Based on CMS star ratings, premiums, MOOP costs and coverage features, we identified Ohio's best Medicare Advantage plans. Wellcare leads for HMO-POS plans while Humana tops PPO options, with both providers offering competitive pricing and broad benefits. SummaCare Medicare Advantage Plans provides the state's best HMO coverage with a $20 average monthly premium, $4,099 average MOOP, and an impressive 4.5 CMS star rating.
Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Ohio (2026)
Updated: June 18, 2026
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Key Takeaways
Ohio residents can select from 38 Medicare Advantage plans across 15 providers, covering HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, PFFS and Regional PPO plan types. Eleven plans carry $0 monthly premiums, though costs increase to $193 based on provider and coverage level.
In Ohio, SummaCare Medicare Advantage Plans delivers the strongest HMO coverage, with Wellcare and Humana leading HMO-POS and PPO options respectively.
Finding your ideal Medicare Advantage plan in Ohio means considering which health care providers you need access to, what prescriptions you fill monthly, and what fits your budget.
Best Medicare Advantage Companies in Ohio
| HMO | SummaCare Medicare Advantage Plans | 4.50 | $20 | $4,099 | SummaCare Medicare Quartz (HMO) |
| HMO-POS | Wellcare | 3.00 | $30 | $4,700 | Wellcare Assist (HMO-POS) |
| PPO | Humana | 3.99 | $0 | $9,150 | HumanaChoice H5216-395 (PPO) |
Medicare Advantage plans bundle hospital stays, doctor visits and prescription drug coverage into one comprehensive package through private insurers. These Part C plans must cover everything Original Medicare does while adding dental, vision and hearing benefits.
- CMS Star Ratings: Plans are rated 1 to 5 stars on quality and performance. Plans rated 4 or 5 stars are the top performers on care quality and customer satisfaction.
- Monthly premiums: Your total monthly cost is your Part B premium plus any plan-specific amount. Many plans charge nothing on top of Part B, but the total depends on coverage level and location.
- Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits: The MOOP is the most you'll pay for covered services in a calendar year. Once you reach it, your plan pays 100% of eligible services through December.
- Drug coverage: Most plans include prescription drug coverage. Check the drug list to confirm your medications are covered and note any usage restrictions.
SummaCare
Best HMO
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
4/5Affordability
5/5Quality
5/5Availability
CMS Star Rating
4.5Plan Types
HMO, HMO-POS
WellCare
Best HMO-POS
MoneyGeek Rating
5/ 5
5/5Affordability
5/5Quality
5/5Availability
CMS Star Rating
3.0Plan Types
HMO-POS
Humana
Best PPO
MoneyGeek Rating
4.4/ 5
4.6/5Affordability
4/5Quality
5/5Availability
CMS Star Rating
3.99Plan Types
PPO, Regional PPO, PFFS, HMO-POS, HMO
Best HMO Medicare Advantage Plans in Ohio
Ohio's HMO Medicare Advantage market has 33 plans across 10 providers. Twenty-five plans earn 4 stars or higher from CMS. Twenty-one plans charge $0 a month and the median premium is $0. MOOPs average $5,180 and range from $3,600 to $7,900.
- SummaCare Medicare Advantage scores 4.48 with four plans rated 4.5 stars, an average premium of $20 a month and an average MOOP of $4,099.
- MediGold scores 4.42 with four plans at $0 a month, a $3,900 average MOOP and 4.5-star CMS ratings.
- Devoted Health scores 4.24 across 10 plans at $0 a month with a $5,304 average MOOP and a 4.0-star CMS rating (the highest MOOP among the three).
| SummaCare Medicare Advantage Plans | 4.50 | $20 | $4,099 | 4 | 4.48 |
| MediGold | 4.50 | $102 | $3,900 | 4 | 4.42 |
| Devoted Health | 4.00 | $4 | $5,304 | 10 | 4.24 |
| Zing Health | 2.50 | $0 | $4,371 | 2 | 4.16 |
| Cigna HealthCare | 3.00 | $0 | $5,223 | 3 | 4.13 |
| The Health Plan | 3.50 | $0 | $5,177 | 1 | 4.1 |
| UPMC for Life | 4.50 | $26 | $5,500 | 4 | 4.09 |
| Medical Mutual of Ohio | 4.00 | $46 | $4,143 | 3 | 4.03 |
| Aetna | 3.00 | $0 | $6,900 | 1 | 3.98 |
| Humana | 3.50 | $16 | $6,550 | 1 | 3.94 |
WHY CHOOSE AN HMO PLAN?
