How do I choose the best Medicare Advantage plan?

To choose the best Medicare Advantage plan, assess your healthcare needs (doctors, drugs, travel), compare costs (premiums, copays, max out-of-pocket), verify in-network providers and drug coverage using Medicare.gov's Plan Finder, check the plan's Star Rating for quality, and consider extra benefits like dental/vision, using Medicare.gov or a licensed broker for personalized help.

Which medicare advantage plan is best?

• 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.

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. 

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. 

How to compare medicare advantage plans side by side?

To help you compare Medicare Advantage plans and see their differences, here are some important features to consider:

1. Coverage for prescription drugs (Part D) ...
2. Referral requirements for specialist care. ...
3. Contracted network of doctors and hospitals. ...
4. Ability to use doctors or hospitals outside of network. ...
5. Star ratings.

Secrets to Choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan

Is Blue Cross or UnitedHealthcare better?

UnitedHealthcare gets slightly higher overall star ratings than BCBS and may offer lower prices, but BCBS might offer a better customer experience.

What are the biggest mistakes people make with Medicare?

The biggest Medicare mistakes involve missing enrollment deadlines, failing to review plans annually, underestimating total costs (premiums, deductibles, copays), not enrolling in a Part D drug plan with Original Medicare, and assuming one-size-fits-all coverage or that Medicare covers everything like long-term care. People often delay enrollment, get locked into old plans without checking for better options, or overlook financial assistance programs, leading to higher out-of-pocket expenses and penalties. 

Why are people dropping Medicare Advantage plans?

People are dropping Medicare Advantage (MA) plans due to rising out-of-pocket costs (copays, denials), frustrating network restrictions and prior authorizations, difficulty using extra benefits, and insurers reducing offerings or exiting markets because of financial pressures and lower government payments, forcing seniors to scramble for new coverage. This creates issues, especially for those with serious conditions, as plans may limit care or providers, leading to higher costs or access problems.
 

Is it better to have straight Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan?

Neither Original Medicare nor Medicare Advantage (MA) is inherently "better"; the best choice depends on your health, budget, and lifestyle, with Original Medicare offering provider freedom and MA providing bundled benefits (dental/vision) and cost predictability via an out-of-pocket maximum, but often with network restrictions. Choose Original Medicare + Medigap for nationwide access and no networks, ideal for travelers or those wanting maximum choice, while Medicare Advantage suits those wanting all-in-one coverage (including drugs/extras like dental/vision) with lower upfront costs and a cap on yearly spending, provided they stay in-network. 

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. 

Why do doctors not like Medicare Advantage plans?

Navigating the complexity and varying coverage configurations of different Medicare Advantage plans can be time consuming for doctors and their staff, and reimbursement rates may be lower compared to private insurance. Additionally, strict network rules can limit patient access to specialists.

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. 

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. 

Is Humana or UnitedHealthcare better for seniors?

UnitedHealthcare: Medicare Advantage Comparison. UHC has higher star ratings and a large network, but Humana's Part B Giveback benefits and lower average premiums might make coverage more affordable.

Is it better to go through a broker for Medicare Advantage plans?

A broker works for YOU, not for an insurance company. A broker will work with you to find the best Medicare plan for your situation, no matter which plan or healthcare company you select. They're going to listen to you, and that's important. A broker has deep knowledge of Medicare plans.

Which Medicare Advantage plans have the lowest ratings?

Lowest-rated Medicare Advantage plans for member satisfaction in 2025: J.D. Power

• New York. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield: 550.
• California. Anthem Blue Cross: 570.
• Georgia. Centene's Wellcare: 573.
• Michigan. Humana: 574.
• Texas. Centene's Wellcare: 577.
• Florida. Aetna: 590.
• Illinois. Centene's Wellcare: 603.
• Pennsylvania.

What is the most popular Medicare Advantage?

While there isn't one single "most popular" plan, UnitedHealthcare (UHC) is the largest Medicare Advantage provider by enrollment, covering about one-third of all MA members, followed by strong showings from Humana, Aetna (CVS Health), and Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliates. Popularity often comes from nationwide availability, strong networks (UHC), or high satisfaction/star ratings (Aetna, Humana, Kaiser Permanente in certain areas). 

What is the downside of Medicare Advantage plans?

The main downsides of Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are limited provider networks (HMO/PPO) with potential referral needs, restrictions on care (prior authorizations), geographic service area limits (trouble traveling), yearly changes to costs/benefits, and higher out-of-pocket costs when you need services, despite potentially low premiums. You may also face upfront copays and risk denied care, unlike Original Medicare's nationwide, less restrictive system with Medigap. 

Does Medicare Advantage pay 100 percent?

Medicare Advantage plans provide a financial safety net due to a set annual out-of-pocket limit. If your costs reach the limit, then your plan covers 100 percent of your Medicare-covered health care costs for the rest of the year.

Is it better to have traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage?

Neither Traditional Medicare nor Medicare Advantage is inherently "better"; the best choice depends on your healthcare needs, budget, and lifestyle, with Original Medicare offering broad provider choice and travel coverage but requiring separate drug/supplement plans, while Medicare Advantage (Part C) bundles coverage, often includes extra benefits (dental/vision), has an out-of-pocket max, but uses provider networks and may need prior approvals. 

Are Medicare Advantage plans going away in 2026?

No, Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are not going away entirely in 2026, but many plans are being discontinued, scaled back, or changing, affecting over a million enrollees who must find new coverage, as insurers adjust to new regulations, increased costs, and shifting market strategies, leading to fewer choices in some areas. Insurers like UnitedHealthcare and Humana are exiting more counties than they enter, while some health systems are also dropping MA networks. 

Who qualifies for an extra $144 added to their social security?

You qualify for an extra ~$144 on your Social Security check if you have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan with a "Part B Giveback" benefit, which refunds some or all of your Medicare Part B premium, appearing as extra cash in your check, but eligibility depends on living in the plan's service area and paying your own Part B premiums. The "144" figure was common when the Part B premium was around that amount, but the actual refund varies by plan and location, potentially exceeding the full premium. 

What are the 5 things Medicare doesn't cover?

Medicare generally doesn't cover long-term care, most dental care, routine vision services (like glasses), hearing aids/fittings, and cosmetic surgery, though it does provide strong coverage for hospital and doctor services; you can often get coverage for these gaps through Medicare Advantage (Part C) or supplemental plans. 

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. 

What is the 3 day rule for Medicare?

Medicare's "3-Day Rule" is a requirement for Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) coverage: you must have a medically necessary 3-consecutive-day inpatient hospital stay (not counting discharge or observation time) before Medicare pays for SNF care, generally starting within 30 days of discharge. This rule ensures SNF stays are for recovery after significant hospital care, though Medicare Advantage plans or certain CMS initiatives (like ACOs/TEAM model) may offer waivers allowing direct SNF admission from home or shorter hospital stays.