Nearly 2.8 million people in Pennsylvania are signed up for Medicare, making it the fifth-largest U.S. state for Medicare beneficiaries.
Medicare is the government health care program for people ages 65 and older. Medicare Advantage is a bundled alternative to Medicare that 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.
What to know about Medicare in Pennsylvania
About 1 in 5 people in Pennsylvania are 65 and older, and the state offers a variety of Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans.
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The average monthly premium in 2022 for a Medicare Advantage plan in Pennsylvania is $32.79. (It was $38.72 in 2021.)
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There are 240 Medicare Advantage plans available in Pennsylvania in 2022. (This is down from 244 plans in 2021.)
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All Medicare-eligible people in Pennsylvania have access to a $0-premium Medicare Advantage plan.
Medicare Advantage providers in Pennsylvania
Top-rated Medicare Advantage plans in PA
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 plans that received top marks in Pennsylvania for the 2022 plan year. (Check out more information about Medicare star ratings.)
5-star plans
The plans below are rated 5 stars out of 5 by the CMS:
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Aetna Medicare Advantra Central Value (PPO).
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Aetna Medicare Advantra Credit Value.
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Aetna Medicare Advantra Premier (PPO).
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Aetna Medicare Advantra Premier Plus.
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Aetna Medicare Advantra Silver (PPO).
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Aetna Medicare Advantra Silver Plus.
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Community Blue Medicare HMO Prestige.
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Community Blue Medicare HMO Signature.
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Community Blue Medicare Plus PPO Distinct.
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Community Blue Medicare Plus PPO Signature.
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Community Blue Medicare PPO Distinct.
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Community Blue Medicare PPO Signature.
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Complete Blue PPO Distinct.
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Complete Blue PPO Signature.
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Freedom Blue PPO Basic.
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Freedom Blue PPO Classic.
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Freedom Blue PPO Deluxe.
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Freedom Blue PPO Select.
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Freedom Blue PPO Standard.
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Freedom Blue PPO ValueRx.
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Security Blue HMO-POS Basic.
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Security Blue HMO-POS Deluxe.
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Security Blue HMO-POS Standard.
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Security Blue HMO-POS ValueRx.
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Keystone 65 Basic Rx.
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Keystone 65 Focus Rx.
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Keystone 65 Preferred Medical Only.
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Keystone 65 Preferred Rx.
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Keystone 65 Select Medical Only.
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Keystone 65 Select Rx.
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Erickson Advantage Freedom.
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Erickson Advantage Liberty with Drugs.
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Erickson Advantage Liberty without Drugs.
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Erickson Advantage Signature with Drugs.
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UPMC for Life HMO Access Rx.
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UPMC for Life HMO Deductible Rx.
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UPMC for Life HMO No Rx.
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UPMC for Life HMO Premier Rx.
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UPMC for Life HMO Rx.
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UPMC for Life HMO Rx Choice.
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UPMC for Life HMO Rx Enhanced.
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UPMC for Life HMO Salute.
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UPMC for Life PPO Flex Rx.
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UPMC for Life PPO High Deductible Rx.
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UPMC for Life PPO Rx Choice.
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UPMC for Life PPO Rx Enhanced.
4.5-star plans
The plans below are rated 4.5 stars out of 5 by the CMS:
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Aetna Medicare Advantra Butler Prime.
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Aetna Medicare Advantra Central Value (HMO).
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Aetna Medicare Advantra Eagle.
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Aetna Medicare Advantra Excela Prime.
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Aetna Medicare Advantra Gold.
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Aetna Medicare Advantra Philly Prime.
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Aetna Medicare Advantra Premier (HMO, HMO-POS).
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Aetna Medicare Advantra Silver (HMO).
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Aetna Medicare Advantra Value.
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Aetna Medicare Advantra Washington Prime.
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Aetna Medicare Beaver Valley Prime.
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Aetna Medicare Gold Plan.
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Aetna Medicare PennHighlands Prime.
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Aetna Medicare The Valley Plan.
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Aetna Medicare Value.
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BlueJourney Classic.
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BlueJourney Essential.
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BlueJourney Premier.
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BlueJourney Prime.
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BlueJourney Select.
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BlueJourney Value.
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Capital Blue Cross | WellSpan Health Advantage.
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Capital Blue Cross | WellSpan Health Advantage Plus.
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Capital Blue Cross | WellSpan Health Inspire.
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Geisinger Gold Classic 360 Rx.
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Geisinger Gold Classic Advantage.
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Geisinger Gold Classic Advantage Rx.
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Geisinger Gold Classic Complete Rx.
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Geisinger Gold Classic Essential Rx.
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Humana Gold Plus.
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Humana Value Plus (select counties).
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HumanaChoice (select counties).
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Personal Choice 65 Elite Rx
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Personal Choice 65 Medical Only.
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Personal Choice 65 Prime Rx.
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Personal Choice 65 Rx.
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Personal Choice 65 Saver Rx.
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.
How to choose a Medicare Advantage plan
It’s crucial to ask a few questions as you’re shopping for the right plan. Here’s a quick checklist to help you consider your options:
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How much are the plan’s costs? Do you understand what the plan’s premium, deductibles, copays and/or coinsurance will be? Can you afford them?
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Is your doctor in-network? If you have a preferred doctor (or doctors) or hospital, make sure they participate in the plan’s network.
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Are your prescriptions covered? If you’re on medication, understand how the plan covers it. What tier are your prescription drugs on, and are there any coverage rules that apply to them?
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Is there dental coverage? Does the plan offer routine coverage for vision, dental and hearing needs?
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Are there extras? Does the plan offer any additional perks, such as fitness memberships, transportation benefits or meal delivery?
Medicare Advantage providers
Get more information below about some of the major Medicare Advantage providers. These insurers offer plans in most states. The plans you can choose from will depend on your ZIP code and county.
If you have additional questions about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048).
