Best Medicare Advantage Companies 2026

Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) continue to grow in popularity, covering more than half of all Medicare beneficiaries. But choosing the right plan requires balancing costs, benefits, and quality. 

This guide highlights the top Medicare Advantage companies/carriers for 2026, including their strengths, drawbacks, and satisfaction scores.

UnitedHealthcare (AARP/UnitedHealthcare)

Overview
UnitedHealthcare is a national leader in Medicare Advantage, offering plans in nearly every U.S. state. Its sheer scale gives members access to a large network of doctors and facilities, along with many plan options and added benefits. Recent coverage changes and performance fluctuations, however, suggest you’ll want to double-check local details before enrolling.

Consumer Satisfaction

• CMS 2025 Star Rating: 3.5–4.0 across contracts.
• J.D. Power 2025: Ranked highest in Georgia (648) and North Carolina (663); scored 631 in Illinois and 617 in Texas.

Humana

Overview
Humana is heavily focused on Medicare Advantage and related products, and it operates in nearly all states. It leans into wellness offerings and enhanced drug coverage, which can make it attractive for people who want more than just basic care. That said, some recent challenges have created tradeoffs depending on your zip code.

Consumer Satisfaction

• CMS 2025 Star Rating: 3.5–5.0 depending on plan.
• J.D. Power 2025: Ranked second in Florida (640) behind Freedom Health and consistently strong in multiple markets.

Aetna (CVS Health)

Overview
Aetna, owned by CVS Health, is a well-known Medicare Advantage provider. It offers advantages for dual-eligible beneficiaries and tends to emphasize benefits like wellness support and network flexibility. That said, customers in some places see challenges with consistency and customer service.

Consumer Satisfaction

• CMS 2025 Star Rating: Most plans rated 3–4 stars; 88% of members are in 4+ star plans.
• J.D. Power 2025: Ranked second in Ohio (655), but mid-tier nationally.

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS / Anthem / Highmark)

Overview
BCBS-affiliated Medicare Advantage plans are run by state or regional Blue Cross Blue Shield organizations. This local structure means plan strength, networks, and member experiences can vary widely depending on your state. But many people trust the Blue Cross brand and value its community roots.

Consumer Satisfaction

• CMS 2025 Star Rating: Generally 3.5–4.0.
• J.D. Power 2025:
  • BCBS Illinois ranked highest in that state (654).
  • BCBS Michigan ranked highest in Michigan (675).
  • BCBS Texas ranked highest in Texas (639).

HealthSpring (formerly Cigna)

Overview
HealthSpring offers Medicare Advantage plans (often under the HealthSpring or Cigna brands) in selected regions. While it aims to bring strong digital tools and benefits, it has pulled back in some markets, so availability can be limited depending on your ZIP code.

Consumer Satisfaction

• CMS 2025 Star Rating: 2.5–4.0 depending on contract.
• J.D. Power 2025: Ranked third in Texas (616), showing room for improvement in satisfaction.

Centene / Wellcare

Overview
Wellcare (operated under Centene) focuses heavily on government-sponsored health plans, including Medicare Advantage, often in markets that serve lower-income or dual-eligible populations. Its approach emphasizes affordability and serving underserved areas. Centene’s Medicare Advantage plans offer affordable plans across 32 states.

Consumer Satisfaction

• CMS 2025 Star Rating: Many Wellcare contracts at 3 stars; some “not enough data.”
• J.D. Power 2025: Ranked third in Florida (623), trailing Freedom Health and Humana.

Anthem / Elevance Health

Overview
Anthem, now part of Elevance Health, offers Medicare Advantage plans through its Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliates in about 14 states. While it doesn’t operate everywhere, in the markets where it’s available, it competes with solid benefit packages and growing digital tools. However, recent legal and performance issues mean you’ll want to dig into the details for your area

Consumer Satisfaction

• CMS 2025 Star Rating: 3.0–3.5.
• J.D. Power 2025: Ranked second in Georgia (625) and highest in Ohio (680).

Kaiser Permanente

Overview
Kaiser Permanente stands out because it combines the insurance and care delivery systems: in its markets, the same organization typically operates the hospitals and medical groups. That integrated model often leads to better coordination and performance, particularly for Medicare Advantage.

