Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Utah (2026)

Key Takeaways

Utah has 27 Medicare Advantage plans from six providers across HMO, HMO-POS and PPO plan types.

Top Utah Medicare Advantage providers include Aetna for HMO plans, Cigna HealthCare for HMO-POS and UnitedHealthcare for PPO.

When comparing Medicare Advantage plans in Utah, consider your preferred doctors, prescription drug needs and budget for out-of-pocket costs.

Best Medicare Advantage Providers in Utah

Utah Medicare Advantage plans vary widely in cost and quality. We analyzed options statewide to highlight the best Medicare Advantage providers by plan type, based on CMS star ratings, premiums and maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits.

UnitedHealthcare has a 4.5-star CMS rating and $2 monthly premiums, though its $7,567 average maximum out-of-pocket costs are the highest among top providers. Both Aetna and Cigna HealthCare offer $0 monthly premiums with 3.5-star ratings, but Cigna's $3,500 average MOOP undercuts Aetna's $5,000 maximum.


HMO	Aetna	3.50	$0	$5,000	Aetna Medicare Signature (HMO)
HMO-POS	Cigna HealthCare	3.50	$0	$3,500	HealthSpring Premier (HMO-POS)
PPO	UnitedHealthcare	4.50	$2	$7,567	AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC UT-0002 (PPO)

Medicare Advantage Plans Explained

Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private companies that contract with Medicare to deliver your healthcare benefits. These plans cover everything Original Medicare includes while often adding extras like dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.

CMS Star Ratings: Medicare scores plans from 1 to 5 stars based on quality of care and member satisfaction. Higher ratings help you identify plans that deliver better overall performance.
Monthly premiums: These are your regular payments to keep your Medicare Advantage coverage active. You'll pay your Part B premium plus any additional plan costs.
Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits: This cap protects you from unlimited medical expenses each year. Once you hit this limit, your plan covers 100% of remaining costs.
Prescription drug coverage: Most Medicare Advantage plans bundle Part D medication benefits into their coverage. Check that your specific prescriptions are included in the plan's drug list.

Aetna Medicare

Best HMO

MoneyGeek Rating

5.0/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Quality

4.8/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
3.5
Plan Types
HMO, PPO

pros
- 3 of 5 plans charge $0 monthly premium
- Enhanced Part D drug coverage included with all plans
- Strong provider network
cons
- Limited plan options
- Does not offer HMO-POS plan options
Aetna offers a single HMO Medicare Advantage plan in Utah, earning a 3.5-star CMS rating with a $5,000 out-of-pocket maximum and $0 monthly premium. The plan includes enhanced Part D drug coverage. Its narrow network keeps costs low but limits provider choices.

Aetna also provides four PPO options, all earning 4.5-star CMS ratings and offering broader network access. The Elite PPO stands out as Aetna's top performer, combining premium-free coverage with a $5,500 maximum out-of-pocket limit and enhanced prescription benefits that waive deductibles on select drug tiers. Two other zero-premium PPO plans provide alternatives.

The Signature Extra raises the out-of-pocket cap to $5,900, while the Value Plus costs $38 monthly but maintains the lower $5,500 maximum. For those wanting the richest benefits, the Enhanced PPO runs $105 monthly with a $7,900 limit.

Cigna

Best HMO-POS

MoneyGeek Rating

4.3/ 5

5/5Affordability

3.8/5Quality

2.5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
3.5
Plan Types
HMO-POS, PPO

pros
- All plans have $0 monthly premium
- Members can see out-of-network providers
cons
- Limited plan selection
- PPO plan has lower 3-star CMS rating
Cigna HealthCare has two premium-free plans that cater to different coverage priorities. The Premier HMO-POS plan has a maximum out-of-pocket limit at just $3,500, one of the lowest available in the state. This plan combines an HMO structure with point-of-service flexibility and carries a 3.5-star Medicare rating.

For broader network access, the True Choice PPO plan offers nationwide coverage with a $5,300 out-of-pocket maximum and a 3-star CMS rating. Both plans include enhanced Part D prescription drug benefits that eliminate deductibles on certain medication tiers.

