Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Maryland (2026)

Key Takeaways

Maryland has 26 Medicare Advantage plans from eight providers across HMO, HMO-POS and PPO plan types, with premiums from $0 to $182 per month.

Top Medicare Advantage providers in Maryland include Alterwood Advantage for HMO, Kaiser Permanente for HMO-POS and Blue Cross Blue Shield for PPO plans.

Choose your best Maryland Medicare Advantage plan by comparing doctor networks, prescription drug coverage and your budget for premiums and costs.

Best Medicare Advantage Providers in Maryland

Medicare Advantage plans offer an alternative to Original Medicare by combining Parts A, B and often Part D prescription drug coverage into a single plan. We analyzed the best Medicare Advantage plans in Maryland, CMS star ratings, premiums and maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits.

Kaiser Permanente leads HMO-POS options in Maryland with a 4.5-star rating and $69 monthly premiums, though MOOP limits average $7,073. Alterwood Advantage offers the best HMO plans at $0 per month, with 3.5 stars and an average MOOP of $7,500, while Blue Cross Blue Shield offers the best PPO plans in the state.


HMO	Alterwood Advantage	3.50	$0	$7,500	Alterwood Advantage Choice (HMO)
HMO-POS	Kaiser Permanente	4.50	$69	$7,073	Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Standard 2 MD (HMO-POS)
PPO	Blue Cross Blue Shield	3.50	$22	$7,778	CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Essential (PPO)

Medicare Advantage Plans Explained

Private insurance companies offer Medicare Advantage plans that bundle your Part A and Part B coverage into one comprehensive package. These plans include everything Original Medicare covers while adding extras like dental, vision, and prescription drug benefits that can lower your overall healthcare costs.

CMS Star Ratings: Medicare scores plans from 1 to 5 stars based on quality of care and member satisfaction. Plans with 4 or 5 stars show top performance across healthcare delivery and customer service.
Monthly premiums: You'll pay your regular Part B premium plus any extra plan costs. Many Medicare Advantage plans charge $0 in additional monthly fees beyond your standard Part B payment.
Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits: This annual cap protects you from unlimited medical bills. Once you hit this limit, your plan covers 100% of all remaining covered healthcare costs.
Prescription drug coverage: Most plans include Part D medication benefits as part of your package. Check the plan's drug list to make sure your medications are covered and understand any cost-sharing requirements.

Alterwood Advantage

Best HMO

MoneyGeek Rating

4.8/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Quality

2.5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
3.5
Plan Types
HMO

pros
- One plan with $0 premium
- Enhanced Part D drug coverage included with all plans
cons
- Only has HMO plans
Alterwood Advantage provides three HMO Medicare Advantage plans in Maryland, all with a 3.5-star CMS rating and an average $7,166 out-of-pocket maximum. All plans include enhanced Part D drug coverage, though the provider's moderately narrow network may limit your doctor choices compared to other Maryland options.

One plan charges $0 monthly premium, while the Alterwood Advantage Choice plan costs $31 per month and the Alterwood Advantage Choice Plus (HMO) costs $122 per month.

Kaiser Permanente

Best HMO-POS

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Quality

5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
4.5
Plan Types
HMO, HMO-POS

pros
- All plans have a 4.5-star CMS rating
- Two $0 premium plans
- HMO-POS plans allow visits to out-of-network providers
cons
- Out-of-network care is more expensive
Kaiser Permanente provides four HMO-POS Medicare Advantage plans in Maryland featuring 4.5-star CMS ratings and enhanced Part D prescription drug coverage. The Medicare Advantage High MD plan caps annual costs at $5,700 with a $104 monthly premium.

The Care Plus MD and Standard 1 MD plans both charge $28 monthly but cap spending higher at $7,500 and $7,900, respectively, with differences in provider networks and additional benefits. All four plans provide out-of-network access, giving you flexibility to see specialists outside Kaiser's network.

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Best PPO

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Quality

5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
3.5
Plan Types
PPO

pros
- One plan with $0 monthly premium
- Nationwide provider access without referrals
cons
- Only offers PPO plans
- Higher costs for out-of-network care
Blue Cross Blue Shield offers two PPO plans in Maryland. The CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Essential plan is top in Maryland's PPO Medicare Advantage market with a $0 monthly premium and an $8,300 out-of-pocket maximum.

The CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Complete (PPO) costs $42 per month but offers lower $7,300 MOOP limits. PPO plans allow you to visit any Medicare-approved provider without referral requirements.

Best Maryland HMO Medicare Advantage Providers

Maryland has ten HMO Medicare Advantage plans from five providers, averaging 3.6 stars, with two plans earning 4 stars or higher. Maximum out-of-pocket costs range from $6,500 to $9,250, averaging $8,395 annually, and all plans include enhanced Part D prescription coverage.

Alterwood Advantage offers three plans with a 3.5-star rating, including one $0-premium plan and the lowest $7,500 average MOOP.
Kaiser Permanente leads with two plans at 4.5 stars at $0 per month and an average $8,463 MOOP limit.
Humana provides two plans at 3.5 stars, charging $22 per month with a $9,063 average MOOP.


Alterwood Advantage	3.50	$0	$7,500	3	4.75
Kaiser Permanente	4.50	$0	$8,463	2	4.32
Humana	3.50	$22	$9,063	2	4.25
Johns Hopkins Advantage MD	3.50	$45	$8,950	1	3.84
Cigna HealthCare	3.00	$38	$9,000	2	3.69

HMO PROS AND CONS

HMO Medicare Advantage plans require you to stay within a provider network and get referrals from your primary care doctor before seeing specialists. You'll pay lower premiums and have more predictable out-of-pocket costs than other Medicare plans. These plans work well if you're comfortable having a primary care physician coordinate your health care.

