month with a $7,500 MOOP.
WHY CHOOSE AN HMO-POS PLAN?
HMO-POS plans cost less than PPO options and allow occasional out-of-network visits without a referral. They work best for members who want lower monthly costs most of the time but occasionally need to see a provider outside the network, whether traveling or visiting a specialist not in the plan's directory.
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 Georgia with two options averaging $336 per year, a $5,100 out-of-pocket maximum and a 4-star CMS rating.
- UnitedHealthcare provides one $0-premium PPO plan with a 4-star CMS rating and a $9,250 out-of-pocket maximum, which it shares with three other carriers in the market.
- Humana has 15 PPO plans with a $5 average premium, a $9,205 average MOOP and a 3.79-star CMS rating, 0.21 stars below Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare at 4.0 stars.
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | 4.00 | $28 | $5,100 | 2 | 5 |
| UnitedHealthcare | 4.00 | $0 | $9,250 | 1 | 4.5 |
| 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 | 3.8 |
Blue Cross Blue Shield has the lowest average MOOP among all PPO carriers at $5,100; $3,485 below the state PPO average of $8,585. For a member who anticipates heavy medical use, that cap difference is worth the $28 monthly premium over a $0-premium plan with a $9,250 ceiling.
WHY CHOOSE A PPO PLAN?
PPO plans average $3 more per month than HMO plans but remove provider network restrictions and referral requirements. You can see any Medicare-participating doctor or specialist in Georgia without a referral. 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
Start with plan type, not carrier. Georgia's 53 Medicare Advantage plans split across HMO, HMO-POS and PPO structures, and your ZIP code determines which ones are available to you. The seven steps below walk through each decision point.
- 1Confirm Your Doctors and Hospitals Are In-Network
Contact providers directly to confirm they're in the specific plan's network, not just with the insurer in general. Plans from the same carrier have different provider networks.
- 2Compare Total Costs, Not Just Premiums
A $0-premium plan carries higher cost-sharing through copays and deductibles. Add expected medication costs and typical specialist visits to get an accurate annual total.
- 3Check Prescription Drug Coverage
Check your medications against the plan's formulary and note their tier. Higher tiers cost more at the pharmacy. Some drugs require prior authorization before the plan pays.
- 4Compare Different Plan Types
HMO plans have the lowest premiums and require care coordination through a primary doctor. HMO-POS adds occasional out-of-network access. PPO removes referral requirements and includes out-of-network coverage at a higher cost-share.
- 5Review Star Ratings and Quality Metrics
CMS star ratings score quality, customer service and member satisfaction on a 1-to-5 scale. Plans at four or five stars perform better across all three.
- 6Compare Extra Benefits
Dental, vision, hearing, fitness memberships and over-the-counter allowances vary by plan. Match available extras to your actual needs rather than counting them as uniform advantages.
- 7Check Out-of-Pocket Maximums
The out-of-pocket maximum is the most you'll spend on covered care in a year. Lower caps mean less financial exposure but higher monthly premiums.
How Much Does Medicare Advantage Cost in Georgia?
Medicare Advantage costs in Georgia depend on plan type. HMO plans are the most affordable, with a $0 median premium and $9 average monthly cost. Their average out-of-pocket maximum is $7,128 per year. HMO-POS plans average $84 per year with $7,731 MOOP limits. PPO plans average $144 per year with $8,585 out-of-pocket maximums. PPO plans average $12 per month with $8,585 out-of-pocket maximums. PPOs cost more because they allow out-of-network access and remove referral requirements. For members who rarely use out-of-network access, an HMO saves $1,457 per year in average out-of-pocket exposure compared to a PPO.
| 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 |
Which Medicare Advantage Plan in Georgia Is Right for You?
Kaiser Permanente is the only HMO carrier in Georgia with a 4.5-star CMS rating and a MOOP below $7,000. Its four plans average $6,703 per year. Blue Cross Blue Shield covers any Medicare-participating provider in Georgia without a referral. BlueAdvantage Extra charges $336 per year and has a $5,100 MOOP, $3,485 below Georgia's PPO average.
Wellcare works best for members who want three HMO-POS options to compare and are willing to accept a 3.5-star CMS rating in exchange for $0 premiums on two of the four plans.
Kaiser's network doesn't extend statewide and the remaining HMO carriers, average a $7,128 out-of-pocket maximum with no network breadth advantage. HMO-POS plans average $854 less per year in out-of-pocket exposure than PPO plans and allow occasional out-of-network visits without a referral.
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. Medicare Supplement, also called Medigap, works alongside Original Medicare to cover deductibles and copays instead.
When is open enrollment for Medicare Advantage in Georgia?
Two enrollment windows are available for most Georgia enrollees: the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7) and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (Jan. 1 to March 31) for current plan members. A Special Enrollment Period applies for qualifying events like moving or losing other coverage.
Are Medicare Advantage plans available across all of Georgia?
Not all plan types are available statewide. Kaiser Permanente's HMO plans serve the Atlanta metro area but aren't available to residents in rural Georgia. PPO plans from Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare have broader geographic availability. Check Medicare.gov's Plan Finder with your specific ZIP code to see which plans are offered in your county.
Which plan type is best if my doctor isn't in Kaiser Permanente's network?
A PPO plan gives you access to any Medicare-participating provider without a referral. Blue Cross Blue Shield's BlueAdvantage Extra and BlueAdvantage Sapphire both cover out-of-network providers, the stronger choice if your specialist isn't in an HMO network. The tradeoff is a higher average out-of-pocket maximum: $8,585 for Georgia PPO plans vs. $7,128 for HMO plans.
Our Methodology: How We Ranked Georgia's Best Medicare Advantage Plans
MoneyGeek scored Georgia Medicare Advantage plans on three factors:
- Affordability (50%): Monthly premiums for Part C and Part D coverage account for 30% of the total score. In-network maximum out-of-pocket limits account for 20%. Lower costs on both measures score higher.
- Star Ratings (40%): CMS star ratings measure plan performance on care quality, customer service and member satisfaction on a 1-to-5 scale. The Overall Star Rating combines Part C and Part D scores. Higher-rated plans score better.
- Availability (10%): We scored each carrier on U.S. geographic footprint, including Washington, D.C. Broader coverage scores higher for infrastructure stability. This factor penalizes carriers with limited state availability, which is relevant in Georgia's market where several top-rated carriers don't serve rural counties.
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.
Sources
- Medicare.gov. "Explore your Medicare coverage options." Accessed June 22, 2026.
- CMS.gov. "Medicare Advantage Resources." Accessed June 22, 2026.