Consumer Satisfaction

• CMS 2025 Star Rating: 4.0–4.5 across all markets.
• J.D. Power 2025: Ranked highest in California (675) for the second consecutive year.

SCAN Health Plan

Overview
SCAN is a nonprofit Medicare Advantage plan focused primarily in California and Nevada. It’s oriented toward seniors and local communities, placing a strong emphasis on member experience and tailored services.

Consumer Satisfaction

• CMS 2025 Star Rating: Around 3.0; some plans are too new to measure.
• J.D. Power 2025: Ranked second in California (672), just behind Kaiser Permanente.

FAQs: Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap

What is the main difference between Medicare and Medicare Advantage?
Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) is provided directly by the federal government and lets you see any provider nationwide who accepts Medicare. Medicare Advantage (Part C) is offered by private insurers, usually through provider networks, and often includes extra benefits like dental, vision, and hearing. Learn more about the difference between Original Medicare vs Medicare Advantage.

Do Medicare Advantage plans have out-of-pocket limits?
Yes. Medicare Advantage plans cap your annual out-of-pocket costs. Once you reach that limit, the plan pays for covered services for the rest of the year. Original Medicare does not have this cap, which means your costs could keep adding up.

How does Medigap help with costs?
Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) works only with Original Medicare. It covers expenses like deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance, which helps protect you from unpredictable medical bills. Medicare Advantage members cannot use Medigap.

Are prescription drugs covered under Medicare?
Most Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage. Original Medicare does not, so you would need to purchase a separate Part D plan. Medigap policies also do not cover prescription drugs.

Do Medicare Advantage plans include extra benefits?
Yes. Many Medicare Advantage plans go beyond medical and hospital coverage by offering dental, vision, hearing, and wellness benefits. Original Medicare doesn’t cover these, and Medigap policies are designed only to cover cost gaps, not add new benefits.

Which option costs less in the long run?
Medicare Advantage plans can start out cheaper, sometimes with $0 monthly premiums, but you’ll pay copays and deductibles until you reach the plan’s spending cap. Original Medicare may cost more upfront, but pairing it with Medigap can reduce unexpected bills and provide more predictable long-term costs.

Methodology

We reviewed the largest Medicare Advantage insurers by market share, financial strength, and customer satisfaction. To ensure objectivity, we relied on two trusted benchmarks.

CMS Star Ratings
Each year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rates Medicare Advantage and Part D plans on a scale of 1 star (poor) to 5 stars (excellent).

These scores measure preventive care, chronic condition management, customer service, and overall member experience. Plans with 4 stars or higher are considered top-tier, and CMS rewards them with bonus payments, creating incentives to maintain high quality.

J.D. Power Medicare Advantage Study
The J.D. Power study measures customer satisfaction on a 1,000-point scale, evaluating trust, ease of use, provider access, problem resolution, and digital tools. Higher scores show stronger member loyalty.

In 2025, overall satisfaction fell to 623, but top-performing carriers like Kaiser Permanente, UnitedHealthcare, and Anthem stood out by using digital tools and transparent communication to keep members engaged.

Our analysis also incorporates ratings from the insurer review series published on Healthcare Insider, our partner site.

• Aetna

• Anthem

• Blue Cross Blue Shield

• Cigna (HealthSpring)

• Humana

• Kaiser Permanente

• UnitedHealthcare

• Wellcare

Bottom Line

When comparing the best Medicare Advantage companies, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Top insurers like UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Aetna, Kaiser Permanente, and Blue Cross Blue Shield offer strong coverage options, but each comes with different benefits, networks, and costs.

Whether you choose Medicare Advantage, stick with Original Medicare, or add Medigap, the right plan depends on your health needs, budget, and provider preferences. Taking time to compare carriers will ensure you select the plan that offers the best balance of value, coverage, and peace of mind.

Ready to choose? Compare Medicare Advantage plans online in your area today through Healthcare.com, our parent company, or call a licensed insurance agent at 877-388-1028 TTY 711 for personalized help.