HMO plans use smaller provider networks, require a primary care physician to coordinate care and require referrals for specialists. Premiums and out-of-pocket costs are lower than other Medicare Advantage plan types.
Best HMO-POS Medicare Advantage Plans in Ohio
Ohio's HMO-POS market has 36 plans across nine providers. Twenty plans earn 4 CMS stars. Twenty-three plans are $0 a month. MOOPs average $5,246 and range from $2,800 to $8,500.
- Wellcare scores a perfect 5.0 with two plans at $30 a month, $4,700 MOOP and 3-star CMS ratings.
- PrimeTime Health Plan scores 4.5 with three plans averaging $115 a month, a $4,000 MOOP and 4.5-star CMS ratings.
- SummaCare Medicare Advantage also scores 4.5 with two plans at $157 a month and a $2,800 MOOP (the lowest in the state). Medical Mutual of Ohio has one plan rated 4 stars at $0 a month with a $4,200 MOOP.
| Wellcare | 3.00 | $30 | $4,700 | 2 | 5 |
| PrimeTime Health Plan | 4.50 | $115 | $4,000 | 3 | 4.5 |
| SummaCare Medicare Advantage Plans | 4.50 | $157 | $2,800 | 2 | 4.5 |
| Medical Mutual of Ohio | 4.00 | $0 | $4,200 | 1 | 4.45 |
| Humana | 3.50 | $0 | $4,873 | 5 | 4.39 |
| Aetna | 3.93 | $14 | $5,384 | 4 | 4.36 |
| UnitedHealthcare | 4.00 | $23 | $5,651 | 14 | 4.3 |
| Paramount Elite Medicare Plans | 3.50 | $36 | $4,167 | 3 | 3.99 |
| Anthem | 4.00 | $17 | $7,611 | 2 | 3.93 |
WHY CHOOSE AN HMO-POS PLAN?
HMO-POS plans cost less than PPO plans and allow you to see out-of-network doctors without a referral. You'll pay more out-of-network. But you won't get stuck if your regular doctor isn't available or you need a specialist across state lines.
Best PPO Medicare Advantage Plans in Ohio
Ohio has 31 PPO Medicare Advantage plans. Premiums range from $0 to $149 a month with a $14 median. This is more than HMO options, with broader provider choice in return. MOOPs average $6,383 and range from $3,450 to $9,250. Fifteen plans earn 4 stars or higher: eight at 4.5 stars and seven at 4 stars. Fourteen plans hold 3.5 stars and one holds 3 stars.
- Humana scores 5.0 with 11 plans averaging $0 a month and a $9,150 MOOP. CMS rating: 3.99 stars.
- Aetna scores 4.7 with three plans averaging $25 a month (the lowest premium among top PPO providers) a $5,295 MOOP and a 4.4-star CMS rating.
- Devoted Health scores 4.57 with two plans at $0 a month, a $5,300 MOOP and a 4.0-star CMS rating.
| Humana | 3.99 | $0 | $9,150 | 11 | 5 |
| Aetna | 4.40 | $25 | $5,295 | 3 | 4.74 |
| Devoted Health | 4.00 | $0 | $5,300 | 2 | 4.57 |
| MediGold | 4.00 | $10 | $5,700 | 2 | 4.4 |
| Medical Mutual of Ohio | 4.50 | $79 | $5,304 | 4 | 4.25 |
| UnitedHealthcare | 3.50 | $45 | $6,700 | 3 | 4 |
| Anthem | 4.00 | $43 | $6,773 | 3 | 3.97 |
| Cigna HealthCare | 3.00 | $0 | $9,076 | 1 | 3.88 |
| The Health Plan | 3.50 | $55 | $6,300 | 2 | 3.74 |
WHY CHOOSE A PPO PLAN?
