Best 2024 Medicare Advantage Plans in New York
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Uncovering the Best Medicare Advantage Plans in New York
Are you considering enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan in New York? You're in good company. This year, more than 31 million people enrolled in a private Medicare health plan. Some want lower costs. Some are looking for more benefits. Others need access to more healthcare providers and doctors.
On this webpage, we aim to assist you in uncovering the highest-rated Medicare Advantage (MA) plans available in New York, identifying the insurance providers that offer these plans, and providing guidance on locating suitable plans within your specific County. This is important because not all plans are available in all areas.
Table of Contents
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Unveiling the Standout Medicare Advantage Plans in New York
Each year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), reviews and rates New York's Medicare Advantage plans based on a 5-star scale. The information used to create a plan's star rating comes from member input and data reported by the plan.
New York has 5-star Medicare Advantage plans available in 2024. Not all states and locations do. This year, the highest rated Medicare plans available in New York come from:
- Excellus Health Plan
- Excellus Health Plan, Inc
- Independent Health
- BlueCross BlueShield of WNY and BlueShield of NENY
- Capital District Physicians' Health Plan
- CDPHP Medicare Advantage
- Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield or Highmark Blue Shield
- MVP HEALTH CARE
MedicareWire recommends evaluating plans from these New York health insurance companies first. Why? Because more stars mean a better plan. For instance, members may get better care, customer service, and phone support from a 5-star plan than from a 4-star one.
IMPORTANT: Depending on where you live in New York, Medicare Advantage plans may have many valuable benefits (as compared to Original Medicare). But, before you choose, it's crucial that you understand the potential disadvantage of Medicare Advantage plans. Compare coverage and costs carefully.
Complete List of New York's Plan Providers
New York has 28 providers that offer Medicare Advantage plans. They include:
- Aetna Medicare
- AgeWell New York
- BlueCross BlueShield of WNY and BlueShield of NENY
- Capital District Physicians' Health Plan
- CDPHP Medicare Advantage
- Centers Plan for Healthy Living
- Cigna
- Cigna Healthcare
- Elderplan
- EmblemHealth
- Empire BlueCross BlueShield
- Excellus Health Plan
- Excellus Health Plan, Inc
- Healthfirst Health Plan
- Healthfirst Medicare Plan
- Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield or Highmark Blue Shield
- Humana
- Independent Health
- MediGold
- MetroPlus Health Plan
- MVP HEALTH CARE
- UnitedHealthcare
- VillageCareMAX
- Visiting Nurse Service of New York
- VNS Health Medicare
- VNSNY CHOICE
- Wellcare
- Wellcare by Fidelis Care
Top New York Plans by CMS 5-Star Score
Here's a list of the best Medicare Advantage plans available in New York, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services:
Top Medicare Advantage Plans in New York
Provider | Plan ID | Plan Name | Premium | Limit | Stars |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
CDPHP Medicare Advantage | H5042-009 | CDPHP Vital Rx (PPO) | $0.00 | $7,500 | 5.0 |
CDPHP Medicare Advantage | H3388-004 | CDPHP Value Rx (HMO) | $58.30 | $6,400 | 5.0 |
CDPHP Medicare Advantage | H3388-002 | CDPHP Choice Rx (HMO) | $128.50 | $6,100 | 5.0 |
CDPHP Medicare Advantage | H3388-013 | CDPHP Basic RX (HMO) | $31.00 | $6,700 | 5.0 |
CDPHP Medicare Advantage | H3388-014 | CDPHP $0 Medicare Rx (HMO) | $0.00 | $7,000 | 5.0 |
CDPHP Medicare Advantage | H5042-011 | CDPHP Flex Rx (PPO) | $39.40 | $6,100 | 5.0 |
Excellus Health Plan, Inc | H3351-012 | Univera SeniorChoice Value Plus (HMO-POS) | $60.00 | $5,000 | 5.0 |
Excellus Health Plan, Inc | H3351-013 | Medicare Blue Choice Value Plus (HMO-POS) | $71.00 | $6,700 | 5.0 |
