Over 1.4 million people in Massachusetts are signed up for Medicare, placing it in the top 20 U.S. states for Medicare beneficiaries.
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people age 65 and older. Medicare Advantage is a bundled alternative to Medicare sold by private insurance companies. It offers all the same benefits and usually some extras, such as cost savings on dental and vision coverage.
Medicare Advantage plans offer more benefits than Original Medicare, and they can be cheaper than paying for Medicare and a Medicare Supplement plan. However, they have less flexibility since you’ll need to get care from within the plan’s network of providers. Weigh your options to determine which plan best suits your needs.
» MORE: Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage: Which should I choose?
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Compare the best Medicare Advantage plans in Massachusetts
Insurance company | CMS star rating | States available | Members in high-rated plans | Member experience | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BEST FOR SIZE OF NETWORK | (855) 821-0556 / TTY 711 Call UnitedHealthcarefrom UnitedHealthcare | ||||
3.95 | 3.95/5 | 49 states and Washington, D.C. | Medium (50% to 84%) | 3.41 (Average) | |
BEST FOR PART B GIVEBACK | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | ||||
 (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.63 | 3.63/5 | 48 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico | Low (49% or less) | 3.62 (Above average) |
BEST FOR RATINGS | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | ||||
 (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 4.29 | 4.29/5 | 44 states and Washington, D.C. | High (85% to 100%) | 4.01 (Above average) |
Top-rated Medicare Advantage plans in Massachusetts
Each year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) awards every Medicare Advantage plan a star rating on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being a top-rated plan. Below are companies with at least one plan that received top marks in Massachusetts for the 2025 plan year. (Get more information about Medicare star ratings.)
5-star plans
The company below offers plans in the state that are rated 5 stars out of 5 by CMS:
4.5-star plans
The company below offers plans in the state that are rated 4.5 stars out of 5 by CMS:
4-star plans
The companies below offer plans in Massachusetts that are rated 4 stars out of 5 by CMS:
Aetna.
Fallon Health.
Tufts Health Plan.
UnitedHealthcare.
This list doesn’t include special needs plans, which restrict membership to people with certain diseases or characteristics, such as having a chronic illness or living in a nursing home.
- See all Medicare Advantage providers in Massachusetts.
Aetna.
EternalHealth.
Fallon Health.
Health New England Medicare Advantage.
Mass Advantage.
Mass General Brigham Health Plan.
Tufts Health Plan.
UnitedHealthcare.
» MORE: Best Medicare Advantage plans
December update
Medicare star ratings are typically released once per year, but CMS recalculated its 2025 star ratings for UnitedHealthcare and Centene companies in December 2024. Updates took place after multiple lawsuits from insurance companies alleging that CMS improperly calculated the 2025 star ratings. NerdWallet has updated this article accordingly.
What to know about Medicare in Massachusetts
More than 1 in 6 people in Massachusetts are 65 and older, and there are a variety of Medicare Advantage plans in the state.
The average monthly premium in 2025 for a Medicare Advantage plan in Massachusetts is $33.91. (It was $37.16 in 2024.)
There are 110 Medicare Advantage plans available in Massachusetts in 2025. (There were 96 plans in 2024.)
All Medicare-eligible people in Massachusetts have access to a $0-premium Medicare Advantage plan.
Medicare resources in Massachusetts
The SHINE Program: This program, called Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone, offers free information and counseling on health insurance to residents with Medicare.
Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol: Provides information on identifying and preventing health care errors, fraud and abuse for Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers and how to report such cases.
MCPHS University Pharmacy Outreach Program: Offers resources and assistance with your medications and Medicare prescription drug plan.
Massachusetts law about Medicare: Shares information on Massachusetts laws that apply to Medicare.
Find the right Medicare Advantage plan
It’s important to do your research before selecting a Medicare Advantage plan for yourself. Here are some questions to consider asking:
What are the plan’s costs? Do you understand what the plan’s premium, deductibles, copays and/or coinsurance will be? Can you afford them?
Is your doctor in-network? If you have a preferred medical provider or providers, make sure they participate in the plan’s network.
Are your prescriptions covered? If you’re on medication, it’s crucial to understand how the plan covers it. What tier are your prescription drugs on, and are there any coverage rules that apply to them?
Is there dental coverage? Does the plan offer routine coverage for vision, dental and hearing needs?
Are there extras? Does the plan offer any extra benefits, such as fitness memberships, transportation benefits or meal delivery?
If you have additional questions about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048).
Looking for more insurance in Massachusetts? Check out these resources:
Article sources
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines.
- 1.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Fact Sheet. Accessed Dec 10, 2024.
- 2.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CY2025 Landscape (202412) (ZIP). Accessed Dec 10, 2024.
- 3.U.S. Census Bureau. QuickFacts, Massachusetts. Accessed Dec 10, 2024.
Medicare Advantage review methodology
The Medicare Advantage marketplace is concentrated among just a handful of companies; in many places, one insurer serves more than half of the market. NerdWallet reviewed 26 Medicare Advantage brands, with some insurers having more than one brand under their umbrella. (For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield includes the brands Anthem and Highmark.) At the national level, these reviews include nine of the 10 largest brands by enrollment. At the state level, our research includes at least one major insurer in 47 of the 49 states that offer Medicare Advantage plans, and includes the top two insurers in 35 of those states. (Alaska doesn't offer Medicare Advantage plans.) We also look at online search volume to identify regional and other notable players in the space.
NerdWallet’s Medicare Advantage reviews are based on ratings data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, as well as pricing, plan availability by state, plan types available, consumer experience, extra benefits offered and more. These reviews are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several plans to find the best coverage and rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines for additional information.
This roundup includes only insurers that sell Medicare Advantage in Massachusetts.