Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Virginia (2026)

Get the best Medicare Advantage plans in Virginia through Cigna HealthCare for HMO and PPO coverage and Kaiser Permanente for HMO-POS.

Compare Virginia Medicare Advantage plans to choose the right coverage for your budget and health needs.

Written by Mark Fitzpatrick

Updated: June 20, 2026

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

Key Takeaways

Virginia's Medicare Advantage marketplace includes 16 plans from six insurance providers across HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, PFFS and Regional PPO network types. Four plans carry $0 monthly premiums. The highest monthly premium in the state is $117.

Cigna HealthCare ranks first for both HMO and PPO coverage in Virginia. Kaiser Permanente leads on HMO-POS plans with the highest CMS star rating among HMO and HMO-POS providers in Virginia at 4.5 stars.

Before enrolling, confirm your doctors accept the specific plan by name and check your medications on the plan's formulary. Add up expected copays alongside the monthly premium.

Best Medicare Advantage Companies in Virginia

Based on CMS star ratings, premiums, MOOP costs and coverage features, we identified Virginia's best Medicare Advantage plans. Cigna HealthCare is top for both HMO and PPO plans with $0 monthly premiums and $6,250 maximum out-of-pocket costs. Kaiser Permanente ranks first for HMO-POS.

Cigna HealthCare's HMO plans earn 4.0 CMS stars. Its PPO plans earn 3.0 stars. Kaiser Permanente holds the highest star rating among HMO and HMO-POS providers in Virginia at 4.5 stars. Both charge $0 to $41 per month on average and cover the full range of Medicare-required services statewide.


HMO	Cigna HealthCare	4.00	$0	$6,250	HealthSpring Preferred Savings (HMO)
HMO-POS	Kaiser Permanente	4.50	$41	$6,044	Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Care Plus VA (HMO-POS)
PPO	Cigna HealthCare	3.00	$0	$6,250	HealthSpring True Choice (PPO)

Medicare Advantage plans bundle hospital stays, doctor visits and prescription drug coverage into a single plan that serves as an alternative to Original Medicare. These Part C plans must match everything Original Medicare covers.

CMS Star Ratings: Plans receive ratings from 1 to 5 stars based on quality, performance and member satisfaction. Plans rated 4 or 5 stars consistently score higher on care effectiveness and member satisfaction than lower-rated alternatives.
Monthly premiums: You'll pay your Part B premium plus any plan-specific premium, though many charge $0 additional. Your total cost depends on your chosen coverage level and location.
Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits: These caps protect you from high medical expenses by limiting your annual spending on covered services. Once you reach this limit, your plan pays 100% for the rest of the year.
Drug coverage: Most plans include prescription drug coverage with a formulary listing covered medications. Check if your medications are covered and understand any usage restrictions or approval requirements.

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
- Two plans available at $0 monthly premium
- HMO-POS carries the lowest MOOP in Virginia at $3,850
- 4.0-star ratings on HMO and HMO-POS
- Enhanced drug coverage across all three plans
cons
- HMO network limits provider choices
- PPO plan carries lower star rating
Cigna HealthCare provides three Medicare Advantage options in Virginia, with HMO and HMO-POS plans earning 4.0-star CMS ratings. The HealthSpring Premier HMO-POS carries the lowest MOOP in Virginia at $3,850, with a $22 monthly premium. The HealthSpring Preferred Savings HMO charges no monthly premium and caps out-of-pocket costs at $6,250.

This HMO-POS plan includes out-of-network coverage and select drug tiers with no deductible. Members who need care outside the network can use it without losing all coverage. Cigna's HealthSpring True Choice PPO charges $0 per month with a $6,250 maximum out-of-pocket, though it holds a 3.0-star rating.
Cigna's single Virginia HMO plan holds a 4.0-star CMS rating, the highest in the HMO segment. Its network has no out-of-network access. If your primary care doctor or a specialist you see regularly isn't in Cigna's HMO network, you'll pay the full cost out-of-pocket or need to switch providers. For out-of-network access, Cigna's HMO-POS plan caps costs at $3,850, $1,650 below Kaiser's lowest HMO-POS MOOP.

Kaiser Permanente

Best HMO-POS

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Quality

5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
4.5
Plan Types
HMO-POS

pros
- Six HMO-POS plans with varying premium levels
- Two plans with $0 monthly premium
- Lowest MOOP starts at $5,500
- Integrated care model coordinates all services
cons
- Only HMO-POS plans offered statewide
- No standalone HMO or PPO options
- Highest premium plan costs $137 monthly
Kaiser Permanente's six HMO-POS plans in Virginia all include enhanced Part D prescription drug coverage. The Care Plus VA plan caps annual costs at $5,500 with a $26 monthly premium. Among Kaiser's six Virginia HMO-POS plans, Care Plus VA has the lowest annual spending ceiling at $5,500.

