The Medicare Advantage landscape is always changing. Each year, there are updates to the companies on the market and their premiums, out-of-pocket costs, networks, state footprints, quality ratings and more.
We analyzed plans covering 87% of the Medicare Advantage market to choose the best options for 2026 based on quality, cost, benefits and customer satisfaction, among other things.
Here’s the list of Medicare Advantage plans that got our attention. (Information is current as of October 2025.)
Best for size of network: UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage.
Best for ratings: Aetna Medicare Advantage.
Best for low-cost plan availability: HealthSpring (formerly Cigna) Medicare Advantage.
Best for Part B Giveback: Humana Medicare Advantage.
Best startup: Devoted Health Medicare Advantage.
45+ Medicare companies and brands analyzed by our team of experts.
30+ years of combined experience covering Medicare and personal finance.
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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.
Best Medicare Advantage companies in 2026
Insurance company | CMS star rating | States available | Members in high-rated plans | Member experience | Learn more | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BEST FOR SIZE OF NETWORK | ||||||
4.10 | 4.10/5 | 48 states and Washington, D.C. | Medium (50% to 84%) | 3.76 (Above average) | (855) 821-0556 / TTY 711 Call UnitedHealthcarefrom UnitedHealthcare | |
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 | 3.61 | 3.61/5 | 46 states and Washington, D.C. | Low (49% or less) | 3.61 (Above average) | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet |
BEST FOR RATINGS | ||||||
 (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on http://askchapter.org on NerdWallet | 4.19 | 4.19/5 | 43 states and Washington, D.C. | Medium (50% to 84%) | 3.88 (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 |
BEST FOR LOW-COST PLAN AVAILABILITY | ||||||
 (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.68 | 3.68/5 | 29 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 askchapter.orgon NerdWallet |
Best for size of network: UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare is probably one of the first companies that comes to mind when you think about health insurance. It's big in Medicare, too — the largest company selling Medicare Advantage plans.
This insurance giant could be worth a look when it comes to Medicare Advantage.
Why pick UnitedHealthcare?
Big Medicare Advantage provider network. An insurance company's network is probably the most important thing to consider when you're shopping. If the doctors you need to see aren't covered, none of the other factors really matter.
UnitedHealthcare boasts a huge network of Medicare Advantage providers, which could make it easier to find a doctor or specialist who takes your insurance.
State footprint for $0 plans. UHC offers $0-premium plans in 45 states — the most offered by any Medicare Advantage company in 2026, tied with Humana. If they're available where you live — and your chances are pretty good — it's worth a look.
UnitedHealthcare downsides to consider
While there are lots of $0-premium UnitedHealthcare plans available, those plans might not be the best option for everyone. To get better coverage for certain providers, procedures and/or prescription drugs, you might need to step up to a plan with a monthly premium. When it comes to plans that don't cost $0, UnitedHealthcare's offerings can be pricey.
And while UHC is pretty much everywhere, your customer experience might vary by location. We saw some strong customer satisfaction results in certain states, but below-average survey results in others.
» Check out our full UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage review for more details on UHC plans' cost, quality, benefits, customer service and more.
- Large Medicare Advantage medical network with nearly 1 million providers.
- Available with $0 premiums in 45 states.
- Plans with premiums can be expensive.
- Customer experience might vary by location.
Best for ratings: Aetna
Aetna is another large insurance company, and it's owned by CVS, which is known for its pharmacies.
For 2026, Aetna Medicare Advantage plans stand out for high quality ratings.
Why do we like Aetna?
Strong quality ratings. The federal government rates Medicare Advantage plans on dozens of measures of health care quality and member satisfaction each year. Aetna gets the highest average star ratings and member experience ratings, weighted by enrollment, among companies that sell Medicare Advantage plans in the most states.
$0-premium plan availability. Aetna plans with $0 premiums are available to over 80% of Medicare beneficiaries. That means a well-rated, $0-cost Aetna plan is likely available to you. And if out-of-pocket costs are a concern, most Aetna plans also have $0 coverage for Tier 1 and Tier 2 generic drugs at preferred pharmacies.
Where does Aetna fall short?
While Aetna's government quality ratings are good, it doesn't perform as well on J.D. Power's customer satisfaction studies. Aetna landed below the regional industry average in most of the Medicare markets where it has significant market share in J.D. Power’s latest survey.
