The bottom line: UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage, which also insures AARP plans, has the largest network of medical providers and is available in all but one state. But member experience scores are just average, and star ratings fell from last year. Jump to: Full Review
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage pros and cons
Pros
- Provider network: UnitedHealthcare offers the largest Medicare Advantage network of all companies, with more than 1 million network care providers.
- Dental network: UHC offers the biggest dental network of all Medicare Advantage providers, and all standard plans offer some dental coverage.
- $0 copays: All members of standard Medicare Advantage plans have a $0 copay for virtual visits as well as routine exams for dental, vision and hearing care.
- Home benefits: UHC offers annual home health visits for eligible members who need a house call.
Cons
- Average member satisfaction ratings: Despite being a behemoth in the industry, UnitedHealthcare's member experience scores are about average among major providers.
- Special needs plans can get pricey: While lower-priced plans are available, UnitedHealthcare also offers one of the highest-priced special needs plans (SNPs) in 2025, so it’s worth keeping an eye on the cost for plans that fit your needs.
Compare against other providers
🔍 UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage
» More options in our roundup of the best Medicare Advantage plans
Compare against other providers
🔍 UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage
» More options in our roundup of the best Medicare Advantage plans
Our full review
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UHC Medicare Advantage star ratings
Average star rating, weighted by enrollment: 3.95
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans are rated at about the industry average, receiving an average rating of 3.95 stars out of 5 from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for 2025, weighted by enrollment. For comparison, the average weighted star rating for plans from all providers is 3.96.
Of UHC members who are in Medicare Advantage plans with a star rating, 73% are in plans that have been rated 4 stars or above for 2025.
CMS maintains a database of star ratings on every Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug plan, ranging from best (5 stars) to worst (1 star). The agency bases these ratings on plans’ quality of care and measurements of customer satisfaction, and ratings may change from year to year.
All Medicare Advantage plans are evaluated on health plan measures, and Medicare Advantage plans that include prescription drug coverage are also evaluated on drug plan measures.
You can find a plan’s rating with the Medicare plan finding tool.
Medicare star ratings are typically released once per year, but CMS recalculated its 2025 star ratings for UnitedHealthcare in December 2024. Pursuant to a court order, CMS removed disputed data from the calculations. NerdWallet has updated this review accordingly.
What does UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage cost?
In 2025, 61% of UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage plans are $0-premium plans, and plans with a monthly cost have an average premium of $62.59. You’ll also be responsible for paying your Medicare Part B premium, which is at least $185 per month in 2025.
(Most people pay this standard amount, but if your income is above a certain threshold, you’ll pay the income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA). Some Medicare Advantage plans pay some or all of your Part B premium.)
Requirements for copays, coinsurance and deductibles vary depending on your plan, location and the services you use. Other out-of-pocket costs to consider include:
Whether the plan covers any part of your monthly Medicare Part B premium.
The plan’s yearly deductibles and other deductibles, such as a drug deductible.
Copayments and/or coinsurance for each visit or service. For instance, there may be a $10 copay for seeing your primary doctor and a $45 copay for seeing a specialist.
The plan’s in-network and out-of-network out-of-pocket maximums.
Whether your medical providers are in network or out of network, or how often you may go out of network for care.
Whether you require extra benefits, and whether the plan charges for them.
Here are some examples of UHC Medicare Advantage costs for the most popular plans in a mid-range city:
UHC/AARP Medicare Advantage plan | Pricing |
|---|---|
AARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC KC-4 (PPO) | Monthly premium: $0. Deductible: None. Out-of-pocket max: $3,700 in-network. Copays:
Dental allowance: Preventive services only. |
AARP Medicare Advantage Patriot No Rx KS-MA01 (PPO) | Monthly premium: $0. Deductible: None. Out-of-pocket max: $4,900 in-network. Copays:
Dental allowance: $1,500. |
AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC KC-0002 (HMO-POS) | Monthly premium: $0. Deductible: None. Out-of-pocket max: $4,900 in-network. Copays:
Dental allowance: $1,500. |
Selected plans are available in ZIP code 66013. *Inpatient hospital copay is per day for days 1-6. **Inpatient hospital copay is per day for days 1-5. | |
| |
To get a sense of costs, use Medicare’s plan-finding tool to compare information among available plans in your area. You can select by insurance carrier to see only UnitedHealthcare plans or compare across carriers.
