Best Medicare Advantage Plans 2026

The best Medicare Advantage providers are Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana and UnitedHealthcare for the 2026 plan year.

Explore Medicare Advantage plans to find the best option.

Written by Deb Gordon

Updated: April 29, 2026

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Key Takeaways

Cigna is the best Medicare Advantage company for HMO plans across the U.S., while Blue Cross Blue Shield is best for PPO plans, Humana is best for PFFS plans and UnitedHealthcare is best for HMO-POS plans.

Most Medicare Advantage plans have a $0 premium, though you must still pay any required Medicare Part A or Part B premiums. For plans that do charge a premium, the average monthly cost is about $25, and the average annual maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit is $5,555.

When choosing a Medicare Advantage plan, consider total costs, not just premiums but out-of-pocket maximums as well, along with the benefits and services that matter most to you. Most Medicare Advantage plans include Part D, but some do not.

Best Medicare Advantage Providers

Medicare Advantage plans deliver an alternative to Original Medicare by bundling Parts A, B, and often Part D prescription drug coverage into one plan. When we analyzed Medicare Advantage plans for 2026, the most striking pattern was the gap between premium and total cost. More than half of all plans charge $0 monthly, but the average annual maximum out-of-pocket across those plans runs well above $5,000. The plans that look cheapest up front often cost the most when you actually use them.

Cigna HealthCare leads for HMO plans with average maximum out-of-pocket costs of $4,961, the lowest of any plan type in our analysis. Blue Cross Blue Shield tops PPO plans with a 4.5 CMS star rating and $0 monthly premium, but its MOOP averages $6,750. That $1,789 gap in annual exposure is the trade-off PPO flexibility costs.


HMO	Cigna HealthCare	4	$20	$4,961	Yes	4.8
PPO	Blue Cross Blue Shield	4.5	$0	$6,750	Yes	4.7
PFFS	Humana	3.5	$27	$6,578	Yes	4.5
HMO-POS	UnitedHealthcare	4	$15	$5,659	Yes	4.4

The table shows our top Medicare Advantage providers by plan type. Monthly premiums represent averages across available plans, while maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) costs indicate the most you'll pay annually for covered services annually. All top-rated plans include Part D prescription drug coverage, eliminating the need for a separate drug plan.

Cigna

MoneyGeek Rating

4.8/ 5

4.6/5Affordability

5/5Quality

5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
4.0
Plan Types
HMO, HMO-POS, PPO
State Availability
30 States

pros
- 10 of 17 plans available with $0 monthly premiums
- 13 plans have drug tiers with no deductible
- Specializes in HMO plans with 13 options
- Basic and Enhanced drug benefits
cons
- HMO plans limited to in-network care
- Limited PPO and HMO-POS options (only 4 plans)
Cigna HealthCare is the best provider of Medicare Advantage HMO plans in the country with a MoneyGeek score of 4.8 out of 5, balancing solid quality ratings with competitive pricing. The insurer provides HMO options across 30 states with an average monthly premium of $20 and maximum out-of-pocket costs of $4,961 annually. CMS ratings range from 3.5 to 4 stars across its plans, with all plans including Part D prescription drug coverage. Cigna also has HMO-POS and PPO alternatives for members who want more provider flexibility, though these plans come at higher costs.
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington
Cigna's HMO network works against you if you travel frequently or split time between multiple states. HMO plans cover only in-network providers, so a snowbird spending winters in Florida and summers in Ohio needs to confirm Cigna has strong provider networks in both locations. Its availability in 30 states means there are gaps in care. Beneficiaries in the 20 states where Cigna doesn't operate, or those who want the flexibility to see any Medicare-approved provider without a referral, will find better options with Humana or UnitedHealthcare.

