Medicare Advantage is an alternative to Original Medicare that is offered through a private insurance company instead of the default. Medicare Advantage still gives you Original Medicare, but has additional coverage as well.
While the offered plans vary by the state in which you live, these are some of the most popular and highest rated Medicare Advantage plan companies. All of these companies have plans that are ranked either a 4.5 or 5.
- Kaiser Permanente
- Humana Medical Plan
- Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
- UnitedHealthcare
The government has a 1-5 star rating system of Medicare Advantage plans and a methodology plan. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services scores each Medicare plan from 1 to 5 stars, in half-star intervals. This assures that companies on the “best” list maintain a consistent quality across all their plans.
Some Medicare Advantage plans also include Part D prescription drug coverage. Medicare beneficiaries have said that premiums are an important factor in their process of choosing a Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan. Among Medicare Advantage enrollees with access to a prescription drug plan without a premium, about half are enrolled in such a plan.
As far as comparing the plans available to you, the options will vary based on your personal situation and the state where you live, but it can be easy to find both paid and no monthly premium 2018 Medicare Advantage plans that are right for you.
Shopping for coverage can be time-consuming, but you need to compare plans for 2018 Medicare Advantage coverage to ensure that you get the best healthcare while also saving money and keeping your costs at a reasonable amount each month.
Use Medicare’s Plan Finder to find plans near you. And see the best Medicare Advantage plans for 2018 by state here.
Related links
How You Should Contact Medicare
10 Frequently Asked Questions About Medicare and the Answers