Best Cheap Medicare Advantage Plans in Alabama
Compare Medicare Plans in Your Area
Aetna is the best cheap Medicare Advantage offered in Alabama. The company has a low average cost of $8 per month, and its 4-star rating is better than average. Also, medical care is affordable because of its low copayments and $0 generic prescriptions.
Viva Health has the highest-rated Medicare Advantage plans in Alabama. Customers are overwhelmingly satisfied by their coverage, but Viva is only offered in about half of the state, and the company has a small network of doctors and hospitals.
How ValuePenguin chose these Medicare plans: Our expert's data-backed research analyzed Medicare Advantage plans in Alabama that include prescription drug coverage and compared cost, quality ratings and plan benefits.
Compare Alabama Medicare Advantage plans
In Alabama, it costs an average of $18 per month for a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage.
Medicare Advantage plans are popular in Alabama, and 60% of Medicare enrollees in the state have an Advantage plan rather than Original Medicare.
Nine insurance companies sell Medicare Advantage plans in Alabama, and every company offers at least one plan that costs $0 per month.
Most insurance companies in Alabama have good overall ratings of about 4 stars or higher from Medicare.gov. Viva Health stands out for its 5-star rating — only 6% of Medicare Advantage plans nationwide have earned this top score. The only company with an average star rating below 3 is Wellcare, which has an average rating of just two and a half stars.
Rating data has not been released for Ascension Complete and Wellcare because the plans in Alabama are either too new to be measured or there was not enough data available based on current enrollment.
Keep in mind that there are usually trade-offs when choosing your plan. For example, Aetna is the best cheap insurance company, but plans can have a high out-of-pocket maximum , which means you're not as well protected against major medical costs. On the other hand, Viva Health's strong ratings mean it offers high-quality service, but it has a smaller network of doctors and hospitals.
When comparing Medicare Advantage plans, remember the rule of thumb that a cheap plan is usually good for people who are in good health. You'll keep your monthly costs low and will pay as you go for the health services you use. But if you expect to need expensive medical care such as surgery, it is often worth it to get a more expensive plan with better benefits. This can limit your total spending and help you save money.
Also remember, if you have a low income, there are resources available to help you pay for health insurance and medical costs. In Alabama, people with a low income can participate in the Medicare Savings Program (MSP), which can help pay for plans and, in some cases, cover the cost of medical care.
And if you're dual enrolled in Medicaid and Medicare, a Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) can offer added benefits.
Watch out for Medicare Advantage plans without prescription drug coverage: These cheap plans may seem like a good deal, but they're usually not a good idea unless you have other prescription drug coverage.
If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can't enroll in a separate Medicare Part D plan for prescription drugs.
Aetna: Best cheap Medicare Advantage offer in Alabama
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Star rating
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Monthly rate
$8 ?
Pros and cons
In Alabama, Aetna's Medicare Advantage plans cost $8 per month on average, and you can get them in most states. With a 4-star overall rating from Medicare.gov, Aetna's Medicare Advantage plans are both cheap and high-quality.
Aetna's plans are best for those who have average medical needs. That's because it has the highest out-of-pocket maximum (OOPM) in Alabama. The average Medicare Advantage plan in Alabama has an out-of-pocket maximum of $5,347 while Aetna's plans have an out-of-pocket maximum of $6,471 on average.
That means if you get seriously sick or injured, you could pay over a thousand dollars more per year with an Aetna plan compared to the state average.
Nearly all of Aetna's Alabama plans are PPOs, which means you'll be covered for medical care outside of your health network. Also, with a PPO, you don't need to see your primary care doctor before seeing a specialist, giving you more flexibility compared to an HMO. Although PPOs are typically more expensive than HMOs, Aetna's plans cost significantly less than the Alabama state average.
If you want the lowest out-of-pocket maximum you can get, consider a plan from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, which has an average out-of-pocket maximum of $4,250.
Keep in mind that although Blue Cross Blue Shield has the lowest out-of-pocket maximums in Alabama, it also has the highest monthly rates. That means it's only a good idea to buy a Blue Cross Blue Shield plan if you have a serious or ongoing sickness.
It's also important to note that Aetna plans are well-rated for customer service, scoring four out of five stars from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS).
Highest-rated Medicare Advantage plans: Viva Health
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Star rating
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Monthly rate
$35 ?
Pros and cons
Viva Health is a smaller insurance company, operating only in Alabama. But with a 5-star rating from Medicare.gov, Viva is the best Medicare Advantage company available in Alabama.
In addition to its high star rating, surveyed customers gave 5 stars to their medical coverage, prescription drug coverage and the company's customer service.
Availability is limited, and Viva's plans are only offered in about half of Alabama's counties. There are $0 plans offered in most counties where it operates, providing options that are both affordable and high quality. But some plans run as high as $96 per month.
All of Viva's plans are HMOs, which means you're usually only covered for health care if you go to a doctor or facility that's within the plan's network. This means it's especially important to check that the plan's network includes the doctors you prefer.
Viva Health has a small network compared to the millions of doctors affiliated with the major national insurance companies. For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield has the largest network of doctors, and it is accepted by 90% of the doctors and hospitals in the country.
If you want maximum flexibility about where you go for medical care, Viva is not the best option for you. Instead, consider one of the PPO plans offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama.
For travelers and those who spend time out of state, keep in mind that Viva's network only includes medical companies within Alabama. While plans will cover emergency or urgent care from any doctor when you're outside of the plan's service area, there can be fine print and exclusions, so you may not want to rely on this if you travel frequently.
