North Dakota's best Medicare Advantage plans are limited to PPO plans, as HMO and HMO-POS coverage isn't available statewide. UnitedHealthcare ranks first with a $42 monthly premium, a $6,500 out-of-pocket maximum and a 4.5-star CMS rating. Aetna offers a $0 premium and a $4,750 MOOP.
Best Medicare Advantage Plans in North Dakota (2026)
Updated: June 17, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
North Dakota's Medicare Advantage marketplace offers 12 PPO plans from five providers, but zero HMO or HMO-POS choices for residents.
UnitedHealthcare has the highest quality ratings among North Dakota's PPO options at 4.5 stars, but Aetna offers more zero-cost alternatives at lower price points.
Look for plans that include your current doctors, check prescription costs and compare monthly premiums against what you might pay out of pocket annually.
Best Medicare Advantage Providers in North Dakota
| UnitedHealthcare | 4.50 | $42 | $6,500 | 5.00 | AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC FG-0001 (PPO) |
| Aetna | 3.25 | $0 | $4,750 | 4.38 | Aetna Medicare Elite (PPO) |
| Align powered by Sanford Health Plan | 3.50 | $35 | $4,250 | 4.04 | Align ChoiceElite (PPO) |
| Medica | 3.50 | $92 | $4,750 | 3.73 | Medica Advantage Preferred (PPO) |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | 3.50 | $104 | $7,375 | 3.39 | NextBlue Discover PPO (PPO) |
Medicare Advantage Plans Explained
Medicare Advantage lets you get Medicare benefits through private insurers rather than Original Medicare.
- CMS Star Ratings: Medicare assigns plans a score of 1 to 5 stars based on care quality and member satisfaction.
- Monthly premiums: You'll pay the Part B premium plus any additional plan costs. Many North Dakota Medicare Advantage plans charge no extra monthly fee.
- Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits: Once you hit this annual cap, your plan covers all remaining costs for covered services.
- Prescription drug coverage: Many plans include Part D benefits. Confirm your medications are covered before enrolling, since you may still owe copays.
UnitedHealthcare
MoneyGeek Rating
5/ 5
5/5Affordability
5/5Quality
5/5Availability
CMS Star Rating
4.5Plan Types
PPO
Aetna Medicare
MoneyGeek Rating
4.4/ 5
4.8/5Affordability
3.8/5Quality
4.8/5Availability
CMS Star Rating
3.25Plan Types
PPO
Sanford Health Plan
MoneyGeek Rating
4.0/ 5
4.6/5Affordability
3.8/5Quality
2.5/5Availability
CMS Star Rating
3.5Plan Types
PPO
MEDICA
MoneyGeek Rating
3.7/ 5
3.9/5Affordability
3.8/5Quality
2.6/5Availability
CMS Rating
3.5Plan Type
PPO
PPO PROS AND CONS
PPO Medicare Advantage plans have higher monthly premiums and out-of-pocket maximums. What you get: total choice in providers. See any Medicare-approved doctor without referrals and use out-of-network care when you need it, though it costs more than staying in-network. This makes sense if you travel between states for part of the year, see specialists your network doesn't include or want immediate care without waiting for approval.
How to Find the Best North Dakota Medicare Advantage Plans
The best Medicare Advantage plan in North Dakota depends on your specific doctors, prescription medications, and total healthcare budget, not just monthly premiums.
- 1Check Your Doctor and Hospital Network
You need to confirm that your providers are part of the plan's network. Learn more about health insurance network types.
- 2Compare Maximum Out-of-Pocket Costs
Look at each plan's MOOP limit to understand your worst-case annual costs.
- 3Review Prescription Drug Coverage
Check the plan's formulary to see whether your medications are covered and what you'll pay.
- 4Evaluate Additional Benefits
See if the plan covers dental, vision, hearing aids, fitness programs or transportation to medical appointments.
- 5Consider CMS Star Ratings
Each plan's CMS star rating runs from 1 to 5 stars and reflects care quality and service performance. Higher scores mean better outcomes.
Average North Dakota Medicare Advantage Cost
North Dakota Medicare Advantage costs vary by plan type and how much network flexibility you get. Broader provider access generally means higher premiums.
PPO plans are the primary Medicare Advantage option available in the state, with a $50 median monthly premium and $61 average monthly cost. These plans come with a $5,576 average maximum out-of-pocket limit annually. PPO plans cost more because they offer greater flexibility to see out-of-network providers and don't require referrals for specialist visits.
| PPO | $50 | $61 | $5,575 |
Best North Dakota Medicare Advantage: FAQ
Get answers about North Dakota Medicare Advantage plans:
When can I enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan in North Dakota?
In North Dakota, you can enroll during the Annual Enrollment Period from October 15 to December 7, or the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31. Use the Special Enrollment Period if you experience a qualifying life event, such as relocating or losing other coverage.
Does Medicare Advantage cover prescription drugs in North Dakota?
Yes, most Medicare Advantage plans in North Dakota include prescription drug coverage. Make sure your medications appear on the plan's formulary.
Do I need to change Medicare Advantage plans if I move to a different county in North Dakota?
Moving counties may affect your plan's availability since Medicare Advantage networks are location-specific. Contact your current plan within 30 days of relocating to confirm coverage in your new area.
Our Methodology: How We Chose the Best North Dakota Medicare Advantage Plans
We scored North Dakota Medicare Advantage plans on cost and quality using three criteria:
- Affordability (50%): Cost makes up half the total score given its direct effect on your spending. We analyzed combined monthly premiums for Part C and Part D coverage (weighted at 30%) and in-network MOOP limits (weighted at 20%). Plans with lower premiums and MOOP limits score higher.
- Star Ratings (40%): CMS star ratings measure plan performance in care quality, customer service and member experience. The Overall Star Rating combines Part C (medical benefits) and Part D (prescription drug coverage) into a single 1 to 5-star score. Higher-rated plans score better in our evaluation.
- Availability (10%): We look at each insurer's coverage area across the U.S. Providers serving more states score higher, as broader reach suggests stronger infrastructure, better support and more continuity if you move.
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.