Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Kansas (2026)

The best Medicare Advantage plans in Kansas for the 2026 plan year are Humana, UnitedHealthcare and Cigna HealthCare.

Compare Kansas Medicare Advantage companies to find coverage that works for you.

Updated: June 17, 2026

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Key Takeaways

Kansas has 39 Medicare Advantage plans from six providers across HMO, HMO-POS, PPO and PFFS plan types with premiums ranging from $0 to $118 per month.

Top Medicare Advantage providers in Kansas by plan type include Cigna HealthCare for HMO, Humana for HMO-POS and UnitedHealthcare for PPO.

Consider whether your preferred doctors and hospitals participate in the plan’s network, how well your prescription medications are covered, and how much you can budget for premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket costs throughout the year.

Best Medicare Advantage Providers in Kansas

Cigna HealthCare, Humana and UnitedHealthcare lead their respective Medicare Advantage plan types in Kansas based on MoneyGeek's Kansas analysis of affordability, CMS star ratings and availability.

Cigna HealthCare leads HMO coverage with $0 monthly premiums, though its maximum out-of-pocket cost reaches $6,750. Humana ranks first for HMO-POS plans with the lowest MOOP in Kansas at $3,873, $0 premiums and a 3.62-star CMS rating. UnitedHealthcare's PPO earns the top spot with $0 premiums and a $5,000 MOOP.


HMO	Cigna HealthCare	3.00	$0	$6,750	HealthSpring Preferred (HMO)
HMO-POS	Humana	3.62	$0	$3,873	Humana Gold Plus H0028-054 (HMO-POS)
PPO	UnitedHealthcare	3.50	$0	$5,000	AARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC KC-4 (PPO)

Medicare Advantage Plans Explained

Medicare Advantage plans offer an alternative to Original Medicare by bundling hospital and medical coverage through private insurers. These Part C plans add prescription drugs, dental, vision and hearing benefits that traditional Medicare doesn't cover.

CMS Star Ratings: Medicare scores plans from 1 to 5 stars based on quality measures and customer satisfaction. Plans with 4 or 5 stars perform well across health care delivery and member services.
Monthly premiums: You'll pay your standard Part B premium plus any plan-specific monthly fees. Many Medicare Advantage plans in Kansas charge $0 additional premiums beyond your Part B cost.
Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits: This annual cap protects you from unlimited medical expenses. Once you hit it, your plan covers 100% of the remaining costs for covered services.
Prescription drug coverage: Most Medicare Advantage plans bundle Part D medication benefits into the package. Check each plan's drug formulary to confirm your prescriptions are covered and note any restrictions.

Cigna

Best HMO

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Quality

5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
3.0
Plan Types
HMO, PPO

pros
- 3-star CMS rating across HMO options
- All plans charge $0 monthly premium
- Enhanced Part D drug coverage included with all plans
cons
- No HMO-POS plan options
- Limited plan selection
Cigna HealthCare is the top HMO Medicare Advantage provider in Kansas, with two plans that charge $0 monthly premiums and carry a 3.0-star CMS rating. Both plans average $6,750 in maximum out-of-pocket costs and include enhanced Part D prescription drug coverage.

Cigna HealthCare also has a single PPO with a 3.5-star CMS rating and enhanced Part D coverage. The PPO is the right choice if you see specialists regularly or need care outside Kansas. If you stay in-network and rarely see specialists, the HMO's $6,750 MOOP is the same cost for $0 monthly.
Cigna HealthCare's Kansas HMO plans charge $0 monthly but carry a 3.0-star CMS rating, the lowest among HMO providers in the state. Aetna's 4.0-star HMO plans are the better choice if quality metrics matter as much as price.

Cigna also has no HMO-POS option in Kansas. Members who need occasional out-of-network access will need Humana or UnitedHealthcare.

