Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Missouri (2026)

Key Takeaways

Essence Healthcare is the top HMO Medicare Advantage provider in Missouri with an impressive 4.5 CMS star rating.

UnitedHealthcare has the best HMO-POS plans in Missouri, while Humana has the top PPO coverage.

When selecting a Medicare Advantage plan in Missouri, check that your preferred doctors and prescriptions are covered. Compare the plan’s monthly premiums, out-of-pocket limits, network options and drug benefits.

Best Medicare Advantage Companies in Missouri

We researched the best Medicare Advantage plans in Missouri, focusing on CMS star ratings, premiums, maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) costs and coverage features.

Among HMO options, Essence Healthcare stands out with a $0 monthly premium, a low $3,675 out-of-pocket maximum, and an excellent 4.5-star CMS rating, providing high-quality, cost-conscious coverage for Missouri beneficiaries. For broader provider flexibility, UnitedHealthcare is the top choice for HMO-POS Medicare Advantage plans, while Humana leads the PPO market. Both providers offer strong 4-star CMS ratings, competitive premiums, and comprehensive coverage.


HMO	Essence Healthcare	4.50	$0	$3,675	Essence Advantage (HMO)
HMO-POS	UnitedHealthcare	4.00	$12	$4,106	AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC KC-0003 (HMO-POS)
PPO	Humana	3.96	$16	$5,591	Humana Value Choice H7617-023 (PPO)

Medicare Advantage plans bundle hospital stays, doctor visits and prescription drugs into comprehensive packages from private insurers. These Part C plans serve as alternatives to Original Medicare while adding extra benefits like dental and vision coverage.

CMS Star Ratings: Plans earn 1 to 5 stars based on quality and member satisfaction metrics. Higher ratings mean better performance, with 4-star and 5-star plans delivering superior care and service.
Monthly premiums: You'll pay your Part B premium plus any plan-specific premium, though many charge $0 additional. Your total cost depends on coverage level and location within the state.
Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits: These caps protect you from high medical expenses by limiting annual spending on covered services. Once reached, your plan covers 100% of costs for the rest of the year.
Drug coverage: Most plans include prescription drug benefits with specific medication lists called formularies. Check that your medications are covered and understand any prior authorization requirements before enrolling.

Essence Healthcare

Best HMO

MoneyGeek Rating

4.8/ 5

4.9/5Affordability

5/5Quality

2.8/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
4.5
Plan Types
HMO, PPO

pros
- Strong 4.5-star CMS rating on HMO plans
- 4 of 6 plans charge $0 monthly premium
- Enhanced Part D drug coverage included with all plans
cons
- PPO plans have lower 3-star CMS rating
- No HMO-POS plans
Essence Healthcare provides six Medicare Advantage plans in Missouri, split between HMO and PPO networks. The provider's four HMO options earn impressive 4.5-star ratings, with three charging no monthly premium. The Advantage HMO plan sets the out-of-pocket maximum at just $3,350 with enhanced drug benefits that eliminate deductibles on certain tiers. Two other zero-premium plans cap expenses at $3,400 and $3,900, while the Advantage Plus costs $59 monthly but caps expenses at $2,900.

Two PPO plans deliver greater provider flexibility but have much lower 3-star CMS ratings. The Advantage Choice requires no premium and sets the MOOP limit at $4,889, including enhanced prescription coverage. For the tightest cost protection, the Premier Plus PPO costs $254 monthly but caps out-of-pocket expenses at just $2,000.

UnitedHealthcare

Best HMO-POS

MoneyGeek Rating

4.5/ 5

4/5Affordability

5/5Quality

5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
4.0
Plan Types
HMO-POS, PPO

pros
- 15 plans with $0 monthly premium
- Wide variety of plan options
cons
- No standard HMO options
- Lower 3.5-star CMS rating for PPO plans
UnitedHealthcare provides extensive Medicare Advantage coverage across Missouri through 21 AARP-branded plans spanning three network types. The insurer's HMO-POS portfolio leads the market with 13 options earning 4-star ratings and offering out-of-network flexibility alongside structured HMO benefits. Most charge no monthly premium, with out-of-pocket maximums ranging from $2,900 to $6,700. The lowest-cost option caps expenses at just $2,900, while several Essentials and Extras plans provide choices between $3,200 and $5,900 maximums depending on region and benefit levels.

Seven PPO plans deliver broader network access, split between 4-star and 3.5-star ratings. Premium-free options set out-of-pocket limits between $4,900 and $6,700, with one plan costing $53 monthly for a $4,500 cap. UnitedHealthcare also offers a Regional PPO at $106 monthly with a high $9,250 MOOP limit and low 3-star rating.

