Central Health Medicare Plan Medicare Advantage 2024-2025 Review

Central Health Medicare Plan offers $0 premiums and low out-of-pocket caps in California, but its star ratings are poor.

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Written by Alex Rosenberg
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The bottom line: Central Health Medicare Plan sells Medicare Advantage plans only in California. Its plans offer $0 premiums and inexpensive annual out-of-pocket caps. However, Central Health gets below-average star ratings from CMS, scoring especially poorly on measures of member experience. Jump to: Full Review

Brand New Day merges with Central Health Medicare Plan for 2025

Brand New Day, another California-only Medicare insurance company, announced that it will merge with Central Health Medicare Plan for 2025. Members of Brand New Day plans will be automatically moved into Central Health plans unless they take action.

Central Health Medicare Plan Medicare Advantage - Chapter

Central Health Medicare Plan

2.5

CMS Star Rating

(855) 432-0512

TTY 711

Speak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.org
GET A QUOTE

on NerdWallet

We will connect you with Medicare companies based on the information you provide. They will help you find a plan that suits your needs. If you prefer to speak to a licensed insurance agent right away, please call the number listed above.

M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ET

Speak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.org
(855) 432-0512

TTY 711

IS THIS PROVIDER AVAILABLE IN MY STATE?

Central Health Medicare Plan pros and cons

Pros

$0 premiums: All of Central Health’s Medicare Advantage plans that aren’t SNPs have $0 premiums for 2025.

Low out-of-pocket maximums: The out-of-pocket spending caps for Central Health Medicare Plan are often below $3,000 per year — significantly undercutting the average for major companies.

Cons

Star ratings: Central Health Medicare Plan scores well below the industry average on star ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Member experience: Central Health Medicare Plan gets the lowest score for CMS’ measures of member experience.

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Aetna Medicare Advantage

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4.27

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(855) 432-0512

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Speak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.org
GET A QUOTE

on NerdWallet

We will connect you with Medicare companies based on the information you provide. They will help you find a plan that suits your needs. If you prefer to speak to a licensed insurance agent right away, please call the number listed below.

M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ET

Speak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.org
(855) 432-0512

TTY 711

IS THIS PROVIDER AVAILABLE IN MY STATE?
Humana Medicare Advantage - Chapter

Humana

3.63

CMS Star Rating

(855) 432-0512

TTY 711

Speak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.org
GET A QUOTE

on NerdWallet

We will connect you with Medicare companies based on the information you provide. They will help you find a plan that suits your needs. If you prefer to speak to a licensed insurance agent right away, please call the number listed below.

M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ET

Speak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.org
(855) 432-0512

TTY 711

IS THIS PROVIDER AVAILABLE IN MY STATE?
Cigna Medicare Advantage

Cigna

3.93

CMS Star Rating

(855) 432-0512

TTY 711

Speak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.org
GET A QUOTE

on NerdWallet

We will connect you with Medicare companies based on the information you provide. They will help you find a plan that suits your needs. If you prefer to speak to a licensed insurance agent right away, please call the number listed below.

M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ET

Speak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.org
(855) 432-0512

TTY 711

IS THIS PROVIDER AVAILABLE IN MY STATE?

» More options in our roundup of the best Medicare Advantage plans

Compare against other providers

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UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage - UHC

UnitedHealthcare

3.93

CMS Star Rating

Call UnitedHealthcare
GET A QUOTE

from UnitedHealthcare

Call UnitedHealthcare
IS THIS PROVIDER AVAILABLE IN MY STATE?
Humana Medicare Advantage - Chapter

Humana

3.63

CMS Star Rating

(855) 432-0512

TTY 711

Speak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.org
GET A QUOTE

on NerdWallet

We will connect you with Medicare companies based on the information you provide. They will help you find a plan that suits your needs. If you prefer to speak to a licensed insurance agent right away, please call the number listed below.

M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ET

Speak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.org
(855) 432-0512

TTY 711

IS THIS PROVIDER AVAILABLE IN MY STATE?

» More options in our roundup of the best Medicare Advantage plans

Our full review

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Central Health Medicare Plan Medicare star ratings

Average star rating, weighted by enrollment: 2.5

Central Health Medicare Plan Medicare Advantage plans are rated below the industry average, receiving an average rating of 2.5 stars out of 5 from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for 2025, weighted by enrollment

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. 2025 Star Ratings Data Tables (ZIP). Accessed Oct 29, 2024.
.

For comparison, the average weighted star rating from all providers is 3.95.

CMS maintains star ratings for Medicare Advantage plans on a 5-point scale, ranking plans 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.

You can find a plan’s rating with the Medicare plan finding tool.

What does Central Health Medicare Plan Medicare Advantage cost?

In 2025, all Central Health Medicare Plan Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans that aren’t special needs plans (SNPs) have a $0 premium

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CY2025 Landscape (202410). Accessed Oct 29, 2024.
. You'll still be responsible for paying your Medicare Part B premium, which is $174.70 per month in 2024 ($185 in 2025).

(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.)

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 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 if the plan charges for them.

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 Central Health plans or compare across carriers.

Available Central Health Medicare Plan Medicare Advantage plans

Central Health Medicare Plan offers Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans as well as Medicare Advantage plans without drug coverage.

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 in order to see a specialist, and out-of-network benefits are usually very limited.

Special needs plans (SNPs) restrict membership to people with certain diseases or characteristics. Hence, the benefits, network and drug formularies are tailored to the needs of those members. Central Health Medicare Plan offers two types of SNP:

  • Chronic Condition SNP: For people diagnosed with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders 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.

Central Health Medicare Plan Medicare Advantage service area

Central Health Medicare Plan offers Medicare Advantage plans in California only. Central Health Medicare Plan covers about 39,000 Medicare Advantage beneficiaries

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Monthly Enrollment by Plan. Accessed Oct 29, 2024.
.

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).
Central Health Medicare Plan Medicare Advantage - Chapter

Central Health Medicare Plan

2.5

CMS Star Rating

Central Health Medicare Plan offers $0 premiums and low out-of-pocket maximums in California, but its star ratings and member satisfaction scores are poor.

(855) 432-0512 / TTY 711

M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ET

Speak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.org

GET A QUOTE

on NerdWallet

We will connect you with Medicare companies based on the information you provide. They will help you find a plan that suits your needs. If you prefer to speak to a licensed insurance agent right away, please call the number listed above.

States available

1 state


Members in high-rated plans

Low (49% or less)


Member experience

1 (Below average)

IS THIS PROVIDER AVAILABLE IN MY STATE?

States available

1 state


Members in high-rated plans

Low (49% or less)


Member experience

1 (Below average)

IS THIS PROVIDER AVAILABLE IN MY STATE?

Pros

  • All standard plans have $0 premiums.
  • Maximum out-of-pocket spending caps are often below $3,000.

Cons

  • Below-average star ratings.
  • Lowest scores for measures of member experience.

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.

Medicare will have big changes in 2025. Compare Medicare Advantage plans