Humana

Best HMO-POS

MoneyGeek Rating

4.8/ 5

5/5Affordability

4.4/5Quality

5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
3.62
Plan Types
HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, PFFS

pros
- 9 of 12 plans have $0 monthly premium
- All plan types available
- Out-of-network provider access
cons
- Higher costs for out-of-network care
Humana leads HMO-POS Medicare Advantage coverage in Kansas. It has plans across HMO, HMO-POS, PPO and PFFS networks. Its HMO-POS options give members limited out-of-network access while keeping maximum out-of-pocket costs at $3,873 on average, the lowest in the state. Most plans include enhanced Part D prescription drug coverage, often with no deductible on select medication tiers.

Humana's HMO-POS plans carry CMS star ratings from 3.5 to 4.5. The plan structure gives members the cost savings of an HMO along with point-of-service flexibility for occasional out-of-network visits.
Humana's HMO plan if a lower out-of-pocket limit matters. Its $6,800 MOOP is the highest among Kansas HMO options. Members who want a lower annual cap are better served by Aetna's HMO at $4,990 MOOP for $36 monthly, or Cigna HealthCare's HMO at $6,750 MOOP for $0 monthly.

UnitedHealthcare

Best PPO

MoneyGeek Rating

4.7/ 5

4.7/5Affordability

4.6/5Quality

5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
3.5
Plan Types
PPO, HMO-POS, PFFS

pros
- 6 of 12 plans have no monthly premium
- $4,900 average MOOP below state average of $5,307
cons
- No HMO plans
- Low 2.5 star rating on PFFS plan
UnitedHealthcare provides three PPO plans in Kansas. The AARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC KC-4 charges $0 monthly and caps annual out-of-pocket costs at $4,900. All three PPO plans include enhanced Part D prescription coverage, often with no deductible on select tiers, and hold 3.5-star CMS ratings.

UnitedHealthcare provides eight HMO-POS plans, three Erickson Advantage options with 5-star CMS ratings, though these have higher monthly premiums.
UnitedHealthcare's PFFS plan in Kansas carries a 2.5-star CMS rating. Members who prioritize quality scores should focus on UnitedHealthcare's PPO or HMO-POS options instead.

UnitedHealthcare has no standard HMO plans in Kansas. Members who want the lowest-cost network structure should look at Cigna HealthCare or Aetna, both of which have HMO plans.

Best Kansas HMO Medicare Advantage Providers

Kansas has five HMO Medicare Advantage plans across three providers. Maximum out-of-pocket costs range from $4,990 to $6,800 and average $5,895 annually. Two of the five plans charge $0 monthly premiums. CMS star ratings average 3.5, with two plans earning 4 stars or above. All five include enhanced Part D prescription drug coverage.

Cigna HealthCare has two HMO plans with a 3.0-star CMS rating, both with $0 monthly premiums and a $6,750 average maximum out-of-pocket cost.
Aetna has two HMO plans with a 4.0-star CMS rating, $36 average monthly premiums and the lowest maximum out-of-pocket costs in Kansas at $4,990.
Humana has one HMO plan with a 3.5-star rating, an $18 monthly premium and a $6,800 annual out-of-pocket limit.


Cigna HealthCare	3.00	$0	$6,750	2	5
Aetna	4.00	$36	$4,990	2	4.26
Humana	3.50	$18	$6,800	1	3.88

Aetna's 4.0-star plans cost $36 monthly on average but cap MOOP at $4,990, $1,760 lower than Cigna HealthCare's $0-premium plans. Members who hit their MOOP pay $5,422 annually with Aetna and $6,750 with Cigna HealthCare. The $1,328 net saving holds even after Aetna's $432 annual premium.

HMO PROS AND CONS

HMO Medicare Advantage plans require you to stay within their provider network and get referrals for specialists. You'll pay lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs. You'll also have coordinated care through a primary doctor. HMO plans are the right fit for Kansas residents who want managed-care coordination and rarely need out-of-network providers.

