SummaCare, MediGold and PrimeTime Health Plan each hold 4.5 out of 5 quality stars from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the federal plan-rating scale, and are the best Medicare Advantage plans in Ohio for 2026. SummaCare, MediGold and PrimeTime average $4,456 per year in annual median cost exposure and premiums combined, about $1,267 less than the $5,723 average of the three lower-rated carriers in our analysis. All three serve only a portion of Ohio's 88 counties, which is why higher-rated plans here cost less on average. Check whether SummaCare, MediGold or PrimeTime operate in your county before reviewing other options.
Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Ohio (2026)
Updated: September 21, 2026
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Best Medicare Advantage Companies in Ohio
| Overall rating based on cost, quality, benefits and availability. | Median annual premium plus median out-of-pocket maximum. | Median CMS quality rating across the carrier’s plans. | Number of Ohio counties where plans are offered. | Number of Medicare Advantage plans offered in Ohio. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SummaCare Medicare Advantage Plans | 4.5 | $3,650 | 4.5 | 33 | 7 |
MediGold | 4.4 | $4,900 | 4.5 | 62 | 9 |
Medical Mutual of Ohio | 4.3 | $4,600 | 4.25 | 38 | 8 |
PrimeTime Health Plan | 4.3 | $4,818 | 4.5 | 11 | 4 |
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield | 4.2 | $6,769 | 4 | 88 | 8 |
Aetna Medicare | 4.2 | $5,500 | 4 | 79 | 16 |
Devoted Health | 4.2 | $4,900 | 4 | 75 | 13 |
Paramount Elite Medicare Plans | 4.1 | $4,610 | 3.5 | 5 | 4 |
Ohio Medicare Advantage Market Overview
Ohio's Medicare Advantage market has 132 plans from 16 carriers for 2026. Medicare Advantage is private insurance that replaces Original Medicare hospital and medical coverage in one plan. Ohioans who want to stay on Original Medicare can compare Medicare Supplement plans in Ohio.
Half of Ohio's 32 contracts hold 4 or more quality stars from CMS. With 84% of plans charging no monthly premium beyond Part B, the out-of-pocket maximum, the most you pay for covered care in a year, is where Ohio plans differ most on cost. Out-of-pocket maximums range from $2,800 to $9,250, a $6,450 difference worth comparing before you enroll.
Non-SNP Medicare Advantage plans | 132 | Ohio has 132 non-SNP MA plans. Your provider network and drug needs determine which are worth comparing. |
Carriers | 16 | 16 carriers offer Ohio's 132 MA plans. Your carrier selection determines which provider networks are available. |
CMS contracts | 32 | Ohio's 16 carriers operate under 32 CMS contracts. CMS assigns star ratings at the contract level. Two plans from the same carrier carry different quality ratings. |
Median plans per county | 54 | Ohio's median county has 54 local MA plans. County-level access alone gives residents a full set of options. |
Medicare Advantage enrollment in non-SNP plans | 1,084,052 | More than 1 million Ohio residents are enrolled in the non-SNP MA plans in this analysis. |
Plans with a $0 premium | 84% | 84% of Ohio plans charge nothing beyond Part B. For the 16% that charge a monthly premium, total annual cost includes both the premium and out-of-pocket exposure. |
Median max out-of-pocket (MOOP) | $5,500 | Ohio's $5,500 median MOOP is the annual in-network cost ceiling for half the state's plans. |
MOOP range | $2,800–$9,250 | Ohio's MOOP low is $2,800; the high is $9,250. Plan selection carries a $6,450 annual cost difference between the two. |
Average CMS star rating | 3.90 out of 5 | Ohio's average CMS rating of 3.90 stars falls below the four-star quality benchmark. Check individual contract ratings before choosing a plan. |
Contracts rated 4+ stars | 50% | Half of Ohio's 32 contracts earn four or more CMS stars. A four-star contract rating is a reliable quality filter across a 132-plan market. |
SummaCare
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
4.7/5Affordability
4.5/5Quality & Member Experience
4.1/5Benefits & Access
Median Max Annual Cost Exposure
$3,650Median annual premium plus median out-of-pocket maximum.Median CMS Star Rating
4.5Median CMS quality rating across the carrier’s plans.Counties Served
33Plans Available
7
MediGold
MoneyGeek Rating
4.4/ 5
4.4/5Affordability
4.5/5Quality & Member Experience
4.1/5Benefits & Access
Median Max Annual Cost Exposure
$4,900Median annual premium plus median out-of-pocket maximum.Median CMS Star Rating
4.5Median CMS quality rating across the carrier’s plans.Counties Served
62Plans Available
9
Medical Mutual of Ohio
MoneyGeek Rating
4.3/ 5
4.3/5Affordability
4.4/5Quality & Member Experience
3.9/5Benefits & Access
Median Max Annual Cost Exposure
$4,600Median annual premium plus median out-of-pocket maximum.Median CMS Star Rating
4.25Median CMS quality rating across the carrier’s plans.Counties Served
38Plans Available
8
PrimeTime Health Plan
MoneyGeek Rating
4.3/ 5
4.3/5Affordability
4.5/5Quality & Member Experience
3.9/5Benefits & Access
Median Max Annual Cost Exposure
$4,818Median annual premium plus median out-of-pocket maximum.Median CMS Star Rating
4.5Median CMS quality rating across the carrier’s plans.Counties Served
11Plans Available
4
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
MoneyGeek Rating
4.2/ 5
4/5Affordability
4.2/5Quality & Member Experience
4.4/5Benefits & Access
Median Max Annual Cost Exposure
$6,769Median annual premium plus median out-of-pocket maximum.Median CMS Star Rating
4Median CMS quality rating across the carrier’s plans.Counties Served
88Plans Available
8
Aetna Medicare
MoneyGeek Rating
4.2/ 5
4.2/5Affordability
4.1/5Quality & Member Experience
4.3/5Benefits & Access
Median Max Annual Cost Exposure
$5,500Median annual premium plus median out-of-pocket maximum.Median CMS Star Rating
4Median CMS quality rating across the carrier’s plans.Counties Served
79Plans Available
16
Devoted Health
MoneyGeek Rating
4.2/ 5
4.2/5Affordability
4.1/5Quality & Member Experience
4.2/5Benefits & Access
Median Max Annual Cost Exposure
$4,900Median annual premium plus median out-of-pocket maximum.Median CMS Star Rating
4Median CMS quality rating across the carrier’s plans.Counties Served
75Plans Available
13
Paramount
MoneyGeek Rating
4.1/ 5
4.4/5Affordability
3.9/5Quality & Member Experience
3.9/5Benefits & Access
Median Max Annual Cost Exposure
$4,610Median annual premium plus median out-of-pocket maximum.Median CMS Star Rating
3.5Median CMS quality rating across the carrier’s plans.Counties Served
5Plans Available
4
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
Confirm coverage with your doctors directly, since 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 how often you see specialists to estimate 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.
