Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Tennessee (2026)

Key Takeaways

Tennessee has several Medicare Advantage options from nine insurers, covering HMO, HMO-POS, PPO and Regional PPO networks. Eight plans require no monthly payment, though premiums extend to $86 for plans with additional benefits.

Cigna HealthCare ranks first as Tennessee's best HMO, with Wellcare and Zing Health holding the strongest positions in HMO-POS and PPO categories.

Before buying a plan, consider which doctors and specialists you want to see, the medications you take regularly and how much you're comfortable spending on monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs.

Best Medicare Advantage Companies in Tennessee

Our analysis of Tennessee's best Medicare Advantage plans based on CMS star ratings, premiums, maximum out-of-pocket costs and coverage features reveals clear category leaders. Cigna HealthCare offers the best HMO options with a $20 average monthly premium, $4,961 average MOOP, and a strong 4 CMS star rating.

Wellcare leads for HMO-POS plans while Zing Health tops PPO options, though both maintain 3-star ratings. These providers deliver affordable premiums with comprehensive coverage across the state.


HMO	Cigna HealthCare	4.00	$20	$4,961	HealthSpring Preferred Savings (HMO)
HMO-POS	Wellcare	3.00	$26	$4,800	Wellcare Simple (HMO-POS)
PPO	Zing Health	3.00	$0	$6,350	Zing Open Choice TN (PPO)

Medicare Advantage plans bundle hospital stays, doctor visits and prescription drugs into single packages that serve as alternatives to Original Medicare. These Part C plans must match Original Medicare's coverage while adding benefits like dental, vision and hearing care.

CMS Star Ratings: Plans are rated 1 to 5 stars on quality metrics and member satisfaction. Plans rated 4 or 5 stars are the top performers on customer service and health outcomes.
Monthly premiums: Your total monthly cost is your Part B premium plus any plan-specific amount. Many Medicare Advantage plans charge nothing on top of Part B, but costs vary by location and coverage choices.
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 covered costs through December.
Drug coverage: Most plans include prescription drug benefits with a formulary of covered medications. Before enrolling, confirm your prescriptions are on the formulary and note any prior authorization or coverage restrictions.

Cigna

Best HMO

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Quality

5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
4.0
Plan Types
HMO, HMO-POS, PPO

pros
- HMO plans have a 4-star CMS rating
- 4 of 6 plans charge $0 a month
- Enhanced Part D drug coverage included with all plans
cons
- PPO plan has lower 3-star CMS rating
- Out-of-pocket maximums range between $4,868 and $7,500
Cigna HealthCare's 4.0-star HMO plans offers four options averaging $5,748 in out-of-pocket maximums. Three plans charge $0 monthly premiums, while the HealthSpring Primary (HMO) costs $20 per month. Enhanced Part D drug coverage is available in three of the four plans.

HealthSpring True Choice (PPO) allows members to see out-of-network doctors. While it includes enhanced Part D coverage, the plan carries a 3.0-star CMS rating. Cigna also offers 1 HMO-POS plan.

WellCare

Best HMO-POS

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Quality

5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
3.0
Plan Types
HMO-POS

pros
- Two plans with $0 monthly premium
- All three plans rated 3 stars by CMS
- Members can see out-of-network providers
cons
- Part D deductibles waived on only 0 plans
- Higher costs for out-of-network care
Wellcare has three HMO-POS plans, all rated 3 stars by CMS and two with $0 monthly premiums. The Assist and Simple plans both cap annual out-of-pocket costs at $4,800. Assist runs $25 per month while Simple costs nothing upfront, but both give you the same spending protection. The Giveback plan is also $0 per month, though its annual cap is higher at $6,700. All three plans include out-of-network access.

Zing Health

Best PPO

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Quality

5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
3.0
Plan Types
HMO, PPO

pros
- $0 a month
- Nationwide provider access without referrals
cons
- 3.0-star CMS rating
- $6,350 MOOP, which is above the Tennessee average of $6,084
- Out-of-network visits cost more
Zing Health ranks first for PPO Medicare Advantage in Tennessee with a $0-a-month premium and a $6,350 MOOP. The plan includes enhanced Part D coverage. Its 3.0-star CMS rating is below the 4-star competitors in the state. Tennessee members can visit any Medicare-approved provider without a referral. Zing Health has one PPO plan in the state.

