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 provides health insurance to 65 million Americans all over the country, with nearly 2.5 million enrollees just in Ohio. Traditionally, Original Medicare has split its coverage into three parts, known as Parts A, B and D. Part A is the inpatient hospital benefit, while Part B covers outpatient services and medical supplies and equipment. Part D is the prescription drug benefit that’s offered as an optional program for beneficiaries who get their services through Original Medicare.

Medicare Advantage, sometimes called Part C, is an alternative method for receiving benefits. These plans are delivered through private insurance providers that are authorized to operate in the state of Ohio. There’s a wide variety of plans available, organized into HMO and PPO options, each of which delivers the same coverage as Original Medicare Parts A and B for one monthly premium. Most Medicare Advantage Plans also include some Part D benefits and a few services not usually covered by Original Medicare, such as dental and vision care.

The actual majority of Ohio seniors, 51%, have chosen to get their Medicare benefits through a Part C plan. This is higher than the 48% national participation rate. In 2023, nearly 1.3 million enrollees signed up for one of Ohio’s Medicare Advantage Plans, which is nearly 100,000 more than participated in 2022. Nationally, Part C participation rose by just under 7% from 2022-23, while Ohio saw nearly a 6% increase.

This guide contains helpful information about Ohio’s top Medicare Advantage providers. They are listed with price data, consumer review ratings and plan types. The goal is to help seniors in Ohio, their families and caregivers find a plan that works for them, as well as to get started researching a provider for their Medicare Advantage coverage.

The Top 10 Medicare Advantage Plans in Ohio

Ohio allows multiple providers to offer 202 Medicare Advantage Plans to eligible seniors in the Buckeye State. In the table below, the top 18 Medicare Advantage providers are listed with aggregate enrollment numbers for the multiple plans offered and average costs across all of each provider’s plans. A Medicare star rating is also included to help readers understand current enrollees’ personal experience with providers. Data on the table is accurate as of July 2023, though more information about benefits is available from Medicare.gov.

Name

Enrollment

Medicare Star Rating

Monthly Cost Range

Plan Types

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield

315836

3

$0 – $87

PPO, HMO

UnitedHealthcare

228770

4

$0 – $295

PPO, HMO

Aetna Medicare

195135

3.5

$0 – $198

PPO, HMO

Humana

116622

4

$0 – $150

PPO, HMO, PFFS

Highmark Inc.

88385

4.5

$0 – $79

PPO

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

47360

4

$0 – $0

HMO

Medical Mutual of Ohio

36155

5

$0 – $200

PPO, HMO

SummaCare Medicare Advantage Plans

23323

5

$0 – $170

HMO

Devoted Health

21096

5

$0 – $19

PPO, HMO

Cigna

14389

2.5

$0 – $78

PPO, HMO

How Medicare Advantage Plans Work in Ohio

It’s important to understand how Medicare Advantage works in Ohio before enrolling in this program. Insurers typically sell multiple plans including health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and preferred provider organizations (PPOs). Each type of plan carries different stipulations regarding in-network and out-of-network coverage, choosing a primary care provider, prescription drug coverage and referrals. Here’s how Ohio’s four most popular plans work:

Medicare Advantage Plan Types Graphic

What Medicare Advantage Plans Cover in Ohio

All Medicare Advantage plans must cover the same benefits available to Original Medicare beneficiaries except for hospice care. These services include preventive screenings, X-rays, lab tests and care provided during a hospital stay. Medicare Advantage providers may also offer additional benefits such as eye care, dental care and hearing aids.



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 Ohio

To qualify for Medicare Advantage, an applicant must already be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. They must also reside within the plan’s service area and satisfy all other Medicare eligibility criteria. Enrollees must be at least 65 years old or have a disability that makes them eligible for Medicare at a younger age. They must be a U.S. citizen or legal immigrant. As with other types of health insurance, Medicare has limited enrollment periods, so it’s important to know the deadlines for applying for Medicare or changing plans. Refer to the list below for more details regarding enrollment timing.

