Missouri has over 600,000 Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage programs. Despite having many less populated areas, the large cities in Missouri have many Medicare Advantage options. About 50% of Missouri residents participating in Medicare choose Medicare Advantage plans.

Missouri Medicare Advantage plans

Medicare Part C is known as Medicare Advantage. These plans are another way to get your Medicare benefits. They are required to have coverage at least as good as Medicare’s and cover all items and services that Original Medicare covers.

Private health insurance companies like UnitedHealthcare and Humana administer Medicare Advantage plans. These plans are all-in-one plans that include your prescription coverage most of the time. In addition to being required to cover everything Medicare does, many of these plans add benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t.

You can only enroll in Medicare Advantage plans in specific enrollment periods. The most common enrollment period is the Annual Enrollment Period. During this time, you can change you’re plan.

Since private companies administer these plans, the coverage differs depending on your chosen plan. It’s wise to review the summary of benefits before enrolling to ensure that you’re getting a plan that meets your needs and includes the extras you want.

In most Missouri counties, more than 26 Medicare Advantage options are available. In more rural counties like Daviess, there are fewer available. Daviess County only has 11 Part C plans, whereas Jackson County has 40.

Medicare Advantage plans offered in Missouri

As mentioned above, all Medicare Advantage plans are different. They’re not standardized like the Medicare Supplements. The illustration information below uses data from one zip code and may not reflect your area. The area in which you reside may have slightly different options and costs.

Below we’ll discuss Medicare Advantage plans with a zero-dollar premium and options with a zero-dollar deductible. Next, we’ll cover which plans have a 5-star rating and discuss plans that can reduce how much you pay for Part B of Medicare.

In conclusion, we’ll go over plan extras, answer some frequently asked questions, and discuss how to get help choosing a Medicare Advantage plan.

Medicare Advantage plans with a zero-dollar premium

Zero-dollar premiums are a great option, but remember, just because the premium is $0 doesn’t mean it’s the best plan. When a program has a zero-dollar premium, there is a good chance that other copays may be higher. In addition, you should make sure the plan you choose has coverage for the prescriptions you’re taking.

Humana has a great zero-dollar option in Missouri. Their local PPO has a 4-star rating and the lowest maximum out-of-pocket on the list.

Cigna, one of the oldest insurers in the nation, has a PPO with the second-lowest maximum out-of-pocket shown. Cigna is a solid company that has been in the Medicare space for quite some time.

Aetna is a great company owned by CVS. They’re one of the most well-known insurers that offer Medicare Advantage plans.

PLAN PREMIUM MOOP PLAN TYPE STAR RATINGS
Cigna $0 $4,900 LOCAL PPO 3
Wellcare $0 $7,550 HMO 3
Blue $0 $7,250 LOCAL PPO 4
Aetna $0 $5,000 HMO-POS 4
Humana $0 $4,400 LOCAL PPO 4

Medicare Advantage plans with a zero-dollar drug Deductible

In Missouri, many Medicare Advantage options don’t require a deductible.

Wellcare has put a lot of effort into becoming an elite Medicare Advantage provider over the last ten years. They have a new PPO in Missouri with no deductible, a zero premium, and a low maximum out-of-pocket.

UnitedHealthcare is the largest Medicare provider in the nation. They have plans nationwide and are endorsed by AARP.

Blue Cross is best known for its group employer coverage and under-65 individual plans. While groups are their forte, they have strong coverage for Medicare beneficiaries.

PLAN PREMIUM MOOP PLAN TYPE STAR RATINGS
Cigna $0 $4,900 LOCAL PPO 3
Blue $0 $7,250 LOCAL PPO 4
Humana $0 $4,400 LOCAL PPO 4
UnitedHealthcare $0 $6,400 LOCAL PPO 4
Wellcare $0 $4,000 LOCAL PPO N/A

Medicare Advantage plans with a 5-star rating

Medicare Part C and Part D plans are given star ratings based on performance. Companies with the highest rating of 5 stars can enroll members outside the Annual Enrollment Period using a Special Enrollment Period.

Essence Healthcare is the only 5-star carrier in Missouri. They were started by a group of doctors in St Louis in 2003 to help their patients access high-quality healthcare.

PLAN PREMIUM MOOP PLAN TYPE STAR RATINGS
Essence $0 $3,000 HMO 5

Medicare Advantage plans with a Part B reduction

In some areas, Medicare Advantage plans can help reduce the amount Medicare beneficiaries pay for their Medicare Part B. These are called give-back plans. Plans that offer this benefit usually have a higher cost when using the plan than plans without the give-back.

Give-back plans aren’t available in all areas, as plans do vary depending on where you live.

Blue Cross offers the largest give-back option in Missouri with a $75 reduction. Wellcare has the second-largest give-back option, with UnitedHealthcare and Humana coming in with a $50-a-month give-back each.

PLAN PREMIUM MOOP PART B REDUCTION STAR RATINGS
Wellcare $0 $7,550 $55.00 3
Blue $0 $7,250 $75.00 4
Aetna $0 $5,000 $35.00 4
Humana $0 $4,500 $50.00 4
UnitedHealthcare $0 $4,400 $50.00 4

Ancillary/DVH

Medicare Advantage plans to provide beneficiaries additional benefits above what Original Medicare offers. The most common additional benefits include dental, vision, and hearing coverage. In addition, many provide gym membership access, food allowances, and over-the-counter items; some even help with utility assistance.

Missouri cities with estimated premiums for Medicare Supplement coverage

Missouri Supplemental Medicare coverage is a crucial decision. In that light, we’ve made these handy charts for the projected premiums of the following cities:

FAQs

Which Medicare Advantage plans have the Missouri grocery allowance benefit?

The benefits offered by different plans are contingent on the beneficiary’s zip code. Nonetheless, several options include an allowance for grocery expenses. For a comprehensive overview of the Medicare Advantage plans available in your region, with the Missouri grocery benefit, kindly complete the form provided below.

Can I get an all-in-one Medicare plan in Missouri?

Yes! There are Medicare Advantage plans offered in every county in Missouri. These plans generally include additional benefits not covered by Original Medicare.

What Medicare Advantage plans are available in Missouri?

In Missouri, you have access to all Medicare Advantage plan types.

Which carrier has the best Medicare Advantage plan in Missouri?

Wellcare has great Medicare Advantage plans in Missouri. The best Medicare Advantage plan is different from person to person. When searching for a plan, you should consider your prescriptions, the doctor you have to keep, and how often you need healthcare services. These factors should help determine which Medicare Advantage plan is best for you.

What’s the difference between a Medicare Advantage plan and a Medigap plan?

Medicare Supplement plans are additional insurance you purchase to fill the gaps in Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans are Medicare Part C. These plans offer another way to get your Medicare benefits. Typically these plans include plan extras like drug coverage and other benefits like dental, vision, and gym memberships.

How to get help enrolling in a Missouri Medicare Advantage plan

We understand many factors to consider when choosing a Medicare plan. We’re here to make it simple. Our licensed brokers specialize in helping Medicare members with these decisions. From educating on the basics, checking prescriptions and doctor networks, to helping decipher the benefits that match your wants and needs.

We strive to provide you with a simple and enjoyable experience. For help understanding your Medicare options, call or fill out our online request form.

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.