Humana

Best PPO

MoneyGeek Rating

4.5/ 5

4.5/5Affordability

4.4/5Quality

5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
3.96
Plan Types
HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, PFFS

pros
- All plan types
- 18 plans with no monthly premium
- Enhanced drug benefits on all plans
cons
- MOOP limits up to $9,250
- Inconsistent CMS ratings among plan types
Humana has several 24 Medicare Advantage plans across all network types in Missouri. The PPO lineup includes 11 plans with ratings from 3.5 to 4.5 stars, most with no monthly premium. Out-of-pocket maximums range from $3,400 to $6,700, offering choices for different budgets. Two premium-free 4.5-star PPO plans lead the category with MOOP limits under $3,500. Humana also provides a Private Fee-for-Service plan at $37 monthly and a Regional PPO option. All plans include enhanced Part D prescription coverage, with most waiving deductibles on select tiers.

The provider's five HMO plans include two 4-star options with $0 premiums and out-of-pocket maximums as low as $2,700. Six HMO-POS plans also add out-of-network flexibility while maintaining cost control, highlighted by the Community plan featuring a $2,500 maximum and 3.75-star rating.

How to Choose the Best Missouri Medicare Advantage Plan

Finding the best plan for you requires balancing your medical needs, budget constraints and how much provider choice you want.

1
Confirm Your Doctors and Hospitals Are In-Network
Contact your doctors and hospitals to verify they're in the plan's network, not just with the insurance company generally. Each plan from the same insurer can have different provider networks.
2
Compare Total Costs, Not Just Premiums
Plans with no premium may carry higher out-of-pocket costs through copays and deductibles. Factor in your expected medication expenses and specialist visits when calculating annual costs.
3
Check Prescription Drug Coverage
Review the drug list to verify your prescriptions are included and check which tier they're in. You'll pay more for higher-tier medications, and some drugs need prior approval from the plan.
4
Compare Different Plan Types
Pick an HMO plan type for the lowest premiums and coordinated care through your primary doctor. HMO-POS works if you want occasional out-of-network flexibility, while PPO suits those wanting unrestricted specialist access.
5
Review Star Ratings and Quality Metrics
Star ratings measure plan quality, service and member satisfaction on a 1-5 scale. Higher-rated plans, those with 4 or 5 stars, deliver superior care and customer service.
6
Compare Extra Benefits
Many Missouri Medicare Advantage plans include dental, vision, hearing, fitness memberships and over-the-counter allowances. Compare extras based on what you need most.
7
Check Out-of-Pocket Maximums
Out-of-pocket maximums protect you from excessive medical expenses by capping what you pay annually. Plans with lower caps offer stronger financial protection but charge higher monthly premiums.

How Much Does Medicare Advantage Cost in Missouri?

In Missouri, the type of Medicare Advantage plan you choose is the largest driver of cost. HMOs are the cheapest in the state with an average $7 per month premium and $4,263 in out-of-pocket maximums. HMO-POS plans are only slightly more expensive, averaging $8 per month with similar $4,265 maximums. PPO plans are the most expensive, averaging $18 monthly with $5,365 in out-of-pocket costs.


HMO	$0	$7	$4,263
HMO-POS	$0	$8	$4,265
PFFS	$37	$37	$6,800
PPO	$0	$18	$5,365
Regional PPO	$78	$78	$8,350

Best Missouri Medicare Advantage: FAQ

You'll find answers to frequently asked questions about Medicare Advantage enrollment processes, coverage options and enrollment timing for residents.

How do you get a Medicare Advantage plan in Missouri?

Enroll through Medicare.gov to compare plans, contact insurers directly, or work with licensed agents. Enrollment occurs during the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7) or during other qualifying periods when first eligible.

What does Medicare Advantage cover?

Medicare Advantage plans cover everything Original Medicare does, plus most include prescription drugs and extras like dental, vision, and fitness benefits.

What's the difference between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement?

Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare with bundled coverage from private insurers, while Medicare Supplement (Medigap) works alongside Original Medicare to cover gaps like deductibles and copays.

When is open enrollment for Medicare Advantage in Missouri?

Missouri offers multiple Medicare Advantage enrollment periods. The main Annual Enrollment Period runs Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. Current members can also make changes Jan. 1 through March 31.

Our Methodology: How We Ranked Missouri's Best Medicare Advantage Plans

We analyzed Medicare Advantage plans using a weighted scoring system that prioritizes affordability and quality. Our methodology scores three main factors to help you find plans that offer the best value for your health care needs.

Affordability (50%): Cost accounts for half of our overall score because it affects your budget directly. We evaluated monthly premiums for Part C and Part D coverage combined (30% weight) and in-network maximum out-of-pocket limits (20% weight). Plans with lower premiums and MOOP amounts score higher since they reduce your total annual health care spending.
Star Ratings (40%): CMS star ratings measure plan quality across categories like care effectiveness, customer service and member satisfaction. The Overall Star Rating combines both Part C (medical coverage) and Part D (prescription drug) ratings on a scale from 1 to 5 stars. Plans with higher ratings earn better scores in our analysis.
Availability (10%): We score providers based on how many states they operate in, including Washington, D.C. Providers with broader geographic availability score higher because they're more likely to maintain coverage if you move and often have more resources for customer support and plan improvements.

This scoring system helps you compare plans objectively while accounting for what matters most: what you'll pay and the quality of care you'll receive.

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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