Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Denver County, CO for 2024
We reviewed the top 46 Medicare Advantage Plans available in Denver 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 $13.31 per month.
- The average out-of-pocket limit is $4,779 per year.
- The average drug plan deductible (for plans that include Part D) is $82.63 per year.
- Medicare rated 62% of all plans available four stars or higher. Plans rated four or five stars are considered top-rated.
- There are 3 5-star plans available that qualify for the 5-star special enrollment period.
- There are 4 plan types to choose from, including HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, PFFS, and possibly SNP plans (see: Denver County, CO Medicare Special Needs Plans.
Denver County, Colorado Medicare Advantage Plans
Denver County, CO
Medicare Advantage Plan Information
Medicare Advantage (MA) plans provide an alternative to Original Medicare for people on Medicare living in Denver County. The 46 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 Denver County seeking to minimize their out-of-pocket expenses.
The top-rated Medicare Advantage plans in Colorado have a star rating of 4.0 stars or higher. Many people often start their search with these plans. See: medicarewire.com/medicare-advantage/colorado/
4 Plan Types Available in Denver County, CO
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 Denver County, people on Medicare (beneficiaries) can access 4 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. |
PFFS | Private fee-for-service plans set the amount a healthcare facility or doctor will be paid. Members can seek care from any provider within or outside their network that accepts the plan's terms. Some PFFS plans include prescription drug coverage. Members may also be eligible for coverage through standalone Medicare drug plans (Part D). |
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. |
Who Can Enroll in Medicare Advantage?
If you are age 65 or older, you most likely qualify to enroll in a MA plan that's available in Denver County.
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.
You also have a 7-month Individual Election Period (IEP). Your IEP begins three calendar months before your 65th birthday and continues for three months after your birth month. If you get 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 Colorado Medicare Supplement plan and a Colorado 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.
Medicare Plans for Special Needs in Denver County, CO
Numerous individuals enrolled in Medicare have distinct health plan requirements, encompassing institutional care, the management of chronic conditions, and eligibility for both Medicare and Medicaid. If you or a family member has any of these specific needs, consider exploring your Denver County Special Needs Plan (SNP) options.
MedicareWire catalogs Medicare SNP plans available in Denver County, Colorado 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 Denver, and all other areas of Denver County, Colorado.
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.