PPO plans cost more than HMOs and allow visits to any specialist without a referral. Out-of-network visits are covered at a higher cost than in-network care. The plan type is a fit for members who need frequent specialist access or travel regularly.
How to Choose the Best Ohio Medicare Advantage Plan
Choosing a Medicare Advantage plan in Ohio means balancing medical needs, costs and provider flexibility. Seven factors are worth checking before enrolling.
- 1Confirm Your Doctors and Hospitals Are In-Network
Check with your providers directly, not just with the insurer generally. Each plan from the same insurer can have a different provider network.
- 2Compare Total Costs, Not Just Premiums
A $0-premium plan may carry higher copays and deductibles. Factor in expected medication costs and specialist visit frequency when calculating your annual out-of-pocket exposure.
- 3Check Prescription Drug Coverage
Confirm your medications are on the plan's drug list and note their tier placement. Higher tiers mean higher copays, and some drugs require prior authorization.
- 4Compare Different Plan Types
HMO plan types have the lowest premiums and coordinate care through a primary doctor. HMO-POS adds occasional out-of-network access. PPO is the right fit for frequent travelers or anyone who needs unrestricted specialist access.
- 5Review Star Ratings and Quality Metrics
CMS star ratings measure care quality, customer service and member satisfaction on a 1- to 5-star scale. Plans rated 4 or 5 stars are the top performers across those categories.
- 6Compare Extra Benefits
Ohio Medicare Advantage plans frequently include dental, vision, hearing, fitness memberships and OTC allowances. Match what each plan includes to your actual health needs before deciding.
- 7Check Out-of-Pocket Maximums
The out-of-pocket maximum is the most you'll pay for covered care in a year. Lower caps mean less annual exposure but higher monthly premiums.
How Much Does Medicare Advantage Cost in Ohio?
In Ohio, Medicare Advantage costs range from most affordable HMOs to pricier PPOs. HMO plans offer the best value with $0 median premiums and $26 average monthly costs, though they carry $5,180 average out-of-pocket maximums. HMO-POS plans run slightly less at $24 average monthly with similar $5,245 MOOP limits. PPOs top the cost range at $14 median and $30 average monthly premiums, with $6,383 average out-of-pocket maximums that nearly double HMO amounts since they allow you to see any provider without referrals.
| HMO | $0 | $26 | $5,180 |
| HMO-POS | $0 | $24 | $5,245 |
| PFFS | $37 | $37 | $3,950 |
| PPO | $14 | $30 | $6,383 |
| Regional PPO | $84 | $84 | $6,900 |
Best Ohio Medicare Advantage: FAQ
Get answers about Medicare Advantage enrollment processes, what's covered and enrollment timing for Ohio residents.
How do you get a Medicare Advantage plan in Ohio?
Enroll through Medicare.gov, insurance companies, or brokers during open enrollment (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7) or when first Medicare-eligible. You need Medicare Parts A and B. Coverage begins Jan. 1 or during other qualifying periods.
What does Medicare Advantage cover?
Medicare Advantage plans cover everything Original Medicare does, including hospital stays and doctor visits, plus most include prescription drugs and extra benefits like dental and vision.
What's the difference between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement?
Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare with bundled coverage from private insurers, while Medicare Supplement (Medigap) works alongside Original Medicare to cover deductibles and copays.
When is open enrollment for Medicare Advantage in Ohio?
The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 to December 7. Current members have an additional window from January 1 to March 31.
Our Methodology: How We Ranked Ohio's Best Medicare Advantage Plans
We scored Medicare Advantage plans in Ohio on three criteria:
- Affordability (50%): Costs account for half the total score. We weighted Part C and Part D combined monthly premiums at 30% and in-network MOOP limits at 20%. Lower premiums and MOOP limits score higher.
- Star Ratings (40%): CMS star ratings measure care quality, customer service and member satisfaction. The Overall Star Rating combines Part C and Part D scores on a 1 to 5-star scale. Higher-rated plans score better.
- Availability (10%): We assessed each insurer's coverage footprint across the United States, including Washington, D.C. Insurers serving more states score higher, which reflects broader support capacity and better 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.