Best HMO Medicare Advantage Plans in Tennessee

Tennessee offers 22 HMO Medicare Advantage plans from five providers. Star ratings run from 2.5 to 4.0 stars, and 12 plans earn 4 stars or higher. Seventeen plans charge $0 monthly premiums, making the median premium $0. Maximum out-of-pocket costs range from $1,900 to $9,250, averaging $5,437 annually.

Two providers are top quality. Cigna HealthCare's four 4.0-star plans average $20 monthly with $4,961 maximum out-of-pocket costs, while Zing Health offers two $0 premium plans with $4,425 MOOPs but 2.5-star ratings.
For the lowest out-of-pocket protection, Humana provides six zero-premium plans with 4.0-star ratings and just $4,354 average maximum costs.


Cigna HealthCare	4.00	$20	$4,961	4	5
Zing Health	2.50	$0	$4,425	2	5
Humana	4.00	$17	$4,354	6	4.55
Aetna	4.00	$18	$6,691	2	3.97
Devoted Health	3.50	$0	$6,305	8	3.85

WHY CHOOSE AN HMO PLAN?

HMO plans work well for seniors who want their primary doctor to coordinate care through a smaller network of providers. You'll need to choose a primary care physician and get referrals for specialist visits. These plans cost less than other Medicare Advantage options.

Best HMO-POS Medicare Advantage Plans in Tennessee

Tennessee's 13 HMO-POS Medicare Advantage plans split quality ratings with 7 plans earning 4 stars and 6 plans earning 3 stars across 4 providers. You'll find 7 plans cost nothing monthly, though maximum out-of-pocket costs average $5,660 and range from $3,500 to $9,000. The Volunteer State offers good coverage options with varying cost structures.

Wellcare ranks first for HMO-POS in Tennessee with a MoneyGeek score of 5.0. It has three plans rated 3 stars, with an average premium of $26 a month and a $4,800 MOOP.
UnitedHealthcare scores 4.77 across six plans rated 4 stars. The average premium is $16 a month and the average MOOP is $5,218.
Cigna HealthCare scores 4.11 with one plan at $45 a month and a $6,150 MOOP. Wellpoint has three plans rated 3 stars at $6 a month with a $7,378 MOOP.


Wellcare	3.00	$26	$4,800	3	5
UnitedHealthcare	4.00	$16	$5,218	6	4.77
Cigna HealthCare	4.00	$45	$6,150	1	4.11
Wellpoint	3.00	$6	$7,378	3	3.66

WHY CHOOSE AN HMO-POS PLAN?

HMO-POS plans cost less per month than PPO plans and are more flexible than a traditional HMO. You can see out-of-network providers without a referral, though those visits cost more.

Best PPO Medicare Advantage Plans in Tennessee

Most Tennessee residents pay nothing for PPO Medicare Advantage coverage, with a $0 median premium across 27 available plans. Premiums reach as high as $164 monthly, but many plans charge zero. You'll sacrifice the lower costs of HMO plans for the ability to see any provider without referrals.

PPO MOOPs in Tennessee range from $2,500 to $8,850 and average $6,085 statewide. Of the 39 plans available, 12 score 4 stars or higher: seven at 4.5 stars, five at 4 stars. Thirteen plans hold 3.5 stars and two hold 3 stars.

Zing Health scores a perfect 5.0 on MoneyGeek's rating with one plan at $0 a month and a $6,350 MOOP. CMS rating: 3.0 stars.
UnitedHealthcare scores 4.6 with two plans at $0 a month, a $6,450 average MOOP and a 4.5-star CMS rating.
Aetna scores 4.44 with four plans averaging $19 a month and a $6,843 average MOOP. CMS rating: 4.5 stars.


Zing Health	3.00	$0	$6,350	1	5
UnitedHealthcare	4.50	$0	$6,450	2	4.56
Aetna	4.50	$19	$6,843	4	4.44
Blue Cross Blue Shield	4.00	$28	$5,100	5	4.25
Humana	3.99	$28	$4,900	6	4
Devoted Health	3.50	$0	$7,066	8	3.91
Cigna HealthCare	3.00	$0	$7,500	1	3.84

WHY CHOOSE A PPO PLAN?