Viva Health gets 60% fewer complaints compared to an average insurance company its size. Choosing a company that gets a below-average number of complaints can help you avoid a headache later on when you file a claim.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama: Best PPO
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Star rating
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Monthly rate
$80 ?
Pros and cons
A PPO plan from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is the best option if you want flexibility in your choice of doctors. Not only does BCBS have the largest network of doctors nationwide, but plans also cover health care for more than 90% of the doctors and every hospital in Alabama.
BCBS Medicare Advantage plans have a comprehensive set of add-on benefits including hearing aids, dental, vision care and SilverSneakers fitness.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is well-rated with customers, who give it 5 stars for medical coverage and the company's customer service.
The area where Blue Cross Blue Shield falls short is the speed of getting appointments. BCBS only gets 2 stars in the category. So even though customers are satisfied with their access to health care and the quality of the health care they get, there may be delays in getting to see a doctor.
BCBS plans are offered in every county in Alabama, and all residents can choose between two BCBS plans, both of which are PPOs.
Plan | Cost per month | Deductible | Out of pocket max. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Advantage Complete (PPO) | $0 | $0 | $5,100 |
| Blue Advantage Premier (PPO) | $159 | $0 | $3,400 |
The $0 plan is a good choice for most people. Paying $159 per month ($1,908 per year) is rarely worth it and would only save you money in situations where you need expensive medical care that's from an out-of-network doctor or hospital. The more expensive plan only lowers your in-network spending cap by $1,700.
Best value for add-on benefits: AARP/UnitedHealthcare
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Star rating
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Monthly rate
$9 ?
Pros and cons
AARP/UnitedHealthcare plans are the most popular Medicare Advantage plans in the country, and one of the most popular options in Alabama. Plans in Alabama are affordable, with many costing $0 per month. They're well rated with 4.1 stars overall and plans are available statewide.
However, it's the add-on benefits that make AARP plans stand out. Plans include comprehensive dental, coverage for hearing exams, hearing aids, eye exams, prescription lenses, over-the-counter drug benefits, transportation coverage, gym memberships, a healthy living rewards program and more.
For those who expect to use these benefits, the value of what you get with an AARP Medicare Advantage plan adds up, helping you to reduce how much you spend on medical care.
Keep in mind that even though AARP is on the policy name, your insurance will be through UnitedHealthcare. The two companies have a marketing agreement where AARP promotes the plans and UnitedHealthcare pays the organization a royalty for each policy that's sold.
You do not need to be an AARP member to buy a Medicare Advantage plan from UnitedHealthcare.
AARP/UnitedHealthcare offers mostly HMO plans in Alabama. However, one PPO plan is available in every county. Remember, if you don't mind paying a little extra for flexible coverage, a PPO plan is often a better option.
While the benefits are generally good with most AARP plans, the add-on benefits have the biggest value as compared to other coverage options. However, if you're looking for an easy-to-use plan that satisfies customers, consider Viva Health or Blue Cross Blue Shield.
How to sign up for Medicare in Alabama
To get started with Medicare, first sign up for Medicare Parts A and B through the Social Security Administration. Because it's a federal program, your eligibility for Medicare in Alabama is the same as in every other state.
Next, visit Medicare.gov to browse the coverage options that are offered in your county. This can include a bundled Medicare Advantage plan, a Medicare Supplement plan or a Medicare Part D plan for stand-alone prescription drug coverage.
Any cost for Medicare plans from private insurance companies is on top of the standardized rate for Medicare Part B set by the government at $174.70 per month.
If you need help choosing a plan or navigating your options, the Alabama SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) offers free insurance counseling.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for Medicare in Alabama?
The Medicare requirements in Alabama are the same as in the rest of the country. To be eligible, you'll need to be age 65 or older, or have a qualifying disability or medical condition, such as kidney failure.
What is the best Medicare plan in Alabama?
Among the Medicare Advantage plans offered in Alabama, Aetna is the best company for cheap plans with good coverage for those with regular medical needs. Viva Health is the highest-rated company, with 5 stars.
What is the income limit for Medicare in Alabama?
There are no income limits to qualify for Medicare. Instead, your eligibility is based on your age (65 or older) or having a qualifying medical condition. Those who have a low income may be eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.
Methodology and sources
Data on Medicare plans was sourced from the public use files from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Our experts only analyzed Alabama Medicare Advantage plans that include prescription drug coverage. Special Needs Plans (SNPs), Medicare-Medicaid plans, Medical Savings Account (MSA) plans and employer group plans were excluded.
Comparisons were made based on cost, coverage and quality. Medical and drug plan ratings are based on customer feedback to Medicare.gov, while the overall ratings are based on Medicare.gov's aggregation of 40 performance measurements.
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Medicare supplement insurance is available to people age 65 or older enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B, and in some states to those under age 65 eligible for Medicare due to disability or end stage renal disease.
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and benefits are offered by these carriers: Aetna Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Anthem Blue Cross, Aspire Health Plan, Cigna Healthcare, Dean Health Plan, Devoted Health, Florida Blue Medicare, GlobalHealth, Health Care Service Corporation, Healthy Blue, Humana, Molina Healthcare, Mutual of Omaha, Premera Blue Cross, Medica Central Health Plan, SCAN Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Simply, UnitedHealthcare, Wellcare and WellPoint.
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