The High VA plan carries a $5,700 MOOP at $1,644 per year. The Standard 1 VA plan caps spending at $5,900 for $15 per month, the lowest monthly cost in Kaiser's Virginia lineup.
Kaiser Permanente covers only HMO-POS plans. If you want a traditional HMO at the lowest possible MOOP, Cigna's HealthSpring Premier HMO-POS caps costs at $3,850, $1,650 below Kaiser's best MOOP of $5,500. Beneficiaries who travel frequently or split time between two states should also verify Kaiser's service area coverage before enrolling, as HMO-POS networks center on specific regions.

Cigna

Best PPO

MoneyGeek Rating

4.3/ 5

5/5Affordability

3.8/5Quality

3.5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
3.0
Plan Types
HMO, PPO, HMO-POS

pros
- $0 premium per month
- $6,250 MOOP below state average of $7,521
- See any Medicare provider nationwide without referrals
cons
- CMS rates plan at 3.0 stars
- Out-of-network care costs more
Cigna HealthCare's HealthSpring True Choice is Virginia's only $0-premium PPO plan, with a $6,250 maximum out-of-pocket. Enhanced Part D prescription benefits include no deductible on select drug tiers.

Cigna's 3.0-star CMS rating sits 1.5 stars below Aetna's 4.5 and 1.33 below UnitedHealthcare's 4.33, the two highest-rated PPO providers in Virginia. For members who prioritize a $0 premium and a MOOP $1,271 below the $7,521 state PPO average, HealthSpring True Choice is the right pick.
The 3.0-star rating is the main limitation. Members who have had claims disputes or who rely on responsive customer service during a complex treatment should look at Aetna's PPO plans instead. Aetna's four Virginia PPO plans earn 4.5 CMS stars at $456 per year on average.

Best HMO Medicare Advantage Plans in Virginia

Virginia's three HMO Medicare Advantage providers offer 15 total plans. Star ratings range from 3.0 to 4.0 stars, but just one plan earns 4 stars or higher. Twelve plans charge $0 monthly premiums, and the median premium is $0. Out-of-pocket costs range from $1,800 to $9,250, averaging $6,870 annually.

Cigna HealthCare's single plan carries a 4.0-star rating with $0 premium and $6,250 maximum out-of-pocket costs.
Humana charges $5 monthly on average but has higher out-of-pocket maximums at $7,972 and a 3.49-star rating.
Aetna provides one zero-premium plan with $6,750 MOOP and 3.0-star rating.


Cigna HealthCare	4.00	$0	$6,250	1	5
Aetna	3.00	$0	$6,750	1	4.25
Humana	3.49	$5	$7,972	13	4

Cigna has the only plan with a 4.0-star rating in this segment, while Humana's 13 plans offer more choice at a lower star rating. If quality consistency matters more than variety, Cigna's single HMO plan is the clear pick.

WHY CHOOSE AN HMO PLAN?

HMO plans carry the lowest average monthly premiums in Virginia's Medicare Advantage market. You'll need a primary care doctor and referrals to see specialists. HMO plans average $7 per month in Virginia, the lowest of any plan type in the state.

Best HMO-POS Medicare Advantage Plans in Virginia

Virginia's HMO-POS Medicare Advantage plans earn high quality ratings, with 11 receiving 4 stars and five earning 3 stars. Six providers offer 30 coverage options, and 16 don't charge monthly premiums. Maximum out-of-pocket costs average $6,109 and range from $2,900 to $9,250.

Kaiser Permanente's six plans rate 4.5 stars and score 5.0 with MoneyGeek. Monthly premiums run $41 with $6,044 maximum out-of-pocket costs.
At $3,850, Cigna HealthCare has Virginia's lowest MOOP through one plan charging $22 monthly and rated 4.0 stars, scoring 4.32.
Thirteen coverage options from UnitedHealthcare average $17 per month with $6,239 out-of-pocket maximums, scoring 4.25.
Humana's zero-premium plan scores 4.18 but carries the state's highest $9,250 maximum out-of-pocket cost.


