Updated: May 27, 2026
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Idaho has 27 Medicare Advantage plans available from five providers across HMO, HMO-POS and PPO network structures with premiums from $0 to $153 per month.
UnitedHealthcare is the best Medicare Advantage provider in Idaho for PPO and HMO-POS plans, while Saint Alphonsus Health Plan ranks best for HMO plans.
When choosing a Medicare Advantage plan in Idaho, consider which doctors and specialists you want to use, the prescription medications you take and how much you’re willing to spend on monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
We evaluated the best Medicare Advantage plans in Idaho based on CMS star ratings, monthly premiums, and maximum out-of-pocket limits to identify top-performing providers offering the best combination of value and coverage.
Saint Alphonsus Health Plan leads Idaho's HMO market with $0 monthly premiums and a 4.0-star rating. UnitedHealthcare is the top pick for HMO-POS and PPO coverage because its out-of-pocket limits are competitive and its network is broader than most Idaho options.
| HMO | Saint Alphonsus Health Plan | 4.00 | $0 | $6,700 | Saint Alphonsus Health Plan No Premium (HMO) |
| HMO-POS | UnitedHealthcare | 4.00 | $39 | $6,247 | AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC ID-0005 (HMO-POS) |
| PPO | UnitedHealthcare | 4.00 | $22 | $6,983 | AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC ID-0003 (PPO) |
Medicare Advantage Plans Explained
Original Medicare covers hospital and medical costs through the federal government. Medicare Advantage bundles the same coverage through private insurers and adds dental, vision and prescription drug benefits that Original Medicare doesn't include.
Best HMO
CMS Star Rating
Plan Types
Best HMO-POS
CMS Star Rating
Plan Types
Most of Idaho’s 10 HMO Medicare Advantage plans charge monthly premiums, though four options are available at $0 per month. Seniors can choose from three providers, with out-of-pocket maximums ranging from $5,500 to $7,900 and averaging $6,160 annually. Plan quality is moderate, averaging 3.5 stars, with two plans earning 4 stars or higher. All 10 plans include enhanced Part D prescription drug coverage.
| Saint Alphonsus Health Plan | 4.00 | $0 | $6,700 | 2 | 4.25 |
| Humana | 3.00 | $0 | $6,400 | 2 | 4.11 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | 3.50 | $99 | $5,900 | 6 | 4.09 |
HMO Medicare Advantage plans require you to stay within a provider network and get referrals for specialists. You'll pay lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs while getting coordinated care through your primary doctor. These plans suit Idaho residents who want predictable health care expenses.
Only two plans offer $0 monthly premiums, while the average premium is $39. Out-of-pocket maximums range from $5,900 to $6,700, averaging $6,342 annually. All plans include enhanced Part D prescription coverage and feature an average 3.86-star CMS rating.
| UnitedHealthcare | 4.00 | $39 | $6,247 | 5 | 5 |
| PacificSource Medicare | 3.50 | $52 | $6,687 | 2 | 3.25 |
HMO-POS plans keep most HMO cost advantages while allowing out-of-network visits when needed, at higher cost. They're worth considering if you want HMO pricing but need occasional flexibility on providers.
Idaho's 10 PPO options come from two providers. The average premium is $27 a month; four plans are $0. Out-of-pocket maximums average $6,915, ranging from $5,900 to $8,800, which are higher than other plan types in the state. Star ratings average 3.9, with most plans at 3.5 stars. All include enhanced Part D and waive deductibles on select medication tiers.
| UnitedHealthcare | 4.00 | $22 | $6,983 | 4 | 5 |
| Humana | 3.70 | $48 | $6,984 | 6 | 3.5 |
PPO Medicare Advantage plans provide maximum flexibility, letting you visit any Medicare-approved doctor without referrals and giving you access to both in-network and out-of-network care. You'll pay higher monthly premiums and out-of-pocket maximums than more restrictive plan types, but you get complete freedom to manage your health care.
When shopping for the best Medicare Advantage plan in Idaho, consider your health care needs, medication coverage and total costs.
Confirm your doctors, specialists and hospitals are in the plan's network before enrolling. HMO plans require specialist referrals. PPOs don't. Our guide to health insurance network types explains the difference in detail.
A $0 premium plan with a $7,833 MOOP can cost more over a year than a $29-premium plan with a $6,750 MOOP if you use care regularly. The MOOP is the number that actually limits your annual exposure, not the premium.
Check that your medications are on the plan's formulary and note their tier — tier placement determines your out-of-pocket cost per prescription. Most Medicare Advantage plans include Part D automatically, but some require separate enrollment.
Confirm what dental, vision, hearing, fitness and transportation benefits each plan includes. These vary widely and can offset other costs if you use them.
CMS star ratings rate plans from one to five stars on care quality and member satisfaction. Four or five stars indicates above-average performance on both measures.
Network structure determines costs in Idaho's Medicare Advantage market. Plans with restricted networks keep monthly premiums and out-of-pocket expenses lower than plans offering broader provider access.
PPO plans offer the most affordable monthly costs at $24 median premium but carry the highest risk with $6,915 average maximum out-of-pocket expenses. HMO plans cost $38 monthly but provide better financial protection with $6,160 average MOOP limits. HMO-POS plans sit in the middle at $57 median monthly premium and $6,343 MOOP, adding some out-of-network flexibility for the extra cost.
| HMO | $38 | $50 | $6,160 |
| HMO-POS | $57 | $39 | $6,343 |
| PPO | $24 | $27 | $6,915 |
Get answers about Idaho Medicare Advantage plans:
Idaho residents can enroll during the Annual Enrollment Period from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, or during the Open Enrollment Period from Jan. 1 to March 31. Moving to a new area or losing other coverage may qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period outside these windows.
Yes, most Medicare Advantage plans in Idaho provide prescription drug coverage but confirm your medications appear on the plan's formulary.
You may need to change plans. Notify your current insurer within 30 days of relocating to see your coverage options. You'll qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
We analyzed Medicare Advantage plans in Idaho using three core criteria:
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.
