Best Medicare Advantage Plans in 2025

How We Chose the Best Medicare Advantage Plans

We focused on a variety of benefits that Medicare Advantage plans offer, including low or no premiums, low deductibles, and additional benefits such as Part D coverage, dental, vision, hearing, health and wellness, and more.

Below are the most important factors we considered when selecting carriers.

• Availability: Not every carrier offers plans in all 50 states, but many do. Even among those carriers, not all ZIP codes are included. A few carriers on our list have somewhat limited availability, but the majority offer at least one Medicare Advantage plan to more than half of the country.
• Plan variety: Like a private health insurance plan you may get outside of Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans can come in different forms. The majority are HMOs and PPOs, but some carriers also offer plans specifically for people who want more freedom to choose a provider (such as a PFFS plan) or for people with chronic illnesses or disabilities (such as an SNP). We chose the carriers that offer the most diverse plans to meet the unique needs of Medicare beneficiaries.
• Plan ratings: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rates individual plans each year. The ratings are based primarily on member wellness and experience, as well as the number of members who choose to keep their plan from one year to the next. This is one of the best ways to evaluate plan quality using standardized metrics and in-depth research.
• Premiums: Some plans that come with all the bells and whistles will have high premiums, but we tried to look for carriers that had low-cost plans for seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries on a budget. All the carriers on this list offer at least one $0 premium plan.
• Deductibles and coinsurance: One of the main benefits of a Medicare Advantage plan is that it may be able to reduce some out-of-pocket costs of Original Medicare, such as deductibles and coinsurance. Although coverage varies among carriers and plans, we looked for plans that could offer Medicare beneficiaries the most bang for their buck.
• Prescription drug coverage: Another benefit to many Medicare Advantage plans is the ability to have prescription drug coverage without a separate Part D plan. This means Medicare beneficiaries could have most of their health coverage needs met under one plan, rather than spreading them out between multiple plans. All carriers on this list have at least one plan that includes prescription drug coverage.
• Additional coverage options: Many carriers offer additional coverage options for things such as vision, hearing and dental. Some plans may offer just one, while some may offer varying levels of coverage for all three. We looked for carriers and plans that could help Medicare beneficiaries get most of their needs covered without having to turn to an additional private plan for specific types of care.
• Discounts and perks: Many Medicare Advantage carriers offer discounts and plan perks to entice Medicare beneficiaries. They can vary widely, but some include free gym memberships, discounts on over-the-counter (OTC) products, telehealth options and even programs to support healthy eating. Any carrier that offered plans with those kinds of discounts and perks got extra points from us.
• Customer service: Customer service is a big part of what can make or break the experience with a Medicare Advantage carrier. No one wants to wait weeks to get a response about a claim or wait on hold for three hours just to talk to someone. We tested the customer service for each carrier on this list, including talking to representatives on the phone and via online chat.
• Carrier reputation: Finally, we considered the carrier’s reputation as a dependable insurance company. We looked at their ratings from trusted organizations such as the Better Business Bureau, AM Best and S&P Global.

Why Trust Us?

Our experts have spent hundreds of hours reviewing and evaluating Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans for eligible beneficiaries. We also consulted seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries to learn about their personal experiences with carriers and gain better insights into the advantages and disadvantages of choosing a certain carrier or plan over another.

How the Best Medicare Advantage Plans Compare

Here’s a look at how each of our top Medicare Advantage carriers stack up against one another. Keep in mind that not all plans are available in every location and not every plan includes all the benefits offered by the carrier.

What Is a Medicare Advantage Plan?

Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative way to receive Original Medicare benefits with some additional coverage. Instead of getting Medicare Part A and Part B from Original Medicare, seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries can purchase a Medicare Advantage plan from private companies that serve their area. Just as with Original Medicare, applicants must meet Medicare eligibility requirements to enroll and must enroll during a designated enrollment period. Read our Medicare enrollment guide to learn more.

What Do Medicare Advantage Plans Include?

Medicare Advantage plans include Medicare Part A and Part B benefits. They also throw in additional benefits, which may include:

• Part D prescription drug coverage
• Dental care, including X-rays and cleanings
• Vision care, including eye exams, a frame allowance and lens coverage
• Hearing care, which may include hearing aid coverage
• Fitness program memberships
• Transportation assistance
• Insulin savings program
• Post-hospitalization meal delivery
• Over-the-counter (OTC) health and wellness allowance
• 24/7 nurse line

Depending on the carrier and plan, these extra perks may come at no additional cost. Instead, policyholders pay the same monthly premium they’d pay if enrolled in Original Medicare — the Part A (often $0) plus the Part B premium.

Is a Medicare Advantage Plan Right for Me?

Medicare Advantage plans make the Medicare marketplace more competitive and give you more choices with your health insurance benefits. In some cases, choosing a Medicare Advantage plan may even save you money thanks to Part B payment assistance, in which the carrier pays some of your Part B premium. Plus, you get the added security of dental, vision and hearing benefits that Original Medicare leaves out. Watch our video below to learn more about what Original Medicare won’t cover, so you can decide if a Medicare Advantage plan is right for you.