And Aetna’s average maximum out-of-pocket costs are on the high side among its main competitors. That could matter because if you hit the out-of-pocket cap, you won't owe copays, coinsurance or deductibles for covered services for the rest of the year. If you think you might spend a lot on care, a lower maximum out-of-pocket cap could be preferable.
» Read our full Aetna Medicare Advantage review for more information on Aetna's prices, ratings, coverage, member experience and more.
- Highest weighted average star ratings among companies that sell plans nearly nationwide.
- $0-premium plans available to 82% of Medicare beneficiaries.
- $0 coverage for Tier 1 and Tier 2 drugs on most plans.
- All plans include SilverSneakers and some dental, vision and hearing coverage.
- Below-average customer satisfaction in many markets surveyed by J.D. Power.
- Maximum out-of-pocket costs are higher than most major competitors.
Best for low-cost plan availability: HealthSpring (formerly Cigna)
HealthSpring is the new name for Cigna Medicare plans under a new owner, Health Care Service Corp. HCSC also sells Blue Cross Blue Shield-branded Medicare plans in a number of states.
Our analysis shows that a lot of what we liked about Cigna plans in the past remains true of HealthSpring plans after the name change.
Why pick a HealthSpring plan?
$0 and low-cost plans. HealthSpring (formerly Cigna) offers the highest percentage of $0-premium plans and the lowest average monthly premium among major Medicare Advantage companies. So if you need more coverage than a $0-premium plan offers, your costs for a HealthSpring plan could be on the lower side.
Useful perks. Many insurance companies are scaling back on bundled extras to cut costs. But for 2026, HealthSpring's added perks are pretty good. Side benefits can include things like gym memberships, transportation and meal delivery.
What don't we like about HealthSpring?
First, it's important to know that HealthSpring plans aren't available to everyone. They're sold in only 29 states and Washington, D.C.
And while HealthSpring's quality ratings aren't bad, they could be better. The company's weighted star ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are below average. And the National Committee for Quality Assurance, a third-party quality rating agency, doesn't give any HealthSpring plan a score higher than 3 out of 5 on its rating scale.
» Read our HealthSpring Medicare Advantage review to get our full take on the company, including premiums, quality scores, benefits, customer satisfaction and more.
- 8 in 10 plans have $0 premiums.
- Plans with premiums are relatively inexpensive.
- Side benefits include gym memberships, transportation and meal delivery.
- Available in only 29 states and Washington, D.C.
- Star ratings from CMS are below average.
- Plans score 3 stars out of 5 on NCQA's scale.
Best for Part B Giveback: Humana
Medicare Part B premiums aren't cheap at $202.90 per month in 2026. But some plans help pay for at least part of your premium.
This is called a Part B Giveback benefit, and Humana sells a lot of Giveback plans.
What are Humana's best features?
Giveback benefits. Humana offers more Giveback plans than other major Medicare Advantage companies. So if you want a plan that will help make your Medicare Part B premium more affordable, Humana is worth a look. And because it sells plans in 85% of U.S. counties, Humana plans are likely available to you.
USAA Honor plans. Humana partners with USAA to sell USAA Honor plans. These Medicare Advantage plans are designed to work with veteran benefits to provide a complete package of health care for those who served. And there are even USAA Honor Giveback plans that include the Part B Giveback benefit.
What are Humana's drawbacks?
Humana's members aren't the happiest. Humana gets below-average scores for customer satisfaction in nine out of 10 Medicare markets in J.D. Power’s latest study.
Humana's star ratings are below average, too. Only 20% of its members are in plans rated at least 4 stars out of 5, which is pretty low compared to most major competitors.
And if you expect to have high enough medical costs to potentially reach the out-of-pocket cap, you'll find lower maximum out-of-pocket limits elsewhere. Humana's average maximum out-of-pocket limit is one of the highest among major insurance companies.
» Check out our full Humana Medicare Advantage review for more of our thoughts on costs, star ratings, plan types, customer service and more.
- Many plans include Part B Giveback benefits.
- Available in 85% of U.S. counties.
- Veteran-focused plans offered with USAA.
- Customer satisfaction scores are low in most major markets surveyed.
- Star ratings could be better.
- Out-of-pocket maximums are on the high side.
Best startup: Devoted Health
There are a lot of big-name insurance companies in the Medicare Advantage market. If you'd prefer to try out a newer, smaller company, Devoted Health could be a strong contender.
