Are people happy with Medicare Advantage?

Yes, many people like Medicare Advantage (MA) for its all-in-one convenience, extra benefits (dental, vision, hearing, drugs), lower monthly costs, and out-of-pocket spending caps, leading to high satisfaction rates, especially among healthy enrollees; however, some dislike it due to provider network restrictions, referral requirements, potential service denials, and complexity in understanding coverage, particularly those with complex health needs.

Why do some people not like Medicare Advantage?

People dislike Medicare Advantage (MA) due to limited provider networks, prior authorization hurdles causing care delays/denials, higher out-of-pocket costs for frequent users, travel restrictions, formulary issues for drugs, and complex plan rules, all stemming from the privatized structure that prioritizes insurer profit over patient choice, unlike Original Medicare. Doctors also dislike them due to administrative burdens and slower, complex payments, impacting patient care. 

Are most people happy with their Medicare Advantage plans?

Yes, most people report being happy with Medicare Advantage (MA), often citing lower costs and extra benefits like dental/vision, with high satisfaction rates (around 90% in some surveys) for overall coverage and in-network care. However, satisfaction drops for those in poorer health, and many still face challenges with prior authorizations, finding providers, understanding costs, and sometimes feel "trapped" due to complexities, leading to high turnover as people switch plans. 

Do doctors dislike Medicare Advantage plans?

Key takeaways. Doctors may dislike Medicare Advantage plans due to the need for prior authorization for many services, which can cause delays in treatment and increase administrative work.

Do seniors like Medicare Advantage?

Simply put, a growing majority of seniors choose MA because it provides better and more coordinated care, more comprehensive benefits, better outcomes and increased savings and financial security compared to FFS Medicare. For most Medicare-eligible patients, these advantages are available for no additional premium.

Medicare Advantage Plan Reviews ⭐️ (from real people)

Which medicare advantage plan denies the most claims?

Centene (Wellcare) and CVS Health (Aetna) have faced scrutiny for high prior authorization denial rates in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, with reports showing they had the most denied requests in 2023, though many denials were overturned on appeal, indicating issues with their strict criteria, while UnitedHealthcare also faces lawsuits and uses technology that has led to increased denials, especially for post-acute care, highlighting systemic challenges with MA plan claim approvals. 

Is it better to have plain Medicare or Medicare Advantage?

Neither Original Medicare nor Medicare Advantage (MA) is universally "better"; the best choice depends on your healthcare needs, budget, and preference for provider choice, with Original Medicare offering nationwide provider freedom but requiring separate drug/supplement plans, while MA provides all-in-one coverage with networks and extra benefits like dental/vision but often requires referrals and has regional limits. 

Can I drop my Medicare Advantage plan and go back to original Medicare?

Yes, you can drop your Medicare Advantage (MA) plan and return to Original Medicare, typically during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) (Oct 15–Dec 7) or the MA Open Enrollment Period (OEP) (Jan 1–Mar 31), though you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) if you move or have other qualifying life events, but be aware you'll need to get a Part D plan and might want a Medigap plan to help with costs. 

What is the biggest disadvantage of the Medicare Advantage plan?

The biggest disadvantage of Medicare Advantage (MA) plans is often the limited provider networks and restricted access to care, requiring prior authorizations, referrals, and potentially forcing you to switch doctors or travel far for specialists, creating barriers to timely treatment, especially for complex health issues, with potential for denials and mid-year changes. While MA offers extras like dental/vision, these networks can significantly limit choice and create hurdles for consistent, high-quality care compared to Original Medicare. 

Why are hospitals refusing Medicare Advantage plans?

Across the country, health systems report that Medicare Advantage's growing administrative burden — from denied authorizations to delayed reimbursements — has become unsustainable. Some hospitals have already ended their contracts; others are limiting participation to only a few select plans.

What is the future of Medicare Advantage in 2025?

The future of Medicare Advantage (MA) in 2025 points to continued growth but with policy shifts: expect more focus on accountability, faster prior authorizations, slight declines in some supplemental benefits (like OTC/transport) while core dental/vision/hearing remain strong, increased Special Needs Plans (SNPs), and rising attention to managing costs for beneficiaries, especially as enrollment nears 50% of all Medicare recipients. Key changes include stricter rules for plan payments, efforts to improve access for dual-eligible individuals, and ongoing debates over federal spending, all while plans adjust benefits to stay competitive and compliant. 

What is the highest rated Medicare Advantage plan?

There isn't one single "highest-rated" Medicare Advantage plan, as ratings vary by location and individual needs, but Aetna, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare consistently rank high overall, while Kaiser Permanente excels in specific regions like California, with some individual plans earning the top 5-star CMS rating for 2026. The best plan for you depends on your doctors, prescriptions, and location, so use tools like Medicare.gov to compare specific plans in your area. 

What does Dave Ramsey say about Medicare?

