Over 1.2 million people receive benefits from Pennsylvania Medicare Advantage plans each year. These benefits help policyholders afford medications and allow them to lead stress-free lives.

More than 30% of each county’s population in Pennsylvania subscribes to a Medicare Advantage insurance plan.

Medicare Advantage Plans in Pennsylvania

Medicare is an alternative to traditional health insurance for people 65 and over or under 65 with disabilities. However, Medicare Advantage plans are private and not government-assisted programs.

There are up to 55 Medicare Advantage plans available to Pennsylvania residents. Each offers different benefits for its policyholders. Note that not all of these plans include prescription drug coverage.

Before enrolling in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you must know what benefits each plan provides.

Unlike Medigap plans, the federal government does not standardize Medicare Advantage plans. Therefore, plan benefits vary by ZIP code. Make sure that you research Medicare Advantage plans for your city.

Below, we will list the different Medicare Advantage plans available to Pennsylvania residents. These include packages with zero-dollar premiums, drug deductibles, five-star ratings, and more.

Medicare Advantage plans with zero-dollar premiums

Many Pennsylvania residents choose to invest in a Medicare Advantage Plan with a zero-dollar premium. Please note that with a zero-dollar premium plan, you will pay more out of pocket than with other coverage plans.

Below are some of the insurance providers who offer a zero-dollar premium.

Aetna

Aetna offers a zero-dollar premium with its Medicare Advantage Plan. The insurance provider has a monthly out-of-pocket cost of $5,900 for its policyholders.

Most experts give Aetna a four- or five-star rating for its Medicare policies.

Highmark

While it can be costly, Highmark is among the most trusted Medicare Advantage insurance providers.

It’s an HMO plan, meaning you pay a monthly fee to access a highly touted network of healthcare professionals. The MOOP for Highmark’s insurance plan is $7,550.

Humana

Humana is a PFFS plan with a CMS annual contract to provide policyholders with medical benefits. This policy comes with a $6,700 MOOP.

PLAN PREMIUM MOOP PLAN TYPE STAR RATINGS
Aetna $0 $5,900 HMO-POS 4
Highmark $0 $7,550 HMO 4
UnitedHealthcare $0 $5,550 HMO 4
Wellcare $0 $6,700 LOCAL PPO N/A
Humana $0 $6,700 PFFS 4

Medicare Advantage plans with zero-dollar drug deductibles

Some Pennsylvania Medicare Advantage plans come with a zero-dollar drug deductible.

Geisinger

Geisinger is a four-star MA plan with a $7,550 MOOP. It’s an HMO policy that services thousands of Pennsylvania residents annually.

Wellcare

Wellcare is another MA plan that can financially assist you with prescription medication. This policy carries a $7,550 MOOP fee and holds a three-star rating.

UnitedHealthcare

The country’s leading Medicare Advantage plan offers a zero-dollar drug deductible for eligible policyholders. With a $6,700 MOOP, it’s the most affordable drug-deductible MA plan for Pennsylvania residents.

PLAN PREMIUM MOOP PLAN TYPE STAR RATINGS
Geisinger $0 $7,550 HMO 4
Aetna $0 $7,550 LOCAL PPO 5
UnitedHealthcare $0 $6,700 LOCAL PPO 3
Wellcare $0 $7,550 HMO 3
Humana $0 $7,550 LOCAL PPO 4

Medicare Advantage plans with five-star ratings

Most Medicare patients seek a reliable insurance provider. You may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period if a five-star MA insurance company is near you. Two Medicare Advantage plans qualify as five-star providers.

Aetna – This insurance policy is a local PPO that caters its services to your county. Policyholders rave about the benefits of signing up for a plan with Aetna.

Highmark – Another local PPO plan you should consider is Highmark. Highmark offers a $7,550 five-star plan that helps you save on medical and dental coverage.

PLAN PREMIUM MOOP PLAN TYPE STAR RATING
Aetna $0 $7,550 LOCAL PPO 5
Highmark $0 $7,550 LOCAL PPO 5

Medicare Advantage plans with Part B reductions

Below are a few plans with Part B reductions. Please note that these plans vary by ZIP code and aren’t available in some parts of Pennsylvania.

Humana

Policyholders can access many benefits with a Humana Medicare Advantage plan. Humana offers a Part B reduction of $60 with a $7,550 MOOP.

Aetna

Aetna is among the leaders in Medicare Advantage plans. It offers a $50 Part B reduction and has a MOOP of $7,550.

Geisinger

Geisinger has a MOOP of only $3,450. With a $27 Part B reduction and a four-star rating, Geisinger is among the best Pennsylvania Medicare Advantage plans.

PLAN PREMIUM MOOP PART B REDUCTION STAR RATING
Wellcare $0 $7,550 $55.00 N/A
Humana $0 $7,550 $60.00 4
Aetna $0 $7,550 $50.00 5
Geisinger $0 $3,450 $27.00 4
Highmark $0 $7,550 $22.00 5

Ancillary/DVH

A Medicare Advantage plan offers additional benefits that traditional Medicare or Medigap plans don’t. For example, some MA plans provide financial assistance for dental, vision, and hearing appointments. Plus, some may help cover prescription drugs.

Cities in Pennsylvania with Medigap coverage’s estimated premiums

The following cities have charts that lay out the estimated premiums for Medigap coverage in Pennsylvania:

FAQs

What is the best Medicare Advantage plan in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania Medicare patients may qualify for many different plans. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services gives Aetna, Highmark, Independence Blue Cross, UnitedHealthcare, and UPMC a five-star rating for their outstanding coverage plans.

What is the largest Medicare Advantage insurance company in Pennsylvania?

UnitedHealthcare is the largest Medicare Advantage insurance company in Pennsylvania. The insurance provider helps millions of Pennsylvania patients afford prescription medication and maintain their health.

How much does Medicare cost in PA?

Traditional Medicare has two parts: A and B. Typically, you can expect to pay $499/month for Part A Medicare insurance. However, most premium-free plans include Part A benefits for free. You will pay $174.70 for Part B insurance per month.

Is Medicare Part A free at age 65 in Pennsylvania?

Medicare Part A insurance is free for most senior citizens in Pennsylvania. If you pay Medicare taxes for most of your work career, you don’t have to pay for Medicare Part A.

How do you pay for Medicare Part B without collecting Social Security in Pennsylvania?

People that get Social Security benefits can deduct their Part B payments. However, you will receive a monthly Part B bill if you don’t receive Social Security payments. Typically, you will pay the standard premium amount. However, payment amounts depend on your annual income.

How to get help enrolling in a Pennsylvania Medicare Advantage plan

We can help you find the best Pennsylvania Medicare Advantage plans available. Our team works directly with these insurance providers, and we can inform you of the benefits of each. We will compare all of your options to find the plan that best suits you.

If you need more information regarding Pennsylvania Medicare Advantage plans, call us at the number above. You can also complete our online rate form now to see rates.

Written By:
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Lindsay Malzone, Lindsay Malzone is the Medicare editor for Medigap.com. She's been contributing to many well-known publications since 2017. Her passion is educating Medicare beneficiaries on all their supplemental Medicare options so they can make an informed decision on their healthcare coverage.
Reviewed By:
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Rodolfo Marrero, Rodolfo Marrero is one of the co-founders at Medigap.com. He has been helping consumers find the right coverage since the site was founded in 2013. Rodolfo is a licensed insurance agent that works hand-in-hand with the team to ensure the accuracy of the content.