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

Seniors in Maryland looking for alternative options to federally funded Medicare might find what they need with a Medicare Advantage Plan. Traditional Medicare is usually a combination of Plan A hospital coverage and Plan B medical coverage, with an option to add Plan D to help with the cost of prescriptions. The addition of Plan D includes an extra premium that must be paid each month. Medicare Advantage is offered through private insurance companies and combines Part A and B under one plan and often includes prescription coverage without adding to the premium, potentially saving seniors some money on their monthly expenses. Some plans may even include extras, such as vision, dental, hearing, fitness and medical transportation coverage.

Private insurers are required to offer equivalent coverage to Plan A and B for their plans to qualify as Medicare Advantage, but they often limit coverage to their chosen network of care facilities and providers. This network is usually limited within state lines, so seniors who travel frequently may find difficulty obtaining covered medical care when they are outside their home state. Enrollees can still see doctors outside the established network, but they will have to pay significantly more for the care they receive. Conversely, original Medicare is accepted at any facility or provider in the country that has opted in to work with Medicare patients. Medicare Advantage also includes an annual out-of-pocket limit.

Of the 1,113,913 eligible residents in Maryland, just 22% have enrolled in Medicare Advantage as of July 2023. While this sounds low, at less than half the national average of 48%, it is a 17.01% increase from the number of enrollees recorded in 2022.

For interested seniors, this guide provides an overview of how Medicare Advantage works and what it takes to be eligible. It also offers information to assist with choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan that best covers their needs.

The Top 10 Medicare Advantage Plans in Maryland

Medicare Advantage Plans are offered by multiple providers in Maryland, each with a variety of plan options to choose from. This allows seniors to shop around for a plan that fits well with their care needs and their budget. The table below provides information on the 9 most popular providers in the state and includes a cost range that covers the lowest to the highest priced plan for that provider. As of July 2023, the given information is correct. For additional information on specific plans available, seniors can visit Medicare.gov.

Name

Enrollment

Medicare Star Rating

Monthly Cost Range

Plan Types

Kaiser Permanente

73897

5

$0 – $141

HMO

UnitedHealthcare

21962

4

$0 – $26

PPO

Humana

12962

4.5

$0 – $69

PPO, HMO

Cigna

12013

3

$0 – $58

HMO

Aetna Medicare

9552

2.5

$0 – $301

PPO, HMO

Johns Hopkins Advantage MD

8443

3

$0 – $30

HMO

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield

5849

N/A

$0 – $125

HMO

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

1089

5

$0 – $197

HMO

HMSA Akamai Advantage

701

3.5

$0 – $83

HMO

How Medicare Advantage Plans Work in Maryland

Understanding how Medicare Advantage plans work in Maryland can help seniors make the best decision for their individual health care needs. Each insurer offers a variety of plans, including health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and preferred provider organizations (PPOs). These have different requirements regarding referrals, using in-network and out-of-network providers and the need for a primary care provider. Descriptions of the most common types of plans can be found below.

Medicare Advantage Plan Types Graphic

What Medicare Advantage Plans Cover in Maryland

Medicare Advantage plans must provide all the same benefits of Original Medicare, also known as Part A and Part B, except for hospice care. This includes inpatient hospital care, mental health services, preventive screenings and lab tests. Many Medicare Advantage plans offer extra benefits that aren’t included in Original Medicare, such as dental care, hearing and vision services. Most also include prescription drug 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 Maryland

To join a Medicare Advantage plan, an applicant must have Medicare Part A and Part B, be a U.S. citizen or be lawfully present in the country and live in the service area of the plan they want to join. Medicare is available to people aged 65 and over, younger people with disabilities and those with end-stage renal disease. As with other types of health insurance, Medicare has specific enrollment periods. It’s important for seniors to know when they can enroll or change Medicare plans to ensure their health needs are covered. The list below has more information about the timing of Medicare enrollment.

  • 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 Maryland

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 Assistance Program

Maryland’s Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program is a statewide network of highly trained volunteers who specialize in helping seniors understand, enroll in and navigate Medicare. Seniors can receive one-on-one counseling in person or over the phone to learn about and discuss topics such as Medicare Advantage plans, long-term care insurance, Medigap policies and prescription drug coverage. Counselors can help seniors compare plans, complete applications, better understand their medical bills and recognize and report abuse or fraud. 

Contact Info

To contact SHIP, Maryland seniors can call the Maryland Department of Aging at 1-800-243-3425 or reach out to a local counselor directly by finding their phone number here.

Visit Website
Maryland Department of Aging

One of the Maryland Department of Aging’s primary goals is to help seniors and their loved ones easily access and understand the resources and supports available to them throughout the state. The Department promotes seniors’ health and well-being by financing certain supportive services, coordinating programs and partnering with organizations that provide seniors with Medicare information and assistance. These include SHIP, Area Agencies on Aging, the Senior Medicare Patrol program, financial abuse prevention and the Maryland Access Point program. 

Contact Info

To reach the Maryland Department of Aging, seniors can call 410-767-1100 or 800-243-3425 or visit the office at 301 West Preston Street, Suite 1007, Baltimore, Maryland 21201.

Senior Medicare Patrol

Maryland’s Senior Medicare Patrol is a program that connects seniors to volunteers who help them become aware of potential Medicare fraud, spot medical billing errors and report concerns and scams. Seniors can receive confidential, one-on-one counseling either over the phone or at an SMP office, with counseling at-home available for some seniors with mobility issues. SMP volunteers are also available to give educational group presentations.

Contact Info

To contact SMP or report potential fraud or concerns, seniors can call the Maryland Department of Aging at 1-800-243-3425. They can also call the SMP program manager, Rebecca Bradley, at 410-767-2077 or email her at [email protected]​.

Email
Maryland Insurance Administration

The Maryland Insurance Administration helps Maryland insurance consumers by providing detailed information on the many types of insurance programs and options throughout the state. Seniors can contact the administration or visit its website to read consumer publications on understanding their health insurance rights and coverage, view a Medicare supplement webinar and file complaints. Information is also available on annuities, dental plans and life insurance.

Contact Info

To contact the Maryland Insurance Administration, seniors can call toll-free at 1-800-492-6116 or visit the office at 200 St. Paul Place, Suite 2700, Baltimore, MD 21202.

Local Medicare Advantage Resources

Maryland Access Point

Maryland Access Point, or MAP, is a statewide initiative to provide seniors and people with disabilities with access to information, resources and programs regarding long-term care. Spread throughout the state, 20 MAP centers offer Medicare counseling services, legal assistance and one-on-one guidance to help seniors develop a long-term care plan with housing, financial assistance and more. Additionally, The MAP website has an online resources directory seniors can use to find support programs local to their area. 

Contact Info

To contact MAP, seniors can call 1-844-627-5465 or locate and contact their local MAP center through MAP’s website here.

Visit Website
Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities

The Anne Arundel County Department Aging and Disabilities offer local seniors a comprehensive list of area resources and programs. Seniors can contact the Department to access services and information on low-cost health care, an aging resource database, adult public guardianship and administrative care coordination. The Department also runs a Legal and Financial Aid program that provides seniors with free assistance with issues regarding Medicare, guardianship, nursing home residence and other health-care-related areas.

Contact Info

Seniors can contact the Anne Arundel County Department Aging and Disabilities office by calling 410-222-4257. They can also visit either of its two locations at 7320 Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie, MD 21061 and 2666 Riva Road, Annapolis, MD 21401.