Of course, there are some disadvantages with these plans. Medicare Advantage plans come with geographical and network restrictions, so you may not be able to see the doctors you’re currently seeing. And you may spend a lot more if you need to see an out-of-network provider, particularly with HMO plans.

Whether a Part C plan makes sense for you depends on several factors. In general, Medicare Advantage plans are a better fit for healthy adults who are fine seeing in-network providers. Many plans charge higher copays and deductibles, which can add up if you need to see specialists frequently.

For some Medicare beneficiaries, the value may outweigh any disadvantages. If you have certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, a special needs Medicare Advantage plan or insulin savings program could help you save money. If you wear hearing aids, a hearing aid benefit may make a Medicare Advantage plan worthwhile despite higher deductibles and copays.

Pros

• Low-cost or $0 monthly premium plans available
• Reduced Part B costs with some plans
• Dental, vision and hearing care
• Potential insulin savings programs
• May include Part D prescription drug coverage

Cons

• Choosing a plan can be time-consuming
• Limited in-network providers
• Some plans have high deductibles and copays

Types of Plans

Medicare Advantage carriers can offer some or all of the following plan types.

HMO

HMO (health maintenance organization) plans are the most popular type of Medicare Advantage plan. In 2024, 54 percent of all Medicare Advantage plans were HMOs.9 HMOs primarily cover in-network care, so you’re covered only if you visit doctors and medical facilities that partner with your insurer. Out-of-network care isn’t covered, which is why HMO plans tend to cost less than other plan types. Some plans have exceptions for emergencies, so you may receive coverage for out-of-network urgent care or dialysis. Most plans require referrals, so you must choose a primary-care provider.

PPO

PPO (preferred provider organization) plans offer more flexibility than HMOs. PPOs have in-network providers just like HMOs do, but PPO plans allow you to see out-of-network providers. You’ll just owe a higher out-of-pocket cost. You don’t need referrals to see specialists, such as a cardiologist or podiatrist. That can make receiving care more efficient. In general, PPO plans cost more than HMOs.

HMO-POS

A mash-up of PPOs and HMOs, HMO-POS (point of service) plans require primary-care providers and referrals like an HMO, but they provide coverage for out-of-network providers like a PPO. Expect to pay more for out-of-network care.

SNP

SNPs, or special needs plans, can be either PPOs or HMOs. Unlike other PPO and HMO plans, however, they aren’t open to just anyone. SNPs provide coverage to individuals with specific health-care needs, diseases or conditions, such as chronic alcohol dependence, autoimmune disorders, diabetes, cancers, dementia or end-stage liver disease. A specialized type, called a D-SNP, or dual-eligible SNP, covers people with limited incomes by combining Medicare and Medicaid benefits.

MSA

Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA) plans are uncommon but available from some carriers. The plans combine a high-deductible Medicare Advantage plan with a medical savings account that’s similar to a health savings account (HSA). The plan kicks in only after you’ve reached your deductible, but part of your premium goes into the MSA account each month. You can use that money to pay for any Medicare-covered treatments or tests.

PFFS

Private fee-for-service (PFFS) plans let you go to any Medicare-approved medical facility, doctor or health-care provider. The doctor must agree to accept the plan’s terms. Some PFFS plans have provider networks, which means higher out-of-pocket costs for out-of-network care, while others don’t. PFFS plans always cover emergency care, so you’re covered even at out-of-network providers.

How Do I Choose the Best Medicare Advantage Plan?

Medicare Advantage plans aren’t one size fits all. That’s why it’s important to think about your needs, your budget and the options available in your area as you evaluate plans. Here are a few tips:

1. Check if your doctors are in network.
   Many Medicare Advantage plans have provider networks. If you’d like to keep your current doctors, choose a plan where your doctors are in network. If not, you may not be able to see them or you’ll pay a higher copay for seeing an out-of-network provider. Fortunately, many carrier websites let you search for your doctor’s name to check coverage.
2. Evaluate the cost.
   Make sure you can afford the plan’s premiums, copays and coinsurance, and ensure that you understand the deductible. A high deductible means you’ll owe more out of pocket before your plan kicks in. In some cases, Part C plan perks can make up for higher costs in other areas, such as a free gym membership, transportation assistance or a hearing aid benefit.
3. Consider CMS star ratings.
   CMS assigns star ratings to Medicare Advantage plans.10 The third-party rating reflects the experiences of people currently enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. One star represents poor performance, while five stars (the highest) represent excellent performance. Individual plans from carriers receive their own rating, so even a carrier with an overall low rating could have a five-star plan in your area.
4. Assess your own health-care needs.
   Think about which health-care services are most important to you. Consider your current medical conditions, fitness habits and medical history. If you’d enjoy a SilverSneakers gym membership and want to maintain your dental health, for example, prioritize plans with those benefits. If you have a chronic health condition, pay close attention to SNPs in your area. They could provide savings and essential services such as a care coordinator who can help manage your illness.
5. Compare plans against Original Medicare.
   In addition to comparing Medicare Advantage plans head to head, compare Medicare Advantage plans to Original Medicare. Take into account how much Original Medicare costs and how much adding on a Medigap plan or Part D plan would cost. Make sure that a Medicare Advantage plan is helping you reach your goals, whether it’s lower premiums, more affordable copays or more comprehensive care.