Which Medicare insurance is best?

There is no single "best" Medicare plan for everyone, as the ideal choice depends entirely on your specific health needs, budget, location, and preferred doctors. The two main paths are Original Medicare (Parts A & B, often supplemented with Part D and a Medigap plan) and Medicare Advantage (Part C).

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. 

What is the best choice to go with when I go on Medicare A and B and still need prescription and dental coverage?

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer all the benefits of Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), with extras like dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drug coverage.

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.

The Best Medicare Supplement Plans in 2024 and 2025

Why do people say not to get a Medicare Advantage plan?

People warn against Medicare Advantage (MA) plans due to limited doctor/hospital networks, complex pre-authorization for care, higher potential out-of-pocket costs for serious illnesses, annual plan changes (benefits/networks), denials of care, and difficulty switching back to Original Medicare with a Medigap plan later, especially if you become sick. While MA offers extra perks (dental, vision, low premiums), these restrictions can be burdensome, prioritizing insurer profits over patient freedom, making it risky for those with ongoing health issues. 

Is it better to go on Medicare or stay on private insurance?

Neither Medicare nor private insurance is universally "better"; the best choice depends on individual needs, but Medicare often offers lower overall costs and simplicity for seniors, while private insurance excels in covering dependents and potentially offering more choice with networks/out-of-pocket caps, though at higher premiums. Medicare boasts lower admin costs and standardized coverage, but Original Medicare lacks an out-of-pocket maximum, a feature typically found in private plans and Medicare Advantage (Part C). 

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. 

Why are doctors dropping Medicare patients?

Physician Medicare reimbursement dropped 33% since 2000, when adjusted for inflation, according to the AMA. As a result, Ferguson said, many practices—particularly small, independent ones—can no longer afford to absorb the losses. "It's gotten to a point where you can't absorb it.

What is the disadvantage of UnitedHealthcare?

UnitedHealthcare's disadvantages often center on high claim denial rates, extensive prior authorization requirements leading to treatment delays, potential network restrictions (especially with HMOs), and variations in plan quality/benefits by location, with some users experiencing difficulty getting necessary care approved despite paying premiums. Other concerns include under-reimbursement of independent doctors, potentially impacting access, and lower coverage for specific needs like hearing aids in some Advantage plans. 

Which is the No. 1 health insurance?

There's no single "number one" health insurer, as it depends on what matters to you (size, customer satisfaction, plan type), but UnitedHealth Group (UnitedHealthcare) is consistently the largest by revenue/market share, while Kaiser Permanente often ranks high for quality and customer satisfaction, and other major players include Elevance Health (Anthem), Centene, and Humana.
 

What does AARP say about UnitedHealthcare?

UHC offers insurance plans in all 50 states and around the world. The two companies began collaborating over 20 years ago. AARP does not necessarily argue that UnitedHealthcare is the right choice for every Medicare beneficiary, but it does proclaim it as a trusted healthcare partner and resource.

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 difference between AARP United Healthcare and United Healthcare?

AARP UnitedHealthcare refers to UnitedHealthcare (UHC)https://prod-preview.prd-aarpmedicaresupplement.uhc.com/content/aarpmedicaresupplement/state-ma/en.html plans co-branded and endorsed by AARP, while UnitedHealthcare (UHC) is the parent insurance company that offers a wide range of health plans (Medicare, commercial, etc.). The main difference is the AARP brand connection; AARP gets royalties for the name use, and UHC offers specific Medicare Supplement (Medigap) and other Medicare plans with the AARP name, requiring AARP membership for the Medigap ones, though not all UHC plans need AARP membership. 

Is Aetna Medicare a good plan?

HARTFORD, CT, Oct. 9, 2025 — Aetna®, a CVS Health® company (NYSE: CVS), announced today that over 81 percent of its Medicare Advantage (MA) members are in 2026 Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plans that are rated 4 stars or higher (out of 5 stars) by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Does Medicare pay for a colonoscopy?

Yes, Medicare (Part B) pays for screening colonoscopies, covering 100% of costs if your doctor accepts assignment and no polyps are found, though you pay 15% if they remove tissue (making it diagnostic); frequency depends on your risk, generally every 10 years (average risk) or 24 months (high risk). 

Does Medicare pay 100% of medical bills?

No, Original Medicare (Part A & B) does not pay 100% of medical bills; it uses a cost-sharing model with deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance (typically 20% for Part B services). You pay these out-of-pocket costs unless you get a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) with a maximum out-of-pocket limit or buy Medigap (Medicare Supplement) insurance to cover the gaps, though you still pay premiums. 

What blood tests does Medicare not cover?

Medicare generally doesn't cover blood tests that aren't medically necessary, such as routine wellness panels, employment-required tests, elective tests for general curiosity, or experimental markers, though it does cover specific preventive screens (like PSA) and medically indicated diagnostic tests. You'll likely pay out-of-pocket for tests ordered without a specific diagnosis, tests done too frequently, or those for general "peace of mind," but your doctor should give you an Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) if a test isn't covered. 

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. 

How to lower Medicare premiums?

To lower Medicare premiums, report income drops from life events like retirement (Form SSA-44), apply for low-income help like Extra Help or Medicaid, use HSA funds for premiums, deduct premiums from taxes, switch to a cheaper Medicare Advantage or Supplement plan, or check if you qualify for Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) through your state. 

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. 

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 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.