2025 Guide to Medicare Advantage Plans in Arkansas
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Finding the Top Medicare Advantage Plan in Arkansas Starts Here
If you live in Arkansas and you're thinking about enrolling in a 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 is dedicated to assisting you in exploring the highest-rated Medicare Advantage (MA) plans available in Arkansas, highlighting the insurance providers that offer these plans, and providing guidance on locating suitable plans within your specific geographic region. This information is crucial as the availability of these plans varies by location, and it's essential to identify the options accessible in your area.
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Unveiling the Standout Medicare Advantage Plans in Arkansas
Each year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), reviews and rates Arkansas'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.
There are no 5-star plans in Arkansas in 2025. However, there are 4.5-star plans. This year, the highest rated Medicare plans available in Arkansas come from:
We recommend evaluating the health plans from these Arkansas health insurance companies ahead of all others. Here's why. Simply put, more stars generally mean members will get better results. Members might get better service, phone support, and care from a 5-star than they would from a four-star plan.
CRUCIAL: Benefits are not the same throughout Arkansas. That's why it is essential that you fully understand the advantages and disadvantages of Medicare Advantage plans.
Complete List of Arkansas's Plan Providers
Arkansas's Medicare Advantage plans are offered by 10 plan providers, including:
- Aetna Medicare
- Arkansas Blue Medicare
- Cigna Healthcare
- Devoted Health
- Essence Healthcare
- Humana
- Primewell Health Services
- UnitedHealthcare
- Wellcare
- Wellcare by Allwell
Top Ranked Plans in Arkansas
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, here are the top-ranked Medicare Advantage Plans available in Arkansas:
Top Medicare Advantage Plans in Arkansas
| Provider | Plan ID | Plan Name | Premium | Limit | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Whether or not you can join a plan from one of the top-rated providers depends on where you live. If your Arkansas County has the plan you want, and you qualify, you can enroll. Medicare Advantage plans are regional. Generally speaking, larger urban areas have more plan options than rural areas.
Top-Rated Medicare Advantage Plans in Arkansas by County
Choose your Arkansas 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 Arkansas
You may be looking at plans for several different reasons, including turning 65 or the Annual Enrollment Period. Or, perhaps you are navigating a special enrollment event, such as moving to a new area. In all of these cases, there are a few important details you need to consider.
1. Consider Your Expected Utilization
Do you think you’ll take maximum advantage of your benefits (doctors, hospital inpatient care, tests, etc.)? If so, prioritize plans with lower out-of-pocket maximums and lower copayments, even if they have higher monthly premiums. Otherwise, look for plans with low monthly premiums. Just be aware that plans with low or no monthly premiums tend to have higher out-of-pocket maximums and/or higher deductibles.
2. Review Your Drug Costs
Prescription drugs, not doctors, are what many seniors blame for driving up their healthcare costs. Part D prescription benefits are included with most Arkansas Medicare Advantage plans. It would be best if you made sure that the plan you choose covers your drugs at a price you can afford.
3. Understand Your Additional Coverage Requirements
Original Medicare doesn't cover all costs related to health care. It covers major medical expenses and preventative care services, however, it doesn't cover prescriptions, vision, hearing, or dental. Many of the essential services your Part A or Part B benefits don't cover are covered by Medicare Advantage plans.
4. Review Your Healthcare Network Considerations
Medicare Advantage plans use healthcare provider networks, and not all primary care doctors and specialists accept all plans. For many Arkansas shoppers, finding a plan that their doctors accept is exhausting. We can help!
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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 may have several disadvantages. Most plans require that their members use their network providers. It is also difficult to budget for healthcare costs as costs are largely determined by your use of healthcare services. Many plans require that members obtain referrals to a specialist before they are authorized to receive a service. Discover more disadvantages of Medicare Advantage plans.
How much do Medicare Advantage plans cost in Arkansas?
A Medicare Advantage plan in Arkansas costs an average of $nan. This is just the monthly premium. You should also consider the out-of-pocket expenses of a plan if you have any chronic conditions, which include a plan's copays and deductibles. Prescription drug benefits are also included in most Medicare Advantage plans, but they have their own out-of-pocket costs.
What are Medicare Advantage plans required to cover?
Approved Medicare Advantage plans sold in Arkansas must, at a minimum, cover everything that's in Original Medicare. But plans do not have to cover healthcare services at the same cost as Original Medicare. For example, Medicare Part A covers about 80% of hospital stays, skilled nursing care, home health care, and hospice care. Whereas Part B provides coverage for about 80% of outpatient services, including lab tests and doctor visits. Medicare Advantage plans set their own copays and deductibles, and often charge more than 20%. However, plans have an annual limit and Original Medicare doesn't.
Citations & References
- CMS.gov, 2023 Medicare Part C Landscape Source Files, Last Accessed January 13, 2023
- Medicare.gov, "5-star special enrollment period", Last Accessed October 20, 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, "How do Medicare Advantage Plans work?", Last Accessed October 13, 2022
- CMS.gov, Part C and D Performance Data, Last Accessed October 13, 2024
- CMS.gov, Monthly MA Enrollment by State/County/Contract, Last Accessed October 10, 2024
For details on how we research, analyze, and construct plan information for Arkansas using CMS data, see our Medicare Plan Research Methodology.
Plans Offered
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and benefits offered by the following carriers: Aetna Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Aspire Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Capital Blue Cross, Cigna Healthcare, Dean Health Plan, Devoted Health, Florida Blue Medicare, Freedom Health, GlobalHealth, Health Care Service Corporation, Healthy Blue, HealthSun, Humana, Molina Healthcare, Mutual of Omaha, Medica Central Health Plan, Optimum HealthCare, Premera Blue Cross, SCAN Health Plan, Simply, UnitedHealthcare(R), Wellcare, WellPoint.