What Is the Best Medicare Advantage Plan in Arizona: 2023 Update

As someone who is eligible for Medicare - or even if you’re a few years away - you have probably heard of Medicare Advantage plans. In fact, you’re lucky if you can turn on your TV without seeing a Medicare advertisement! Medicare Advantage plans, also referred to as Medicare Part C, are offered by private insurance companies and provide an alternative to traditional Medicare coverage. 

Medicare Advantage plans offer a variety of benefits, including prescription drug coverage, vision care, dental care, and more. With so many Medicare Advantage plans to choose from, finding the right one can be a daunting task. In this article, we'll provide guidance on how to find the best Medicare Advantage plans in Arizona.

Arizona is one of the fastest-growing states in the United States, and it has a rapidly growing population of older adults. As of 2021, Arizona has over 1.4 million Medicare beneficiaries. This makes it an important market for insurance companies that offer Medicare Advantage plans. The state of Arizona has a wide range of plans available to beneficiaries, each with its own set of benefits and costs. It is important to take the time to research and compare plans to find the one that best fits your needs and budget.

In this article, we'll review the factors that you should consider when choosing a Medicare Advantage plan, such as cost, coverage, network, and star ratings. We will also provide a list of the top Medicare Advantage plans available in Arizona based on those factors. Our goal is to help you make an informed decision about which plan to choose so that you can get the best possible care at a price that you can afford.

What are Medicare Advantage Plans?

Before we delve into the specifics of Medicare Advantage plans in Arizona, let's first understand what they are and how they differ from Original Medicare.

As we mentioned, Part C plans are offered by private insurance carriers. The plans provide all the coverage of Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and often include additional benefits such as prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and hearing care, as well as lots of other perks like gym memberships and over-the-counter allowances. Medicare Advantage plans may also have lower out-of-pocket costs than Original Medicare.

One key difference between Medicare Advantage plans and Original Medicare is that Medicare Advantage plans typically have provider networks. This means that you may be limited to certain doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers that are part of the plan's network. However, some Medicare Advantage plans offer out-of-network coverage at a higher cost.

It is important to note that you must be enrolled in both Medicare Parts A and B before you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. Additionally, you must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium, along with any premium that may be charged by the Medicare Advantage plan.

In Arizona, there are several types of Medicare Advantage plans available, including Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs), and Special Needs Plans (SNPs). Before choosing one, be sure to discuss the pros and cons of each type with a local Medicare advisor - like the ones at Local Medicare Specialists!

How to Choose a Medicare Advantage Plan

When choosing a Medicare Advantage plan in Arizona, there are several important factors to consider. The following are some of the most important factors to keep in mind:

Cost. Medicare Advantage plans may have different premiums, deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket maximums. It is important to compare the costs of different plans to find one that fits your budget.

Coverage. Plans may offer additional benefits beyond those provided by Original Medicare. Be sure to consider the coverage offered by each plan and determine whether it meets your individual needs.

Network. Part C plans may have different provider networks. You will want to make sure that the plan you choose includes the doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers that you prefer.

Star ratings. Medicare assigns quality ratings to Medicare Advantage plans based on factors such as member satisfaction, customer service, and healthcare outcomes. Be sure to review these ratings to get a sense of the plan's overall quality. Five stars denote an “excellent” plan, though four stars and above are also great options.

Prescription drugs. If you take prescription medications, be sure to review each plan's formulary (list of covered drugs) to ensure that your medications are covered.

By considering these factors, you can make an informed decision about which Medicare Advantage plan is right for you. It is also important to review the plan's Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) each year to ensure that the plan still meets your needs.

Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Arizona

Now that we have discussed the factors to consider when choosing a Medicare Advantage plan in Arizona, let's take a closer look at the top plans available in the state. Here are some of the best Medicare Advantage plans in Arizona. Each of these carriers likely has more than one plan available, depending on your zip code.

• Aetna Medicare

• Alignment Health Plan

• Amerigroup

• Banner Medicare Advantage Plus

• Banner Medicare Advantage Prime

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Advantage

• Cigna

• Devoted Health

• Gold Kidney Health Plan

• Humana

• Imperial Insurance Companies, Inc.

• Magellan Complete Care

• SCAN Health Plan

• UnitedHealthcare

• Wellcare

• Wellcare By Allwell

Remember that you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which runs from October 15th to December 7th each year. If you are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and want to make a change, you can do so during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP), which runs from January 1st to March 31st. And, of course, if you’re just turning 65, you are eligible for a 7-month period around your birthday! It’s not too soon to start planning your transition into Medicare, so start by chatting with an expert at Local Medicare Specialists today.