More than 3.7 million people in New York are signed up for Medicare, making it the fourth-largest U.S. state for Medicare beneficiaries
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Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people age 65 and older. Medicare Advantage is a bundled alternative to Medicare sold by private insurance 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 have 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 New York
About 1 in 6 people in New York are 65 and older, and there are a variety of Medicare Advantage plans in the state
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The average monthly premium in 2023 for a Medicare Advantage plan in New York is $26.02. (It was $30.04 in 2022.)

There are 288 Medicare Advantage plans available in New York in 2023. (There were 280 plans in 2022.)

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

Medicare Advantage companies in New York
Aetna.

AgeWell New York.

CDPHP Medicare Advantage.

Centers Plan for Healthy Living.

Cigna.

Elderplan.

EmblemHealth Medicare HMO.

Empire BlueCross BlueShield.

Excellus Health Plan Inc.

Healthfirst Medicare Plan.

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York and Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York.

Humana.

Independent Health.

MediGold.

MetroPlus Health Plan.

MVP Health Care.

UnitedHealthcare.

VNS Health Medicare.

Wellcare.

Wellcare by Fidelis Care.

Top-rated Medicare Advantage plans in New York
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 at least one plan that received top marks in New York for the 2023 plan year
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. (Get more information about Medicare star ratings.)

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

CDPHP Medicare Advantage.

Excellus Health Plan Inc.

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York and Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York.

Independent Health.

MVP Health Care.

4.5-star plans
The company below offers plans in New York that are rated 4.5 stars out of 5 by CMS:

VNS Health Medicare.

» MORE: Best Medicare Advantage plans
Medicare resources in New York
New York State Office for the Aging: Provides information and answers questions about Medicare and other health insurance.

New York State’s HIICAP: Provides free counseling and assistance with Medicare and other health insurance.

New York State Department of Health: Shares information on specific health and insurance topics.

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).