Helping make Medicare easier to understand.
Compare Medicare Plans With Confidence
Medicare plans can look similar at first, but the differences can affect which doctors you can see, how prescriptions are covered, what you may pay when you
receive care, and what additional benefits may be available.
Medicare Plan Assistance makes those differences easier to understand.
Compare Medicare Advantage plan types, Medicare Supplement options, insurance companies, and coverage structures — then explore the comparisons that matter most to you.
Already have Medicare? You can use these guides to understand your current coverage too.
What would you like to compare?
Medicare Advantage Plans
Compare plan structures, networks, insurance companies, benefits, and costs.
Medicare Supplement Plans
Compare Medigap plan letters, coverage structures, and
insurance companies.
Not sure which direction to take?
I'm Not Sure
Start with the factors that matter most when choosing Medicare coverage.
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- 97+ 5-Star Reviews
- Independent Agency
- Licensed in Florida
- Free Consultation
- Compare 20+ Plans
- South Florida Local
- 97+ 5-Star Reviews
- Independent Agency
- Licensed in Florida
- Free Consultation
- Compare 20+ Plans
- South Florida Local
- 97+ 5-Star Reviews
- Independent Agency
- Licensed in Florida
- Free Consultation
- Compare 20+ Plans
- South Florida Local
- Medicare Isn't One-Size-Fits-All
There Is More to Compare Than the Monthly Premium
A lower premium can be attractive, but it is only one part of a Medicare decision.
Depending on the type of coverage you’re considering, you may also want to compare:
Your Doctors
Are your primary care doctors, specialists, and
preferred hospitals available through the plan?
Prescription Drugs
Are your medications covered, and what could you pay at your preferred pharmacy?
Out-of-Pocket Costs
Look beyond premiums to deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and yearly out-of-pocket limits where applicable.
Network Rules
Some Medicare Advantage plans generally require you to receive non-emergency care within a network, while others provide greater flexibility for receiving covered services outside the network.
Additional Benefits
Some Medicare Advantage plans may include benefits beyond Original Medicare, but availability limits, and rules vary by plan and location.
How You Use Healthcare
Someone who travels frequently, sees several specialists, takes multiple prescriptions, or expects upcoming procedures may evaluate coverage differently from someone with very limited healthcare needs.
Start With What Matters to You
You don’t have to compare every Medicare plan in the same way. Start with the areas that
are most important to your healthcare and budget.
- Two Different Ways People Structure Medicare Coverage
Start With the Bigger Decision
Before comparing insurance companies, it helps to understand the two different coverage approaches many Medicare beneficiaries consider.
Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage, also called Medicare Part C, is an alternative way to receive your Medicare Part A and Part B benefits through a private
Medicare-approved insurance company.
Depending on the plan, Medicare Advantage coverage may include prescription drug coverage and additional benefits. Plans can also have provider networks, cost-sharing requirements, service areas, and prio authorization rules.
Original Medicare + Medicare Supplement
Medicare Supplement Insurance, also called Medigap, works alongside Original Medicare.
A Medigap policy can help pay certain out-of-pocket costs left by
Original Medicare. Medigap policies do not replace Original Medicare, and
prescription drug coverage is generally obtained separately through Part D if needed.
Want to See Them Side by Side?
The differences extend beyond premiums.
Compare provider access, cost structure, prescription coverage, benefits, travel considerations, and how the two types of coverage work.
- Compare Medicare Advantage Plan Structures
Understand How Different Medicare Advantage Plans Work
The insurance company matters, but so does the type of plan you choose.
Start by understanding the structure.
HMO vs PPO
Compare provider networks, out-of-network coverage, referrals, flexibility, and other important differences between Medicare Advantage HMOs and PPOs.
HMO vs HMO-POS
HMO-POS plans can provide certain out-of-network options that traditional HMOs may not provide.
Learn where they are similar — and where the additional point-of-service feature can matter.
D-SNP vs C-SNP
Both are Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans, but eligibility is different.Both are Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans, but eligibility is different.