Blue Cross Blue Shield

MoneyGeek Rating

4.7/ 5

4.4/5Affordability

5/5Quality

5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
4.5
Plan Types
HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, PFFS
State Availability
32 States

pros
- Coverage options across all plan types
- 24 PPO plans available with $0 monthly premiums
cons
- Some plans carry high monthly premiums up to $300
- Limited PFFS plans
- Some plans have lower CMS ratings below 3.0
Blue Cross Blue Shield leads PPO Medicare Advantage coverage in the U.S., delivering the provider flexibility many seniors want at an affordable premium. The insurer provides 80 PPO options nationwide with an average CMS star rating of 4.5 and maximum out-of-pocket costs averaging $6,750 annually. All Blue Cross Blue Shield plans include Part D prescription drug coverage, and 123 of 151 plans have drug tiers with no deductible, simplifying medication costs. The insurer also has a wide selection of HMO and HMO-POS plans as well as some limited PFFS plans, delivering greater network flexibility.
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia
The higher MOOP exposure is the main risk here. At $6,750 annually, a beneficiary who hits the maximum in a Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO plan pays $1,789 more per year than the average Cigna HMO enrollee. If you have predictable, high-volume healthcare needs, a PPO's out-of-network flexibility may not be worth that extra cost. People who stay within a consistent local provider network and want the lowest possible total annual cost should look at Cigna or UnitedHealthcare first.

Humana

MoneyGeek Rating

4.5/ 5

4.1/5Affordability

5/5Quality

5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
3.5
Plan Types
HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, PFFS
State Availability
47 States

pros
- Coverage options across all plan types
- Broad national coverage
- 326 of 484 plans available with $0 premiums
- All plans feature Enhanced drug benefits
cons
- Only one $0 monthly premium PFFS plan
- CMS ratings lower than 4.0 on many plans
Humana stands out in the limited PFFS Medicare Advantage marketplace with seven plans earning 3.5-star CMS ratings. PFFS plans let you see any Medicare-approved provider who accepts the plan, combining flexibility with straightforward coverage. Monthly premiums for Humana's PFFS options average $27, with one plan available at no monthly cost. Maximum out-of-pocket costs for the company’s PFFS plans run higher at $6,578 annually compared to HMO alternatives at $4,884, reflecting the added provider flexibility. Every Humana PFFS plan includes Part D prescription drug coverage with no-deductible drug tiers.

Humana also has a wide range of plan options across all major Medicare Advantage plan types, making it easier to find coverage that aligns with your healthcare usage and budget. Its broad nationwide availability means members can often maintain coverage when traveling or relocating, and many Humana plans include added benefits such as dental, vision, hearing, fitness programs, and robust prescription drug coverage. This combination of plan variety and geographic reach makes Humana a flexible choice for beneficiaries who want multiple coverage options under a single, well-established insurer.
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Humana earns its spot here because the PFFS market is thin. Only a handful of insurers offer PFFS plans nationally, and Humana's seven plans are the strongest available in that category. But if plan type flexibility matters more to you than PFFS specifically, its 3.5-star CMS ratings are the weakest of our four picks.

Cigna and UnitedHealthcare both earn 4.0 CMS ratings with competitive premiums and broader plan type options. If you prioritize care coordination scores or appeals performance in CMS data, and you aren't looking for PFFS coverage, you'll find stronger options with either of those two providers.

UnitedHealthcare

MoneyGeek Rating

4.4/ 5

4.2/5Affordability

4.5/5Quality

5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
4.0
Plan Types
HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, PFFS
State Availability
47 States

