Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Hawaii (2026)

Key Takeaways

There are five Medicare Advantage providers in Hawaii with 24 total plans available in HMO and PPO network structures.

Humana is the best Medicare Advantage HMO provider in Hawaii, while UnitedHealthcare has the best PPO plans.

When comparing Medicare Advantage plans in Hawaii, it’s important to consider more than just the monthly premium. Check if your preferred doctors are in-network, understand how the plan covers your prescription medications and consider how much you’re willing to spend on out-of-pocket costs.

Best Medicare Advantage Providers in Hawaii

Hawaii residents have a variety of Medicare Advantage options, each with different coverage levels, provider networks, and costs. We evaluated the best Hawaii Medicare Advantage providers by plan type based on CMS star ratings, monthly premiums, and out-of-pocket limits.

For seniors looking to minimize monthly costs, Humana offers a $0 premium HMO plan with a 3.5-star rating and an average MOOP of $5,900, combining affordability with solid coverage. UnitedHealthcare is the best option for PPO plans, featuring a 4.0-star rating and averaging $46 per month with a $6,700 out-of-pocket maximum.


HMO	Humana	3.50	$0	$5,900	Humana Gold Plus H0028-082 (HMO)
PPO	UnitedHealthcare	4.00	$46	$6,700	AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC HI-5 (PPO)

Medicare Advantage Plans Explained

Medicare Advantage plans work differently than Original Medicare by bundling hospital and medical coverage through private insurance companies. Island residents can access plans that include dental, vision and prescription drugs that traditional Medicare doesn't cover.

CMS Star Ratings: These ratings help you compare plan quality using a 1 to 5-star system. Plans earn stars based on how well they serve members and coordinate care.
Monthly premiums: You'll pay your regular Part B premium plus any extra plan costs. Some Medicare Advantage plans charge $0 additional monthly fees beyond your Part B payment.
Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits: This annual cap protects you from unlimited medical expenses each year. Your plan covers all remaining costs for covered services once you reach this limit.
Prescription drug coverage: Most plans bundle medication coverage directly into your benefits package. Check that your prescriptions appear on the plan's approved drug list before enrolling.

Humana

Best HMO

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Quality

5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
3.5
Plan Types
HMO, PPO

pros
- HMO plans earn 3.5-star CMS rating
- Three of five plans charge $0 monthly premium
- Enhanced Part D drug coverage in all plans
cons
- Out-of-pocket maximums span $5,900 to $6,750
Humana's HMO plan in Hawaii gives seniors a low-cost entry point into Medicare Advantage, with a 3.5-star CMS rating, enhanced Part D prescription drug coverage and $0 monthly premiums.

Seniors who want more provider options can turn to one of Humana's four PPO plans, all rated 3.5 stars by CMS. The HumanaChoice H5216-313 (PPO) leads the lineup, pairing broader network access with enhanced Part D coverage so members can see out-of-network providers without a referral.

UnitedHealthcare

Best PPO

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Quality

5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
4.0
Plan Types
PPO

pros
- Reliable 4-star CMS rating
- Nationwide provider access without referrals
- Basic and Enhanced drug benefits
cons
- Only has PPO plans available
- Out-of-network care costs more
UnitedHealthcare leads PPO coverage in Hawaii with six plan options. The AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC HI-5 plan offers the best value at $45 per month, capping annual out-of-pocket costs at $6,700, and it earns a 4-star CMS rating for member satisfaction.

The PPO structure lets seniors see any Medicare-approved provider without referrals, a real advantage in a state spread across multiple islands.

Best Hawaii HMO Medicare Advantage Providers

Most of Hawaii’s five HMO Medicare Advantage plans carry monthly premiums, with only one offering a $0 monthly cost. Seniors in the state can choose between two providers, and out-of-pocket maximums range from $5,100 to $7,750, averaging $6,320 annually. Quality is strong, with an average CMS rating of 4.3 stars and four plans earning 4 stars or higher. All plans include enhanced Part D prescription drug coverage.

Humana offers one plan with a 3.5-star rating, charging $0 per month with a $5,900 average MOOP limit.
Kaiser Permanente earns 4.5 stars across 4 plans, averaging $143 monthly with $6,425 maximum out-of-pocket costs.


Humana	3.50	$0	$5,900	1	5
Kaiser Permanente	4.50	$143	$6,425	4	4.75

HMO PROS AND CONS

HMO Medicare Advantage plans pair low premiums with coordinated care, which appeals to Hawaii residents who want predictable healthcare costs. You'll need to stay within the plan's provider network and get referrals to see specialists. If you're comfortable with a primary care doctor managing your care and rarely need out-of-network providers, an HMO plan is worth a close look.

