Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Nebraska (2026)

Key Takeaways

Nebraska's Medicare Advantage marketplace includes 21 plans from six providers, with monthly costs from $0 to $155.

Top Nebraska providers by plan type include Humana for HMO, Aetna for HMO-POS and Wellcare for PPO Medicare Advantage plans.

To find the best Nebraska Medicare Advantage plan for you, compare doctor networks and prescription drug coverage and consider your budget for premiums and out-of-pocket costs.

Best Medicare Advantage Providers in Nebraska

We analyzed top Medicare Advantage plans in Nebraska using CMS star ratings, premiums and maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits to identify the strongest options by plan type.

Humana stands out as the best HMO provider, offering 3.5-star plans with $0 monthly premiums and an average $4,350 MOOP.

Aetna leads the HMO-POS category, pairing the same 3.5-star rating and $0 premiums with lower out-of-pocket maximums of $3,900 and added provider flexibility. For shoppers who want broader network access, Wellcare is the top PPO option, delivering statewide provider flexibility with $33 monthly premiums, a 3.0-star rating, and a $4,800 average MOOP.


HMO	Humana	3.50	$0	$4,350	Humana Gold Plus H0028-053 (HMO)
HMO-POS	Aetna	3.50	$0	$3,900	Aetna Medicare Signature (HMO-POS)
PPO	Wellcare	3.00	$33	$4,800	Wellcare Assist Open (PPO)

Medicare Advantage Plans Explained

Medicare Advantage plans offer an alternative to Original Medicare through private insurance companies that bundle hospital and medical coverage. These plans add benefits like dental, vision, and prescription drugs that aren't covered under traditional Medicare.

CMS Star Ratings: Medicare scores these plans from 1 to 5 stars based on quality of care and member satisfaction. Plans with 4 or 5 stars show strong performance across health outcomes and customer service measures.
Monthly premiums: You'll pay your regular Part B premium plus any extra costs your specific plan charges. Many Medicare Advantage plans in the Cornhusker State charge $0 in additional monthly fees beyond Part B.
Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits: This annual cap protects you from unlimited medical bills each year. Once you hit this spending limit, your plan pays 100% of covered health care costs through December.
Prescription drug coverage: Most Medicare Advantage plans include Part D medication benefits built into the package. Check that your current prescriptions appear on the plan's drug list before enrolling.

Humana

Best HMO

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Quality

5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
3.5
Plan Types
HMO, PPO

pros
- 3 of 4 plans have $0 premium
- Only HMO provider in state
- Enhanced drug benefits
cons
- MOOP limits as high as $9,250 for PPO plans
Humana offers Nebraska seniors four Medicare Advantage plans. Plans include one HMO option and three PPO plans, all featuring enhanced Part D prescription drug benefits with no deductible on certain drug tiers.

Humana is the only provider of HMO plans in the state, offering the Humana Gold Plus plan, which features a $4,350 maximum out-of-pocket limit and no monthly premium. Humana's PPO options range from $0 to $38 monthly. The Full Access PPO plan offers the lowest out-of-pocket maximum at $4,250. All four plans carry a 3.5-star Medicare rating and include enhanced drug coverage.

Aetna Medicare

Best HMO-POS

MoneyGeek Rating

4.6/ 5

5/5Affordability

4.2/5Quality

4.5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
3.5
Plan Types
HMO-POS, PPO

pros
- 3 of 4 plans have $0 monthly premium
- Members can see out-of-network providers
cons
- Limited plan selection
- Higher costs for out-of-network care
Aetna offers Medicare Advantage plans in Nebraska, most of which have $0 monthly premiums. Aetna’s HMO-POS has the state’s lowest maximum out-of-pocket cost at $3,900, pairing HMO-style cost control with limited out-of-network flexibility.

Aetna also offers three PPO plans. Two Signature PPOs have no monthly premium and $5,000 or $6,750 out-of-pocket limits, while the Enhanced Extra PPO costs $52 per month and caps costs at $5,000. All plans include enhanced Part D drug coverage with no deductibles on select tiers and earn a 3.5-star CMS rating.

WellCare

Best PPO

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Quality

5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
3.0
Plan Types
PPO, HMO-POS

pros
- Three plans with $0 premium
- PPO plans allow nationwide provider access without referrals
cons
- Limited plan selection
- Higher costs for out-of-network care
Wellcare's PPO options include the Wellcare Simple Open PPO with a $0 monthly premium and broad provider access, and the Wellcare Assist Open PPO with a roughly $33 monthly premium and a $4,800 maximum out‑of‑pocket limit. Both plans include prescription drug coverage and let members see providers in- or out-of-network without referrals.

The company also provides two HMO-POS plans that come with $0 monthly premiums and allow limited out-of-network access. The Simple plan caps out-of-pocket costs at $5,000, while the Giveback option raises the limit to $8,850 in exchange for added benefits.

Best Nebraska HMO Medicare Advantage Providers

Humana is Nebraska’s only HMO Medicare Advantage provider, offering a single plan with a 3.5-star CMS rating. The plan includes enhanced Part D drug coverage, $0 monthly premiums, and a $4,350 annual maximum out-of-pocket limit, providing Nebraska seniors a straightforward, cost-controlled option for HMO coverage.

