Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Santa Cruz County, AZ for 2024
We reviewed the top 32 Medicare Advantage Plans available in Santa Cruz County for plan year 2024. Here's what we learned about these private insurance company plans with a Medicare contract:
Key Facts
- The average premium is $15.28 per month.
- The average out-of-pocket limit is $5,195 per year.
- The average drug plan deductible (for plans that include Part D) is $194.26 per year.
- Medicare rated 50% of all plans available four stars or higher. Plans rated four or five stars are considered top-rated.
- There are no 5-star plans available.
- There are 3 plan types to choose from, including HMO-POS, PPO, HMO, and possibly SNP plans (see: Santa Cruz County, AZ Medicare Special Needs Plans.
Santa Cruz County, Arizona Medicare Advantage Plans
Plan Name | Type | Premium | MOOP | Rx Ded. | Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC AZ-0013* | HMO-POS | $20 | $4,300 | $0 | |
Humana USAA Honor* | PPO | $0 | $4,900 | N/A | |
Humana Value Plus H5216-197* | PPO | $43 | $7,550 | $545 | |
HumanaChoice H5216-137* | PPO | $0 | $7,350 | $500 | |
HumanaChoice H5216-198* | PPO | $37 | $4,900 | $0 | |
HumanaChoice H5216-224* | PPO | $35 | $4,150 | $0 | |
HumanaChoice H5216-263* | PPO | $0 | $5,300 | $0 | |
HumanaChoice H5216-335* | PPO | $107 | $2,900 | $0 | |
AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC AZ-0008 | PPO | $39 | $5,100 | $0 | |
AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC AZ-0010 | PPO | $0 | $5,600 | $0 | |
AARP Medicare Advantage Patriot No Rx AZ-MA01 | PPO | $0 | $4,300 | N/A | |
Aetna Medicare Eagle Plan | PPO | $0 | $4,500 | N/A | |
Aetna Medicare Elite Plan | PPO | $0 | $6,200 | $0 | |
Aetna Medicare Essentials Plan | PPO | $73 | $6,500 | $0 | |
Aetna Medicare Sunrise Plan | HMO-POS | $0 | $5,500 | $300 | |
Aetna Medicare Value Plus Plan | HMO-POS | $24 | $5,500 | $400 | |
Alignment Health smartHMO | HMO | $0 | $3,900 | $545 | |
Alignment Health the ONE + Walgreens | HMO | $0 | $2,499 | $0 | |
Banner Medicare Advantage Prime | HMO | $0 | $2,775 | $0 | |
HumanaChoice R7220-001 | PPO | $0 | $5,500 | N/A | |
Aetna Medicare Premier Plan | HMO-POS | $0 | $6,200 | $300 | |
HumanaChoice R7220-002 | PPO | $75 | $7,800 | $540 | |
Wellcare Assist | HMO | $16 | $4,750 | $525 | |
Wellcare Giveback | HMO | $0 | $8,300 | $545 | |
Wellcare No Premium | HMO | $0 | $5,000 | $0 | |
Wellpoint Medicare Advantage | HMO | $0 | $3,000 | $0 | |
Wellcare No Premium Open | PPO | $0 | $4,500 | $300 | |
Wellcare Patriot Giveback Open | PPO | $0 | $5,000 | N/A | |
Alignment Health AVA | PPO | $0 | $3,900 | $0 | |
Banner Medicare Advantage Plus | PPO | $20 | $4,350 | $0 | |
Devoted CHOICE Arizona | PPO | $0 | $5,900 | $200 | |
Devoted CHOICE GIVEBACK Arizona | PPO | $0 | $8,300 | $545 | |
*Rated by CMS as one of the best Medicare Advantage plans available in Arizona based on the most recent Part C and Part D performance ratings. **Certain PFFS, MSA, and HMO-POS plans have a combined in and out-of-network maximum. Limits are detailed on the plan pages. |
Santa Cruz County, AZ
Medicare Advantage Plan Information
Medicare Advantage (MA) plans provide an alternative to Original Medicare for people on Medicare living in Santa Cruz County. The 32 plans available are offered by Medicare-approved private insurance companies that agree to provide coverage by Medicare's rules. MA plans, also known as Medicare Part C, can offer additional benefits unavailable through Original Medicare.
One of the most common additional benefits offered is coverage for prescription medications. These plans are commonly referred to as Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans (MAPDs), and they provide comprehensive coverage for people on Medicare in Santa Cruz County seeking to minimize their out-of-pocket expenses.