UnitedHealthcare

Best PPO

MoneyGeek Rating

4.5/ 5

4/5Affordability

5/5Quality

5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
4.5
Plan Types
PPO, HMO-POS

pros
- 6 of 8 plans have $0 monthly premium
- Strong CMS ratings
- Broad plan selection
cons
- No standard HMO plans
- Higher costs for out-of-network care
UnitedHealthcare operates in Utah through AARP-branded Medicare Advantage plans, offering eight options split evenly between PPO and HMO-POS networks. The four PPO plans deliver the highest 4.5-star ratings, with three charging no monthly premium. The best option costs $0 per month and caps out-of-pocket expenses at $5,900, while another zero-premium plan caps out-of-pocket expenses at $6,700. A fourth PPO option runs $39 monthly with a $5,500 MOOP.

The HMO-POS lineup includes four 4-star plans offering out-of-network flexibility. Two Essentials plans share identical benefits at $0 monthly with $5,200 MOOP. The Extras plan also stays premium-free but raises the cap to $6,700. For the tightest cost control, one HMO-POS plan charges $55 monthly with a $4,900 MOOP. All plans include enhanced Part D coverage and waive deductibles on select tiers.

Best Utah HMO Medicare Advantage Providers

Most HMO plans in Utah charge $0 monthly, with seniors able to choose from four options across three providers. Out-of-pocket maximums range from $5,000 to $6,325, averaging $5,479 annually.

Aetna offers the state’s most affordable HMO plan with 3.5 stars, $0 monthly premium, and a $5,000 MOOP.
Humana provides one plan at $0 monthly with a $5,000 MOOP but holds the lowest 3.0-star rating among providers.
Select Health delivers two plans with 3.5 stars, $0 premiums, and an average $5,892 MOOP.


Aetna	3.50	$0	$5,000	1	4.98
Humana	3.00	$0	$5,000	1	4.50
Select Health	3.50	$0	$5,892	2	4.25

HMO PROS AND CONS

HMO Medicare Advantage plans require you to stay within provider networks and get referrals before seeing specialists. But you'll benefit from affordable premiums, coordinated care through your primary doctor, and predictable out-of-pocket costs.

Best Utah HMO-POS Medicare Advantage Providers

Utah’s HMO-POS plans offer valuable out-of-network access, though at slightly higher costs than standard HMOs. The state has five plans from two providers, with four charging $0 monthly and an average premium of $11. Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits range from $3,500 to $6,700, averaging $5,100, providing protection for members who occasionally need out-of-network care.

Cigna HealthCare leads with one $0-premium plan, a $3,500 MOOP, and a 3.5-star rating.
UnitedHealthcare offers four plans rated 4.0 stars, averaging $15 per month with $5,537 MOOP.


Cigna HealthCare	3.50	$0	$3,500	1	4.25
UnitedHealthcare	4.00	$15	$5,537	4	4.00

HMO-POS PROS AND CONS

HMO-POS plans work well if you want affordable premiums but occasionally need to see out-of-network doctors. These hybrid plans give you the lower costs of traditional HMOs while letting you visit providers outside your network when necessary, though you'll pay more for that out-of-network care.

Best Utah PPO Medicare Advantage Providers

Utah offers 18 PPO Medicare Advantage plans from five providers, averaging $31 per month, though nine plans charge $0. The flexibility of PPOs comes with higher maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) costs, averaging $6,184 and ranging from $5,000 to $7,900.

UnitedHealthcare leads with four plans at 4.5 stars, $2 monthly premiums, and $7,567 MOOP.
Cigna HealthCare ranks second with one $0-premium plan, 3.0 stars, and a $5,300 MOOP.
Aetna offers four plans averaging $55 per month, 4.5 stars, and $6,660 MOOP.


UnitedHealthcare	4.50	$2	$7,567	4	4.48
Cigna HealthCare	3.00	$0	$5,300	1	4.25
Aetna	4.50	$55	$6,660	4	4.14
Humana	3.84	$46	$6,232	7	4.10
Blue Cross Blue Shield	3.50	$79	$5,758	2	3.74

PPO PROS AND CONS

PPO Medicare Advantage plans cost more through higher monthly premiums and out-of-pocket maximums, but you get complete provider freedom in return. You can choose any Medicare-approved doctor without referrals and access both in-network and out-of-network care. These plans work best for frequent travelers.