HMO PROS AND CONS

HMO Medicare Advantage plans offer affordable premiums and coordinated care, but you'll need to stay within their provider networks and get referrals for specialists. These plans are not the best choice if you value flexibility in choosing doctors or frequently travel and need care outside Nebraska.

Best Nebraska HMO-POS Medicare Advantage Providers

Out-of-network access makes HMO-POS plans an attractive option in Nebraska, where five plans from three providers all charge $0 monthly premiums. Annual out-of-pocket limits range from $3,900 to $8,850, averaging $6,070, and all plans include Part D coverage and enhanced benefits with an average 3.5-star CMS rating.

Aetna is the best HMO-POS Medicare Advantage provider in Nebraska with a single $0-premium plan, $3,900 MOOP, and a 3.5-star rating.
UnitedHealthcare offers two plans with strong 4.0-star ratings, $0 premiums, and a $6,300 average MOOP limit.
Wellcare provides two plans averaging $0 monthly, though they have a lower 3.0-star rating and higher $6,925 MOOP cap.


Aetna	3.50	$0	$3,900	1	4.64
UnitedHealthcare	4.00	$0	$6,300	2	4.50
Wellcare	3.00	$0	$6,925	2	3.75

HMO-POS PROS AND CONS

HMO-POS plans work well if you want affordable premiums with the option to see out-of-network doctors when necessary, though you'll pay higher costs for that flexibility. This hybrid approach gives you the cost benefits of traditional HMO plans while allowing access to specialists or providers outside your network.

Best Nebraska PPO Medicare Advantage Providers

PPO plans give you the flexibility to see out-of-network providers, though this comes with higher costs. The state offers 15 PPO Medicare Advantage plans from six providers, with an average $31 monthly premium and maximum out-of-pocket costs averaging $5,173, ranging from $2,500 to $9,250. Star ratings average 3.33, with most plans earning 3.5 stars.

Wellcare leads Nebraska’s PPO market with two plans averaging $33 per month with an average $4,800 MOOP limit and 3.0-star rating.
Humana ranks second, offering three plans with 3.5 stars, $4 premiums, and $5,093 MOOP.
UnitedHealthcare places third with one plan at $30 per month, $4,900 MOOP, and a 3.5-star rating.


Wellcare	3.00	$33	$4,800	2	5.00
Humana	3.50	$4	$5,093	3	4.67
UnitedHealthcare	3.50	$30	$4,900	1	4.47
Aetna	3.50	$19	$5,562	3	4.41
Blue Cross Blue Shield	3.00	$40	$3,767	3	4.01
Medica	3.50	$67	$4,917	3	4.00

PPO PROS AND CONS

PPO Medicare Advantage plans cost more through higher monthly premiums and out-of-pocket maximums. You can visit any Medicare-approved doctor without referrals and access both in-network and out-of-network care, though out-of-network services cost more.

How to Find the Best Nebraska Medicare Advantage Plans

Finding the right Medicare Advantage plan means evaluating your health care needs and budget.

1
Check Your Doctor and Hospital Network
Before selecting a Medicare Advantage plan in Nebraska, verify that your current doctors, specialists and preferred hospitals in cities like Omaha or Lincoln 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. Learn more about health insurance network types.
2
Compare Maximum Out-of-Pocket Costs
Don't focus only on monthly premiums. Examine maximum out-of-pocket costs, which cap your annual expenses for covered services. A plan with a $0 premium but $7,833 maximum out-of-pocket costs might exceed a $29 premium plan capped at $6,750 if you require regular medical care throughout the year.
3
Review Prescription Drug Coverage
Check that your medications appear on the plan's drug formulary and understand their tier placement, which directly affects your costs. Most Medicare Advantage plans include Part D prescription drug coverage, though some require separate Part D enrollment.
4
Evaluate Additional Benefits
Medicare Advantage plans often include dental care, vision services, hearing aids, fitness memberships at facilities throughout Douglas County and transportation to medical appointments. Compare which supplemental benefits each plan provides and match them to your needs.
5
Consider CMS Star Ratings
Review each plan's CMS star rating, which measures quality and performance on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Plans earning 4 or 5 stars deliver superior customer service, coordinated care and better health outcomes.

Average Nebraska Medicare Advantage Cost

Network type is the main factor influencing Medicare Advantage costs in Nebraska. Plans with more restricted networks keep premiums low, while broader access increases costs. HMO plans offer the most affordable coverage, with $0 monthly premiums and an average $4,350 maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP). HMO-POS plans also charge $0 monthly but raise the MOOP to $6,070 for added out-of-network flexibility. PPO plans carry the highest premiums, averaging $32 per month with $5,173 MOOP, reflecting their broader networks and greater out-of-network access.


HMO	$0	$0	$4,350
HMO-POS	$0	$0	$6,070
PPO	$30	$32	$5,173

Best Nebraska Medicare Advantage: FAQ

Get answers about Nebraska Medicare Advantage coverage:

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

Nebraska residents can enroll in Medicare Advantage plans during the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7) or 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.

Does Medicare Advantage cover prescription drugs in Nebraska?

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

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

Moving within Nebraska may require changing your Medicare Advantage plan since coverage networks are location-specific. Contact your current plan within 30 days of relocating to verify availability in your new county. You can use a Special Enrollment Period to select a different plan if needed.

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

We assessed Medicare Advantage plans in Nebraska using a scoring system that emphasizes cost and quality. Three core criteria identify plans with the strongest value:

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