Best Maryland HMO-POS Medicare Advantage Providers

Maryland’s HMO-POS plans provide valuable out-of-network access, though this comes at a higher cost with monthly premiums averaging $69. Maximum out-of-pocket limits range from $2,900 to $8,900, with an average of $6,364, slightly higher than standard HMOs but offering extra protection for members who occasionally seek care outside the network.

Kaiser Permanente leads with four plans, each rated 4.5 stars, charging $69 per month with an average $7,073 MOOP limit.
UnitedHealthcare offers three plans with 5.0-star ratings, $95 monthly premiums, and $4,850 maximum out-of-pocket costs.


Kaiser Permanente	4.50	$69	$7,073	4	5.00
UnitedHealthcare	5.00	$95	$4,850	3	4.50

HMO-POS PROS AND CONS

If you want affordable Medicare coverage but occasionally need to see doctors outside your network, HMO-POS plans might work for you. These hybrid plans keep most of the cost savings from traditional HMOs while letting you visit out-of-network providers when necessary, though you'll pay higher costs for that flexibility.

Best Maryland PPO Medicare Advantage Providers

There are nine PPO Medicare Advantage plans in Maryland from four providers. Average monthly premiums are $46, though one plan has a $0 premium. Maximum out-of-pocket limits average $7,516, ranging from $6,750 to $8,300 while CMS star ratings average 3.56.

Blue Cross Blue Shield leads the PPO market with two plans, averaging $22 per month, $7,778 MOOP, and 3.5-star ratings.
Aetna offers a single plan with $46 monthly premiums, a 4.5-star rating, and the lowest MOOP in the state at $6,750.
Humana provides three plans averaging $23 per month, $7,550 MOOP, and 3.83-star CMS ratings.


Blue Cross Blue Shield	3.50	$22	$7,778	2	5.00
Aetna	4.50	$46	$6,750	1	4.80
Humana	3.83	$23	$7,550	3	4.22
Johns Hopkins Advantage MD	3.00	$101	$7,550	3	3.25

PPO PROS AND CONS

PPO Medicare Advantage plans have higher monthly premiums and out-of-pocket maximums, but you're paying for complete provider flexibility. You can visit any Medicare-approved doctor without referrals and access both in-network and out-of-network care. These plans work well if you travel often or prefer direct access to specialists without needing primary care approval first.

How to Find the Best Maryland Medicare Advantage Plans

The best Medicare Advantage plan for you depends on your specific doctors, prescription medications, and total healthcare costs, not just monthly premiums.

1
Check Your Doctor and Hospital Network
Confirm that your current doctors, specialists and hospitals participate in the plan's network. HMO plans restrict you to in-network providers except for emergencies, while PPO plans allow out-of-network access at higher costs. Understanding these differences helps you choose the right plan for your healthcare needs. Learn more about health insurance network types.
2
Compare Maximum Out-of-Pocket Costs
Don't focus only on monthly premiums. The maximum out-of-pocket cost represents the highest amount you'll pay for covered services annually, which can impact your financial exposure. For example, a plan with $0 premium but $7,833 maximum out-of-pocket might cost more than one with $29 premium and $6,750 cap if you need regular medical care.
3
Review Prescription Drug Coverage
Check that your medications appear on the plan's drug formulary and understand their tier placement, which affects your costs. Most Medicare Advantage plans include Part D prescription drug coverage, though some require separate Part D enrollment for medication benefits.
4
Evaluate Additional Benefits
Medicare Advantage plans often provide extra benefits such as dental care, vision services, hearing aids, fitness memberships, and transportation to medical appointments.
5
Consider CMS Star Ratings
Review each plan's CMS star rating, which measures quality and performance on a scale of one to five stars. Higher-rated plans deliver better customer service, care coordination and health outcomes.

Average Maryland Medicare Advantage Cost

Plan types are the main factor influencing Medicare Advantage costs in Maryland. HMO plans in the state provide the most affordable option with a $29 median monthly premium, though they carry the highest average MOOP at $8,395. HMO-POS plans offer some out-of-network access but raise the median premium to $38 while providing the lowest average MOOP at $6,364. PPO plans allow broader provider flexibility, with a higher $42 median monthly premium and $7,517 average maximum out-of-pocket costs.


HMO	$29	$30	$8,395
HMO-POS	$38	$69	$6,364
PPO	$42	$46	$7,517

Best Maryland Medicare Advantage: FAQ

Get answers about Maryland Medicare Advantage plans:

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

In Maryland, you can enroll during the Annual Enrollment Period from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, or the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from Jan. 1 to March 31. You may also qualify for a Special Enrollment Period due to circumstances like relocating or losing existing coverage.

Does Medicare Advantage cover prescription drugs in Maryland?

Yes, most Medicare Advantage plans in Maryland include prescription drug coverage as part of their benefits. Before enrolling, confirm your medications appear on the plan's formulary and review their tier placement, which directly impacts your out-of-pocket costs at the pharmacy.

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

You may need to switch plans since Medicare Advantage networks differ by county. Notify your current insurer within 30 days of relocating to determine if your coverage continues in your new area. You'll qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to select a different plan if needed.

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

MoneyGeek assessed Medicare Advantage plans using three core criteria:

Affordability (50%): Costs represent half the total score due to their influence 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.

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 Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.

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