  • 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 Ohio

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

Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program 

The Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) provides free one-on-one counseling to Medicare beneficiaries and caregivers statewide. Trained counselors and volunteers help residents compare Medicare Advantage Plans and other alternatives, including Medigap coverage and Part D Prescription Drug Plans. Experts can also provide additional information about financial assistance programs like Extra Help. Counseling services are available via OSHIP’s toll-free hotline. The agency also organizes webinars and hosts more than 1,400 outreach events. Every year, more than 260,000 consumers receive impartial advice through this award-winning program.

Contact Info

Seniors can reach the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program by calling 1-800-686-1578 or sending an email to [email protected].

Email
Ohio Department of Medicaid

Low-income seniors may access a variety of benefits through the Ohio Department of Medicaid. This agency manages the Medicare Premium Assistance Program (MPAP), which helps qualifying individuals pay for their Medicare premiums, prescription drugs and out-of-pocket costs, including deductibles and/or coinsurance payments. Eligibility is based on the applicant’s income and assets.

Contact Info

Benefits are administered by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services at the county level. Seniors can visit the agency online or call 1-800-324-8680 to locate the nearest office.

Visit Website
Ohio Department of Insurance

The Ohio Department of Insurance is a regulatory agency and consumer protection bureau that licenses insurance agents, provides educational resources and investigates complaints. Residents can contact the ODI’s toll-free hotline for assistance with questions related to Medicare, Part D drug plans, long-term care insurance and all other policies.

Contact Info

Ohio residents can reach the Department of Insurance online, by calling 1-800-686-1526 or by emailing [email protected].

Visit Website Email
UHCAN Ohio

UHCAN Ohio is a statewide coalition representing more than 20 regional consumer advocacy groups, including Ohio Consumers for Health Coverage. This organization focuses on influencing government policies, giving consumers a voice and ensuring that all Ohioans have access to affordable, quality medical care. The agency provides information about insurance enrollment, prescription drug assistance, Medicare Extra Help and insurance complaints.

Contact Info

UHCAN Ohio is located on South Third Street in Columbus. Consumers statewide can reach the agency via email at [email protected] or by calling 614-505-9460.

Email

Local Medicare Advantage Resources

Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging 

The Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA) provides a variety of resources to help seniors select the best Medicare plan for their needs. The organization hosts monthly workshops and has published a series of short, informative Medicare for Beginners videos that seniors can watch online anytime. Trained staff members provide insurance counseling to some 10,000 seniors in Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway and Union counties.

Contact Info

COAAA serves seniors in Columbus and cities across central Ohio. Residents in the agency’s eight-county service area can reach the organization online, at [email protected] or by calling 1-800-589-7277.

Email
Jewish Family Service

Licensed social workers and OSHIP-certified experts provide personalized Medicare counseling at Cincinnati-based Jewish Family Service. Trained professionals help seniors of all faiths compare Medicare plans, including HMOs, PPOs and prescription drug coverage. Similar services are available for long-term care insurance, retiree health plans and Medicare supplements.

Contact Info

Jewish Family Service serves seniors across southwestern Ohio. Consumers can reach the agency at 513-469-1188 or [email protected].

Email
Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, Inc. 

The Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, Inc. (AAA) has served seniors in nine north-central Ohio counties for the past 45 years. Options counselors can answer insurance questions and help residents compare Part D prescription drug plans. The agency can also help low- and moderate-income seniors apply for Extra Help that can reduce their Part B premiums and prescription drug costs.

Contact Info

Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging serves seniors, caregivers and disabled adults in Richland, Ashland, Crawford, Huron, Knox, Marion, Morrow, Seneca and Wyandot counties. Residents can learn more online, by calling 1-800-860-5799 or by visiting the AAA office in Ontario.

Visit Website
Buckeye Hills Regional Council 

Located in southeast Ohio, the Buckeye Hills Regional Council has served area seniors for more than 50 years. The agency offers Medicare/Medicaid counseling, information and referrals. During Medicare open enrollment, seniors can sign up for a group workshop or schedule a one-on-one consultation. Certified staff members help residents apply for Medicare Extra Help benefits, including the Low-Income Subsidy and Medicare Savings Program. The center also connects seniors with financial assistance available through the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008.

Contact Info

The Buckeye Hills Regional Council serves seniors in Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry and Washington counties. For insurance counseling or information about other programs and resources, seniors can call 740-374-9436 or email the agency at [email protected].

Email