Excellus Health Plan, Inc | H3351-016 | Medicare Blue Choice Select (HMO) | $0.00 | $7,900 | 5.0 |
Excellus Health Plan, Inc | H3351-006 | Medicare Blue Choice Optimum (HMO-POS) | $208.00 | $6,700 | 5.0 |
Excellus Health Plan, Inc | H3351-021 | Medicare Blue Choice Extra (HMO) | $0.00 | $7,900 | 5.0 |
Excellus Health Plan, Inc | H3351-018 | Medicare Blue Choice Advanced (HMO-POS) | $37.00 | $7,200 | 5.0 |
Excellus Health Plan, Inc | H3351-015 | Medicare Bassett (HMO-POS) | $109.00 | $6,700 | 5.0 |
Excellus Health Plan, Inc | H3351-019 | Univera SeniorChoice Advanced (HMO-POS) | $33.00 | $7,200 | 5.0 |
Excellus Health Plan, Inc | H3351-017 | Univera SeniorChoice Basic (HMO) | $0.00 | $7,900 | 5.0 |
Excellus Health Plan, Inc | H3351-020 | Univera SeniorChoice Extra (HMO) | $0.00 | $7,900 | 5.0 |
Excellus Health Plan, Inc | H3351-002 | Univera SeniorChoice Secure (HMO-POS) | $98.00 | $4,500 | 5.0 |
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield or Highmark Blue Shield | H5526-004 | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Forever Blue 751 (PPO) | $201.00 | $6,700 | 5.0 |
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield or Highmark Blue Shield | H5526-016 | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Forever Blue Value (PPO) | $142.00 | $6,700 | 5.0 |
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield or Highmark Blue Shield | H5526-018 | Highmark Blue Shield Forever Blue 770 (PPO) | $199.00 | $6,700 | 5.0 |
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield or Highmark Blue Shield | H5526-022 | Highmark Blue Shield Freedom Basic (PPO) | $0.00 | $8,300 | 5.0 |
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield or Highmark Blue Shield | H5526-021 | Highmark Blue Shield Freedom Nation (PPO) | $0.00 | $7,550 | 5.0 |
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield or Highmark Blue Shield | H5526-020 | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Freedom Nation (PPO) | $22.00 | $7,550 | 5.0 |
Independent Health | H3344-010 | Independent Health's Medicare Passport Prime (PPO) | $225.00 | $6,900 | 5.0 |
Independent Health | H3344-005 | Independent Health's Medicare Passport Advantage (PPO) | $99.00 | $6,900 | 5.0 |
Independent Health | H3362-038 | Independent Health's Encompass 65 Element (HMO) | $0.00 | $6,900 | 5.0 |
Independent Health | H3362-039 | Independent Health's Encompass 65 Edge (HMO) | $0.00 | $7,550 | 5.0 |
Independent Health | H3362-033 | Independent Health's Encompass 65 Core (HMO) | $65.00 | $6,900 | 5.0 |
Independent Health | H3344-012 | Independent Health's Medicare Passport Access (PPO) | $10.00 | $7,500 | 5.0 |
Independent Health | H3362-017 | Independent Health's Encompass 65 Basic (HMO) | $125.00 | $6,900 | 5.0 |
MVP HEALTH CARE | H3305-022 | MVP Medicare Secure Plus with Part D (HMO-POS) | $90.00 | $7,550 | 5.0 |
MVP HEALTH CARE | H3305-032 | MVP Medicare Secure with Part D (HMO-POS) | $40.00 | $7,550 | 5.0 |
MVP HEALTH CARE | H3305-021 | MVP Medicare Preferred Gold with Part D (HMO-POS) | $140.00 | $5,800 | 5.0 |
Excellus Health Plan, Inc | H3335-038 | Medicare BlueClassic (PPO) | $30.40 | $7,200 | 4.5 |
Excellus Health Plan, Inc | H3335-053 | Medicare BlueEssential (PPO) | $0.00 | $7,900 | 4.5 |
Excellus Health Plan, Inc | H3335-055 | Medicare BlueActive (PPO) | $0.00 | $7,900 | 4.5 |
Excellus Health Plan, Inc | H3335-058 | Medicare BlueFlex (PPO) | $14.40 | $7,900 | 4.5 |
Excellus Health Plan, Inc | H3335-018 | Medicare BluePlus (PPO) | $109.40 | $6,100 | 4.5 |
Excellus Health Plan, Inc | H3335-015 | Medicare BlueEnhanced (PPO) | $86.00 | $5,000 | 4.5 |
Excellus Health Plan, Inc | H3335-056 | Univera SeniorChoice Access (PPO) | $14.40 | $7,900 | 4.5 |
Excellus Health Plan, Inc | H3335-057 | Medicare Blue Choice Access (PPO) | $14.40 | $7,900 | 4.5 |
VNS Health Medicare | H5549-012 | VNS Health EasyCare (HMO) | $25.00 | $8,300 | 4.5 |
Interested in joining a plan from one of the top-rated providers? That has a lot to do with your New York County. Medicare Advantage plans are regional, and you can't join a plan that isn't in your area.