Dave Ramsey's Medicare advice centers on planning ahead, understanding enrollment periods to avoid penalties, using Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) if possible, and supplementing Original Medicare with Medigap or Medicare Advantage (Part C) to cover gaps like dental, vision, and long-term care, stressing that mistakes can be costly and recommending expert advice for personalized choices. 

Why are people losing Medicare Advantage?

One of the reasons insurers are dropping Medicare Advantage (MA) plans is reduced government funding. It is estimated that by 2026, government reimbursement will have fallen 20% from 2023 levels, Hunter said.

What states have the worst Medicare Advantage plans?

States often cited for weaker Medicare Advantage performance include Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Florida, due to challenges with care access, provider shortages, and quality issues like higher rates of avoidable hospitalizations and inappropriate medication prescriptions, though specific rankings vary by report and focus (e.g., satisfaction vs. overall system). Other states like New York, California, Texas, and Michigan appear on lists for low member satisfaction with specific plans, not necessarily the whole state's system. 

Who actually pays for Medicare Advantage plans?

Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are paid by the federal government with a fixed monthly amount per person, funded by Medicare's trust funds (from payroll/income taxes, investments), with beneficiaries also paying their standard Medicare Part B premium and potentially plan-specific premiums, copays, and deductibles, with some MA plans even covering part of the Part B premium. Essentially, Medicare funnels federal funds to private MA companies to manage care, and beneficiaries contribute their Part B premium plus any extra costs the plan charges.
 

Why do people say stay away from Medicare Advantage plans?

Medicare Advantage offers extra benefits, but out-of-network care may be limited or costly. Other disadvantages include difficulty switching out of the plans later, restrictions on care access, and limitations on extra benefits.

Why do agents push Medicare Advantage plans?

Agents often push Medicare Advantage (MA) plans due to significantly higher commissions, larger profits for insurers (which translates to more marketing funds and bigger agent payouts), and the plans' appealing bundled extras (dental, vision, $0 premiums) that attract beneficiaries, even though these plans can involve provider networks and potentially less flexibility than Original Medicare. The aggressive marketing, driven by high funding from CMS and lucrative agent incentives, creates a strong financial pull for agents to enroll people in MA over Medigap. 

Is it better to be on original Medicare or Medicare Advantage?

Neither Original Medicare nor Medicare Advantage (MA) is inherently "better"; the ideal choice depends on your health needs, budget, and preference for provider choice, with Original Medicare offering nationwide flexibility and MA providing bundled benefits (dental, vision, drugs) with network restrictions and cost-sharing. Choose Original Medicare (with optional Medigap) for broad doctor access and travel, but budget for potential high out-of-pocket costs; choose MA for lower monthly premiums, an out-of-pocket maximum, and extra perks, but be prepared for network limits and prior authorizations. 

What is the best health insurance for seniors on Medicare?

There's no single "best" health plan, as it depends on your needs, but top providers for Medicare Advantage (Part C) include Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, and BCBS, offering diverse benefits like $0 premiums, extra perks, and strong networks, while Medigap (Medicare Supplement) complements Original Medicare by filling gaps, with popular carriers like AARP/UHC, Anthem, and Cigna providing standardized policies (Plans G, F, N), with personalized choices best found via your State SHIP counselor or broker. 

Is there a penalty for switching from Medicare Advantage to original Medicare?

No, there's no direct penalty for switching from Medicare Advantage (Part C) back to Original Medicare (Parts A & B), but you risk significant issues: losing drug coverage (Part D penalty if you don't enroll in a separate plan) and potentially being denied or paying much more for a Medigap supplement due to medical underwriting after your initial guarantee period ends. You must switch during specific enrollment periods (Annual Election Period: Oct 15-Dec 7, or MA Open Enrollment: Jan 1-Mar 31). 

Is there a downside to Medicare Advantage?

Medicare Advantage (MA) disadvantages include restricted provider networks (HMO/PPO), needing prior authorization for care, potential denials of coverage, limited out-of-network/travel coverage, annual plan changes (benefits/networks), and complex marketing, making it harder to budget for unexpected costs compared to Original Medicare's broad network and more predictable expenses. 

What is the highest rated Medicare Advantage?

• Best for size of network: UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage.
• Best for ratings: Aetna Medicare Advantage.
• Best for low-cost plan availability: HealthSpring (formerly Cigna) Medicare Advantage.
• Best for Part B Giveback: Humana Medicare Advantage.
• Best startup: Devoted Health Medicare Advantage.

Is it hard to switch from Medicare Advantage to original Medicare?

Switching from Medicare Advantage (MA) to Original Medicare isn't inherently hard in terms of the process, as disenrollment is straightforward during enrollment periods (Oct 15–Dec 7, Jan 1–Mar 31), but it can be tricky due to the need for a separate Part D drug plan and potential difficulty getting a Medigap supplement without underwriting, which might deny or increase costs for you, making it harder to manage costs than MA. You're automatically back on Original Medicare when you drop MA, but you must enroll in Part D, or you'll face penalties, and you might not qualify for affordable Medigap without medical underwriting, say GoodRx and KFF.