The tiers
National tiers based on how consistently each carrier performs on star ratings, network quality, and the friction members actually run into. A carrier in a lower tier can still be the best plan on your street, which is the whole reason the tiers are a starting point rather than a verdict.
Top Tier
5-star performers
Highest quality, availability permitting
Kaiser Permanente
The most consistent 5-star performer in the country. Integrated care where the insurer, doctors, and hospitals are one system, so coordination is excellent, but only available in a handful of regions and only if you use their doctors.
Devoted Health
A newer carrier built around care coordination and member service, and it has earned strong star ratings fast. Smaller footprint, but where it operates the member experience is among the best I see.
Strong & Reliable
The national workhorses
Broad networks, solid ratings in most markets
Humana
One of the two largest Advantage insurers, especially strong in the Southeast. Competitive $0-premium plans and good extra benefits. Ratings and prior-authorization friction vary by county, so the local plan matters more than the brand.
Aetna
Backed by CVS Health, with broad PPO options that give members real freedom to see providers. Generally solid ratings and a wide national network make it a dependable comparison in most markets.
Cigna
Competitive PPO plans and strong drug coverage in many markets. A little more regional in its Advantage footprint, but where it is available the plans tend to be well-designed and flexible.
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
One of the largest Blue plans, serving Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware, and New York. In western Pennsylvania it owns the Allegheny Health Network hospitals, so it runs as an integrated payer and provider, which can mean tighter coordination for members who use those doctors.
Anthem (Blue Cross Blue Shield)
The Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield brand you see on the card, operated by parent company Elevance Health in 14 states. Strong regional networks built over decades and solid brand trust, though star ratings vary from one state to the next because each plan is run locally.
Blue Cross Blue Shield (Florida Blue & the local Blues)
Not one company but a federation of local Blue plans, such as Florida Blue in Florida, Anthem Blue Cross in California, and Highmark in Pennsylvania. Trusted name and broad networks, but quality genuinely depends on which state company you are looking at.
SCAN Health Plan
A large nonprofit built around keeping seniors independent at home, with strong dual-eligible and social-needs support across California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico. Regional, so the plan comes down to your county and your doctors.
UPMC for Life
The Medicare plan of the large integrated UPMC system in western and central Pennsylvania, and Highmark's main rival there. Strong quality and deep local networks, best when your doctors are inside the UPMC system.
Geisinger Gold
A genuinely high-quality integrated plan in central Pennsylvania, now the first member of Risant Health, the Kaiser-created nonprofit. Strongest where your doctors are in the Geisinger system.
Priority Health
Michigan's second-largest health plan, integrated with the Corewell Health system. Good ratings and broad statewide networks, best when your care is inside Corewell.
Banner Medicare Advantage
The plan tied to Banner Health, one of the largest nonprofit systems in the country, centered in Arizona. Strong integration with Banner hospitals and doctors, best when your care is inside the system.
CHRISTUS Health Plan
The mission-driven Medicare arm of CHRISTUS Health, a large Catholic nonprofit in Texas, Louisiana, and New Mexico. Worth a look in its markets, especially for members who use CHRISTUS facilities.
Memorial Hermann Advantage
The integrated Medicare plan of Memorial Hermann, a dominant nonprofit system in the greater Houston area. Strong locally when your care is within the Memorial Hermann system.
Presbyterian Health Plan
The Medicare plan of the largest integrated nonprofit system in New Mexico, often the go-to in the state. Deep statewide networks, best for people who use Presbyterian facilities.
Tufts Health Plan
A Point32Health company and one of the largest plans in New England, with strong Massachusetts quality and well-regarded Senior Care Options plans for dual-eligible members.
Peoples Health
One of Louisiana's stronger plans for years, physician-founded near New Orleans and now owned by UnitedHealthcare. Historically strong ratings with a local feel, though ownership changes are worth watching.
Healthfirst
A large not-for-profit, provider-sponsored plan owned by New York hospitals, often a leading choice in New York City, particularly for dual-eligible members. Regional to New York, so the network check applies.
Solid but Situational
Great in the right market
Depends heavily on where you live
UnitedHealthcare
The largest Advantage insurer by enrollment, with the AARP brand and the widest availability in the country. Networks are broad, but prior-authorization practices and county-level ratings vary, so the specific plan deserves close scrutiny.
Oscar Health
A tech-forward carrier with a genuinely good app and member tools. Its Advantage footprint is limited and newer, so it shines for members who value the digital experience in the markets where it operates.
Clover Health
A small, data-driven carrier with wide-open PPO plans in its footprint, meaning few network restrictions where it operates. Focused geographically, so it is a strong option in its specific markets and unavailable elsewhere.
Alignment Health
A newer, technology-driven carrier with genuinely strong star ratings for its age, built around coordinated, high-touch care that serves members with chronic conditions especially well. Regional and still growing, so it is excellent where available and simply not an option elsewhere.
Best for Specific Needs
Built for a particular member
Excellent if you fit the profile
Molina Healthcare
Built around dual-eligible and low-income beneficiaries, with strong Dual Special Needs Plans that coordinate Medicare and Medicaid. If you qualify for both programs, Molina is often one of the most valuable options available.
WellCare (Centene)
Known for aggressively low premiums and Part D value, which makes it attractive for budget-focused members. The honest caveat is that star ratings and networks are often thinner, so verify your doctors and drugs carefully before choosing on price alone.
Regional & Mission-Focused
Right plan, right place
Strong in specific markets and communities
Zing Health
A newer, physician-led carrier built around serving underserved communities, with dual-eligible plans and real investment in care coordination and social needs. A strong fit in its markets if the network includes your doctors, with the usual smaller-HMO caveat on network breadth.
Optimum HealthCare
A Florida-focused plan under the Elevance umbrella, known for the low premiums and rich supplemental benefits common to the Florida market. Genuinely appealing for Florida seniors, as long as you look past the advertised extras and confirm your doctors and drugs are covered.
Wellpoint
Elevance Health's newer Medicare brand, the 2024 rebrand of Amerigroup in its non-Blue-Cross states. The name is new but the parent is one of the largest insurers in the country, with a real dual-eligible focus. Check the specific plan's star rating and network, since the brand itself is still establishing a track record.
Simply Healthcare
A Florida-focused plan owned by Elevance Health, the parent of Anthem and Wellpoint. Real depth in the dual-eligible and special-needs space, with the low premiums and rich extras common to Florida, as long as you confirm your doctors and drugs are covered.
Health Net
A California-focused Centene plan with a long history in the state and real strength in dual-eligible coverage. Budget-friendly, with ratings that reflect its value positioning, so verify network and drugs rather than choosing on premium.
EmblemHealth
One of the largest nonprofit insurers in New York, formed from GHI and HIP with deep New York City roots. Familiar name and broad downstate networks, though quality varies by specific plan.
Prominence Health Plan
A Nevada-based plan owned by hospital company Universal Health Services, also in a few other markets. Worth a look near UHS facilities, though the smaller footprint makes the network check matter.
WellSense
A community-focused New England nonprofit, formerly BMC HealthNet Plan, serving Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Strongest for members aligned with its safety-net and Medicaid roots.
HealthSun
A South Florida plan that is actually owned by Elevance, strong in the Miami area and the Hispanic community with historically good ratings. Look past the generous extras to network and drugs.
Solis Health Plans
A newer, independent South Florida insurer with a high-touch service reputation and strong Spanish-language support. Smaller network, so verify your doctors carefully.
Medica HealthCare
A South Florida plan owned by Humana, running its own network in Miami-Dade and Broward, distinct from the separate Minnesota Medica. Compare its network against Humana and CarePlus.
CarePlus Health Plans
Humana's separate Florida brand with its own network, strong in South Florida and the Hispanic community. Many members see both Humana and CarePlus without realizing they share a parent.
Parent Companies & Legacy Brands
The names behind the plans
The names behind the plans you actually enroll in
Centene
The largest Medicaid managed-care company in the country, but you enroll in its Medicare plans as WellCare nationally or Health Net in California, not as Centene. Scale and dual-eligible expertise, with value-positioned ratings.
Corewell Health
The large Michigan integrated system formed by the Spectrum Health and Beaumont merger. You do not enroll in Corewell, you enroll in Priority Health, its insurance arm and the plan to actually evaluate.
Cigna HealthSpring
Cigna's Medicare brand, now generally marketed as Cigna Healthcare, whose entire Medicare business Cigna agreed in 2024 to sell to HCSC. If you have this plan, the ownership change is the headline.
HCSC
The largest customer-owned Blues insurer, operating Blue Cross plans in Illinois, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Montana. You enroll as your state's Blue Cross, not as HCSC, and it is expanding into Medicare by buying Cigna's book.
Shopping the Blue Cross Blue Shield family specifically? Because those plans are locally operated under a national brand, quality can swing between one state and the next. The guide on how Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage works walks through how to read a specific Blue plan in your area.