Best MA Plans in New York by County
Choose your New York County below to see the best (and the worst) plans.
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Navigating Your Options: How to Select the Best Medicare Advantage Plan in New York
There are various reasons you might be considering a plan change, such as turning 65 or the Annual Enrollment Period. You might also be navigating a special enrollment event, such as moving into a new region. There are some important details to consider in all these situations.
1. Examine Your Projected Utilization Needs
Do you believe that you will get the most out of your plan's benefits, including hospital inpatient care? If you do, evaluate plans with higher monthly premiums, low copayments, and low maximum out-of-pocket limits. Conversely, if your health is good and you rarely use services, look for plans with low premiums or a zero-dollar premium. These plans may have high out-of-pocket maximums and high deductibles, so weigh your risk carefully.
2. Evaluate Your Prescription Costs
For many seniors, prescription drugs are what drive up their healthcare costs the most. And, because nearly all New York Medicare Advantage plans include Part D benefits for your regular prescriptions, you need to make sure the plan you choose covers your drugs at a price you can afford.
3. Assess Your Need for Supplemental Coverage
Original Medicare does not all health care costs. It covers your major medical and some preventive care services, but it does not cover dental, vision, hearing, or prescriptions. A growing number of Medicare Advantage plans cover many of the essential services that your Part A and Part B benefits do not.
4. Consider Your Healthcare Providers
Medicare Advantage plans use healthcare provider networks, and not all primary care doctors and specialists accept all plans. For many New York shoppers, finding a plan that their doctors accept is exhausting. We can help!
Find Plans in your area with your ZIP Code
Next Steps
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Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? These common questions and answers might help.
What is the biggest disadvantage of Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Advantage plans can have some potential drawbacks. Many plans require members to use their provider network. Costs are also heavily influenced by how you use healthcare services. This makes it difficult to budget for healthcare expenses. Most plans require members to get referrals for specialists or authorization before they can receive healthcare services. Learn more about the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage plans.
How much does Medicare Advantage cost in New York?
The average cost of a Medicare Advantage plan in New York is $39.39. But that's just the monthly premium. If you have one or more chronic health conditions, a plan's out-of-pocket costs (e.g. deductibles and copays) are also a factor to consider. Plus, most Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug benefits, which have their own out-of-pocket costs.
What do Medicare Advantage plans include?
All Medicare Advantage plans offered in New York must cover all of the Original Medicare benefits. But, private Medicare plans are not required to provide healthcare services similarly. For instance, Medicare Part A covers 80% of hospital stays, skilled nursing, home care, hospice care, and home health care. And Part B covers 80% of doctor visits, lab tests, and other outpatient services. However, Medicare Advantage plans are allowed to set their own copays and routinely charge more than 20%. That said, they do have an annual limit, whereas Original Medicare doesn't.
Citations & References
- CMS.gov, 2023 Medicare Part C Landscape Source Files, Last Accessed January 13, 2023
- CMS.gov, "5-STAR PLAN RATINGS", Last Accessed October 22, 2022
- Medicare.gov, "Explore your Medicare coverage options", Last Accessed October 27, 2022
- KFF.org, "Medicare Advantage 2023 Spotlight: First Look", Last Accessed September 5, 2023
- Medicare.gov, "How do Medicare Advantage Plans work?", Last Accessed October 13, 2022
- CMS.gov, Part C and D Performance Data, Last Accessed January 13, 2023
- CMS.gov, Monthly MA Enrollment by State/County/Contract, Last Accessed January 13, 2023
- CMS.gov, Biden-Harris Administration Announces Lower Premiums for Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans in 2023, Last Accessed September 29, 2022
- CMS.gov, Medicare Marketing Guidelines, Last Accessed February 2, 2023
Plans Offered
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and benefits offered by the following carriers: Aetna Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aspire Health Plan, Dean Health Plan, Devoted Health, GlobalHealth, Health Care Service Corporation, Cigna Healthcare, Humana, Molina Healthcare, Mutual of Omaha, Premera Blue Cross, Medica Central Health Plan, SCAN Health Plan, Scott and White Health Plan now part of Baylor Scott & White Health, UnitedHealthcare(R), and Wellcare.
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