The top-rated Medicare Advantage plans in Arizona have a star rating of 4.0 stars or higher. Many people often start their search with these plans. See: medicarewire.com/medicare-advantage/arizona/
3 Plan Types Available in Santa Cruz County, AZ
A notable advantage of MA plans lies in their diverse range of plan types. While the most prevalent options are HMOs and PPOs, several other plan types exist, although availability varies by region. In Santa Cruz County, people on Medicare (beneficiaries) can access 3 distinct plan types, each offering unique benefits. Here's an overview of what each plan type provides:
Plan Type | Description |
---|---|
HMO | Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) members usually receive services through the plan's local network of providers. Referrals are typically required to see a specialist and other providers. However, plans allow out-of-network care for emergencies and out-of-area dialysis. Prescription drug coverage is often included in HMO plans, and many plans include some coverage for dental, vison, and hearing. |
PPO | Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) members can usually use in-network and out-of-network providers for care, including hospitalization. However, visits to non-network providers could cost significantly more. PPO plans often include prescription drug coverage and other benefits, and referrals are typically not required for specialist visits. |
HMO-POS | An HMO-POS (point-of-sale) plan offers the same features as an HMO plan. There is however one major difference. HMO-POS plans allow members to access healthcare providers outside of the plan's network to receive some or all of their services. In most cases, to go out of the plan's network a member will need to get a referral from their physician. Plus, there are separate deductibles for in-network and out-of-network services. |
SNP |
See below. |
How-To Enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan
The majority of residents aged 65 and above are eligible to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. Nonetheless, it's important to note that not all of the top-rated MA plans in Arizona are accessible in all areas.
You are only allowed to join, drop or change plans during a Medicare Election Period. The period between October 15 and December 7 is the Annual Enrollment Period. That's when most people join or change their Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans or go back to Original Medicare.
Most of us also get an Individual Election Period (IEP), but it only comes around once. Your IEP is a 7-month period around your 65th birthday. It starts three months before your birth month and ends three months after, so you have plenty of time. If you are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), your IEP starts on the 25th month of your benefits.
Adding Medicare Part D for Prescription Coverage
Some Medicare beneficiaries may be eligible for a standalone prescription drug plan. Also known as a PDP or Part D plan, a standalone prescription plan provides coverage for prescription drugs to Original Medicare and MA plans that do not include Part D.
It is important to know that most MA plans include prescription drug coverage and may not allow members to sign up for a separate drug plan. Medicare rules do not allow you to be enrolled in plans that offer overlapping benefits.
IMPORTANT: If you have regular prescriptions, be sure to review each plan's formulary to ensure your medications are covered. Prescription drugs are the main reason many people on Medicare pay more for their healthcare.
Other Medicare Plan Options
Medicare Advantage is one way to get full coverage healthcare. However, many people feel that Medicare Advantage plans have too many disadvantages. Another option is to keep Original Medicare benefits and add more coverage with a Arizona Medicare Supplement plan and a Arizona Medicare Part D plan (PDP) to help pay for your prescription medications.
If you are not aware of the benefits of Medicare Supplement Insurance and how it helps pay medical bills from an extended illness or hospital stay, check out our Medigap page and compare Medicare supplement plans in your area. All Medicare supplements are standardized and regulated. That means you can go with the insurance company with the lowest monthly premium and get the same benefits.
IMPORTANT: Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplements are not compatible insurance. Medicare Supplements work with Original Medicare and cannot be purchased while enrolled in Medicare Advantage.
Special Needs Plans (SNP) in Santa Cruz County, AZ
Some Santa Cruz County residents may have special circumstances, including institutional care, care for chronic health conditions, and dual eligibility for both Medicare and Medicaid. If you or a loved one have one of these special needs, look into the availability of a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan (SNP).
MedicareWire catalogs Medicare SNP plans available in Santa Cruz County, Arizona in their own directory. We do this because Special Needs Plans are designed specifically for three types of people:
- People in a nursing home or receiving skilled nursing care at home;
- People with both Medicare and Medicaid benefits; and
- People with certain chronic health conditions.
Plan Availability
The MA and MAPD plans on this page are available to people on Medicare enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B living in Nogales, Patagonia, Rio Rico, Sonoita, Tubac, and all other areas of Santa Cruz County, Arizona.
Citations & References
- CMS.gov, "2024 Medicare Part C Landscape Source Files", Last Accessed October 14, 2023
- CMS.gov, "2024 Part C and D Performance Data", Last Accessed October 14, 2023
- Medicare.gov, "Understanding Medicare Advantage Plans", Last Accessed 18 June, 2022
- CMS.gov, "Special Needs Plans (SNP)", Last Accessed 24 May, 2023
- Medicare.gov, "What's Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)?", Last Accessed 22 May, 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.