UHC additional benefits
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage offers most plan members access to dental care (and the largest Medicare Advantage dental network) and hearing aids. Many of its plans offer other benefits as well. Here are a few standouts:
Fitness benefits: UnitedHealthcare’s Renew Active fitness program gives members access to a large network of gyms and fitness facilities, as well as local classes and events. Members can also access a library of online workout videos and an online brain health program from AARP Staying Sharp.
Food and over-the-counter allowance: Some dual health plan members may get an allowance they can put toward their choice of healthy foods, over-the-counter items and utility bills.
Healthy rewards: Members may be able to earn rewards for completing health-related tasks, such as getting their annual physical.
Home health visits: Some plans include HouseCalls, a program that offers members an annual visit with a licensed clinician in their home, which can be used to help manage care.
Telehealth: Many members have access to plans offering $0 copays for telehealth visits.
UHC Medicare Advantage plan types
UnitedHealthcare offers Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans and plans without drug coverage, as well as stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. UHC also offers Medicare Advantage Patriot Plans, which are geared toward veterans and other people with existing drug coverage.
Other plan offerings include the following types:
- HMO plans
A health maintenance organization (HMO) generally requires that you use a specific network of doctors and hospitals. You may need a referral from your primary doctor to see a specialist, and out-of-network benefits are usually limited.
- HMO-POS plans
HMO point-of-service plans are HMO plans that allow members to get some out-of-network services, but you’ll pay more for those services.
- PPO plans
Preferred provider organization (PPO) plans provide the most freedom, allowing you to see any provider that accepts the insurance. You may not need to choose a primary doctor, and you don’t need referrals to see specialists. You can seek out-of-network care, although it may cost more than seeing an in-network doctor.
- PFFS plans
UnitedHealthcare’s private fee-for-service (PFFS) plans allow you to see any Medicare-approved provider who accepts your UnitedHealthcare plan. You won’t have to pick a primary doctor, and you won’t need a referral to see a specialist.
- SNPs
Special needs plans (SNPs) restrict membership to people with certain diseases or characteristics. The benefits, network and drug formularies are tailored to the needs of those members. UnitedHealthcare offers three types of SNPs:
Chronic Condition SNP: Designed to meet the needs of members living with certain chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disorders, diabetes or chronic heart failure.
Dual-Eligible SNP: For people who are entitled to Medicare and who also qualify for assistance from a state Medicaid program.
Institutional plans: Provide specialized care to members who live in skilled nursing or assisted living facilities and need an institutional level of care.
Third-party ratings of UHC
AM Best Financial Strength Rating: A+ (Superior)
AM Best is a credit rating agency that specializes in the insurance industry. In March 2025, AM Best affirmed its Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Superior) for the companies collectively referred to as UnitedHealthcare. An A+ rating in this category indicates that AM Best believes UnitedHealthcare has a superior ability to meet its ongoing insurance obligations.
J.D. Power Ranking
In its 2024 U.S. Medicare Advantage Study — the 10th it’s done so far — J.D. Power measured member satisfaction with Medicare Advantage plans based on eight factors ranging from level of trust to how well a provider resolves problems or complaints. The study was fielded in the 10 biggest state Medicare markets, and here’s how UnitedHealthcare ranked out of all major providers:
California: 5th out of 8.
Florida: 1st out of 6.
Georgia: 1st out of 4.
Illinois: 1st out of 5.
New York: 3rd out of 5.
North Carolina: 1st out of 4.
Ohio: 4th out of 4.
Pennsylvania: 5th out of 7.
Texas: 4th out of 6.
NCQA Score Range: 3.0 to 4.0 out of 5
The National Committee for Quality Assurance rates health insurance plans on a 5-point scale (with 5 being best) based on quality of care, patient satisfaction and health plans’ efforts to keep improving.
In its September 2024 ratings of UnitedHealthcare plans, NCQA awarded ratings between 3.0 and 4.0 stars. Among the company’s plans with ratings, more than half received scores of 4.0 or above, and there were only two plans with 3.0 stars: Care Improvement Plus South Central Insurance Company and UnitedHealthcare of the Mid-Atlantic.
