Who Are the Medicare Advantage Insurers in Arizona?

Many Medicare beneficiaries have been drawn to the increasingly popular Medicare Advantage plans. They offer low premiums and many extra benefits not found in Original Medicare. But, if you’ve started looking at Medicare Advantage plans in Arizona, you know that you’ve got quite a few options to consider. This can feel overwhelming. 

Today, we’ll provide a list of insurance companies that offer Medicare Advantage plans and discuss six things for you to consider when wading through your options.

Statistics about Medicare Advantage in Arizona

Arizona has a large population of Medicare-eligible individuals. In fact, 1 in 6 people in Arizona are 65 or older. All of these individuals have access to $0 premium Medicare Advantage plans, though the average premium for Medicare Advantage plans in Arizona in 2023 is $17.60. There are currently a total of 155 plans to choose from.

Medicare Advantage Insurers in Arizona

Our licensed agents at Local Medicare Specialists are contracted with a variety of insurance companies. The majority of people choose to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug coverage. These plans are referred to as MAPD plans. The following is a list of insurance carriers that offer MAPD options.

• Aetna Medicare

• Alignment Health Plan

• Amerigroup

• Banner Medicare Advantage Dual

• Banner Medicare Advantage Plus

• Banner Medicare Advantage Prime

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Advantage

• Bright Health

• Cigna

• Clover Health

• Devoted Health

• GlobalHealth

• Health Choice Arizona

• Humana

• Imperial Insurance Companies, Inc

• Magellan Complete Care

• Mercy Care Advantage

• SCAN Desert Health Plan

• UnitedHealthcare

• Wellcare

How to Choose a Medicare Advantage Plan

With this extensive list of carriers, how do you know which one to choose? That question is not always easy to answer on your own, but there are six things to look at when choosing a Medicare Advantage insurer in Arizona. With the help of a Medicare advisor, this process is even easier.

Are your doctors in the plan’s network? Almost all Medicare Advantage plans utilize provider networks for their services. Some plans offer out-of-network coverage while others do not. Even plans that offer out-of-network coverage will still require you to pay more for those services. For those reasons, it is best to use in-network providers. Check to see if your current doctors participate in the plan. If they aren’t, you’ll need to consider switching doctors or looking at a different Medicare Advantage plan.

Are your prescriptions covered? You should compare your current prescription list to the drug formulary within the MAPD plan. Check to see if your prescriptions are covered, as well as how much you’ll pay to refill them.

What are the costs? Even if you find a $0 premium plan, you still need to look at other costs, including the deductible, copayments, and coinsurance expenses. If you need to use those benefits, can you afford them?

What is the annual out-of-pocket limit? Every Medicare Advantage plan will include an annual out-of-pocket maximum. Once you have paid this amount for approved services, all other approved services will be 100% paid by the plan. The lower the limit, the better!

What extra benefits are included? There are a variety of extra benefits built into Medicare Advantage plans. While you shouldn’t pick a plan only for the extra benefits, you should find out if you have dental, vision, and hearing coverage, as well as any other perks like gym memberships, meal delivery, or transportation services.

How is the plan rated? The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rates Medicare Advantage plans based on their rates, benefits, and claims processing. The highest rating is five stars. You may want to be wary of anything less than four stars.

Choosing the right Medicare Advantage plan can take some time. It is not a decision you should rush as it will have a great impact on your coverage and out-of-pocket costs. To ensure you get the right coverage, speak to one of our licensed Medicare advisors. We’ll take the time to learn more about your needs so that we can make helpful recommendations. Our agents are licensed with many insurance carriers, so we can compare benefits and prices - all at no cost to you. Call us today to schedule your consultation.