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 – September 17, 2022

Medicare Advantage is an alternative way for seniors who are eligible for Medicare to access health insurance. Also known as Part C, or MA plans, Medicare Advantage plans combine the benefits of Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B into a single plan offered by approved private companies. Except for hospice care, Medicare Advantage plans must provide at least the same level of benefits as Original Medicare. Many insurers offer additional benefits, such as wellness programs, transportation to medical appointments and dental, hearing and vision services. 

Most Medicare Advantage plans also include prescription drug benefits. This means seniors with Medicare Advantage don’t need to purchase a supplementary prescription plan. Providers must follow certain rules set out by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, but they’re allowed to set their own out-of-pocket costs. In addition, each plan has different rules regarding the use of in-network providers and the need for referrals. Almost 1.1 million Marylanders are eligible for Medicare, and 12.5% of these are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. This is significantly lower than the national average of 42%, according to data from 2021.

This guide has an overview of the Medicare Advantage plans available in Maryland. It includes information about what’s covered, who is eligible for Medicare Advantage and how to enroll in a plan. 

The Top 10 Medicare Advantage Plans in Maryland

There are several insurance companies that offer Medicare Advantage plans in Maryland. This gives Medicare-eligible people a wide choice when looking for a plan that works for their circumstances. The table below shows the 10 most popular Medicare Advantage providers in the state, based on the number of people enrolled in their plans. We added together the enrollment numbers for all plans to determine each provider’s total enrollment in Maryland. As most companies offer multiple plans, prices are provided as a range rather than an average. This information was accurate as of April 2022. Up-to-date information on plans that are available in each area of Maryland is available on medicare.gov

Name

Total Enrollment

Star Rating

Min Cost

Max Cost

Plan Types

Kaiser Permanente

71,684

5

$0

$142

HMO

UnitedHealthcare

36,831

4

$0

$199

HMO, PPO

Aetna Medicare

30,168

4

$0

$118

HMO, PPO

Cigna

17,975

3.5

$0

$101

HMO, PPO

Johns Hopkins HealthCare

15,255

3.5

$30

$301

HMO, PPO

Humana

9,154

4

$0

$70

PPO

University of Maryland Health Advantage

6,873

0

$0

$0

HMO

Alterwood Advantage

3,839

0

$0

$125

HMO

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Medicare Advantage

3,295

0

$35

$95

HMO

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

1,092

0

$0

$0

PPO

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.