Medicare Advantage, also called Medicare Part C, is a way to receive Medicare benefits through a private insurance company that contracts with Medicare. These plans bundle hospital and medical coverage, usually include prescription drug coverage, and often add extras such as dental, vision, and hearing benefits. Because availability, networks, and benefits differ by county, there is no single plan that suits everyone. This guide reviews ten of the largest and best-known Medicare Advantage carriers in 2026 and explains what to look at when comparing them.
1. UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare is the largest Medicare Advantage carrier in the United States by enrollment and offers plans in most counties nationwide. Its lineup typically includes HMO and PPO options, and many of its plans are co-branded with AARP. Common extras include dental, vision, hearing, fitness memberships, and over-the-counter allowances, though the exact mix varies by plan and location.
2. Humana
Humana is one of the most established names in Medicare Advantage and serves members in a broad range of states. The company is known for a wide selection of HMO and PPO plans and for benefits aimed at older adults, such as caregiver support resources and wellness programs. Humana also offers many Special Needs Plans designed for people with certain chronic conditions or who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid.
3. Aetna
Aetna, part of CVS Health, offers Medicare Advantage plans across much of the country. Its plans often integrate with CVS pharmacy services, and many include dental, vision, and hearing benefits. Aetna markets both HMO plans, which generally use a defined provider network, and PPO plans, which allow out-of-network care at a higher cost share.
4. Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente operates an integrated model in which the insurer and the medical group work within the same organization. Its Medicare Advantage plans are available in a limited number of states, mainly on the West Coast and in a few other regions, and its plans have historically earned high star ratings from Medicare. Members generally receive care within Kaiser facilities, which suits people who like coordinated, one-system care.
5. Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliates
Blue Cross Blue Shield is a federation of independent, locally operated companies rather than a single insurer. Many affiliates offer Medicare Advantage plans in their own service areas, so the plan names, networks, and benefits differ from state to state. For people who value a long-standing local brand and locally built networks, the regional Blue plan is often worth reviewing.
6. Elevance Health (Anthem)
Elevance Health, formerly known as Anthem, offers Medicare Advantage plans in many states, often under Blue-branded names where it holds the local Blue Cross Blue Shield license and under the Wellpoint name elsewhere. Its plans frequently include allowances for everyday health items and a range of dental and vision options, depending on the county.
7. Centene (Wellcare)
Centene sells Medicare Advantage plans primarily under the Wellcare brand. The company has a large national footprint and is especially active in plans serving people who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. Wellcare plans commonly emphasize prescription drug coverage and supplemental benefits, with availability varying widely by region.
8. Cigna Healthcare
Cigna offers Medicare Advantage plans in a meaningful number of states, with HMO and PPO designs and a focus on coordinated primary care in several markets. Its plans often include dental, vision, and hearing benefits along with wellness incentives. As with all carriers, county-level availability determines which Cigna plans, if any, are open to you.
9. Highmark
Highmark is a large Blue-affiliated insurer serving states such as Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware, and parts of New York. Its Medicare Advantage plans are built around regional provider networks that include major health systems in its service area, making it a familiar option for people in those states.
10. SCAN Health Plan
SCAN is a not-for-profit organization focused specifically on Medicare Advantage, with plans in California and several other Western states. It is smaller than the national carriers but has a long history in senior-focused coverage and has generally received strong star ratings. Its concentration on Medicare-age members appeals to some shoppers.
HMO vs. PPO and other plan types
Most Medicare Advantage plans are HMOs or PPOs. HMO plans generally require you to use the plan’s network and may require a referral to see specialists, in exchange for a simpler cost structure. PPO plans allow you to see out-of-network providers, usually at a higher cost share, and typically do not require referrals. There are also Special Needs Plans for people with qualifying chronic conditions, institutional needs, or dual Medicare-Medicaid eligibility, and a smaller number of private fee-for-service plans. Every Medicare Advantage plan includes an annual out-of-pocket maximum for covered medical services, a feature Original Medicare alone does not have.
Extra benefits commonly offered
One reason people consider Medicare Advantage is the supplemental benefits that Original Medicare does not include. Depending on the plan and county, these can include routine dental cleanings and dentures, eye exams and eyewear allowances, hearing exams and hearing aids, gym or fitness program memberships, quarterly allowances for over-the-counter health items, transportation to medical appointments, and meal deliveries after a hospital stay. Some plans serving people with chronic conditions or dual Medicare-Medicaid eligibility add further support, such as grocery allowances in qualifying situations. The scope of each benefit varies widely, so reading the plan’s Evidence of Coverage for limits, networks, and allowances matters more than the headline benefit list.
Understanding star ratings
Medicare rates Advantage plans each year on a one-to-five star scale based on measures such as preventive care, chronic condition management, member experience, and customer service. Ratings are assigned at the contract level and can change annually, so a carrier’s rating in one region does not guarantee the same rating elsewhere. Plans that earn five stars may accept enrollments outside the usual windows through a special enrollment opportunity. Star ratings are a useful quality signal to weigh alongside networks, drug coverage, and benefits, rather than a reason to choose a plan by itself.
How to choose a Medicare Advantage plan
Start by listing your doctors, hospitals, and prescriptions, then check which local plans include them. Look beyond the monthly premium to the annual out-of-pocket maximum, copayments for the services you actually use, and any prior authorization requirements for care you anticipate. If you take regular medications, run your exact drug list through each plan’s formulary, since drug costs often separate otherwise similar plans. Finally, remember that networks and benefits reset each January, so review the Annual Notice of Change your plan sends every fall. Compare plan types, drug formularies, out-of-pocket maximums, and star ratings side by side using the official plan finder at Medicare.gov. If you want free, unbiased help, your State Health Insurance Assistance Program offers one-on-one counseling through shiphelp.org. A licensed insurance agent can also walk you through the plans available in your county.
Final thoughts
The best Medicare Advantage plan is the one available in your county that includes your providers, covers your medications affordably, and carries a strong star rating. The ten carriers above are among the most widely available and well known in 2026, but benefits and networks change every year, so it is worth reviewing your options during each annual enrollment period before deciding whether to keep or change your coverage.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not medical, financial, legal, or enrollment advice. This site is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Plan availability, benefits, networks, and star ratings vary by location and change annually. Always verify current plan details on Medicare.gov or with a licensed insurance agent or SHIP counselor before making enrollment decisions.