Kaiser Permanente	4.50	$41	$6,044	6	5
Cigna HealthCare	4.00	$22	$3,850	1	4.32
UnitedHealthcare	4.04	$17	$6,239	13	4.25
Humana	3.50	$0	$9,250	1	4.18
Anthem	3.50	$2	$5,986	4	4.12
Aetna	3.00	$8	$7,817	5	3.8

Kaiser Permanente's 4.5 CMS stars and Cigna's $3,850 MOOP point to different plans. The right choice depends on how much care you expect to use. Kaiser Permanente has the best star rating at 4.5, but Cigna has the lowest MOOP at $3,850 with a competitive 4.0-star rating. A member who expects high health care costs in a given year is better served by Cigna's spending ceiling than Kaiser's quality edge.

WHY CHOOSE AN HMO-POS PLAN?

HMO-POS plans use an HMO structure but let you see out-of-network providers for specialized care your network can't cover. You'll pay more for those out-of-network visits. HMO-POS plans let you see out-of-network specialists without paying the PPO average of $24 per month.

Best PPO Medicare Advantage Plans in Virginia

PPO Medicare Advantage coverage in Virginia comes through 27 plans with premiums spanning $0 to $255. Most people pay nothing, as the median sits at $0. You get the freedom to see any doctor without referrals, though PPO plans average $24 per month versus $7 for HMO plans. Out-of-pocket spending limits fall between $3,000 and $9,250, averaging $7,521. Fourteen PPO plans in Virginia earned 4 stars or higher. Thirteen scored 4.5 stars, one earned 4 stars, eleven received 3.5 stars, and two got 3 stars.

A 4.4 MoneyGeek score puts Cigna HealthCare at the top with a zero-premium plan capping expenses at $6,250. Quality sits lower at 3.0 CMS stars.
UnitedHealthcare's 4.3 MoneyGeek rating covers nine plans requiring $58 monthly on average. Out-of-pocket maximums average $6,700, and quality jumps to 4.33 CMS stars.
Aetna brings four plans to Virginia at $38 average monthly cost. Out-of-pocket limits reach $7,329, paired with a 4.31 MoneyGeek score and top-tier 4.5 CMS stars.


Cigna HealthCare	3.00	$0	$6,250	1	4.35
UnitedHealthcare	4.33	$58	$6,700	9	4.32
Aetna	4.50	$38	$7,329	4	4.31
Humana	3.78	$8	$8,243	11	4.15
Anthem	3.50	$14	$8,950	2	3.68

Aetna ranks highest in the PPO segment on quality: its four plans earn 4.5 CMS stars, the highest rating among Virginia PPO providers. But at $38 per month average, it costs more than Cigna's $0 option. For members who file few claims, Cigna's $0 premium saves $456 per year over Aetna. For members managing ongoing conditions, Aetna's 1.5-star quality advantage over Cigna is worth that cost.

WHY CHOOSE A PPO PLAN?

PPO plans charge higher monthly premiums than HMO options. The tradeoff: no referrals required. You can see any specialist directly and use out-of-network doctors, though in-network visits cost less.

How to Choose the Best Virginia Medicare Advantage Plan

Virginia has 57 Medicare Advantage plans across five plan types for 2026. Start by confirming your doctors are in-network and your medications are on the plan's formulary. Then assess how much out-of-pocket risk you can absorb if you need heavy care in a given year.

1
Confirm Your Doctors and Hospitals Are In-Network
Call your doctors' billing departments directly and ask if they accept the specific Medicare Advantage plan you're considering by name.
2
Compare Total Costs, Not Just Premiums
Add up what you spend on medications monthly, how often you visit specialists and your typical annual doctor appointments. Premium-based plans sometimes cost less overall when copays drop from $50 to $10 per visit.
3
Check Prescription Drug Coverage
Formularies organize medications into tiers that control your pharmacy costs. Lower-tier drugs cost less per refill than higher-tier options. Authorization requirements can delay access to certain prescriptions, so verify your medications appear on each plan's covered drug list before enrollment.
4
Compare Different Plan Types
HMO plans require a primary care doctor referral before you see a specialist, and they charge lower premiums because of that structure. If you want occasional out-of-network access, an HMO-POS plan charges a bit more but removes the out-of-network lockout.
5
Review Star Ratings and Quality Metrics
CMS rates every plan from 1 to 5 stars based on claims processing, customer service and health outcomes. In MoneyGeek's Virginia analysis, higher-rated plans (those at 4.0 stars and above) consistently scored better on member satisfaction than the 3-star plans. A one-star difference translates to a real gap in how disputes get resolved and how quickly care gets authorized.
6
Compare Extra Benefits
Check what each Virginia plan adds beyond basic Medicare coverage. Dental benefits vary widely: some plans cover only cleanings while others include fillings and extractions. Vision coverage pays for exams and glasses. Kaiser Permanente's plans include gym memberships, some HMO-POS plans include monthly over-the-counter allowances for drugstore purchases.
7
Check Out-of-Pocket Maximums
Annual spending caps protect you from unlimited medical bills during expensive health situations. After reaching your out-of-pocket maximum, the plan pays all remaining covered costs until the year ends.

