Mass General Brigham Health Plan is the best Medicare Advantage company for 2026 in Massachusetts. Mass General Brigham's $3,672 median annual cost exposure, the most you'd pay on premiums and in-network care in a year, is more than $2,000 below any other carrier in Massachusetts. For more plan choices, Tufts Health Plan has 15 options across 10 counties, the most from any single carrier. For the highest quality rating, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts holds 4.5 out of 5 median CMS star rating, a measure of care performance and member experience. Confirm which carriers cover your county before comparing plans.
Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Massachusetts (2026)
Updated: September 21, 2026
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Best Medicare Advantage Providers in Massachusetts
| Overall rating based on cost, quality, benefits and availability. | Median annual premium plus median out-of-pocket maximum. | Median CMS quality rating across the carrier’s plans. | Number of Massachusetts counties where plans are offered. | Number of Medicare Advantage plans offered in Massachusetts. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mass General Brigham Health Plan | 4.5 | $3,672 | 4 | 9 | 4 |
Tufts Health Plan | 4.3 | $5,686 | 4 | 10 | 15 |
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts | 4.2 | $6,307 | 4.5 | 11 | 7 |
Fallon Health | 4.1 | $6,080 | 4 | 12 | 4 |
UnitedHealthcare | 4 | $6,700 | 4.5 | 10 | 8 |
Aetna Medicare | 4 | $6,750 | 4.5 | 8 | 7 |
Health New England Medicare Advantage Plans | 3.9 | $5,991 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
Massachusetts Medicare Advantage Market Overview
Massachusetts has 63 Medicare Advantage plans from 10 carriers for 2026. Medicare Advantage is private insurance that replaces Original Medicare, the federal program covering hospital stays and doctor visits, and bundles prescription drugs, dental and vision into a single plan. Nearly half of Massachusetts plans have $0 monthly premiums, though annual out-of-pocket limits range from $0 to $9,250, so comparing those limits matters even when premiums are $0. To keep Original Medicare and add standalone cost-sharing coverage instead, see Massachusetts Medicare Supplement plans.
Non-SNP Medicare Advantage plans | 63 | At 63 plans, Massachusetts gives residents a market large enough to reward comparison across carriers. |
Carriers | 10 | 10 carriers compete in Massachusetts's MA market. Company-level differences in pricing and quality are worth comparing alongside individual plan differences. |
CMS contracts | 20 | Massachusetts's 10 carriers operate under 20 CMS contracts. A plan's star rating reflects its specific contract, rather than the carrier's overall performance. |
Median plans per county | 33 | 33 plans per county means most Massachusetts residents can compare locally without searching statewide. |
Medicare Advantage enrollment in non-SNP plans | 419,680 | Plan ratings in this analysis draw from 419,680 Massachusetts enrollees' in-state claims experience. |
Plans with a $0 premium | 52% | Nearly half of Massachusetts plans charge a monthly premium beyond Part B. Premium cost belongs in the comparison alongside benefits and out-of-pocket limits. |
Median max out-of-pocket (MOOP) | $5,500 | Massachusetts's $5,500 median MOOP caps in-network costs for most enrollees. Plans with a monthly premium add to that total. |
MOOP range | $0–$9,250 | Massachusetts's MOOP range runs from $0 to $9,250. The $9,250 difference between the floor and ceiling is why comparing out-of-pocket limits matters as much as comparing premiums. |
Average CMS star rating | 4.02 out of 5 | Massachusetts's 4.02-star average CMS rating clears the four-star quality benchmark. |
Contracts rated 4+ stars | 65% | Most Massachusetts contracts reach four or more CMS stars. Star ratings are a useful filter here because high-rated contracts make up the majority of the market. |
Mass General Brigham Health Plan
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
4.9/5Affordability
4.2/5Quality & Member Experience
4.4/5Benefits & Access
Median Max Annual Cost Exposure
$3,672Median annual premium plus median out-of-pocket maximum.Median CMS Star Rating
4Median CMS quality rating across the carrier’s plans.Counties Served
