Best Medicare Advantage Plans in North Carolina 2024

A dozen companies sell Medicare Advantage plans in North Carolina. Find out which ones have plans that get top marks.
Kate Ashford, CSA®
By Kate Ashford, CSA® 
Updated
Edited by Holly Carey

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About 2.1 million people in North Carolina are signed up for Medicare, making it the ninth-largest U.S. state for Medicare beneficiaries

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Fact Sheet. Accessed Nov 1, 2023.
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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.

Compare Medicare Advantage plans in North Carolina

Insurance company
CMS Star Rating
States available
Members in high-rated plans
Member experience
Learn more
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Best for size of network
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage - UHC

UnitedHealthcare

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3.87
3.87 /5
49 states and Washington, D.C.Medium (50% to 89%)3.12 (Average)

Call UnitedHealthcare

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from UnitedHealthcare

Best for extra perks
Aetna Medicare Advantage - ME

Aetna

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(866) 907-3870
3.98
3.98 /5
46 states and Washington, D.C.Medium (50% to 89%)3.79 (Above average)

8am - 11pm EST, 7 days a week

Speak to a licensed insurance agent on MedicareEnrollment.com

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from MedicareEnrollment.com

Best for local support
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage - ME

Blue Cross Blue Shield

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(888) 498-6687
3.86
3.86 /5
48 states and Puerto RicoMedium (50% to 89%)3.39 (Above average)

8am - 11pm EST, 7 days a week

Speak to a licensed insurance agent on MedicareEnrollment.com

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from MedicareEnrollment.com

Best for low-cost plan availability
Humana Medicare Advantage - ME

Humana

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(844) 974-2872
4.34
4.34 /5
49 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto RicoHigh (90% or more)3.97 (Above average)

8am - 11pm EST, 7 days a week

Speak to a licensed insurance agent on MedicareEnrollment.com

GET A QUOTE

from MedicareEnrollment.com

What to know about Medicare in North Carolina

Almost 1 in 6 people in North Carolina are 65 and older, and there are a wide variety of Medicare Advantage plans in the state

U.S. Census Bureau. QuickFacts, North Carolina. Accessed Nov 1, 2023.
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  • The average monthly premium in 2024 for a Medicare Advantage plan in North Carolina is $17.10. (It was $14.81 in 2023.)

  • There are 163 Medicare Advantage plans available in North Carolina in 2024. (This number is up from 150 plans in 2023.)

  • All Medicare-eligible people in North Carolina have access to a $0-premium Medicare Advantage plan.

Medicare Advantage companies in North Carolina

The following providers offer Medicare Advantage plans in North Carolina:

Top-rated Medicare Advantage plans in North Carolina

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 plans that received top marks in North Carolina for the 2024 plan year

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CY2024 Landscape MA 20231005 (ZIP). Accessed Nov 1, 2023.
. (Check out more information about Medicare star ratings.)

5-star plans

The companies below offer plans in North Carolina that are rated 5 stars out of 5 by CMS:

  • Humana.

  • UnitedHealthcare.

4.5-star plans

The companies below offer plans in North Carolina that are rated 4.5 stars out of 5 by CMS:

  • Alignment Health Plan.

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.

  • Care N' Care Insurance Company of North Carolina.

  • Cigna.

  • Experience Health.

  • FirstMedicare Direct.

  • Humana.

  • 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.

Medicare resources in North Carolina

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?

Medicare Advantage companies

Get more information below about some of the major Medicare Advantage companies. These insurance companies offer plans in most states. The plans you can choose from will depend on your ZIP code and county.

If you have additional questions about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048).

Looking for additional insurance in North Carolina? Check out these resources:

Still deciding on the right carrier? Compare Medicare Advantage plans

Still deciding on the right carrier? Compare Medicare Advantage plans

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