Best Medicare Advantage Plans in New York (2026)

New York's best Medicare Advantage plans include CDPHP Medicare Advantage for HMO coverage, Wellcare for HMO-POS options and Independent Health for PPO networks.

Explore New York Medicare Advantage plans to find the best option.

Written by Mark Fitzpatrick

Updated: June 2, 2026

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

Key Takeaways

New York offers 36 Medicare Advantage plans from 17 providers, including HMO, HMO-POS, PPO and PFFS options. Four plans have $0 monthly premiums, costs reach as high as $225 depending on the provider and plan type.

CDPHP Medicare Advantage leads the HMO Medicare Advantage market. Wellcare and Independent Health are the top providers for HMO-POS and PPO plans, respectively.

Before enrolling, verify your doctors and medications are covered by the plan. Compare monthly premiums, out-of-pocket maximums and network access against your healthcare needs.

Best Medicare Advantage Companies in New York

Based on CMS star ratings, premiums, MOOP costs and coverage features, we identified the best Medicare Advantage plans across New York. CDPHP Medicare Advantage leads HMO options with a $135 monthly premium, $6,000 MOOP and a 4.5-star rating, while Wellcare offers the top HMO-POS choice and Independent Health provides the strongest PPO coverage at $59 monthly with a $9,250 MOOP.

Wellcare maintains a 3.0 CMS rating, and Independent Health holds a 4.5 rating, both delivering affordable premiums with comprehensive coverage for residents.


HMO	CDPHP Medicare Advantage	4.50	$135	$6,000	CDPHP Choice Rx (HMO)
HMO-POS	Wellcare	3.00	$36	$9,250	Wellcare Simple (HMO-POS)
PPO	Independent Health	4.50	$59	$9,250	Independent Health's Medicare Passport Connect (PPO)

Medicare Advantage plans bundle hospital stays, doctor visits and prescription drugs into comprehensive packages that go beyond what Original Medicare covers. These Part C plans include extra benefits like dental, vision and hearing services that traditional Medicare doesn't provide.

CMS Star Ratings: Plans earn 1 to 5 stars based on quality measures and member satisfaction. Higher-rated plans with 4 or 5 stars deliver better care and customer service.
Monthly premiums: You'll pay your standard Part B premium plus any plan-specific costs. Many Medicare Advantage plans charge $0 in additional monthly fees beyond Part B.
Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits: These annual caps protect you from high medical bills. After you reach your MOOP limit, your plan pays 100% of covered services.
Drug coverage: Most plans include Part D prescription benefits with specific drug lists called formularies. Check that your medications are covered and understand any approval requirements before enrolling.

CDPHP

Best HMO

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Quality

5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
4.5
Plan Types
HMO

pros
- 4.5-star CMS rating on both plans
- Both plans priced under $140 a month
- Enhanced Part D prescription drug coverage
- Out-of-pocket maximums at $6,000 and $6,575
cons
- HMO structure limits provider choices to in-network
- No PPO or HMO-POS options availabl
CDPHP has two HMO Medicare Advantage plans in New York, both rated 4.5 stars by CMS. One costs $50 a month with a $6,575 out-of-pocket maximum. The other costs $135 a month with a $6,000 cap. Both include enhanced Part D prescription drug coverage.

CDPHP is HMO-only in New York, so members coordinate care through a primary care physician. Both plans carry out-of-pocket maximums that cap exposure during high-usage years.

WellCare

Best HMO-POS

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Quality

5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
3.0
Plan Types
PFFS, HMO-POS, PPO

pros
- Two plans with $0 monthly premium
- All four plans rated 3 stars by CMS
- Members can see out-of-network providers
cons
- Only four plans available
- Part D deductibles waived on zero plans
- Higher costs for out-of-network care
WellCare's four HMO-POS Medicare Advantage plans all carry 3.0-star CMS ratings. Three of them, WellCare Fidelis Assist, WellCare Assist and WellCare Fidelis Simple, cap annual costs at $9,250, a reasonable ceiling for members watching out-of-pocket exposure.

Monthly premiums vary across those three plans: Fidelis Simple runs $0, Fidelis Assist costs $32 and Assist comes in at $51. That spread lets members trade a lower monthly bill for a slightly higher premium, depending on their budget.

Independent Health

Best PPO

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Quality

5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
4.5
Plan Types
HMO, PPO

pros
- PPO premium of $59 a month
- PPO plan includes out-of-network access
- Both plans include Part D prescription coverage
- HMO plan carries a 5.0-star CMS rating
cons
- PPO out-of-pocket maximum is $9,250
- Two plan options statewide
Independent Health's PPO plan costs $59 a month with standard Part D coverage and a $9,250 out-of-pocket maximum. It carries a 4.5-star CMS rating and includes out-of-network access.

The HMO costs $108 a month with a $7,917 out-of-pocket maximum and enhanced Part D coverage with no deductible on select tiers. It carries a 5.0-star CMS rating, the highest available.