9Plans Available
4
Tufts Health Plan Direct
MoneyGeek Rating
4.3/ 5
4.3/5Affordability
4.2/5Quality & Member Experience
4.3/5Benefits & Access
Median Max Annual Cost Exposure
$5,686Median annual premium plus median out-of-pocket maximum.Median CMS Star Rating
4Median CMS quality rating across the carrier’s plans.Counties Served
10Plans Available
15
Blue Cross Blue Shield
MoneyGeek Rating
4.2/ 5
4/5Affordability
4.4/5Quality & Member Experience
4.3/5Benefits & Access
Median Max Annual Cost Exposure
$6,307Median annual premium plus median out-of-pocket maximum.Median CMS Star Rating
4.5Median CMS quality rating across the carrier’s plans.Counties Served
11Plans Available
7
Fallon Health
MoneyGeek Rating
4.1/ 5
4.1/5Affordability
4.2/5Quality & Member Experience
4.1/5Benefits & Access
Median Max Annual Cost Exposure
$6,080Median annual premium plus median out-of-pocket maximum.Median CMS Star Rating
4Median CMS quality rating across the carrier’s plans.Counties Served
12Plans Available
4
UnitedHealthcare
MoneyGeek Rating
4/ 5
3.6/5Affordability
4.5/5Quality & Member Experience
3.9/5Benefits & Access
Median Max Annual Cost Exposure
$6,700Median annual premium plus median out-of-pocket maximum.Median CMS Star Rating
4.5Median CMS quality rating across the carrier’s plans.Counties Served
10Plans Available
8
Aetna Medicare
MoneyGeek Rating
4/ 5
3.6/5Affordability
4.5/5Quality & Member Experience
3.8/5Benefits & Access
Median Max Annual Cost Exposure
$6,750Median annual premium plus median out-of-pocket maximum.Median CMS Star Rating
4.5Median CMS quality rating across the carrier’s plans.Counties Served
8Plans Available
7
Health New England Medicare Advantage Plans
MoneyGeek Rating
3.9/ 5
4.1/5Affordability
3.5/5Quality & Member Experience
4.1/5Benefits & Access
Median Max Annual Cost Exposure
$5,991Median annual premium plus median out-of-pocket maximum.Median CMS Star Rating
3Median CMS quality rating across the carrier’s plans.Counties Served
4Plans Available
6
How to Find the Best Massachusetts Medicare Advantage Plans
The right Massachusetts Medicare Advantage plan depends on your preferred doctors, prescription coverage and total out-of-pocket budget.
- 1Check Your Doctor and Hospital Network
Switching to a plan your doctor isn't enrolled in can mean paying out-of-network rates or finding a new provider mid-treatment. HMO plans restrict care to in-network providers except in emergencies. PPOs allow out-of-network visits, but at higher cost. Confirm the plan accepts your providers, since coverage can differ across plans from the same insurer.
- 2Compare Maximum Out-of-Pocket Costs
A $0 premium doesn't mean $0 out of pocket. The out-of-pocket maximum is the annual ceiling on what you pay for covered care beyond your premium. Massachusetts plans range from $0 to $9,250 on that ceiling.
- 3Review Prescription Drug Coverage
Your medications land in different cost tiers depending on the plan's formulary, which sets what you pay for each drug. A drug one plan covers at a low copay may require prior authorization on another. Most Massachusetts plans include Part D drug coverage, confirm that your medications are covered before enrolling.
- 4Evaluate Additional Benefits
Benefits like dental and vision are worth comparing beyond whether they're listed. A dental benefit capped at $500 covers different needs than one with a $2,000 or $3,000 annual maximum. Over-the-counter supply allowances, hearing coverage and fitness benefits reduce costs only when the plan's annual limits are large enough to match your actual use.
- 5Consider CMS Star Ratings
CMS star ratings measure plan performance on preventive care, member experience and customer service on a one-to-five scale. Massachusetts plans average 4 out of 5 stars, above the four-star quality threshold CMS uses to identify high-performing plans. When two plans have similar costs and benefits, the higher-rated plan has a better-documented record on care coordination and member complaint resolution.
How Much Does Medicare Advantage Cost in Massachusetts?
The median HMO-POS plan has a $0 monthly premium but a $6,700 median out-of-pocket ceiling. A $55-per-month HMO with a $3,850 median ceiling costs $4,510 at most in a demanding year. The HMO-POS costs $2,190 more in a demanding year than the HMO's $4,510 total.
