The bottom line: UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage, which also insures AARP plans, has a large network of medical providers and is available with $0 premiums in 46 states. But UHC doesn’t always perform well on customer experience surveys, and competitors might offer more $0-deductible prescription drugs. Jump to: Full Review
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage pros and cons
Pros
- Provider network: UnitedHealthcare offers a large Medicare Advantage network, with nearly 1 million network care providers.
- $0 plans: Premium-free Medicare Advantage plans from UnitedHealthcare are available in 46 states.
Cons
- Customer experience: UnitedHealthcare scored below average for customer experience in 6 out of 10 major Medicare markets surveyed by JD Power.
- Prescription drug deductibles: Other big Medicare Advantage companies often offer more tiers of prescription drugs without a deductible.
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
45+ Medicare companies and brands analyzed by our team of experts.
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NerdWallet’s Medicare content, including articles, reviews and recommendations, is produced by a team of writers and editors who specialize in Medicare. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, Washington Post, Nasdaq, MSN, MarketWatch, Yahoo! Finance and other national and regional media outlets. They have been cited in publications including Healthline, and appeared on NerdWallet's "Smart Money" podcast.
NerdWallet star rating for UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans earned 4.1 out of 5 stars for overall performance. NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account premiums, out-of-pocket costs, government quality ratings, customer complaints, disenrollment survey data, third party quality accreditation and more.
Based on these ratings, UnitedHealthcare is among NerdWallet’s best Medicare Advantage companies for 2026.
NerdWallet star ratings are different from CMS ratings for Medicare plans.
Our data-driven, consumer-first scoring rubric for Medicare Advantage plans includes crucial metrics like cost and a wider range of data sources for quality and customer satisfaction in addition to the information incorporated into CMS ratings.
CMS quality ratings for UHC Medicare Advantage
Average CMS star rating, weighted by enrollment: 4.11
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans are rated at about the industry average, receiving an average rating of 4.11 stars out of 5 from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for 2026, weighted by enrollment. For comparison, the average weighted CMS star rating for all companies is 4.02.
Of UHC members who are in Medicare Advantage plans with a star rating, 80% are in plans that have been rated 4 stars or above for 2026.
CMS maintains its own database of star ratings, which rank each plan 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 Medicare's plan finding tool.
What does UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage cost?
Premiums
About 52% of UHC Medicare Advantage plans have a $0 premium.
UnitedHealthcare plans with a monthly premium cost about $33.90 per month, on average, weighted by enrollment.
With any Medicare Advantage plan, you'll also be responsible for paying your Medicare Part B premium, which is $202.90 per month in 2026.
Most people pay this standard Part B amount, but if your income is above a certain threshold, you'll pay the income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA). Some Medicare Advantage plans cover part or all of your Part B premium.
Prescription drugs
About 92% of UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage.
Here's what you might pay for prescription drugs at some common price points.
Tier 1 (Preferred generics) 97.6% of UHC Medicare Advantage plans have $0 copays/coinsurance.
$3.50: Average out-of-pocket cost for a drug with a $15 retail price, among UHC plans with copays or coinsurance at Tier 1 (after deductible, if any).
Tier 2 (Most generics) 23.4% of UHC Medicare Advantage plans have $0 copays/coinsurance.
$10.80: Average out-of-pocket cost for a drug with a $50 retail price, among UHC plans with copays or coinsurance at Tier 2 (after deductible, if any).
Tier 3 (Preferred brands) 1.5% of UHC Medicare Advantage plans have $0 copays/coinsurance.
$40.55: Average out-of-pocket cost for a drug with a $200 retail price, among UHC plans with copays or coinsurance at Tier 3 (after deductible, if any).
Other out-of-pocket costs
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans have an average maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) spending cap of $6,492, weighted by enrollment. That’s a little higher than average among the companies NerdWallet reviews.
Requirements for copays, coinsurance and deductibles vary depending on your plan, location and the services you use. Other costs to consider include:
Whether the plan covers any part of your monthly Medicare Part B premium.
The plan’s yearly deductibles and any 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.
To get a sense of costs, Medicare.gov and most other Medicare shopping tools can help you compare plans' premiums and out-of-pocket costs for certain services and prescription drugs in your location.
Why do people leave UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans?
CMS surveys people who voluntarily leave their Medicare plans about their reasons for leaving. Here’s the breakdown of problems people identified with their former UHC Medicare plans.
Problems getting covered care: 11% (All-company average: 11%).
Problems with doctor/hospital networks: 15% (All-company average: 17%).
Financial issues: 16% (All-company average: 17%).
Problems with prescription drug benefits: 1% (All-company average: 3%).
Problems getting information from the plan: 8% (All-company average: 9%).
(Members can indicate multiple reasons for leaving on the survey and might leave plans for other reasons, so the categories won’t add up to 100%.)
UHC additional benefits
UnitedHealthcare prioritizes access to dental, hearing and vision benefits with its Medicare Advantage plan, the company says.
Many of its plans offer other benefits as well. Here are a few examples:
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.
UHC Medicare Advantage plan types
UnitedHealthcare offers Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans and plans without drug coverage. 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:
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 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.
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.
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.
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 (Excellent)
AM Best is a credit rating agency that specializes in the insurance industry. In August 2025, AM Best downgraded its Financial Strength Rating from A+ (Superior) to A (Excellent) for the companies collectively referred to as UnitedHealthcare.