Best HMO Medicare Advantage Plans in New York

New York's HMO Medicare Advantage market has 30 plans from 12 carriers. Nineteen earn four stars or higher, with ratings ranging from 3.0 to 5.0 stars. Eleven plans have $0 monthly premiums. The median premium is $32 a month. Out-of-pocket maximums average $8,347 a year, ranging from $6,000 to $9,250.

CDPHP Medicare Advantage earns the highest marks with three 4.5-star plans averaging $135 monthly and a $6,000 maximum out-of-pocket limit.
For the lowest monthly cost, Excellus Health Plan offers four 4.0-star plans at just $12 per month, though the MOOP averages $8,554.
MetroPlus Health Plan's single offering costs $59 per month, has a $9,250 MOOP and is rated 3.5 stars.


CDPHP Medicare Advantage	4.50	$135	$6,000	3	5
MetroPlus Health Plan	3.50	$59	$9,250	1	5
Excellus Health Plan, Inc	4.00	$12	$8,554	4	5
Blue Cross Blue Shield	4.00	$54	$7,024	5	4.35
Independent Health	5.00	$108	$7,917	3	4.15
Humana	3.00	$7	$9,133	3	4.03
Healthfirst Medicare Plan	4.06	$10	$9,250	3	3.95
Aetna	3.00	$23	$9,250	3	3.94
VNS Health Medicare	3.50	$25	$9,250	1	3.73
VillageCareMAX	3.50	$59	$9,250	1	3.63

WHY CHOOSE AN HMO PLAN?

HMO plans work well for seniors who want care coordinated through a primary doctor and don't mind getting referrals to see specialists. You'll pick one primary care physician to manage your overall care, and in exchange you'll get the lowest premiums and out-of-pocket costs available. That trade-off makes HMOs a strong fit if keeping healthcare expenses down is a priority.

Best HMO-POS Medicare Advantage Plans in New York

New York offers 24 HMO-POS Medicare Advantage plans from eight providers, with quality ratings spanning 3.0 to 4.0 CMS stars. Seven plans earn 4-star ratings while six receive 3 stars. Monthly premiums start at $0 for seven plans, and maximum out-of-pocket costs range from $6,000 to $9,250, around $7,986 annually.

Wellcare leads with a 5.0 MoneyGeek score despite its 3.0-star CMS rating. The provider offers four plans at $36 per month with a $9,250 maximum out-of-pocket limit.
EmblemHealth's single plan charges no monthly premium and caps out-of-pocket costs at $7,500. It earns a 4.0-star CMS rating and 4.34 MoneyGeek score.
Three plans from Anthem cost $42 monthly with an $8,900 MOOP, scoring 4.15 with MoneyGeek.
With six coverage options available, UnitedHealthcare charges an average of $25 per month. Plans earn 3.5 stars from CMS and feature $7,994 maximum out-of-pocket costs.


Wellcare	3.00	$36	$9,250	4	5
EmblemHealth	4.00	$0	$7,500	1	4.34
Anthem	4.29	$42	$8,900	3	4.15
UnitedHealthcare	3.50	$25	$7,994	6	4.14
Aetna	3.00	$20	$7,464	2	4.13
MVP Health Care, Inc.	4.00	$141	$6,176	2	4.11
Excellus Health Plan, Inc	4.00	$99	$6,727	4	4.06
Elderplan	3.50	$29	$7,550	2	3.96

WHY CHOOSE AN HMO-POS PLAN?

HMO-POS plans sit between standard HMOs and PPOs; lower monthly costs than a PPO, but more flexibility than a traditional HMO. You can see out-of-network providers without a referral, though those visits cost more. That makes them a good fit for New York seniors who mostly stick with in-network doctors but want the option to see outside specialists or get care while traveling.

Best PPO Medicare Advantage Plans in New York

New York's 34 PPO Medicare Advantage plans give you more freedom to choose providers than HMO options, though you'll pay higher premiums for that flexibility. Monthly costs run from $0 to $232 with a median of $46, and out-of-pocket maximums average $8,470, ranging from $4,000 to $9,250. Of the 34 plans, 10 earn 4.5-star CMS ratings and 14 hold 3.5 stars, leaving 10 plans at 3 stars and 10 rated 4 stars or higher.

Independent Health is the top-ranked PPO carrier with a 5.0 MoneyGeek score: one plan at $59 a month, a 4.5-star CMS rating and a $9,250 out-of-pocket maximum.
Excellus Health Plan ties at 5.0 with eight plans averaging $140 a month and $7,900 in MOOP limits. Its CMS rating is 3.5 stars.
Blue Cross Blue Shield ranks third with a 4.4 MoneyGeek score across three plans. Plans average $196 a month with a 4.5-star CMS rating and the lowest MOOP in the category at $6,700.


