MoneyGeek evaluated Indiana Medicare Advantage plans on CMS star ratings, monthly premiums and maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits to identify the top pick in each plan type. Essence Healthcare earned the best HMO result with a 4.5-star CMS rating, a $0 monthly premium and the lowest average MOOP in the category at $3,350. UnitedHealthcare took the HMO-POS spot with a $0 premium, a 4-star rating and a $5,815 average MOOP. Humana placed first in both the PPO and PFFS categories.
Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Indiana (2026)
Updated: June 8, 2026
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Key Takeaways
Eight Indiana Medicare Advantage providers offer 65 plans ranging from $0 to $100 per month. Plan types include HMO, HMO-POS, PPO and PFFS.
Essence Healthcare has the best HMO Medicare Advantage plans in Indiana, while UnitedHealthcare has the best HMO-POS plans, and Humana has the best PPO and PFFS options.
When comparing Medicare Advantage options in Indiana, check that your preferred doctors and hospitals are in-network, your prescriptions are covered and total out-of-pocket costs fit your budget.
Best Medicare Advantage Providers in Indiana
HMO | Essence Healthcare | 4.5 | $0 | $3,350 | |
HMO-POS | UnitedHealthcare | 4 | $0 | $5,815 | |
PPO | Humana | 4 | $0 | $9,150 | |
PFFS | Humana | 3.5 | $37 | $3,950 |
Medicare Advantage Plans Explained
Original Medicare doesn't cover dental, vision or wellness programs. Medicare Advantage plans do, and they're sold by private insurers that also cover all your Part A and Part B services.
- CMS Star Ratings: CMS scores plans on quality care and customer service on a 1-to-5 scale. Plans at four or five stars deliver better experiences for members.
- Monthly premiums: Your premium is what you pay each month to keep the plan active, on top of the standard Medicare Part B premium.
- Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits: Once your covered costs hit the MOOP cap for the year, your plan picks up 100% of remaining covered expenses.
- Prescription drug coverage: Most Medicare Advantage plans bundle drug coverage, which cuts what you pay at the pharmacy.
Essence Healthcare
Best HMO
MoneyGeek Rating
4.8/ 5
5/5Affordability
5/5Quality
2.8/5Availability
CMS Star Rating
4.5Plan Types
HMO, PPO
UnitedHealthcare
Best HMO-POS
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
4.1/5Affordability
5/5Quality
5/5Availability
CMS Star Rating
4.0Plan Types
HMO-POS, PPO
Humana
Best PPO and PFFS
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
4/5Affordability
5/5Quality
5/5Availability
CMS Star Rating
4.0Plan Types
HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, PFFS
Best Indiana HMO Medicare Advantage Providers
Out-of-pocket maximums for HMO Medicare Advantage plans in Indiana range from $3,300 to $5,775, averaging $4,469 per year among top providers. Most plans charge $0 monthly premiums and include Part D prescription drug coverage.
- Essence Healthcare has the highest CMS rating in this category at 4.5 stars. Its one HMO plan charges $0 per month and caps annual costs at $3,350.
- MyTruAdvantage offers one HMO plan with a $0 monthly premium, a 3.5-star CMS rating and a $3,300 MOOP — the lowest of any Indiana HMO plan.
- Humana has one Indiana HMO plan with a $0 monthly premium and a 3-star CMS rating. Its $5,450 MOOP is higher than the other options here, but its long history in Medicare Advantage may appeal to beneficiaries who want a nationally established insurer.
| Essence Healthcare | 4.50 | $0 | $3,350 | 1 | 4.76 |
| MyTruAdvantage | 3.50 | $0 | $3,300 | 1 | 4.33 |
| Humana | 3.00 | $0 | $5,450 | 1 | 4.08 |
| Anthem | 4.00 | $13 | $5,775 | 2 | 3.55 |
HMO PROS AND CONS
HMO Medicare Advantage plans require you to stay within their provider networks and get a referral from your primary care doctor before seeing specialists. In exchange, you'll pay lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs, with care coordinated through one primary doctor.
Best Indiana HMO-POS Medicare Advantage Providers
HMO-POS Medicare Advantage plans let you see out-of-network providers while keeping costs closer to HMO levels. Indiana has 17 HMO-POS plans from five providers, with 14 charging $0 monthly premiums. Maximum out-of-pocket limits range from $3,900 to $5,944, averaging $5,250.
- UnitedHealthcare has eight HMO-POS plans in Indiana, all rated 4 stars by CMS. Every plan is $0 a month with a $5,815 average MOOP, the largest selection in this category statewide.
- Humana's three HMO-POS plans are all $0 a month and carry a 3-star CMS rating. At $4,416, Humana's average MOOP is the lowest of any Indiana HMO-POS provider.
- Aetna's single HMO-POS plan is $0 a month with a 3-star CMS rating and a $5,944 MOOP. Beneficiaries who want a large national insurer with out-of-network access have one option in this category.
| UnitedHealthcare | 4.00 | $0 | $5,815 | 8 | 4.55 |
| Humana | 3.00 | $0 | $4,416 | 3 | 4.42 |
| Aetna | 3.00 | $0 | $5,944 | 1 | 3.97 |
| Anthem | 3.56 | $23 | $4,828 | 3 | 3.75 |
HMO-POS PROS AND CONS
HMO-POS plans work well for people who want coordinated, lower-cost care but don't want to be locked into a single network. You get the lower premiums typical of HMOs and can still see out-of-network providers, just at a higher cost.