Best Kansas HMO-POS Medicare Advantage Providers

Kansas has 14 HMO-POS Medicare Advantage plans from four providers, with nine charging $0 monthly premiums. These plans provide out-of-network access at a higher cost than standard HMOs. The average monthly premium is $27. Maximum out-of-pocket limits range from $2,900 to $6,750 and average $4,370 annually.

Humana ranks first among Kansas HMO-POS providers. Its three $0-premium plans average a $3,873 maximum out-of-pocket limit and carry a 3.62-star CMS rating.
Aetna offers two plans with 4.0-star CMS ratings, $0 premiums and an average maximum out-of-pocket cost of $4,251.
UnitedHealthcare has the most options, with eight plans averaging $19 per month, a 4.02-star CMS rating and $4,265 in average maximum out-of-pocket costs.


Humana	3.62	$0	$3,873	3	4.75
Aetna	4.00	$0	$4,251	2	4.73
UnitedHealthcare	4.02	$19	$4,265	8	4.28
Wellcare	3.00	$0	$5,000	1	3.75

HMO-POS PROS AND CONS

HMO-POS plans keep costs lower than traditional PPOs but let you go out of network when you need to. You'll pay more for those out-of-network visits. The plan is the right fit for Kansas residents who want a primary doctor coordinating their care but also need occasional access to specialists or out-of-area providers.

Best Kansas PPO Medicare Advantage Providers

Kansas has 18 PPO Medicare Advantage plans from six providers. The average monthly premium is $6, with 15 of the 18 plans charging $0. Maximum out-of-pocket limits range from $3,400 to $9,250 and average $5,307. CMS star ratings average 3.58 across all PPO plans.

UnitedHealthcare leads Kansas PPO options with three plans offering $0 monthly premiums, $5,000 maximum out-of-pocket limits, and 3.5-star CMS ratings.
Humana ranks second with seven plans earning the highest ratings at a 3.88 star average, with $7 monthly premiums and $5,069 average maximum out-of-pocket costs.
Aetna offers three plans with $0 monthly premiums, $5,341 average maximum out-of-pocket costs and 3.5-star CMS ratings.


UnitedHealthcare	3.50	$0	$5,000	3	4.67
Humana	3.88	$7	$5,069	7	4.54
Aetna	3.50	$0	$5,341	3	4.51
Wellcare	2.50	$0	$4,500	1	4.25
Blue Cross Blue Shield	3.50	$15	$4,591	3	4.05
Cigna HealthCare	3.00	$0	$6,425	1	3.88

UnitedHealthcare and Aetna both charge $0 monthly premiums, but UnitedHealthcare's MOOP is $341 lower on average than Aetna's. For members who want $0 premiums and the best annual spending protection, UnitedHealthcare is the stronger choice.

PPO PROS AND CONS

PPO Medicare Advantage plans let you visit any Medicare-approved doctor without referrals and choose between in-network or out-of-network care. You'll pay higher monthly premiums and out-of-pocket maximums than HMO plans for this freedom.

How to Find the Best Kansas Medicare Advantage Plans

Your provider network, prescription drug coverage and annual spending limit are the three factors that determine which plan fits.

1
Check Your Doctor and Hospital Network
Before enrolling, confirm your doctors, specialists and preferred hospitals in cities like Wichita or Kansas City are in the plan's network. HMO plans limit you to in-network providers except in emergencies. PPO plans allow out-of-network visits, but you'll pay more for them.
2
Compare Maximum Out-of-Pocket Costs
Don't focus only on monthly premiums. The maximum out-of-pocket limit is the most you'll pay for covered services in a year. A plan with a $0 premium but a $7,833 MOOP could cost more than a $29-per-month plan capped at $6,750 if you use care regularly.
3
Review Prescription Drug Coverage
Check that your medications appear on each plan's drug formulary and note their tier placement, which affects your costs. Most Medicare Advantage plans in Kansas include Part D drug coverage, though some require you to buy it separately.
4
Evaluate Additional Benefits
Medicare Advantage plans can include dental, vision, hearing aids, gym memberships and medical transportation. Benefits vary by plan, so compare what each one covers before enrolling.
5
Consider CMS Star Ratings
Each plan's CMS star rating measures quality and performance on a one-to-five scale. Plans with four or five stars tend to have better care coordination, stronger customer service and fewer member complaints.