pros
- Broad national coverage
- Strong CMS ratings, with 229 plans earning 4+ stars
- 179 plans available with $0 monthly premiums
- Coverage options across all plan types
cons
- HMO-POS plans require staying in-network for lowest costs
- Out-of-network care comes with higher copays and coinsurance
- Some plans have high premiums up to $354 monthly
UnitedHealthcare has the best HMO-POS Medicare Advantage plans in the country, delivering 258 plans that combine the cost efficiency of in-network care with the option to see out-of-network providers when needed. These plans give members flexibility without sacrificing affordability, reflected in an average CMS rating of 4.0. Monthly premiums average just $15, and 179 plans are available with a $0 premium. Average maximum out-of-pocket costs are at $5,659 per year, which is lower than most PPO plans but higher than most HMO plans. UnitedHealthcare also provides coverage options across all major plan types with solid CMS ratings and affordable premiums.
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
UnitedHealthcare's HMO-POS structure is its main attraction, but it's also its main limitation. Out-of-network care is allowed but comes with higher copays and coinsurance. Some UnitedHealthcare plans also carry premiums up to $354 monthly. If you want to keep monthly costs as low as possible with predictable in-network coverage, Cigna's HMO plans average $5 less per month and carry lower MOOP costs.

Best Medicare Advantage Providers By State

Explore the best Medicare Advantage plans available in each state. Select your state below to compare top-rated plans and find the option that best fits your healthcare needs.


Alabama	Iowa	Nevada	South Dakota
Arizona	Kansas	New Hampshire	Tennessee
Arkansas	Kentucky	New Jersey	Texas
California	Louisiana	New Mexico	Utah
Colorado	Maine	New York	Vermont
Connecticut	Maryland	North Carolina	Virginia
Delaware	Massachusetts	North Dakota	Washington
Florida	Michigan	Ohio	Washington, D. C.
Georgia	Minnesota	Oklahoma	West Virginia
Hawaii	Mississippi	Oregon	Wisconsin
Idaho	Missouri	Pennsylvania	Wyoming
Illinois	Montana	Rhode Island
Indiana	Nebraska	South Carolina

What Is Medicare Advantage?

Medicare Advantage, also known as Medicare Part C, bundles Original Medicare benefits with extras like dental, vision and hearing coverage. Medicare Advantage plans are offered through private health insurance companies.

Many Medicare Advantage plans also include prescription drug coverage, which people on Original Medicare can buy separately. Increasingly, Medicare Advantage plans also have coverage for hearing, vision and dental care, fitness and many other benefits.

Medicare Advantage plans can’t be combined with supplemental coverage such as Medigap or stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.

How to Choose the Best Medicare Advantage Plans

Choosing the right Medicare Advantage plan requires balancing monthly costs, coverage needs and provider access. Focus on these key factors to find a plan that fits your health situation and budget:

1
Make sure your doctors and hospitals are in-network
Medicare Advantage plans restrict coverage to specific provider networks, and out-of-network care can cost much more or may not be covered at all.
2
Compare total costs beyond the monthly premium
Look at copays, deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket limits to understand what you'll actually pay when using care. In our analysis, the difference between a plan's monthly premium and its actual annual cost at the MOOP limit can exceed $6,000 depending on plan type and metal level.
3
Review prescription drug coverage if you take medications
Plans with Part D coverage vary in their formularies, so verify your specific medications are covered and check which tier they fall under.
4
Consider the plan type that matches your needs
HMO plans cost less but require referrals and restrict you to network providers, while PPO plans give more flexibility at higher premiums. Learn more about health insurance plan types.
5
Consider CMS ratings for quality
Plans with 4 or 5 stars have better customer service, care coordination and member satisfaction based on Medicare's quality measurements. Three of our four top-rated plans carry 4.0 or higher CMS ratings.
6
Evaluate extra benefits included in the plan
Many Medicare Advantage plans add dental, vision, hearing or fitness benefits at no additional cost, which can provide significant value if you'll use them. Every plan in our top four includes Part D with no-deductible drug tiers, which simplifies cost estimation for beneficiaries managing multiple prescriptions.

How Much Does Medicare Advantage Cost?

Medicare Advantage plan costs vary by plan type and location. More than half of all Medicare Advantage plans charge $0 monthly premiums regardless of plan type, though these $0-premium plans usually come with higher copays and coinsurance when you visit doctors or need services.