Higher premiums make PPO plans the most expensive Medicare Advantage option, but they deliver complete provider freedom without referral requirements. Tennessee residents can see any Medicare-approved doctor and access out-of-network specialists when needed, though staying in-network saves money.

How to Choose the Best Tennessee Medicare Advantage Plan

Doctor networks, drug coverage and yearly spending caps matter most when choosing Medicare Advantage coverage in Tennessee.

1
Confirm Your Doctors and Hospitals Are In-Network
Check if your doctors participate in each Medicare Advantage plan you're considering. Acceptance by the insurance company doesn't guarantee acceptance by individual plans. Networks differ even within the same insurer's Medicare Advantage offerings.
2
Compare Total Costs, Not Just Premiums
$0 monthly premiums are attractive options until you pay $50 copays at every doctor visit. Calculate annual expenses by adding prescription costs, specialist fees and expected medical appointments.
3
Check Prescription Drug Coverage
Medication costs vary substantially between Tennessee Medicare Advantage plans based on tier placement. Lower tiers mean smaller copays at the pharmacy. Tier 1 drugs cost less than Tier 4 medications. Prior authorization adds days or weeks before you can fill certain prescriptions, so check your medications during enrollment rather than after.
4
Compare Different Plan Types
Doctor referrals and network restrictions separate different health insurance types, with HMO plans requiring primary care coordination for specialist visits while charging lower premiums, while HMO-POS plans mix referral requirements with limited out-of-network access.
5
Review Star Ratings and Quality Metrics
Plans rated 4 or 5 stars by Medicare handle claims faster and deliver better member experiences. These ratings reflect quality measures, customer service performance and health outcome data.
6
Compare Extra Benefits
Gym memberships, dental cleanings, vision coverage, hearing aids and over-the-counter allowances appear in many Tennessee plans. Dental benefits cover cleanings and fillings. Vision benefits pay for exams and glasses.
7
Check Out-of-Pocket Maximums
Annual spending limits protect you when surgery, hospitalization or serious illness drives up medical bills. Once you hit this cap, your plan covers all additional costs for the rest of the year. Lower out-of-pocket maximums mean better coverage but higher monthly premiums throughout the year.

How Much Does Medicare Advantage Cost in Tennessee?

Your plan type shapes your Medicare Advantage costs in Tennessee. HMOs cost just $8 monthly on average with $0 median premiums, making them the most budget-friendly choice. Out-of-pocket maximums average $5,437 with this option. HMO-POS plans run higher at $16 average monthly premiums but keep similar $5,660 MOOP limits. PPOs cost the most at $22 average monthly premiums with $6,085 out-of-pocket maximums.


HMO	$0	$8	$5,437
HMO-POS	$0	$16	$5,660
PPO	$0	$22	$6,085
Regional PPO	$86	$86	$6,500

Best Tennessee Medicare Advantage: FAQ

Get answers about Medicare Advantage enrollment, what's covered and enrollment timing for residents across the state.

How do you get a Medicare Advantage plan in Tennessee?

Enroll during the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7) through Medicare.gov, licensed insurance agents, or directly with plan providers. You can also enroll when first eligible for Medicare or during other qualifying periods.

What does Medicare Advantage cover?

Medicare Advantage plans cover everything Original Medicare does plus often include prescription drugs, dental, vision, hearing aids, and fitness benefits.

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 help cover deductibles and copays.

When is open enrollment for Medicare Advantage in Tennessee?

Medicare Advantage open enrollment in Tennessee occurs Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 annually. Current enrollees also have a secondary enrollment window from Jan. 1 to March 31.

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

Our analysis of Medicare Advantage plans uses a scoring methodology and three key factors:

Affordability (50%): Cost comprises half of our overall score because it affects your budget. We checked on monthly premiums for Part C and Part D coverage combined (30% weight) and in-network maximum out-of-pocket limits (20% weight). Plans with lower premiums and MOOP amounts score higher.
CMS Star Ratings (40%): These measure plan quality across categories such as care effectiveness, customer service and member satisfaction. The rating combines both Part C (medical coverage) and Part D (prescription drug) ratings on a scale from 1 to 5 stars.
Availability (10%): We score providers based on how many states they operate in, including Washington, D.C.

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 has produced 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.). He began his career in financial risk management at State Street. He's also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.

Read Full Bio »