Average Kansas Medicare Advantage Cost

Plan type is the biggest driver of Kansas Medicare Advantage costs. PPO plans average $6 per month with a $5,307 MOOP.

HMO plans average $11 monthly with a $5,896 MOOP limit. HMO-POS plans average $27 monthly with the lowest average MOOP in the state at $4,370. PFFS plans are the most expensive at $78 monthly with a $6,750 MOOP. PFFS plans use a fee-for-service structure that allows greater provider flexibility.


HMO	$0	$11	$5,896
HMO-POS	$0	$27	$4,370
PFFS	$78	$78	$6,750
PPO	$0	$6	$5,307

Which Kansas Medicare Advantage Plan Is Right for You?

For most Kansas enrollees, Humana's HMO-POS plans are the right starting point. The $3,873 average MOOP is the lowest in the state and nine of its 12 plans charge $0 monthly. If you rarely use care and want no cost beyond your Part B premium, Cigna HealthCare's $0-premium HMO covers that profile.

Aetna earns a 4.0-star CMS rating and the lowest average MOOP in the HMO table at $4,990, stronger than Cigna HealthCare on both. It doesn't appear in the Best Overall picks because our weighted scoring penalizes its $36 monthly average premium. If you expect heavy care use in 2026, Aetna is the stronger HMO choice.

Best Kansas Medicare Advantage: FAQ

Get answers about Kansas Medicare Advantage plans:

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

Kansas residents can enroll during the Annual Enrollment Period from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 or during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from Jan. 1 to March 31.

Does Medicare Advantage cover prescription drugs in Kansas?

Yes, most Medicare Advantage plans in Kansas include prescription drug coverage. Before enrolling, confirm your medications appear on the plan's formulary and check their tier placement, which affects your out-of-pocket costs at the pharmacy.

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

Moving counties within Kansas can affect your Medicare Advantage plan since coverage networks are location-specific. Notify your current plan within 30 days of the move. You can use a Special Enrollment Period to switch plans if your current one doesn't serve your new county.

Do I still pay my Part B premium with a Medicare Advantage plan in Kansas?

Yes. Medicare Advantage does not replace your Part B premium obligation. You pay the standard Part B premium to Medicare directly, plus any plan-specific monthly premium on top. Most Kansas Medicare Advantage plans charge $0 in additional premiums, so your only monthly cost is your Part B premium.

Can I switch Medicare Advantage plans outside of open enrollment in Kansas?

You can switch during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from Jan. 1 to March 31 each year. Outside that window, a qualifying life event is required: a county move, loss of employer coverage or a new Medicaid eligibility. Without one, you wait until the Annual Enrollment Period from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7.

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

Data reflects CMS plan information for a 65-year-old nonsmoker in Johnson County, Kansas, pulled in March 2026. Plan availability and rates vary by ZIP code. MoneyGeek analyzed Medicare Advantage plans in Kansas using three criteria:

Affordability (50%): Costs account for half the total score because of their direct 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 limits score higher.
Star Ratings (40%): CMS star ratings measure plan performance across care quality, customer service and member experience. The Overall Star Rating combines Part C (medical benefits) and Part D (prescription drug coverage) scores into a single rating on a one-to-five-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 because broader availability points to stronger infrastructure and better support if you move.

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.

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Sources

CMS.gov. "Medicare Advantage Resources." Accessed June 22, 2026.
Medicare.gov. "Welcome to Medicare." Accessed June 22, 2026.