Specialist visits cost a median of $20 on HMO plans and $40 on HMO-POS and PPO plans. The median primary care copays are $15 across all three plan types. Shoppers expecting regular specialist or inpatient care should calculate total annual exposure before choosing a plan type.
Median Monthly Premium | $55 | $0 | $0 |
Median Max Out-of-Pocket | $3,850 | $6,700 | $6,500 |
Median Inpatient Copay | $275 | $382 | $392 |
Median PCP Copay | $15 | $15 | $15 |
Median Specialist Copay | $20 | $40 | $40 |
*Median cost figures across all 63 non-SNP Massachusetts MA plans, grouped by plan type. All dollar figures rounded to nearest dollar. Source: CMS 2026 data, MoneyGeek analysis.
Massachusetts Medicare Advantage Resources
Massachusetts residents can compare plans, get free personalized counseling and find financial assistance programs through these state and federal resources.
- Massachusetts SHINE Program: Free, unbiased Medicare counseling from trained volunteers for Massachusetts residents. SHINE counselors can help you compare plans, review costs and explain enrollment rules.
- Medicare.gov Plan Finder: The official federal tool for comparing Medicare Advantage plans available in your ZIP code, including premiums, drug coverage and CMS star ratings.
- Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs: The state agency overseeing elder services, consumer protections and Medicare assistance resources for Massachusetts residents.
- Medicare Savings Programs in Massachusetts: Helps eligible residents pay Medicare Part B premiums and certain cost-sharing amounts, including copays and deductibles.
- Social Security Administration: Handles Medicare enrollment for most Massachusetts residents. Use it to apply for Medicare, check enrollment status or set up premium payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Massachusetts, enrollment is available during the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7) and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (Jan. 1 to March 31). You may also enroll during a Special Enrollment Period if you qualify due to circumstances like relocating or losing other coverage.
Most Medicare Advantage plans in Massachusetts include prescription drug coverage as part of their benefits package. 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.
Plan availability may change when you move between Massachusetts counties because Medicare Advantage networks operate differently across regions. Contact your current insurer within 30 days of relocating to understand your options. You can use a Special Enrollment Period to switch to a new plan that serves your new area.
Many Massachusetts Medicare Advantage plans include dental coverage, though benefits and annual maximums vary. Some plans cap dental at $500 while others provide up to $3,000. Review each plan's dental limits before enrolling.
Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare with private plan coverage. Most plans include prescription drugs, dental and vision benefits. Medicare Supplement plans work alongside Original Medicare to reduce what you pay for care. Massachusetts follows specific Medigap rules that differ from most other states.
Yes, nearly half of Massachusetts Medicare Advantage plans have $0 monthly premiums. A $0 premium still means paying copays, deductibles and annual out-of-pocket amounts. Comparing total annual cost exposure matters more than the premium alone.
Our Methodology
MoneyGeek reviewed Massachusetts Medicare Advantage carriers for the 2026 plan year. Data for the scores came from five CMS data sources: the Medicare Plan Landscape File, Plan Benefit Package files, CMS Star Ratings, the CAHPS Report Card Master Table and the Contract/Plan Enrollment file.
How We Score Carriers
Each Massachusetts carrier's MoneyGeek score out of five follows from three weighted categories.
- Affordability (40%): Annual premiums, the out-of-pocket maximum and inpatient hospital, specialist and primary care costs factor into maximum annual cost exposure.
- Quality and Member Experience (40%): This category puts 60% toward CMS Star Ratings and 40% toward CAHPS C26 member ratings. MoneyGeek scores both at the contract level
- Benefits and Access (20%): Supplemental benefits, including dental, OTC, vision and hearing, account for 50% of this category. The remaining 50% goes between county coverage at 30% and plan choice per county at 20%.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut and MoneyGeek's resident expert in insurance and economics. In nearly a decade covering the insurance market at LendingTree and MoneyGeek, he's analyzed hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.
His work has appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR. He draws on independent cost and consumer experience data, and no insurance company partnerships affect his recommendations.
Mark studied at Boston College and later earned a master's in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University. He worked in financial risk management at State Street before joining MoneyGeek. He's also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.