More than 2.8 million people in Pennsylvania are signed up for Medicare, making it the fifth-largest U.S. state for Medicare beneficiaries
[1]
.

Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people ages 65 and older. Medicare Advantage is a bundled alternative to Medicare sold by private companies. It offers all the same benefits and usually some extras, such as cost savings on dental and vision coverage.

Medicare Advantage plans offer more benefits than Original Medicare, and they can be cheaper than paying for Medicare and a Medicare Supplement plan. However, they offer less flexibility since you’ll need to get care from within the plan’s network of providers. Weigh your options to determine which plan best suits your needs.

» MORE: Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage: Which should I choose?

What to know about Medicare in Pennsylvania
About 1 in 5 people in Pennsylvania are 65 and older, and there are a variety of Medicare Advantage plans in the state
[2]
.

The average monthly premium in 2023 for a Medicare Advantage plan in Pennsylvania is $30.05. (It was $33.75 in 2022.)

There are 262 Medicare Advantage plans available in Pennsylvania in 2023. (This is up from 240 plans in 2022.)

All Medicare-eligible people in Pennsylvania have access to a $0-premium Medicare Advantage plan.

Medicare Advantage companies in Pennsylvania
Aetna Medicare.

Capital Blue Cross.

Cigna.

Clover Health.

Devoted Health.

Geisinger Gold.

Health Partners Medicare.

Highmark Inc.

Humana.

Independence Blue Cross.

Lasso Healthcare.

UnitedHealthcare.

UPMC for Life.

Wellcare.

Wellcare by Allwell.

Top-rated Medicare Advantage plans in Pennsylvania
Each year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, awards every Medicare Advantage plan a star rating on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being a top-rated plan. Below are companies with plans that received top marks in Pennsylvania for the 2023 plan year
[3]
. (Check out more information about Medicare star ratings.)

5-star plans
The companies below offer plans in Pennsylvania that are rated 5 out of 5 stars by CMS:

Highmark Inc.

Independence Blue Cross.

UnitedHealthcare.

UPMC for Life.

4.5-star plans
The companies below offer plans in Pennsylvania that are rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by CMS:

Aetna Medicare.

Capital Blue Cross.

Geisinger Gold.

Humana.

This list doesn’t include special needs plans, which restrict membership to people with certain diseases or characteristics, such as having a chronic illness or living in a nursing home.

» MORE: Best Medicare Advantage plans
Find the right Medicare Advantage plan
It’s important to do your research before selecting a Medicare Advantage plan for yourself. Here are some questions to consider asking:

What are the plan’s costs? Do you understand what the plan’s premium, deductibles, copays and/or coinsurance will be? Can you afford them?

Is your doctor in-network? If you have a preferred medical provider or providers, make sure they participate in the plan’s network.

Are your prescriptions covered? If you’re on medication, it’s crucial to understand how the plan covers it. What tier are your prescription drugs on, and are there any coverage rules that apply to them?

Is there dental coverage? Does the plan offer routine coverage for vision, dental and hearing needs?

Are there extras? Does the plan offer any extra benefits, such as fitness memberships, transportation benefits or meal delivery?

Medicare Advantage companies
Get more information below about some of the major Medicare Advantage companies. These insurance companies offer plans in most states. The plans you can choose from will depend on your ZIP code and county.

AARP Medicare Advantage plans.

Aetna Medicare Advantage plans.

Anthem Medicare Advantage plans.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plans.

Cigna Medicare Advantage plans.

Humana Medicare Advantage plans.

Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage plans.

UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans.

Wellcare Medicare Advantage plans.

If you have additional questions about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048).
Looking for more insurance in Pennsylvania? Check out these resources:

Pennsylvania car insurance.

Pennsylvania homeowners insurance.

Pennsylvania renters insurance.