How Much Does Medicare Advantage Cost in Virginia?

Plan type drives Medicare Advantage costs in Virginia. HMO plans have the lowest average monthly cost at $7, but carry a $6,870 average out-of-pocket maximum. HMO-POS plans average $23 per month with a lower $6,109 out-of-pocket ceiling. PPO plans run $24 per month on average with a $7,521 maximum out-of-pocket, $651 more than HMO plans, because they let you see out-of-network providers and specialists without referrals.


HMO	$0	$7	$6,870
HMO-POS	$0	$23	$6,109
PFFS	$11	$11	$7,025
PPO	$0	$24	$7,521
Regional PPO	$117	$117	$9,250

PFFS (Private Fee-for-Service) plans average $132 per year with a $7,025 MOOP; they don't use a fixed network, so any Medicare-approved provider who agrees to the plan's terms can treat you. The Regional PPO averages $1,404 per year with a $9,250 MOOP, the highest spending ceiling in the state, and covers a defined geographic region.

Bottom Line

For most Virginia beneficiaries who want the highest-rated coverage without paying a monthly premium, Cigna HealthCare's HealthSpring Preferred Savings HMO is the clearest starting point. For most Virginia beneficiaries who want the highest-rated coverage without paying a monthly premium, Cigna HealthCare's HealthSpring Preferred Savings HMO is the clearest starting point: a 4.0-star CMS rating, $0 monthly premium and a $6,250 MOOP.

If your doctors aren't in Cigna's HMO network, Cigna's HMO-POS plan is the next move. Its $3,850 average MOOP is Virginia's lowest provider average across all Medicare Advantage plan types.

Members who need referral-free access should compare Aetna's PPO plans before defaulting to Cigna's PPO option. Aetna's four Virginia PPO plans earn 4.5 CMS stars at $456 per year, worth the cost for anyone expecting more than one claim a year.

Best Virginia Medicare Advantage: FAQ

Get answers about Medicare Advantage enrollment processes, what's covered and enrollment timing for Virginia residents.

How do you get a Medicare Advantage plan in Virginia?

Enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period or Annual Enrollment (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7). Compare plans on Medicare.gov, contact insurers directly, or work with a licensed agent. Coverage begins Jan. 1 or during other qualifying periods.

What does Medicare Advantage cover?

Medicare Advantage plans cover everything Original Medicare does plus extras like 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 cover deductibles and copays.

When is open enrollment for Medicare Advantage in Virginia?

Virginia residents enroll in Medicare Advantage during the Annual Enrollment Period, which runs Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 each year. New Medicare beneficiaries have a separate Initial Enrollment Period tied to when they turn 65.

Can I keep my current doctor with Medicare Advantage in Virginia?

Not always. Medicare Advantage plans use provider networks, and your doctor must accept the specific plan you're enrolling in, not just Medicare. Call your doctor's billing department before you enroll and ask by plan name. HMO plans restrict you to in-network providers except in emergencies. HMO-POS and PPO plans allow out-of-network visits, but at higher cost.

Which Virginia Medicare Advantage plan works best if I take multiple prescription medications?

Check the formulary before the premium. Every Virginia Medicare Advantage plan with Part D drug coverage organizes medications into tiers that set your copay per refill. Cigna HealthCare's HMO and HMO-POS plans include no deductible on select drug tiers. Kaiser Permanente's six HMO-POS plans all include enhanced Part D coverage. Before enrolling, search each plan's formulary on Medicare.gov for every medication you take and compare tier placement and any prior authorization requirements.

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

Virginia's best Medicare Advantage plans for 2026 are based on MoneyGeek's analysis of CMS plan data covering all Medicare Advantage options available to Virginia beneficiaries for plan year 2026.

Affordability (50%): Cost accounts for half of our overall score because it affects your budget. We evaluated 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 since they reduce your total annual health care spending.
Star Ratings (40%): CMS star ratings measure plan quality across categories like care effectiveness, customer service and member satisfaction. The Overall Star 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. Providers with broader geographic availability score higher because they're more likely to maintain coverage if you move and often have more resources for customer support and plan improvements.

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.

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Sources

Medicare.gov. "Compare types of Medicare Advantage Plans." Accessed June 22, 2026.
CMS.gov. "Medicare Advantage Resources." Accessed June 22, 2026.