UnitedHealthcare Medicare service area
UnitedHealthcare offers Medicare Advantage plans in 49 states and Washington, D.C. Ninety-six percent of Medicare beneficiaries have the option of a UnitedHealthcare plan.
UnitedHealthcare is the largest for-profit Medicare Advantage provider in the country, with more than 9.8 million Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan. The company added 404,000 members for the 2025 plan year, according to a report from health care analytics firm Chartis.
About UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare is part of UnitedHealth Group, which is headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. It's the largest health insurance company in the U.S. The company offers individual- and employer-based health insurance plans, Medicare and Medicaid plans, dental and vision plans, and other types of supplemental insurance.
Read the NerdWallet reviews of these other UnitedHealthcare Medicare offerings:
AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) from UnitedHealthcare.
AARP Medicare Rx Medicare Part D plans from UnitedHealthcare.
Read the NerdWallet reviews of these other AARP insurance products:
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage customer service
UnitedHealthcare members can contact their plan’s customer service in the following ways:
Call the number on your member ID card.
Chat with a service advocate in the UHC app for members.
Chat with a service advocate in your member account online.
Is AARP Medicare Advantage the same as UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage?
AARP and UnitedHealthcare are partners — UnitedHealthcare sells AARP-branded Medicare plans. AARP is not a health insurer, but it sells Medicare plans that are insured by UnitedHealthcare.
Compare Medicare Advantage providers
Get more information below about some of the major Medicare Advantage providers. These insurers offer plans in most states. The plans you can choose from will depend on your ZIP code and county.
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).
- Largest Medicare Advantage medical network of all companies, with more than 1 million providers.
- Largest Medicare Advantage dental network, and all standard plans offer dental coverage.
- Available in 49 states and Washington, D.C.
- Member experience scores are average.
- Offers one of the highest-priced special needs plans, although lower-priced plans are also available.
Frequently asked questions
How is UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage rated?
How is UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage rated?
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans are rated at about the industry average. The provider’s 2025 Medicare Advantage plans received an average rating of 3.95 stars out of 5 from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, weighted by enrollment. For comparison, the average weighted star rating for plans from all providers is 3.96.
Is UnitedHealthcare Medicare the same as Medicare?
Is UnitedHealthcare Medicare the same as Medicare?
No, UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans are sold by a private insurance company that has contracted with the federal government to sell Medicare plans. Members of these plans generally must use the providers and hospitals within the plan’s network for their nonemergency health care. If they go out-of-network, they may pay more. Original Medicare, on the other hand, is sold by the federal government, and members of these plans can visit any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare.
What is the most popular Medicare Advantage provider?
What is the most popular Medicare Advantage provider?
Among Medicare Advantage members, the largest percentage are enrolled in a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan. In 2025, UnitedHealthcare accounts for 28.5% of the Medicare Advantage market, or 9.8 million members, according to health care analytics firm Chartis. The next-closest insurer, Humana, accounts for 16.7%.
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. 2025 Star Ratings Data Tables (ZIP). Accessed Apr 16, 2025.
- 2.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Costs. Accessed Apr 16, 2025.
- 3.UnitedHealthcare. Medicare Advantage Plans with veterans in mind. Accessed Apr 16, 2025.
- 4.AM Best. AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated and Its Subsidiaries. Accessed Apr 16, 2025.
- 5.J.D. Power. Regional Medicare Advantage Plans Have Higher Customer Satisfaction than Commercial Member Health Plans, J.D. Power Finds. Accessed Apr 16, 2025.
- 6.NCQA. Health Plans. Accessed Apr 16, 2025.
- 7.Chartis. Medicare Advantage market growth slows amid intensified headwinds. Accessed Apr 16, 2025.
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.
Compare Medicare Advantage plans
Insurance company | CMS star rating | States available | Members in high-rated plans | Member experience | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(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) | |
(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) |
(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) |
(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 | 3.97 | 3.97/5 | 29 states and Washington, D.C. | Medium (50% to 84%) | 3.82 (Above average) |