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 the largest Medicare Advantage provider, offering plans in every state and a network of over 1 million providers.

Pluses

• Broad availability and plan variety (HMOs, PPOs, SNPs). 
• Strong supplemental benefits such as dental, vision, hearing, and fitness. 

Minuses

• 2025 Star Ratings declined, and the company is disputing CMS methodology in court. 
• Quality can vary by state. 

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 remains a top Medicare Advantage carrier, known for preventive health programs, chronic condition support, and affordable plan options.

Pluses

• Wide variety of plan types with many $0 premium options. 
• Wellness programs and chronic care management. 

Minuses

• Plan performance varies regionally. 
• Some contracts fall below 4-star ratings. 

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, offers Medicare Advantage plans with strong benefits for dual-eligible individuals and veterans.

Pluses

• Affordable premiums and broad availability. 
• Unique benefits like grocery allowances and transport support. 

Minuses

• Withdrawing from some markets in 2025. 
• CVS-affiliated advisory services may introduce bias. 

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 plans are offered through state-based affiliates, giving them strong local reach and brand trust.

Pluses

• Large local provider networks. 
• Broad range of plan types, including SNPs. 

Minuses

• Quality ratings vary widely by state affiliate. 
• Customer experience is inconsistent. 

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). 

Cigna

Overview
Cigna provides Medicare Advantage plans in 29 states plus D.C., focusing on affordability and strong digital tools.

Pluses

• Competitive $0 premium options. 
• Dental, vision, and hearing benefits are included. 

Minuses

• Geographic reach is smaller than major competitors. 
• Some contracts carry below-average star ratings. 

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
Centene’s Medicare Advantage presence is largely through Wellcare, offering affordable plans across 32 states.

Pluses

• Strong presence in Medicaid-Medicare duals and SNPs. 
• Affordable $0 premium plan availability. 

Minuses

• Lower overall quality ratings. 
• Parent company financial challenges may limit growth. 

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, part of Elevance Health, operates Medicare Advantage plans under the BCBS brand in many states.

Pluses

• Large regional networks and a variety of plan types. 
• Competitive premium pricing. 

Minuses

• Some plans are too new to measure. 
• Ratings are inconsistent across affiliates. 

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 integrates insurance and care delivery, providing coordinated, preventive, and specialty services.

Pluses

• Consistently high-quality ratings. 
• Comprehensive benefits and an integrated care model. 

Minuses

• Availability is limited to certain regions. 
• Referrals are often required for specialist access. 

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 non-profit Medicare Advantage plan with a strong presence in California and Nevada.

Pluses

• Member-focused mission and specialized senior programs. 
• Strong performance in regional markets. 

Minuses

• Limited geographic availability. 
• CMS ratings are modest compared to larger carriers. 

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.

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 in your area today to find the company and coverage that best fit your needs.