There are several things you may want to consider when shopping for a Medicare Advantage plan (Medicare Part C), such as plan cost, coverage and availability.
You can get some help as you compare Medicare Advantage plans by using plan ratings and insurance company reviews.
Use the guide below to learn how to research Medicare Advantage reviews and find the best plan for your needs.
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Speak with a licensed insurance agent
You can also get help comparing Medicare Advantage plans by calling to speak with a licensed insurance agent who can help you review ratings and reviews of plans available where you live.
Compare Medicare Advantage ratings in your area
Compare PlansOr call TTY Users: 711 to speak with a licensed insurance agent. We accept calls 24/7!
One place to look for Medicare Advantage plan reviews is the Medicare Star Rating system.1
Each fall, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) releases a ratings report for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part prescription drug plans (Medicare Part D).
Plans are rated on a five-star system using the following breakdown:
★★★★★ |
Excellent |
★★★★ |
Above Average |
★★★ |
Average |
★★ |
Below Average |
★ |
Poor |
The Medicare Star Ratings are assigned to Medicare plans based on five aspects of each plan:
If a plan receives fewer than three stars for three consecutive years, Medicare determines it to be a low-performing plan and reserves the right to remove it from its coverage. Current members of the plan will be notified and given a Special Enrollment Period to enroll in another Medicare plan.
In addition to analyzing a plan’s Medicare Star Ratings, you can read reviews about particular insurance companies that sell Medicare Advantage plans.
These insurance company reviews are presented by review agencies such as:
You may also want to consider doing some of your own research on private insurance companies that offer Medicare Advantage plans, such as:
When reviewing a Medicare Advantage plan, it’s helpful to not only read the reviews and ratings of others, but to also to review the plan details yourself. Because each plan can vary so much, the right plan for you may be quite different than the right one for someone else.
When shopping for a Medicare Advantage plan, take time to review the following:
If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and you wish try a different plan, you will have several weeks to review additional plans and enroll in a new plan during the Open Enrollment Period, also called the Annual Election Period.
This period lasts from October 15 to December 7 each year.
Another valuable resource to use while shopping for a Medicare Advantage plan is the knowledge of a licensed insurance agent. An agent can help you review which plans are available in your area and help you compare the costs, benefits, network providers and other important details of each plan.
Call today to speak with a licensed insurance agent who can help you review Medicare Advantage plans and to find the best coverage for your needs.
Compare Medicare Advantage plans in your area
Compare PlansOr call TTY Users: 711 to speak with a licensed insurance agent. We accept calls 24/7!
Christian Worstell is a licensed insurance agent and a Senior Staff Writer for MedicareAdvantage.com. He is passionate about helping people navigate the complexities of Medicare and understand their coverage options.
His work has been featured in outlets such as Vox, MSN, and The Washington Post, and he is a frequent contributor to health care and finance blogs.
Christian is a graduate of Shippensburg University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He currently lives in Raleigh, NC.
Where you've seen coverage of Christian's research and reports:
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