How to Find the Best Utah Medicare Advantage Plans

The best Medicare Advantage plan for you in Utah depends on your specific doctors, medications, and budget.

1
Check Your Doctor and Hospital Network
Before selecting a Medicare Advantage plan, confirm that your current doctors, specialists and hospitals are part of the plan's network. In Utah, HMO plans require referrals and limit you to in-network providers except for emergencies, while PPO plans offer more flexibility at higher costs. Learn more about health insurance network types.
2
Compare Maximum Out-of-Pocket Costs
Look at the maximum out-of-pocket costs, which represent the most you'll pay for covered services in a year. A plan with a $0 premium but $7,833 maximum out-of-pocket could cost more than one with a $29 premium and $6,750 maximum if you need frequent medical care.
3
Review Prescription Drug Coverage
Check whether your medications are covered under the plan's formulary and what tier they're assigned to, as this affects your out-of-pocket costs. Most Medicare Advantage plans in Utah include Part D prescription drug coverage. Higher-tier medications cost more than lower-tier ones.
4
Evaluate Additional Benefits
Medicare Advantage plans often include extra benefits beyond basic Medicare coverage, such as dental, vision, hearing aids, fitness memberships and transportation to medical appointments.
5
Consider CMS Star Ratings
Review each plan's CMS star rating, which measures quality and performance on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Higher-rated plans provide better customer service, care coordination and health outcomes. Plans earning 4 or 5 stars have superior overall performance and member satisfaction.

Average Utah Medicare Advantage Cost

Utah's Medicare Advantage costs depend on plan type and network restrictions. Plans with more limited networks keep both premiums and out-of-pocket expenses lower than broader access options.

HMO plans deliver the most affordable premiums at $0 monthly with a $5,479 average maximum out-of-pocket limit. HMO-POS plans cost $11 on average monthly but offer the lowest out-of-pocket protection at $5,100 annually. PPO plans charge $32 average monthly premiums with $6,184 maximum costs. The cost increases reflect greater network flexibility and out-of-network access that PPO plans provide compared to HMO options.


HMO	$0	$0	$5,479
HMO-POS	$0	$11	$5,100
PPO	$2	$32	$6,184

Best Utah Medicare Advantage: FAQ

Get answers about Utah Medicare Advantage coverage:

When can I enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan in Utah?

Utah residents can enroll in Medicare Advantage plans during the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7) or the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (Jan. 1 to March 31). You may also qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you experience qualifying life events like relocating or losing other health coverage.

Does Medicare Advantage cover prescription drugs in Utah?

Yes, most Medicare Advantage plans in Utah provide prescription drug coverage as part of their benefits package. Before enrolling, confirm your medications appear on the plan's formulary and review their tier levels, which directly impact your out-of-pocket costs at the pharmacy.

Do I need to change Medicare Advantage plans if I move to a different county in Utah?

Yes, you may need to change plans since Medicare Advantage networks vary by county. Notify your current plan within 30 days of your move to understand your options. You'll qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to switch to an available plan in your new county.

Our Methodology: How We Chose the Best Utah Medicare Advantage Plans

We assessed Medicare Advantage plans in Utah using an evaluation framework that emphasizes cost and quality. Three core criteria identify plans with the strongest value:

Affordability (50%): Costs represent half the total score due to their immediate effect on your spending. We analyzed combined monthly premiums for Part C and Part D coverage (weighted at 30%) and in-network maximum out-of-pocket limits (weighted at 20%). Plans with lower premiums and MOOP thresholds score higher by reducing annual health care expenses.
Star Ratings (40%): CMS star ratings assess plan performance in care quality, customer service and member experience. The Overall Star Rating merges Part C (medical benefits) and Part D (prescription drug coverage) scores into one rating on a 1 to 5-star scale. Higher-rated plans score better in our evaluation.
Availability (10%): We consider each insurer's coverage area across the United States. Providers serving more states score higher, as broader availability indicates more robust infrastructure, better support and better continuity if you relocate.

These factors create a fair comparison of Medicare Advantage plans, weighing costs against care quality and service.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.

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