While it's relatively new to the market, Devoted Health is growing fast, adding nine new states for 2026.
How does Devoted Health stand out?
Good star ratings. Devoted Health Medicare Advantage plans get a higher-than-average star rating from CMS. Its scores are on par with some of the strongest performers among the big-name insurance companies.
$0 plans. Nearly all Devoted Health Medicare Advantage plans offer a $0 premium. Devoted Health plans with premiums cost an average of $25.99 per month, which is also on the more affordable side among the companies we reviewed.
What are Devoted Health's limitations?
Despite its fast growth, Devoted Health isn't available everywhere. For 2026, you can find Devoted Health plans in 29 states — up from 20 states in 2025.
The company's fast growth also means we don't have complete data on many of its offerings. New plans don't get star ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, for example, because star rating calculations rely on data about the plans' performance and its customers' experiences using their coverage.
This isn't an issue unique to Devoted Health — new plans are added each year from companies large and small. But it's worth mentioning for Devoted Health in particular because so many of its plans are new, so it will take time for us to build a more complete picture of their performance.
» Visit our Devoted Health Medicare Advantage review for our full take on the company's pros and cons, prices, quality ratings, service area and more.
- Above-average star ratings from CMS.
- Nearly all plans offer a $0 premium.
- Offers plans in just 29 states.
- Limited data on new plans (and many plans are new).
How we choose the best Medicare Advantage plans
To determine the best Medicare Advantage plans, NerdWallet's editorial team evaluates health insurance companies on more than 10 factors, including:
Average star rating, weighted by enrollment.
Average member experience rating, weighted by enrollment.
Size of provider’s network.
Percentage of plans offering a $0 monthly premium.
Minimum, maximum and average premiums.
Ratings from third-party companies like AM Best, J.D. Power and NCQA.
We continually reevaluate and update our methodology to reflect evolving industry standards and consumer needs.
What are the top-rated Medicare Advantage plans in each state?
The map below shows the top-rated Medicare Advantage and Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans by state. (This doesn't include special needs plans.) Click on a state to see the best Medicare Advantage plans available there.
More Nerdy Perspective
What's the highest rated Medicare Advantage plan?
There isn’t one Medicare Advantage plan that’s the highest-rated; there are multiple plans that get an overall rating of 5 stars, which is the highest rating from CMS. In 2026, there are standard 5-star Medicare Advantage plans in 14 states and Puerto Rico. Not everyone has access to a 5-star plan, and not every 5-star plan is the right fit. Research what plans are available in your area and consider star ratings along with other important factors like coverage and provider networks.
There isn’t one Medicare Advantage plan that’s the highest-rated; there are multiple plans that get an overall rating of 5 stars, which is the highest rating from CMS. In 2026, there are standard 5-star Medicare Advantage plans in 14 states and Puerto Rico. Not everyone has access to a 5-star plan, and not every 5-star plan is the right fit. Research what plans are available in your area and consider star ratings along with other important factors like coverage and provider networks.
Alex Rosenberglead writer covering MedicareHow to choose the best Medicare Advantage plan
The right Medicare Advantage plan for you will depend on your health history, prescription medications and where you live, among other factors. Here are some strategies for selecting the best plan:
Check star ratings. The CMS collects data on Medicare Advantage plans from member surveys, the plans themselves and medical providers, and then it assigns a star rating based on the results. The star rating is on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being best.
Compare out-of-pocket costs. Each plan will have a monthly premium (many Medicare Advantage plans have no premium) and a maximum out-of-pocket cost, which is the most you’ll pay in a year for covered health care.
Keep your meds in mind. Your medications may seem like an afterthought, but make sure you investigate how each plan will cover your medications — or whether they’re covered at all.
Look for your doctors. If you’ve got a list of caregivers and medical facilities you use and prefer, look for plans that include them.
Consider the plan type. If you see specialists frequently and you don’t want to seek a referral for every office visit, a PPO plan is probably the better fit. If you’re a light health care user and see mostly your primary care physician, an HMO might be more affordable.
» MORE: What you'll pay for Medicare
You may be eligible for Medicare plans during a special enrollment period if you are turning 65, new to Medicare plans, moving or losing coverage.
If you have additional questions about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048).
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 Oct 14, 2025.
- 2.NerdWallet analysis of CMS data. CY2026 Landscape (202509). Accessed Oct 14, 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’s editorial team reviewed 25 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 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.
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.