Best Hawaii PPO Medicare Advantage Providers

PPO plans in Hawaii offer greater network flexibility but generally come with higher costs. The state has 19 PPO options from four providers, averaging $36 per month, though seven plans charge $0 premiums. Out-of-pocket maximums are higher due to out-of-network coverage, averaging $6,634 and ranging from $5,100 to $8,300. These plans earn an average 3.63-star CMS rating, with most plans rated 3.5 stars.

UnitedHealthcare is the best Medicare Advantage PPO provider in Hawaii with five plans earning 4.0 stars, though $46 monthly premiums are higher than most competitors and maximum out-of-pocket costs average $6,700.
Humana offers four plans at $16 monthly premiums with $6,135 average MOOP, earning lower 3.5-star CMS ratings.
Devoted Health provides six plans averaging $17 per month, also rated 3.5 stars, though $7,133 maximum costs rank among the highest in the state.


Humana	3.50	$16	$6,135	4	4.5
Devoted Health	3.50	$17	$7,133	6	3.77
HMSA Akamai Advantage	3.50	$86	$6,400	4	3.58
UnitedHealthcare	4.00	$46	$6,700	5	5

PPO PROS AND CONS

PPO Medicare Advantage plans cost more through higher premiums and out-of-pocket maximums, but you're paying for complete provider freedom. 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 extra. These plans are helpful for travelers, people with established doctor relationships or anyone who wants direct specialist access.

How to Find the Best Hawaii Medicare Advantage Plans

Finding the right Medicare Advantage plan in Hawaii means considering preferred doctors, prescription medications and total health care costs.

1
Check Your Doctor and Hospital Network
Confirm that your current doctors, specialists and preferred hospitals are in-network before choosing a Medicare Advantage plan in Hawaii. HMO plans restrict care to network providers except in emergencies, while PPO plans allow out-of-network visits at a higher cost. Review health insurance network types to better understand how these options work.
2
Compare Maximum Out-of-Pocket Costs
Look beyond the monthly premium and focus on your total potential spending. The maximum out-of-pocket limit shows the most you would pay in a year for covered services. A plan with a $0 premium and a $7,833 cap may cost more overall than a $29 plan capped at $6,750 if you need frequent care.
3
Review Prescription Drug Coverage
Check that your medications appear on the plan’s drug list and note the pricing tier assigned to each one. Many Medicare Advantage plans include Part D coverage, though some require a separate purchase. Higher tiers come with higher out-of-pocket costs.
4
Evaluate Additional Benefits
Review extras such as dental care, vision services, hearing aids, gym access and transportation to appointments. Each plan offers a different mix of benefits, so match them to what you actually use throughout the year.
5
Consider CMS Star Ratings
Check the CMS star rating for each plan to gauge overall quality. Ratings range from one to five stars and reflect performance, customer service and care coordination. Plans with four or five stars tend to offer a better overall experience.

Average Hawaii Medicare Advantage Cost

Medicare Advantage costs in Hawaii vary based on plan type and insurer. PPO plans have the lowest median monthly premiums at $20, though the average is $36, with a $6,634 maximum out-of-pocket limit. HMO plans in the state carry higher upfront costs, with a $160 median premium and $114 average monthly premium, but offer slightly stronger financial protection with a $6,320 MOOP.


PPO	$20	$36	$6,634
HMO	$160	$114	$6,320

Best Hawaii Medicare Advantage: FAQ

Get answers about Hawaii Medicare Advantage coverage:

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

You can enroll during the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7) or the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (Jan. 1 to March 31). If you relocate or lose other coverage, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period outside these windows.

Does Medicare Advantage cover prescription drugs in Hawaii?

Yes, most Medicare Advantage plans in Hawaii include prescription drug coverage. Before enrolling, confirm your medications appear on the plan's formulary and check their tier placement, which affects what you'll pay at the pharmacy.

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

Yes, moving to a different county in Hawaii can affect your plan availability since provider networks are location-based. Contact your plan within 30 days of relocating to verify coverage in your new area. You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to switch plans if needed.

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

MoneyGeek evaluates Medicare Advantage plans in Hawaii using three main criteria:

Affordability (50%): Costs account for half the total score because they influence 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 (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for almost a decade, first with LendingTree and now with MoneyGeek, conducting original research on hundreds of insurance companies and millions of insurance rates for insurance shoppers.

He writes about economics and insurance on MoneyGeek, breaking down complex topics so people can have confidence in their purchase. Like all MoneyGeek analysts, Mark collects and analyzes independent cost and consumer experience data on insurance companies to provide objective recommendations in our content that are independent of any of MoneyGeek's insurance company partnerships.

His insights on products ranging from car, home and renters insurance to health and life insurance have been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among others.

Mark holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He started his career working in financial risk management at State Street before transitioning to the analysis of the personal insurance market. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

Read Full Bio »