Table of Contents

Medicare Plans by State

STATE -Select-
  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming
Page Reviewed / Updated – December 23, 2023

Medicare Advantage Plans are an alternative to Original Medicare. Also known as Medicare Part C, these policies replace the coverage provided by Parts A (hospital insurance) and B (medical insurance). All Medicare Advantage policies must cover the same services as Parts A and B, although many offer extra benefits for more comprehensive coverage. For example, many plans include dental care, prescription drug coverage (Medicare Part D) and additional wellness services excluded from Original Medicare. Medicare-approved private health insurers sell Medicare Advantage policies. Seniors typically qualify for Medicare Advantage coverage if they’re eligible for Original Medicare, although most insurance companies don’t accept applicants with end-stage renal disease. 

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) policies are the most common types of Medicare Advantage coverage. HMO policies pay for care when the enrollee receives covered services from providers in the company’s network. PPO policies allow enrollees to receive care from out-of-network providers, although they may charge the difference if the cost of care exceeds the insurer’s approved amount. Seniors can also purchase specialized Medicare Advantage Plans tailored to people with complex needs. For example, some insurers sell plans designed for people living in nursing homes. 

Medicare Advantage enrollment in Idaho increased significantly between 2022 and 2023. The number of Idaho residents enrolled in Medicare Advantage Plans rose by 11.6% during this period, compared to 9.75% across the U.S. Eligibility for Medicare Advantage policies also increased by 3.69%, slightly more than the national average of 2.66%. Of the Idaho residents eligible for Medicare Advantage, 7.63% more purchased a plan in 2022 than in 2023. This figure exceeds the U.S. average of 6.9%.

This guide assists Idaho residents considering Medicare Advantage Plans. It clarifies plan options, coverage, costs and provides easy insights into enrollment periods and finding suitable plans.

The Top 10 Medicare Advantage Plans in Idaho

In Idaho, the number of available Medicare Advantage Plans depends on what service area a beneficiary lives in. The table below lists the Top 10 Medicare Advantage Plans in Idaho in terms of enrollment. It includes the total enrollment numbers to illustrate how many Idaho residents enrolled in each plan. Cost information and star ratings provide further context. Many insurers offer several Medicare Advantage policies, so the table presents average monthly costs as a range.

All plan information in the table below is accurate as of July 2023. Medicare.gov provides the most up-to-date information about Medicare Advantage Plans in Idaho. 

Name

Enrollment

Medicare Star Rating

Monthly Cost Range

Plan Types

UnitedHealthcare

59701

3.5

$0 – $99

PPO, HMO

Highmark Inc.

56042

3.5

$0 – $152

HMO

Humana

17665

3

$0 – $199

PPO, HMO

Molina Healthcare of Utah & Idaho

8742

3

$0 – $0

HMO

SelectHealth

7976

5

$0 – $88

HMO

Regence BlueShield Of Idaho

7107

3.5

$0 – $122

PPO

PacificSource Medicare

5760

3.5

$0 – $35

HMO

Saint Alphonsus Health Plan

1854

3.5

$0 – $29

HMO

Aetna Medicare

1238

3

$0 – $36

PPO

Blue Cross of Idaho

895

N/A

$0 – $0

PPO

How Medicare Advantage Plans Work in Idaho

The 16% of Idaho’s population aged 65 and older, along with younger adults with disabilities, can choose between various different Medicare Advantage plans. The four main types of Medicare Advantage Plans in Idaho are Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) and Special Needs Plan (SNP). Each one varies in price and differs when it comes to the referral requirements and in-network versus out-of-network health centers. Plan providers often offer more than one plan type. Information comparing and contrasting the four main types of Medicare Advantage plans is below. 

Medicare Advantage Plan Types Graphic

What Medicare Advantage Plans Cover in Idaho

In Idaho and nationwide, Medicare Advantage plans cover all the same health care services as Original Medicare, except for hospice care which remains covered under Medicare Part A. This includes services such as preventative screenings, X-rays, lab tests, hospital care and durable medical equipment.

Medicare Advantage plan providers can also offer additional benefits such as dental, vision, hearing aids and prescription drug coverage. Beneficiaries considering a Medicare Advantage plan should carefully review plan documents to compare and contrast coverage. 



Coverage Available With Medicare Parts A & B?

Coverage Available With Medicare Advantage?

Preventive Screenings

Yes

Yes

Hospital Care

Yes

Yes

Durable Medical Equipment

Yes

Yes

Prescription Drugs

No

Yes**

Vision Care

No

Yes*

Dental Care

No

Yes*

Hearing Aids

No

Yes*

*Select plans offer this coverage

** Most plans offer this coverage

Eligibility for Medicare Advantage in Idaho

All Idaho residents eligible for Medicare Parts A and B can enroll in Medicare Advantage. They must be age 65 or older, have a qualifying disability and be U.S. citizens or lawful immigrants. Beneficiaries must enroll in Original Medicare before applying for Medicare Advantage. 

