Best Medicare Advantage Plans in New Hampshire (2026)

Aetna Medicare is the best Medicare Advantage provider in New Hampshire. Its annual out-of-pocket limit of $6,325 is the lowest in the state and $225 below the state median of $6,550. Aetna also has the highest plan quality rating in New Hampshire at four out of five stars from federal Medicare reviewers. Aetna covers only Hillsborough and Rockingham counties.

Humana and WellSense together cover all 10 New Hampshire counties. Between the two, Humana has the lower median out-of-pocket limit at $6,500, below the state median of $6,550. WellSense is the only carrier with dental coverage on every plan.

WellSense's three-star CMS quality rating is the lowest in the state and reflects the trade-off for its statewide access and dental coverage. UnitedHealthcare has the most plan options at six and the highest median out-of-pocket limit at $6,700, above the state median of $6,550.

New Hampshire has 17 Medicare Advantage plans from four carriers in 2026, fewer than most states. Medicare Advantage, also called Part C, replaces Original Medicare with private insurer coverage that often adds dental and vision benefits. Original Medicare is the federal program covering hospital stays under Part A and doctor visits under Part B. Every plan carries a $0 monthly premium, so the decisions that matter are out-of-pocket limits and coverage quality. 

With a median of four plans per county, New Hampshire has less variety than most states. The median annual out-of-pocket limit is $6,550, and individual plans range from $4,200 to $9,250. People who want to stay on Original Medicare and limit their cost-sharing can compare New Hampshire's Medicare Supplement plans instead.

In New Hampshire, your county determines which carriers you can enroll with. Most counties have four or fewer plan options, so your shortlist is often narrower than in most states. Confirm which carriers serve your county first, then compare their out-of-pocket limits and CMS ratings.

All New Hampshire Medicare Advantage plans carry a $0 monthly premium, so the annual out-of-pocket limit is the main cost variable between plans. Median limits range from $6,500 for PPO plans to $6,700 for HMO-POS plans. Once you reach that annual limit, the plan covers all in-network costs for the rest of the year. 

Primary care copays are $15 across all plan types, so your plan type doesn't affect routine visits. Specialist copays are lower for HMO plans at $30, compared with $35 to $40 for HMO-POS and PPO plans. If you see specialists regularly, an HMO plan reduces per-visit costs.

*Median cost figures across all 17 non-SNP New Hampshire MA plans, grouped by plan type. All dollar figures rounded to nearest dollar. Source: CMS 2026 data, MoneyGeek analysis.

Use these state and federal resources to compare Medicare Advantage plans, review your coverage and get enrollment help in New Hampshire.

• New Hampshire SHIP: Provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling to help you compare plans, review costs and understand your coverage options in New Hampshire.
• The New Hampshire Insurance Department: Regulates carriers in New Hampshire and provides resources to verify insurer credentials and understand your consumer protections.
• Medicare Plan Finder: Compare Medicare Advantage plans available in your county by estimated costs, benefits and star ratings.
• The Social Security Administration: Handles Medicare enrollment. Apply online or find a local office for in-person assistance.
• The New Hampshire Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services: Connects older adults with local services, including Medicare counseling and benefits assistance programs across New Hampshire.

MoneyGeek assessed New Hampshire Medicare Advantage carriers using five CMS data sources for the 2026 plan year: 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

A weighted average across three categories produces each New Hampshire carrier's MoneyGeek score out of five.   

• Affordability (40%): The calculation adds annual premiums and the maximum out-of-pocket limit to inpatient hospital, specialist and primary care costs to reach maximum annual cost exposure.
• Quality and Member Experience (40%): CMS Star Ratings represent 60% of this category. CAHPS C26 member ratings contribute the remaining 40%. MoneyGeek tracks both at the contract level.
• Benefits and Access (20%): Supplemental benefits, including dental, OTC, vision and hearing, represent 50% of this category. The remaining half splits between county coverage at 30% and plan choice per county at 20%.