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

Private insurers contract with Medicare to administer Medicare Advantage plans, which cover everything Original Medicare covers, often with dental, vision and prescription drug benefits added.

Four factors determine plan quality and cost:

CMS Star Ratings: Medicare rates plans from 1 to 5 stars on care quality and member satisfaction. Higher-rated plans have stronger track records.
Monthly premiums: Your Part B premium applies to all Medicare Advantage plans, plus any additional cost the plan charges. Many plans in Utah charge $0 on top of Part B.
Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits: Once you hit the annual cap, your plan pays 100% of covered costs for the rest of the year.
Prescription drug coverage: Most plans bundle Part D benefits. Confirm your specific medications appear on the plan's drug list before enrolling.

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
- Three of five plans charge $0 per month
- Enhanced Part D included across all five plans
- Four PPO plans carry 4.5-star CMS ratings
cons
- Five plans total (one of the smaller selections in Utah)
- No HMO-POS options
Aetna has five Medicare Advantage plans in Utah (one HMO and four PPOs). The HMO carries a 3.5-star CMS rating, a $0 monthly premium and a $5,000 out-of-pocket maximum. Its narrower network keeps costs down but restricts provider access.

All four PPOs earn 4.5-star CMS ratings. The Elite PPO charges $0 per month with a $5,500 MOOP and waives deductibles on select drug tiers. Two additional zero-premium PPOs are available. The Signature Extra also charges $0 but raises the MOOP to $5,900. The Value Plus costs $38 per month with a $5,500 MOOP. The Enhanced PPO runs $105 per month with a $7,900 MOOP.

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
- Both plans charge $0 per month
- HMO-POS and PPO options — out-of-network access on both
cons
- Two plans total
- PPO carries a 3-star CMS rating, below the state's top performers
Cigna HealthCare has two $0-premium plans in Utah. The Premier HMO-POS carries a 3.5-star CMS rating and a $3,500 MOOP, which is one of the lowest caps in the state. It pairs HMO cost controls with point-of-service flexibility for out-of-network visits.

The True Choice PPO offers nationwide provider access with a $5,300 MOOP and a 3-star CMS rating. Both plans waive deductibles on certain drug 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
- Six of eight plans charge $0 per month
- PPO plans rated 4.5 stars
- HMO-POS plans rated 4 stars
- Eight plans across PPO and HMO-POS networks
cons
- No standard HMO plans
- Out-of-network visits cost more on HMO-POS plans
UnitedHealthcare sells eight AARP-branded Medicare Advantage plans in Utah — four PPOs and four HMO-POS plans. All four PPOs carry 4.5-star CMS ratings. Three charge $0 per month: one with a $5,900 MOOP and one with a $6,700 MOOP. The fourth costs $39 per month with a $5,500 MOOP.

All four HMO-POS plans are rated 4 stars. Two Essentials plans charge $0 per month with a $5,200 MOOP. The Extras plan is also $0 per month with a $6,700 MOOP. The fourth charges $55 per month and has the lowest MOOP in the HMO-POS lineup at $4,900. All eight plans include enhanced Part D coverage and waive deductibles on select drug 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	4.5
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 has five HMO-POS plans from two providers. Four charge $0 per month; the average premium is $11. MOOP limits range from $3,500 to $6,700, averaging $5,100. Out-of-network visits are covered, at higher cost-sharing than in-network.

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

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 has 18 PPO Medicare Advantage plans from five providers. Nine charge $0 per month; the average premium is $31. MOOP limits run from $5,000 to $7,900, averaging $6,184. PPO enrollment means out-of-network access at every plan level.

UnitedHealthcare tops the list with four plans rated 4.5 stars, $2 monthly premiums and a $7,567 MOOP.
Cigna HealthCare comes in second with one $0-premium plan, a 3-star rating and a $5,300 MOOP.
Aetna lists four plans with average premiums of $55 per month, 4.5-star ratings and a $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	4.1
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 (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for almost a decade, first with LendingTree and now with MoneyGeek, conducting original research on hundreds of insurance companies and millions of insurance rates for insurance shoppers.

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Mark holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He started his career working in financial risk management at State Street before transitioning to the analysis of the personal insurance market. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

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