D-SNPs are designed for certain people eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid,
while C-SNPs focus on people who meet qualifying chronic-condition requirements.
Medicare Advantage vs Medicare Supplement
These are not two versions of the same product.
Learn how each approach works before comparing individual insurance companies.
- Compare Medicare Advantage Companies
Compare Major Medicare Advantage Insurance Companies
Insurance companies can differ in plan availability, networks, premiums, cost sharing, prescription
formularies, additional benefits, and plan structures.
And because Medicare Advantage is local, the plans available to someone in one county may be different from those available somewhere else.
Our carrier comparisons are designed to help you understand those differences before you begin looking at individual plans.
Humana vs UnitedHealthcare
Compare two major Medicare Advantage companies and the areas you should evaluate when deciding between their available plans.
Humana vs Aetna
See how Humana and Aetna Medicare options can differ across plan types, provider access,
prescription coverage, benefits, and service areas.
Humana vs Devoted Health
Compare Humana and Devoted Health Medicare Advantage options and learn what to examine if both companies offer plans where you live.
Important Note
There is no single Medicare Advantage company that is automatically best for everyone. Plan availability and benefits vary by location, and the right comparison depends on your healthcare needs.
- Compare Medicare Supplement Options
Compare Medicare Supplement Coverage
With Medicare Supplement Insurance, choosing the plan letter and choosing the insurance company are two separate decisions.
Standardized Medigap policies with the same plan letter generally provide the same standardized Medicare benefits regardless of which insurance company sells them. Premiums and other company- specific considerations can still differ.
Plan G vs Plan N
Compare two popular Medigap choices, including differences in cost-sharing and how those differences may affect the premium you pay.
Plan G vs High-Deductible Plan G
Both are Plan G options, but their cost structures are very different.
Compare traditional Plan G with High-Deductible Plan G and learn how the deductible changes the way coverage works.
Compare traditional Plan G with High-Deductible Plan G and learn how the deductible changes the way coverage works.
AARP/UnitedHealthcare vs Mutual of Omaha
If you’re comparing Medigap insurance companies, look beyond the plan letter.
Learn about the factors to examine when comparin AARP/UnitedHealthcare and Mutual of Omaha Medicare Supplement policies.
- Explore Medicare Insurance Companies
Learn About Medicare Insurance Companies
Want to research a specific company before making a comparison?
Explore our individual carrier guides.
Each guide explains the types of Medicare coverage the company may offer, what to evaluate, where availability can differ, and which comparisons may help you narrow your options.
UnitedHealthcare & AARP Medicare Plans
Learn about UnitedHealthcare and AARP-branded
Medicare options.
Mutual of Omaha Medicare Plans
Learn about Mutual of Omaha Medicare Supplement coverage.
United American Medicare Plans
Learn about United American Medicare Supplement coverage.
- Simple Comparison Framework
How to Compare Medicare Plans
Instead of asking only:
“Which Medicare plan is best?”
Ask these six questions.
- 1
Are My Doctors and Hospitals Available?
Make a list of your:
- primary care doctor
- specialists
- preferred hospitals
- outpatient facilities
- Then check how each option handles those providers.
- 2
How Are My Prescriptions Covered?
Compare:
- formulary coverage
- drug tiers
- preferred pharmacies
- mail-order options
- prior authorization
- quantity limits
- step therapy when applicable
- 3
What Could I Pay During the Year?
Review:
- monthly premium
- deductibles
- doctor copays
- specialist copays
- hospital costs
- coinsurance
- prescription costs
- maximum out-of-pocket limits when applicable
- 4
How Much Provider Flexibility Do I Want?
Consider whether you are comfortable using a provider network or whether broader access to doctors who accept Medicare is important to you.
- 5
Which Additional Benefits Would I Actually Use?
Dental, vision, hearing and other additional benefits can be useful, but they should be evaluated alongside the medical and prescription coverage.
- 6
Does the Coverage Fit the Way I Live?
