Best 2024 Medicare Advantage Plans in Arkansas
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Finding the Best 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.
On this webpage, we aim to assist you in uncovering the highest-rated Medicare Advantage (MA) plans available in Arkansas, 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 Arkansas
Every year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reviews and rates all Medicare Advantage plans in Arkansas 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.)
Arkansas has 5-star Medicare Advantage plans available in 2024. Not all states and locations do. This year, the highest rated Medicare plans available in Arkansas come from:
- Cigna
- Cigna Healthcare
- Essence Healthcare
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 MA Plan Companies
Approximately 13 health insurance providers offer Medicare Advantage plans in Arkansas, including:
- Aetna Medicare
- Arkansas Blue Medicare
- Cigna
- Cigna Healthcare
- Essence Healthcare
- Health Advantage
- Humana
- Lasso Healthcare
- Primewell Health Services
- UnitedHealthcare
- Vantage Health Plan
- Wellcare
- Wellcare by Allwell
Top Arkansas Plans by CMS 5-Star Score
Here's a list of the best Medicare Advantage plans available in Arkansas, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services:
Top Medicare Advantage Plans in Arkansas
Provider | Plan ID | Plan Name | Premium | Limit | Stars |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cigna Healthcare | H4513-052 | Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO) | $0.00 | $5,600 | 5.0 |
Essence Healthcare | H2610-019 | Essence Advantage (HMO) | $0.00 | $4,500 | 5.0 |
Essence Healthcare | H2610-020 | Essence Advantage Plus (HMO) | $0.00 | $5,400 | 5.0 |
Aetna Medicare | H2663-029 | Aetna Medicare Premier (HMO-POS) | $0.00 | $4,800 | 4.5 |
Aetna Medicare | H2663-039 | Aetna Medicare Premier (HMO) | $0.00 | $4,800 | 4.5 |
Aetna Medicare | H2663-067 | Aetna Medicare Signature (HMO) | $0.00 | $4,800 | 4.5 |
Humana | H5216-083 | HumanaChoice H5216-083 (PPO) | $68.00 | $6,700 | 4.5 |
Humana | H5216-231 | HumanaChoice H5216-231 (PPO) | $0.00 | $4,200 | 4.5 |
Humana | H5216-337 | HumanaChoice H5216-337 (PPO) | $0.00 | $4,500 | 4.5 |
Humana | H5216-093 | HumanaChoice H5216-093 (PPO) | $62.00 | $6,700 | 4.5 |
Humana | H5216-264 | HumanaChoice H5216-264 (PPO) | $0.00 | $7,550 | 4.5 |
Humana | H5216-097 | HumanaChoice H5216-097 (PPO) | $53.00 | $8,850 | 4.5 |
UnitedHealthcare | H1889-014 | AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC AR-0004 (PPO) | $0.00 | $5,700 | 4.5 |
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.
Best MA 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
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. Examine Your Projected Utilization Needs
Utilization is what determines your overall cost. Healthy individuals use fewer healthcare services. These people can save money by evaluating plans with low monthly premiums. Be aware that these plans often have higher copayments and a higher maximum out-of-pocket limit.
The opposite is true if you have one or more health conditions and frequently use healthcare services, especially hospital inpatient care. In this case, plans with higher monthly premiums, low copayments, and low maximum out-of-pocket limits will help you save money.
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. Consider Your Needs for Additional Coverage
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!
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 are the disadvantages of a Medicare Advantage plan?
Medicare Advantage plans have several potential disadvantages. For instance, most plans require their members to use their network of providers. Also, costs are also largely based on your use of healthcare services, making it more difficult to budget for healthcare costs. And, most plans make members get referrals to see a specialist or prior authorization to receive a service. Read about all five disadvantages of Medicare Advantage plans.
How much do Medicare Advantage plans cost in Arkansas?
The average cost of a Medicare Advantage plan in Arkansas is $16.72. 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 is every Medicare Advantage plan required to include?
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, "Medicare Advantage Plans", Last Accessed October 1, 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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