Best Indiana PPO Medicare Advantage Providers
PPO Medicare Advantage plans give you broader provider access in Indiana, but costs are higher. The state has 38 PPO plans from eight providers; 22 charge $0 monthly premiums. All 38 plans include enhanced Part D prescription drug coverage, and 37 of 38 waive deductibles on select medication tiers.
- Humana has 17 Indiana PPO plans, all rated 4 stars by CMS and priced at $0 per month. The tradeoff: its $9,150 average MOOP is one of the highest in the state.
- Aetna has three PPO plans with an average $13 monthly premium and a $5,970 MOOP cap. At 4.5 stars, it has the highest CMS rating among Indiana PPO providers.
- Zing Health has one PPO plan at $0 per month, rated 3 stars by CMS, with a $6,350 MOOP.
| Humana | 4.00 | $0 | $9,150 | 17 | 4.5 |
| Aetna | 4.50 | $13 | $5,970 | 3 | 4.28 |
| Zing Health | 3.00 | $0 | $6,350 | 1 | 4.25 |
| UnitedHealthcare | 4.00 | $17 | $5,109 | 8 | 4.17 |
| MyTruAdvantage | 3.00 | $17 | $3,900 | 2 | 3.86 |
| Essence Healthcare | 3.00 | $20 | $4,150 | 1 | 3.79 |
| Anthem | 3.50 | $28 | $6,750 | 3 | 3.4 |
PPO PROS AND CONS
PPO Medicare Advantage plans come with higher monthly premiums and out-of-pocket maximums, but you can see any Medicare-approved doctor without a referral. You can use both in-network and out-of-network providers, though in-network visits cost less.
How to Find the Best Indiana Medicare Advantage Plans
Finding the right Medicare Advantage plan means looking beyond monthly premiums to consider your health care needs, prescription drugs and total budget.
- 1Check Your Doctor and Hospital Network
Confirm that your current doctors, specialists and preferred hospitals are in the plan's network. HMO plans limit you to in-network providers except for emergencies; PPO plans allow out-of-network visits at a higher cost.
- 2Compare Maximum Out-of-Pocket (MOOP) Costs
The MOOP is the most you'll pay for covered services in a year. A plan with a $0 premium but $7,833 MOOP can cost more than a $29-per-month plan capped at $6,750 if you use care regularly.
- 3Review Prescription Drug Coverage
Check that your medications are on the plan's drug formulary and note their tier placement, since higher tiers mean higher pharmacy costs. Most Medicare Advantage plans include Part D coverage, but some require separate enrollment.
- 4Evaluate Additional Benefits
Many Medicare Advantage plans cover dental, vision, hearing aids, fitness memberships and transportation to medical appointments. Check which extras each plan includes before enrolling.
- 5Consider CMS Star Ratings
CMS rates plans on a scale of 1 to 5 stars based on member satisfaction, care quality and health outcomes. Plans rated 4 or 5 stars score higher on care quality and member satisfaction.
Average Indiana Medicare Advantage Cost
Network structure affects Medicare Advantage costs in Indiana. Narrower networks mean lower premiums and out-of-pocket limits; broader access comes at a higher price.
HMO plans are the most affordable, with $0 median monthly premiums and a $4,471 average MOOP. HMO-POS plans add limited out-of-network access, with average monthly premiums of $9 and a $5,277 average MOOP. PPO plans average $14 per month and $6,198 in maximum out-of-pocket costs. PFFS plans have the highest average monthly premium at $37 but a lower $3,950 MOOP.
| HMO | $0 | $4 | $4,471 |
| HMO-POS | $0 | $9 | $5,277 |
| PFFS | $37 | $37 | $3,950 |
| PPO | $0 | $14 | $6,198 |
| Regional PPO | $58 | $59 | $9,200 |
Best Indiana Medicare Advantage: FAQ
Get answers about Indiana Medicare Advantage plans:
When can I enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan in Indiana?
Indiana residents can enroll during the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7) or the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (Jan. 1 to March 31). You may also qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you move or lose other coverage.
Does Medicare Advantage cover prescription drugs in Indiana?
Most Indiana Medicare Advantage plans include Part D prescription drug coverage. Before enrolling, check that your medications are on the plan's formulary and review their tier levels, since higher tiers mean higher pharmacy costs.
Do I need to change Medicare Advantage plans if I move to a different county in Indiana?
Provider networks and plan availability vary by county, so a move within Indiana can require a plan change. Contact your current plan within 30 days of relocating to confirm whether your coverage stays intact and to ask about a Special Enrollment Period.
Our Methodology: How We Chose the Best Indiana Medicare Advantage Plans
MoneyGeek assessed Indiana Medicare Advantage plans on three criteria:
- Affordability (50%): Costs represent half the total score due to their immediate effect on 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.
This scoring reflects what matters most to Medicare beneficiaries: keeping costs manageable while getting quality care.
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.