Consider:
- frequent travel
- living in more than one state
- chronic healthcare needs
- upcoming procedures
- specialist care
- preferred healthcare systems
The goal isn’t to find the plan with the longest benefit list.
It’s to understand how the coverage fits your healthcare needs and priorities.
What Matters Most to You?
Select everything you would like to compare:
My doctors and hospitals
Prescription drug coverage
Monthly premium
Lower out-of-pocket costs
Predictable healthcare expenses
Dental, vision or hearing benefits
Ability to travel
Specialist access
Chronic-condition coverage
I'm not sure yet
You Don't Have to Figure Medicare Out Alone
Comparing Medicare coverage can involve several moving parts.
One plan may look attractive because of its premium.
Another may include benefits you like.
Another may include your doctors or prescriptions.
The purpose of Medicare Plan Assistance is to help you understand those tradeoffs so you can make a more informed Medicare decision.
A licensed Medicare advisor can help you review:
- available Medicare options
- plan structures
- provider networks
- prescription coverage
- premiums and cost sharing
- additional benefits
- enrollment considerations
The goal is not simply to show you a list of plans.
It’s to help you understand the differences between them.
Want Help Narrowing Down Your Medicare Options?
Tell us what you’re trying to compare.
A licensed Medicare advisor can help you understand Medicare options available in your area.
Official Medicare Resources
For additional information, visitors can also review official Medicare resources covering:
- FAQS
Frequently Asked Questions About Comparing Medicare Plans
What should I compare when choosing a Medicare plan?
Start with the factors that can directly affect how you receive and pay for healthcare: your doctors and hospitals, prescription drugs, monthly premiums, deductibles, copayments or coinsurance, provider networks, out-of-pocket limits where applicable, and the benefits you expect to use.
The importance of each factor depends on the type of Medicare coverage you are considering.
Is Medicare Advantage the same as Medicare Supplement?
No.
Medicare Advantage is another way to receive your Medicare Part A and Part B benefits through a private Medicare-approved plan.
Medicare Supplement Insurance, or Medigap, works alongside Original Medicare and helps pay certain costs that Original Medicare does not pay.
You generally cannot use a Medigap policy to pay Medicare Advantage plan costs.
Is an HMO or PPO Medicare Advantage plan better?
Neither plan type is automatically better.
HMOs generally rely more heavily on their provider network, while PPOs generally allow covered services from out-of-network providers at a higher cost.
The better fit depends on the plans available where you live, your doctors, healthcare needs and how much provider flexibility you want.
Are Medicare Supplement plans the same from every insurance company?
Medigap plans are standardized in most states.
That means the standardized Medicare benefits included in a particular plan letter are generally the same regardless of which company sells the policy.
However, premiums and other company-specific considerations can differ.
Do all Medicare insurance companies offer plans everywhere?
No.
Medicare Advantage availability varies by service area, and individual insurance companies may offer different plans in different locations.
Medicare Supplement availability can also vary by state and insurance company.
This is why your location is important when comparing Medicare options.
Should I compare Medicare plans based only on the premium?
Usually not.
Premiums are important, but they don’t tell you everything about how much healthcare may cost during the year.
Depending on the type of coverage, you may also want to examine deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, prescription costs, provider networks and maximum out-of-pocket limits.
Can I check whether my doctors accept a Medicare plan before enrolling?
Yes, and provider access should be an important part of your comparison.
For Medicare Advantage, review the plan’s provider network and consider confirming participation with both the plan and the provider before enrolling.
Can Medicare Plan Assistance help me compare plans?
Yes.
A licensed Medicare advisor can help you understand Medicare coverage options and compare important factors such as plan type, provider access, prescriptions, costs and additional benefits.
Plan availability depends on where you live and your eligibility.
Still Not Sure Which Direction to Take?
You don’t need to become a Medicare expert before asking for help.
Tell us what matters to you, and a licensed Medicare advisor can help you understand the options available in your area.
Medicare Plan Assistance
Medicare Plan Assistance is not Medicare, the federal government, or endorsed by the U.S. government. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently, we represent 20 organizations which offer 66 plans in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.