Top Medicare Advantage Plans in Alabama for 2024
Find Plans in your area with your ZIP Code
2024 Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Begins October 15
Be the first to know about the best new plans in Alabama for 2024. Sign-up for our 2024 Medicare Advantage plan notification service HERE. The 2024 Medicare Part C information will be available in early October.
Uncovering the Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Alabama
If you live in Alabama and you're thinking about enrolling in a 2024 Medicare Advantage plan, you're not alone. This year nearly half of all people with Medicare will join a Medicare Advantage plan because they want lower costs, more benefits, and access to more doctors and other healthcare providers.
This page aims to assist you in uncovering the highest-rated Medicare Advantage (MA) plans in Alabama, identifying the insurance providers that offer these plans, and providing guidance on locating suitable plans within your specific region. This information is vital since plan availability varies across different areas.
Table of Contents
Call 1-855-728-0510 (TTY 711) for assistance. There's no obligation.
Unveiling the Standout Medicare Advantage Plans in Alabama
Every year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reviews and rates all Medicare Advantage plans in Alabama based on a 5-star scale. Input for the ratings comes from information that each plan self-reports, as well as individual member complaints. (Read more about Medicare star ratings.)
Alabama has 5-star Medicare Advantage plans available in 2023. Not all states and locations do. This year, the highest rated Medicare plans available in Alabama come from:
- VIVA Health
- VIVA Medicare
- Cigna
MedicareWire recommends evaluating plans from these Alabama 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 Alabama, 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 Alabama's Providers
Alabama has 11 providers that offer Medicare Advantage plans. They include:
- Aetna Medicare
- Ascension Complete
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama
- Cigna
- Clover Health
- Humana
- Lasso Healthcare
- UnitedHealthcare
- VIVA Health
- VIVA Medicare
- Wellcare
Alabama's Top-Rated Plans
Here are the top-ranked Medicare Advantage plans in Alabama, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services:
Top Medicare Advantage Plans in Alabama
| Provider | Plan ID | Plan Name | Premium | Limit | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cigna | H4513-046 | Cigna Preferred AL Medicare (HMO) | $0.00 | $6,200 | 5.0 |
| Cigna | H4513-057 | Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO) | $0.00 | $4,900 | 5.0 |
| Cigna | H4513-047 | Cigna Preferred Plus Medicare (HMO) | $28.00 | $4,500 | 5.0 |
| VIVA Medicare | H0154-011 | VIVA Medicare Premier (HMO) | $105.00 | $4,500 | 5.0 |
| VIVA Medicare | H0154-018 | VIVA Medicare Preferred (HMO) | $92.00 | $4,500 | 5.0 |
| VIVA Medicare | H0154-017 | VIVA Medicare Classic (HMO) | $0.00 | $5,400 | 5.0 |
| VIVA Medicare | H0154-014 | VIVA Medicare Me (HMO) | $0.00 | $5,400 | 5.0 |
| VIVA Medicare | H0154-020 | VIVA Medicare Infirmary Health Advantage (HMO) | $0.00 | $4,500 | 5.0 |
| VIVA Medicare | H0154-016 | VIVA Medicare Prime (HMO) | $55.00 | $5,400 | 5.0 |
| VIVA Medicare | H0154-015 | VIVA Medicare Plus (HMO) | $0.00 | $5,900 | 5.0 |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama | H0104-012 | Blue Advantage Complete (PPO) | $0.00 | $5,100 | 4.5 |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama | H0104-015 | Blue Advantage Premier (PPO) | $164.00 | $3,400 | 4.5 |
| Humana | H5216-272 | HumanaChoice H5216-272 (PPO) | $0.00 | $5,900 | 4.5 |
| Humana | H5216-269 | HumanaChoice H5216-269 (PPO) | $0.00 | $5,900 | 4.5 |
| Humana | H5216-096 | HumanaChoice H5216-096 (PPO) | $33.00 | $6,700 | 4.5 |
| Humana | H5216-212 | HumanaChoice H5216-212 (PPO) | $0.00 | $5,900 | 4.5 |
| Humana | H5216-214 | HumanaChoice H5216-214 (PPO) | $11.00 | $6,700 | 4.5 |
| Humana | H5216-142 | HumanaChoice H5216-142 (PPO) | $9.00 | $6,700 | 4.5 |
| Humana | H5216-321 | HumanaChoice H5216-321 (PPO) | $0.00 | $5,500 | 4.5 |
| Humana | H5216-179 | HumanaChoice H5216-179 (PPO) | $0.00 | $6,700 | 4.5 |
| UnitedHealthcare | H2802-041 | AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 3 (HMO-POS) | $0.00 | $4,900 | 4.5 |
The top providers listed above do not tell the full story. That's because your Alabama County may or may not have one of the top-rated plans. Unlike Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans are regional. Read How Does Medicare Advantage Work to learn more.
Best MA Plans in Alabama by County
Choose your Alabama County below to see the best (and the worst) plans.
For fast, friendly assistance call 1-855-728-0510 (TTY 711) .
Navigating Your Options: How to Select the Best Medicare Advantage Plan in Alabama
If you’re approaching the age of 65, navigating a special enrollment event, or looking to review your plan options ahead of the Annual Enrollment Period, there are a number of details you need to consider when comparing your options.
1. Evaluate How You Plan to Use Your Benefits
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
Prescription drugs are often the main reason that seniors pay more for healthcare. Because most Alabama Medicare Advantage plans include Part D coverage for prescriptions, it is important to ensure you get the right plan that covers your drugs at a cost 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. Think About Your Preferred Healthcare Providers
Medicare Advantage plans use healthcare provider networks, and not all primary care doctors and specialists accept all plans. For many Alabama shoppers, finding a plan that their doctors accept is exhausting. We can help!
Find Plans in your area with your ZIP Code
Next Steps
Call 1-855-728-0510 (TTY 711) for assistance. There's no obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? These common questions and answers might help.
What are the disadvantages of a Medicare Advantage plan?
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 Alabama?
On average, the cost of a Medicare Advantage plan in Alabama is $13.20 (based on 2023 rates). That's just the cost of the monthly premium to be in the plan. If you have chronic health conditions, the plan's out-of-pocket costs, including copays and deductibles, should also be considered. Additionally, Medicare Advantage plans often include Part D prescription drug benefits that have out-of-pocket costs at the pharmacy.
What do Medicare Advantage plans include?
At a minimum, every Medicare Advantage plan sold in Alabama must cover all of the benefits offered in Original Medicare. However, plans are not required to cover healthcare services in the same way. Medicare Part A covers 80% of hospital stays, skilled nursing, home health care, and hospice care. Part B covers 80% of doctor visits, lab tests, and other outpatient services. But, Medicare Advantage plans can set their own copays, and often charge more than 20%. On the positive side, plans must set an annual out-of-pocket limit.
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, "Understanding Medicare Advantage Plans", Last Accessed October 16, 2022
- KFF.org, "Medicare Advantage 2023 Spotlight: First Look", Last Accessed September 5, 2023
- Medicare.gov, "Things to know about Medicare Advantage Plans", Last Accessed October 12, 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, Centene Corporation, Dean Health Plan, Devoted Health, GlobalHealth, Health Care Service Corporation, Cigna-HealthSpring, Humana, Molina Healthcare, Mutual of Omaha, Oscar Health Insurance, Premera Blue Cross, Medica Central Health Plan, SCAN Health Plan, Scott and White Health Plan now part of Baylor Scott & White Health, and UnitedHealthcare.
For Researchers
Next State of Best Medicare Advantage Plans:
Previous State of Best Medicare Advantage Plans: