Choosing a Medicare Advantage plan is a significant decision that impacts your healthcare, finances, and peace of mind for the entire year. With dozens of carriers offering hundreds of plans, the sheer volume of options can be overwhelming. A powerful way to narrow your search is to focus on the insurance companies that consistently earn high ratings for quality and customer satisfaction. These ratings, primarily the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Star Ratings, provide an objective measure of a plan’s performance. Understanding which carriers excel in these ratings can guide you toward more reliable, higher-quality coverage. This article explores the top-rated Medicare Advantage plans by carrier, helping you identify the insurers that have proven their commitment to member care and service excellence.

Understanding Medicare Advantage Plan Ratings

Before comparing carriers, it’s essential to understand what these ratings measure and why they matter. The CMS Star Rating system is the gold standard for evaluating Medicare Advantage and Part D plans. It awards plans a rating from 1 to 5 stars, with 5 being the highest. These ratings are recalculated annually and are based on over 40 different quality and performance measures. These measures fall into several critical categories: staying healthy through screenings, tests, and vaccines; managing chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease; member experience with the health plan; member complaints and problems getting services; and the performance of the plan’s customer service. A plan’s ability to coordinate care and its drug pricing and safety are also evaluated.

A high star rating is more than just a badge of honor. It has direct, tangible benefits for enrollees. Plans that achieve 4 stars or higher for three consecutive years are designated as “Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans” and receive bonus payments from Medicare. More importantly for you, plans rated 4 stars or higher can offer additional benefits not covered by lower-rated plans. Furthermore, if you enroll in a 5-star plan, you have a Special Enrollment Period that allows you to switch to that top-rated plan once at any time during the year, outside of the standard Annual Election Period. This makes identifying top-rated carriers a strategic first step in your research process. For a deeper dive into plan options and how to evaluate them, our resource on 2026 Medicare Advantage Plans provides a comprehensive framework.

Leading Carriers with Top-Rated Medicare Advantage Plans

While plan availability and ratings vary by county, several national and regional carriers have established strong reputations for consistently high-rated plans. It’s important to note that a carrier may offer multiple plans in your area, and not all may have the same star rating. Always verify the specific plan’s current rating during your enrollment research.

Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is frequently at the pinnacle of Medicare Advantage star ratings. As an integrated health system, Kaiser owns its hospitals and employs its doctors, leading to exceptional coordination of care. This model often results in high scores for preventive care, chronic condition management, and member satisfaction. Many Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage plans routinely earn 5-star ratings in the regions they serve, particularly in California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Oregon, Virginia, Washington, and Washington D.C. Their focus on seamless electronic health records and preventive services sets a high benchmark.

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Affiliates

The federation of independent Blue Cross Blue Shield companies is a dominant force in the Medicare Advantage landscape. Many local BCBS affiliates, such as Anthem Blue Cross, Highmark, and Florida Blue, offer plans that consistently achieve 4-star and 5-star ratings. Their strength often lies in extensive local provider networks and deep community roots. The quality can vary by the specific BCBS company, so investigating the performance of your local affiliate is crucial. You can explore the specific offerings and strengths in our complete guide to Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage.

UnitedHealthcare

As the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans by total enrollment, UnitedHealthcare offers a vast array of plan options nationwide. Their scale allows for broad network access and a wide variety of supplemental benefits. While their average star ratings encompass a massive portfolio, they have numerous plans that achieve 4-star and 4.5-star status. UnitedHealthcare often excels in offering innovative extras like fitness memberships, hearing aid benefits, and wellness programs. Their AARP-branded plans are particularly popular and are known for strong customer service resources.

Humana

Humana is another giant in the Medicare Advantage space, known for its strong focus on senior health and wellness. Many Humana plans earn high marks for preventive care and chronic disease management. They are also pioneers in value-based care models and often include robust extra benefits, such as comprehensive dental, vision, and hearing coverage, along with their popular SilverSneakers fitness program. Humana has a significant number of 4-star and 4.5-star plans available across the country.

How to Evaluate a Carrier Beyond Star Ratings

Star ratings are a vital starting point, but they shouldn’t be the only factor in your decision. A carrier’s overall reputation and the specifics of their local plan offerings are equally important. First, examine the provider network. A 5-star plan is of little use if your preferred doctors and hospitals are not in-network. Check the plan’s formulary (drug list) to ensure your medications are covered at a reasonable cost. Also, consider the plan’s maximum out-of-pocket limit, which is the most you would have to pay for covered services in a year.

Next, look at the extra benefits, or “value-added” features, that different carriers emphasize. These can include:

• Dental coverage (cleanings, X-rays, major procedures)
• Vision benefits (eyeglasses, contact lenses)
• Hearing aid allowances
• Fitness program memberships (like SilverSneakers or Renew Active)
• Over-the-counter (OTC) health product allowances
• Transportation to medical appointments
• Meal delivery after a hospital stay

Finally, research the carrier’s customer service reputation. Read recent member reviews, check complaint data with your state’s insurance department, and perhaps even call the plan with questions to gauge their responsiveness. A carrier like Aetna, for example, offers a range of HMO and PPO plans with distinct benefits; understanding these nuances is key, as detailed in our analysis of Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO options and benefits.

The Enrollment Process and Key Deadlines

Once you’ve identified a top-rated carrier and a specific plan that fits your needs, understanding the enrollment windows is critical. Your main opportunity is the Annual Election Period (AEP), which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. Coverage chosen during AEP begins on January 1 of the following year. There are also Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) triggered by specific life events, such as moving out of your plan’s service area or losing other credible coverage. As mentioned, a unique SEP exists for switching to a 5-star plan, available once per year from December 8 to November 30.

When you’re ready to enroll, you have several options: you can enroll directly through the insurance carrier’s website, use the official Medicare.gov plan finder tool, or call the plan. Before finalizing, carefully review the plan’s Evidence of Coverage (EOC) and Summary of Benefits documents. These detail exactly what is covered, your costs, and the rules you must follow. If you need personalized help, you can also contact a licensed insurance agent who specializes in Medicare. They can provide comparative quotes and explain fine print across different top-rated carriers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch to a higher-rated plan at any time?
Generally, you can only switch plans during designated enrollment periods. The key exception is the 5-star Special Enrollment Period, which allows you to switch to a plan with a 5-star rating once at any time during the year (except for one week in late November).

Do all plans from a top-rated carrier have high star ratings?
No. A carrier may offer multiple plans in a region (like an HMO, a PPO, and a Special Needs Plan), and each plan receives its own individual star rating from CMS. It is essential to check the rating for the specific plan ID you are considering, not just the carrier’s overall reputation.

Are higher-star plans always more expensive?
Not necessarily. The premium for a Medicare Advantage plan is separate from its star rating. Many high-star plans have $0 monthly premiums. However, they may have different cost-sharing structures (copays, deductibles) or offer richer benefits that could affect overall value.

What if a top-rated plan is not available in my area?
Plan availability is entirely location-dependent. Use the Medicare Plan Finder tool on Medicare.gov, entering your ZIP code, to see which plans (and their current star ratings) are actually offered where you live. Focus on the highest-rated options available to you.

How do I choose between two plans with the same star rating?
When ratings are equal, dig into the details: compare the provider networks, drug formularies, out-of-pocket maximums, and extra benefits. Consider which plan’s structure (HMO vs. PPO) best fits your healthcare usage and preference for flexibility. For a step-by-step approach to this comparison, our guide on how to choose the best Aetna Medicare Advantage plan outlines a useful framework that applies to any carrier.

Selecting a Medicare Advantage plan is a personal decision that balances quality ratings, cost, coverage, and convenience. By starting your search with carriers known for high performance, you significantly increase your chances of finding a plan that delivers excellent care and service. Remember to verify current ratings annually, as they can change, and ensure the plan’s details align with your specific health and financial situation. Taking this informed, methodical approach empowers you to make a confident choice for your healthcare coverage.