Medicare Advantage Plans in Arizona

Medicare Advantage is one of the enrollment options available to Medicare-eligible residents of Arizona. The main difference between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare is that Medicare Advantage plans are sold by private insurance companies, while Original Medicare is managed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Despite this difference, all Medicare Advantage plans must cover the same medically necessary services as Original Medicare, ensuring enrollees can access the care they need. The only exception is hospice care, which is covered under Medicare Part A.

Another difference between the two types of Medicare is that most Medicare Advantage plans cover prescription drugs. Original Medicare doesn’t include prescription coverage, so enrollees have to purchase a Medicare Part D supplement if they don’t want to be responsible for paying the full cost of their medications out of pocket. Many Medicare Advantage plans also cover extra benefits that aren’t included with Original Medicare. Depending on the plan guidelines, Medicare Advantage may cover hearing aids, dentures, dental exams and routine vision care, among other services.

Arizona has more than 1.4 million people enrolled in Medicare. About 45% of them chose Medicare Advantage, which accounts for about 2.54% of the 26.4 million Medicare Advantage members in the United States in 2021. The following guide explains how Medicare Advantage works, provides details about the eligibility requirements and offers guidance on choosing a Medicare Advantage plan.

The Top 10 Medicare Advantage Plans in Arizona

In Arizona, more than a dozen insurance companies offer Medicare Advantage plans, giving residents plenty of options when it’s time to enroll. There’s more information below about these plans and the type of coverage they offer.

The following table lists the 10 most popular Medicare Advantage providers in Arizona. Because most providers offer more than one plan, the cost information is displayed as a range. We also combined the enrollment numbers for the individual plans to determine the total number of members served by each provider. Price and enrollment data is current as of April 2022, but Medicare.gov has the most recent statistics for Arizona.

How Medicare Advantage Plans Work in Arizona

Medicare Advantage providers offer several types of plans, all of which have different rules regarding how members access care. Some plans require referrals, but others are a little more flexible. Certain plans also provide some coverage for out-of-network services. The graphic below provides details about the four most common types of Medicare Advantage Plans in Arizona.

What Medicare Advantage Plans Cover in Arizona

Medicare Advantage covers all medically necessary services covered by Original Medicare, including doctor visits, hospital care, X-rays, lab tests and preventive care. The only exception is hospice care, which is covered by Original Medicare instead of Medicare Advantage. Some providers even offer extra benefits to make their plans more attractive to Medicare-eligible residents of Arizona.

*Select plans offer this coverage

** Most plans offer this coverage

Eligibility for Medicare Advantage in Arizona

To enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan, an Arizona resident must live in the plan’s service area, have Medicare Part A and Part B coverage and meet other basic eligibility requirements. Medicare is available to U.S. citizens and lawful immigrants who are at least 65 years old or qualify for Medicare at a younger age due to end-stage kidney failure, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or another type of disability. Like other types of insurance, Medicare Advantage doesn’t offer year-round enrollment. Therefore, it’s important to plan carefully when enrolling in Medicare Advantage for the first time or switching plans. The list below provides important details about enrollment timing for Medicare Advantage.

• Initial Coverage Election Period: This is the initial 7-month period, coinciding with one’s 65th birthday, during which everyone is eligible to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.
• Annual Election Period (AEP): Also referred to as the Open Enrollment Period, this the time of year when anyone over 65 can enroll in Medicare Advantage for the first time or change to a new plan.
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: During this period, those who are already enrolled in Medicare Advantage can switch to a different plan or switch back to Original Medicare.

Additionally, Medicare Advantage plan participants can change their plan outside of these enrollment periods under certain qualifying circumstances, such as moving to a new state.

How to Find & Choose a Medicare Advantage Plan in Arizona

Navigating the many intricacies of Medicare Advantage plan types, insurers, and the specific plan options available by region can be a difficult and time-consuming task. Below are several resources we’ve created to help you through the process.

First is a downloadable PDF that you can use as a guide to help you compare plans as you research. Finally, we have listed a number of organizations that you can contact with experts that will help you determine whether Medicare Advantage is right for you and what plans you should consider.

State-Wide Medicare Advantage Resources

Local Medicare Advantage Resources