Independent Health	4.50	$59	$9,250	1	5
Excellus Health Plan, Inc	3.50	$140	$7,900	8	5
Blue Cross Blue Shield	4.50	$196	$6,700	3	4.4
Aetna	4.50	$48	$8,975	6	4.39
Cigna HealthCare	3.00	$0	$6,800	1	4.36
UnitedHealthcare	3.50	$40	$8,539	4	4.01
Humana	3.00	$15	$9,250	5	3.95
Wellcare	3.00	$0	$9,250	3	3.87
MVP Health Care, Inc.	3.50	$58	$9,250	2	3.65
Healthfirst Medicare Plan	3.00	$55	$9,250	1	3.57

WHY CHOOSE A PPO PLAN?

PPO plans cost more than HMO and HMO-POS options, but they remove referral requirements and include out-of-network access. Staying in-network costs less, but you're not restricted to it. PPO plans fit New York residents who travel frequently, have established relationships with specific providers or want direct access to specialty care.

How to Choose the Best New York Medicare Advantage Plan

Think about these seven factors to compare when choosing a New York Medicare Advantage plan:

1
Confirm Your Doctors and Hospitals Are In-Network
Contact your providers directly to confirm they're in the specific plan's network, not just with the insurer in general. Plans from the same carrier have different provider networks.
2
Compare Total Costs, Not Just Premiums
A $0-premium plan carries higher cost-sharing through copays and deductibles. Add expected medication costs and typical specialist visits to get an accurate annual total.
3
Check Prescription Drug Coverage
Check your medications against the plan's formulary and note their tier. Higher tiers cost more at the pharmacy. Some drugs require prior authorization before the plan pays.
4
Match the Plan Type to How You Use Car
Among plan types, HMO plans have the lowest premiums and require care coordination through a primary doctor. HMO-POS adds occasional out-of-network access. PPO removes referral requirements and includes out-of-network coverage at a higher cost-share.
5
Review Star Ratings and Quality Metrics
CMS star ratings score plan quality, customer service and member satisfaction on a 1-to-5 scale. Plans at four or five stars perform better across all three.
6
Compare Extra Benefits
Dental coverage, vision care, fitness memberships and over-the-counter allowances vary by plan. Match available extras to your actual needs rather than counting them as uniform advantages.
7
Check Out-of-Pocket Maximums
The out-of-pocket maximum is the most you'll spend on covered care in a year. Lower caps mean less financial exposure but higher monthly premiums.

How Much Does Medicare Advantage Cost in New York?

PPO plans represent the most expensive Medicare Advantage costs in New York, with median premiums of $46 and averages of $59 monthly, plus out-of-pocket maximums averaging $8,470. PPOs charge more for unrestricted specialist access and out-of-network provider flexibility. HMO-POS plans offer a middle ground at $55 average monthly premiums but deliver the lowest out-of-pocket limits at $7,986. HMO plans provide the most affordable option with $32 median and $54 average monthly premiums, though their $8,347 average out-of-pocket maximums nearly match PPO levels.


HMO	$32	$54	$8,347
HMO-POS	$41	$55	$7,986
PFFS	$88	$89	$3,400
PPO	$46	$59	$8,470

Best New York Medicare Advantage: FAQ

Find answers to frequently asked questions about how to enroll, what's covered and when you can sign up for Medicare Advantage across New York.

How do you get a Medicare Advantage plan in New York?

Enroll during the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7) or when you first become eligible for Medicare. You can apply through Medicare.gov, contact insurers directly or work with a licensed agent. Coverage starts Jan. 1 for fall enrollments or at the beginning of other qualifying periods.

What does Medicare Advantage cover?

Medicare Advantage plans cover everything Original Medicare does plus prescription drugs, with many adding dental, vision, and wellness benefits.

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

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

When is open enrollment for Medicare Advantage in New York?

Three enrollment windows are available: the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7), the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (Jan. 1 to March 31 for current members) and a seven-month Initial Enrollment Period around your 65th birthday.

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

MoneyGeek scored New York Medicare Advantage plans on three factors:

Affordability (50%): Monthly premiums for Part C and Part D coverage account for 30% of the total score. In-network maximum out-of-pocket limits account for 20%. Lower costs on both measures score higher.

Star Ratings (40%): CMS star ratings measure plan performance on care quality, customer service and member satisfaction on a 1-to-5 scale. The Overall Star Rating combines Part C and Part D scores. Higher-rated plans score better.

Availability (10%): We scored each carrier on U.S. geographic footprint, including Washington, D.C. Broader coverage scores higher for infrastructure stability and continuity if you relocate.

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 (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has spent nearly a decade analyzing the market, first at LendingTree and now at MoneyGeek, where he produces original research on hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.

He covers economics and insurance at MoneyGeek, and his work has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among other outlets.

Like all MoneyGeek analysts, he draws on independent cost and consumer experience data. No insurance company partnership influences his recommendations.

Fitzpatrick earned his degrees from Johns Hopkins University (M.A. Economics and International Relations) and Boston College (B.A.). His career began in financial risk management at State Street. He's also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.

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