An A rating in this category indicates that AM Best believes UnitedHealthcare has an excellent ability to meet its ongoing insurance obligations.
JD Power Ranking
JD Power releases an annual study measuring member satisfaction with Medicare Advantage plans. It uses eight factors, such as level of trust, ability to get health services, ease of doing business and resolving problems or complaints.
Here’s how UnitedHealthcare ranked among major providers in the 10 Medicare markets surveyed:
California: 6th out of 8.
Florida: 5th out of 6.
Georgia: 1st out of 4.
Illinois: 2nd out of 5.
Michigan: 4th out of 5.
New York: 4th out of 6.
North Carolina: 1st out of 4.
Ohio: 3rd out of 4.
Pennsylvania: 5th out of 7.
Texas: 2nd out of 6.
NCQA accreditation: 67% of plans
About 67% of UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans are NCQA accredited as of the most recent annual update in September 2025.
The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) evaluates health insurance plans based on clinical measures and customer experience survey results. To earn NCQA accreditation, plans need to meet standards related to quality, population health management, provider networks, member experience and more.
UnitedHealthcare Medicare service area
UnitedHealthcare offers Medicare Advantage plans in 48 states and Washington, D.C. Ninety-four percent of Medicare beneficiaries have the option of a UnitedHealthcare plan.
UnitedHealthcare is the largest Medicare Advantage insurance company in the country. Nearly 9.4 million Medicare beneficiaries have UHC Medicare Advantage plans.
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 insurance companies. 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 preferred medical 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).
- Large Medicare Advantage medical network with nearly 1 million providers.
- Available with $0 premiums in 46 states.
- Customer experience might vary by location.
- Other major Medicare companies offer more $0-deductible prescription drug tiers.
Frequently asked questions
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans score well on NerdWallet’s Medicare Advantage rubric, earning 4.1 out of 5 stars. That’s based on quality ratings from CMS as well as additional data on premiums, maximum out-of-pocket spending caps, prescription drug copays, coinsurance and deductibles, disenrollment surveys and more.
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.
Among Medicare Advantage members, the largest percentage are enrolled in a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan. In 2026, UnitedHealthcare accounted for 36.9% of the Medicare Advantage market according to health care analytics firm Chartis. The next-closest insurer, Humana, accounted for 27.7%.
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.NerdWallet analysis of CMS data. 2026 Star Ratings Data Tables. Accessed Apr 16, 2026.
- 2.NerdWallet analysis of CMS data. Monthly Enrollment by Plan. Accessed Apr 16, 2026.
- 3.NerdWallet analysis of CMS data. CY2026 Landscape 202603. Accessed Apr 16, 2026.
- 4.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Understanding Medicare Advantage Plans. Accessed Apr 16, 2026.
- 5.NerdWallet analysis of CMS data. Beneficiary Cost File. Accessed Apr 16, 2026.
- 6.NerdWallet analysis of CMS data. 2026 Star Ratings Data Table - Disenrollment Reasons (Oct 8 2025). Accessed Apr 16, 2026.
- 7.UnitedHealthcare. UnitedHealthcare’s 2026 Medicare Advantage Plans Deliver Value, Access and Consumer Choice. Accessed Apr 16, 2026.
- 8.UnitedHealthcare. Medicare Advantage Plans with veterans in mind. Accessed Apr 16, 2026.
- 9.AM Best. AM Best Downgrades Credit Ratings of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated and Its Subsidiaries; Revises Outlooks to Stable. Accessed Apr 16, 2026.
- 10.JD Power. Medicare Advantage Plan Member Satisfaction Facing Headwinds; Digital Innovation an Emerging New Solution, JD Power Finds. Accessed Apr 16, 2026.
- 11.NCQA. Health Plans. Accessed Apr 16, 2026.
- 12.American Medical Association. Competition in Health Insurance. Accessed Apr 16, 2026.
Medicare Advantage review methodology
NerdWallet’s Medicare Advantage ratings are based on premiums, out-of-pocket costs, prescription drug coverage, quality data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, consumer experience and more. We calculate each health insurance company’s rating on a curved 5-point scale.
NerdWallet’s editorial team analyzed companies covering about 87% of all Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in the United States. We reviewed 25 Medicare Advantage brands, with some insurance companies having more than one brand under their umbrella. (For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield includes the brands Anthem and Highmark.)
The Medicare Advantage marketplace is concentrated among just a handful of companies. In many places, one company serves more than half of the market. At the national level, NerdWallet’s reviews include each of the 10 largest brands by enrollment.
At the state level, our research includes at least one major insurer in every state where Medicare Advantage plans are sold, and includes the top two insurers in 40 of those 49 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.
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) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 4.11 | 4.11/5 | 48 states and Washington, D.C. | Medium (50% to 84%) | 3.74 (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 | 3.79 | 3.79/5 | 46 states and Washington, D.C. | Low (49% or less) | 3.82 (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 http://askchapter.org on NerdWallet | 4.20 | 4.20/5 | 43 states and Washington, D.C. | Medium (50% to 84%) | 3.89 (Above average) | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on http://askchapter.org on NerdWallet |
(855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.76 | 3.76/5 | 29 states and Washington, D.C. | Medium (50% to 84%) | 3.96 (Above average) | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet |