Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Missouri (2026)

The best Medicare Advantage companies in Missouri are Essence Healthcare, Aetna Medicare and Cox HealthPlans. At $3,900, Essence Healthcare has the lowest maximum annual cost exposure in our analysis, calculated as the carrier's median plan premium plus its median maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit. It also has Missouri's highest median CMS star rating at 4.5 out of 5. CMS star ratings measure Medicare plan quality and performance, including member experience, customer service and health outcomes.

Aetna Medicare has a higher maximum annual cost exposure at $4,900, but it has near-statewide availability and a broad selection of HMO, HMO-POS and PPO plans. All of its plans carry a 4-star CMS rating. Cox HealthPlans serves only 17 counties in southwest Missouri, but it has one of the state's lowest maximum annual cost exposures and a 4-star CMS rating.

Missouri's Medicare Advantage market gives most beneficiaries plenty of options, with 10 carriers and 22 plans to select from in most counties. $0 premiums are common throughout the state. The bigger difference between plans is how much you may pay out of pocket when you use care, with MOOP limits ranging from $2,000 to $9,250. Many plans in the state also fall below the 4-star CMS rating benchmark, with ratings ranging from 2.5 to 4.5 stars.

Missouri has 105 Medicare Advantage plans across 10 carriers, and the median county has 22 options to sort through. The best Medicare Advantage plan depends on where you live, how often you use medical care, and which supplemental benefits matter most to you.

Medicare Advantage rates in Missouri have a median $0 monthly premium across all plan types, but costs vary when you use care. HMOs and HMO-POS plans have the lowest median out-of-pocket maximum at $4,200, compared with $5,200 for PPOs and $7,450 for Regional PPOs. Median primary care copays range from $15 to $20, while specialist copays range from $30 to $35. Inpatient copays range from $350 for HMOs to $460 for Regional PPOs.

Use these free state and federal resources to compare Medicare Advantage plans, get enrollment assistance and resolve coverage issues.

• Medicare Plan Finder: Compare Medicare Advantage plans available in your ZIP code by premiums, out-of-pocket costs, star ratings, drug coverage and other benefits.
• Missouri State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): Get free, unbiased counseling on Medicare Advantage, Medigap, Part D and other Medicare questions.
• Missouri Department of Insurance: The state insurance regulator provides consumer information, handles insurance complaints and oversees insurers operating in Missouri.
• MO HealthNet (Missouri Medicaid): Missouri's Medicaid program provides coverage for eligible residents and information for people who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid.
• Social Security Administration: Handles enrollment in Medicare Parts A and B and provides information about Medicare eligibility and enrollment periods.
• Missouri Area Agencies on Aging: Connects older adults with local assistance, including Medicare counseling, caregiver support and other aging-related services.

MoneyGeek evaluated Missouri Medicare Advantage companies using five CMS data sources for the 2026 plan year, including 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 carrier in the state receives an overall MoneyGeek score out of five from a weighted average of three category scores:

• Affordability (40%): Maximum annual cost exposure, calculated as annual premiums plus the maximum out-of-pocket limit, along with inpatient hospital, specialist and primary care costs.
• Quality and Member Experience (40%): CMS Star Ratings make up 60% of this category and CAHPS C26 member ratings make up 40%. Both are measured at the contract level.
• Benefits and Access (20%): Supplemental benefits, including dental, OTC, vision and hearing, make up 50% of this category. County coverage makes up 30% and plan choice per county makes up 20%.