The most important number on this page isn't the monthly premium. It's the maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit. In our analysis, HMO plans average $18 per month but cap annual out-of-pocket costs at $4,832. PPO plans average $32 per month but MOOP runs $6,398. Someone who hits their maximum in a PPO plan pays $1,566 more per year than someone in an HMO, even with the HMO's slightly higher premium.

That math matters most for people with chronic conditions or planned procedures. For healthy people who rarely use services, the $0-premium PFFS or PPO option may cost less overall.


HMO	$0	$18	$4,832
HMO-POS	$0	$23	$5,241
PFFS	$37	$46	$6,032
PPO	$0	$32	$6,398

Best Medicare Advantage Plans: FAQs

Here are quick answers to common questions about enrolling in Medicare Advantage, understanding coverage and navigating enrollment periods.

When can I enroll in Medicare Advantage?

You can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan during your Initial Enrollment Period when you first qualify for Medicare, Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15-Dec. 7), or Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (Jan. 1-March 31).

What's the difference between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement?

Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare with a private plan that bundles Parts A, B and often Part D coverage. Medicare Supplement works alongside Original Medicare to cover gaps like deductibles and copays but requires a separate Part D plan for prescriptions.

Does Medicare Advantage cover prescription drugs?

Most Medicare Advantage plans include Part D prescription drug coverage, but formularies vary by plan. Check that your specific medications are covered and review copay tiers before enrolling. Learn more about what Medicare covers.

Can I keep my current doctor with Medicare Advantage?

All four providers we recommend offer online provider directories. Check your doctor's participation before enrolling. HMO members who discover their doctor left the network mid-year must wait until the next Annual Enrollment Period to switch plans.

Our Methodology

MoneyGeek evaluated Medicare Advantage plans nationwide using a scoring system that weighs quality, affordability and availability. We analyzed data on all Medicare Advantage plans in the U.S. from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to identify the best plans across different plan types.

Scoring System

Our methodology evaluates three main factors to help you identify plans that deliver the best value for your healthcare needs:

Affordability (50%): Cost makes up half of our overall score, because it directly impacts 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 healthcare spending.
Star Ratings (40%): CMS 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. Higher-rated plans earn better scores in our analysis.
Availability (10%): We factor in how many states each provider operates in, including Washington, D.C. Providers with broader geographic availability score higher because they're more likely to maintain coverage if you move and have more resources for customer support and plan improvements.

This scoring system helps you compare plans objectively while accounting for the factors that matter most, including what you'll pay and the quality of care you'll receive.

Related: Best Medicare Supplement Plans

While Medicare Advantage plans combine coverage in one package, Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans work with original Medicare to cover out-of-pocket costs like copayments and deductibles. They offer predictable expenses and nationwide access to any doctor who accepts Medicare. Explore our guides to the best Medicare Supplement plans by state:


Alabama	Illinois	Montana	Pennsylvania
Alaska	Indiana	Nebraska	Rhode Island
Arizona	Iowa	Nevada	South Carolina
Arkansas	Kansas	New Hampshire	South Dakota
California	Kentucky	New Jersey	Tennessee
Colorado	Louisiana	New Mexico	Texas
Connecticut	Maine	New York	Utah
Delaware	Maryland	North Carolina	Vermont
Florida	Massachusetts	North Dakota	Virginia
Georgia	Michigan	Ohio	Washington
Hawaii	Mississippi	Oklahoma	West Virginia
Idaho	Missouri	Oregon	Wyoming

About Deb Gordon

Deb Gordon, the co-founder and CEO of Umbra Health Advocacy, has held executive roles in health insurance and health care technology services. She authored a book titled “The Health Care Consumer’s Manifesto,” based on her research as a senior fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government. Her work has been published in JAMA Network Open, the Harvard Business Review blog, USA Today and RealClearPolitics, among others.

Gordon is an Aspen Institute Health Innovators Fellow and an Eisenhower Fellow. She was a 2011 Boston Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree and a volunteer at MIT’s Delta V start-up accelerator, the Fierce Healthcare Innovation Awards. She earned her bioethics degree from Brown University and her MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School.

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