Some Medicare Advantage plans have additional eligibility requirements. For example, Medicare Special Needs Plans (SNP) are only available to individuals with specific diseases or chronic conditions. 

Beneficiaries can only apply for Medicare Advantage during specific enrollment periods. Once the enrollment periods are over, there’s no way to sign up for a plan or change coverage unless a qualifying life event occurs, such as moving or losing coverage elsewhere. Medicare Advantage enrollment periods include:

  • 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.

Start Date

End Date

Initial Coverage Election
Period

3 Months Before One’s
65th Birth Month

3 Months After One’s
65th Birth Month

Annual Election Period
(AEP)

October 15th

December 7th

Medicare Advantage Open
Enrollment Period

January 1st

March 31st

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 Idaho

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.

Choose a Medicare Advantage Plan



State-Wide Medicare Advantage Resources

Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors

Idaho’s Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) provides free, unbiased information on Medicare benefits, plans and costs. Operated by the Idaho Department of Insurance, SHIBA program volunteers and partner organizations deliver group presentations and educational workshops throughout the state. SHIBA-certified Medicare counselors and outreach workers also conduct one-on-one Medicare counseling sessions in-person and by phone. SHIBA offices are located in Boise, Pocatello and Coeur d’Alene.

Contact Info

For more information about SHIBA services or to book an appointment with a SHIBA counselor, call the SHIBA Medicare helpline at (800) 247-4422. 

Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) 

Idaho’s Senior Medicare Patrol program is a volunteer-based fraud prevention program that provides consumers with education and one-on-one counseling. SMP volunteers deliver free Medicare fraud prevention workshops and attend public events throughout the state to raise awareness about Medicare double-billing, over-billing, marketing scams and financial exploitation related to Medicare. Seniors who are concerned about their Medicare Advantage plan billing or service delivery can speak with an SMP volunteer, and cases that may involve criminal actions are escalated to the appropriate authorities. 

Contact Info

Seniors can contact an SMP program through their local Area Agency on Aging. Links to the six AAAs in Idaho are available on the Idaho Commission on Aging, Senior Medicare Patrol website. 

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Idaho Legal Aid – Senior Legal Hotline

Idaho Legal Aid Services is a non-profit law firm that helps low-income Idaho residents with civil legal matters throughout the state. The organization operates the Senior Legal Hotline, a free telephone service for seniors age 60 and older who need legal advice. The Senior Legal Hotline is staffed by lawyers and paralegals who can review civil law concerns and provide legal guidance. If a caller requires further assistance, they will be referred to a low-cost or pro bono law clinic in their community. 

Contact Info

To speak with a Legal Aid attorney, call the Senior Legal Advice Line at (208) 746-7541. 

Idaho Commission on Aging

The Idaho Commission on Aging is a state-run organization that works to ensure Idahoans have access to the resources needed to live independently and with dignity. The Commission maintains an up-to-date listing of resources for seniors throughout the state, advocates for seniors at the state and federal level, and helps connect seniors with community supports. Seniors can find plain-language guides on the ICOA website with information about safety issues, Medicare fraud and Adult Protective Services for vulnerable adults. 

Contact Info

Seniors can visit the ICOA online or call (208) 334-3833.

Local Medicare Advantage Resources

City of Boise — Dick Eardley Senior Center

The Dick Eardly Senior Center is a multipurpose community center for adults age 62 and older that is owned and operated by the City of Boise. The center operates a variety of free and low-cost leisure and wellness programs during the week that is designed to help seniors stay active and engaged in their community. Seniors are also able to enjoy low-cost lunchtime meals through the senior nutrition program, and the center frequently hosts informational workshops that cover Medicaid Advantage plan options in the area. Seniors can also learn about local resources such as low-cost transportation, housing, home care and financial assistance. 

Contact Info

Seniors can view the monthly newsletter and program calendar on the City of Boise’s website, or call the center at (206) 608-7580.

Area Agency on Aging of North Idaho

Located in Coeur d’Alene and serving Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, the Area Agency on Aging of North Idaho assists older adults in finding the information and support they need to maintain a satisfactory quality of life. In order to promote independent living, the agency provides home delivered meals, homemaker services, and respite services as well as connecting seniors to Adult Protective Services and Long Term Care Ombudsmen. They also partner with SHIBA to provide free Medicare Advantage workshops and counseling to seniors living in North Idaho. 

Contact Info

More information is available on the Area Agency on Aging of North Idaho’s website or by calling (208) 667-3179 / (800) 786-5536 or emailing [email protected]

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