- 5Review Star Ratings and Quality Metrics
CMS star ratings measure care quality, customer service and member satisfaction on a 1-to-5-star scale. Start with 4- or 5-star plans to narrow Ohio's 132-plan market.
- 6Compare Extra Benefits
Ohio Medicare Advantage plans almost all include dental and vision. Hearing coverage appears on about 22% of Ohio plans, so confirm it before enrolling if it matters to you. OTC allowances, cash credits for over-the-counter health products, and fitness memberships also vary by plan.
- 7Check Out-of-Pocket Maximums
The out-of-pocket maximum is the most you'll pay for covered care in a year. Lower out-of-pocket maximums mean less annual exposure but higher monthly premiums.
How Much Does Medicare Advantage Cost in Ohio?
All four Ohio Medicare Advantage plan types charge $0 in monthly premiums. The annual out-of-pocket limit and specialist copays are the only costs that differ between plan types. The median primary care copay is $15 across all four plan types.
Choosing a PPO raises your median out-of-pocket ceiling by $1,800 compared to an HMO. The $1,800 difference buys the ability to see any specialist without a referral. HMO-POS plans share the HMO's $4,900 median out-of-pocket maximum and add limited out-of-network access.
Regional PPOs have a lower median specialist copay at $28 per visit, $7 less than the $35 median for other plan types. The regional PPO annual limit of $6,225 is below the $6,700 PPO median.
Median Monthly Premium | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Median Max Out-of-Pocket | $4,900 | $4,900 | $6,700 | $6,225 |
Median Inpatient Copay | $346 | $375 | $395 | $342 |
Median PCP Copay | $15 | $15 | $15 | $15 |
Median Specialist Copay | $35 | $35 | $35 | $28 |
*Median cost figures across all 132 non-SNP Ohio MA plans, grouped by plan type. All dollar figures rounded to nearest dollar. Source: CMS 2026 data, MoneyGeek analysis.
Ohio Medicare Advantage Resources
Ohio residents can compare Medicare Advantage plans, get free counseling and find financial assistance through these state and federal resources.
- Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) is Ohio's free counseling program. Trained volunteers help Medicare beneficiaries compare plans, review costs and understand enrollment rules at no charge.
- Medicare Plan Finder is the federal comparison tool for Medicare Advantage plans by ZIP code. It shows premiums, drug coverage, supplemental benefits and CMS star ratings side by side.
- Ohio Department of Insurance licenses and regulates insurance carriers in Ohio. Use it to verify a carrier's standing or submit a complaint about a plan.
- Ohio Medicaid administers Ohio's Medicare Savings Programs. These programs help eligible residents cover Medicare Part B premiums and reduce out-of-pocket costs.
- Social Security Administration handles Medicare enrollment for most Ohioans. Use it to apply for Medicare, check enrollment status or set up automatic premium payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare with bundled coverage from private insurers, while Medicare Supplement (Medigap) works alongside Original Medicare to cover deductibles and copays.
The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 to December 7. Current members have an additional window from January 1 to March 31.
Most Medicare Advantage plans in Ohio include Part D prescription drug coverage. Check each plan's drug formulary, the plan's list of covered medications, to confirm your drugs are covered and what cost tier they fall in. Higher tiers mean higher copays per prescription.
If your current plan does not serve your new county, Medicare allows you to switch through a Special Enrollment Period. This is a separate window outside the regular annual enrollment period, which runs October 15 to December 7. Compare plans in your new county before your move date.
Our Methodology
MoneyGeek covered Ohio Medicare Advantage carriers for the 2026 plan year. The scores use five CMS data sources: 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
MoneyGeek rates each Ohio carrier out of five across three weighted categories.
- Affordability (40%): Annual premiums, the out-of-pocket maximum and inpatient hospital, specialist and primary care costs go into maximum annual cost exposure.
- Quality and Member Experience (40%): CMS Star Ratings carry 60% of this category, CAHPS C26 member ratings the remaining 40%. MoneyGeek maps both at the contract level.
- Benefits and Access (20%): Supplemental benefits, including dental, OTC, vision and hearing, hold 50% of this category. County coverage and plan choice per county split the other 50%, at 30% and 20%.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's resident expert in insurance and economics. In nearly a decade covering the insurance market at LendingTree and MoneyGeek, he's analyzed hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.
His work has appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR. He draws on independent cost and consumer experience data, and no insurance company partnerships affect his recommendations.
Mark studied at Boston College and later earned a master's in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University. He worked in financial risk management at State Street before joining MoneyGeek. He's also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.