Best Medicare Advantage Plans in North Carolina 2024
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About 2.1 million people in North Carolina are signed up for Medicare, making it the ninth-largest U.S. state for Medicare beneficiaries.
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.
Compare Medicare Advantage plans in North Carolina
Insurance company | CMS Star Rating | States available | Members in high-rated plans | Member experience | Learn more |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best for size of network UnitedHealthcare | 3.87 3.87 /5 | 49 states and Washington, D.C. | Medium (50% to 89%) | 3.12 (Average) | GET A QUOTE from askchapter.org |
Best for extra perks Aetna | 3.98 3.98 /5 | 46 states and Washington, D.C. | Medium (50% to 89%) | 3.79 (Above average) | GET A QUOTE from askchapter.org |
Best for local support Blue Cross Blue Shield | 3.86 3.86 /5 | 48 states and Puerto Rico | Medium (50% to 89%) | 3.39 (Above average) | GET A QUOTE from askchapter.org |
Best for low-cost plan availability Humana | 4.34 4.34 /5 | 49 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico | High (90% or more) | 3.97 (Above average) | GET A QUOTE from askchapter.org |
What to know about Medicare in North Carolina
Almost 1 in 6 people in North Carolina are 65 and older, and there are a wide variety of Medicare Advantage plans in the state.
The average monthly premium in 2024 for a Medicare Advantage plan in North Carolina is $17.10. (It was $14.81 in 2023.)
There are 163 Medicare Advantage plans available in North Carolina in 2024. (This number is up from 150 plans in 2023.)
All Medicare-eligible people in North Carolina have access to a $0-premium Medicare Advantage plan.
Medicare Advantage companies in North Carolina
The following providers offer Medicare Advantage plans in North Carolina:
Care N’ Care Insurance Company of North Carolina.
Experience Health.
FirstMedicare Direct.
Troy Medicare.
Top-rated Medicare Advantage plans in North Carolina
Each year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (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 North Carolina for the 2024 plan year. (Check out more information about Medicare star ratings.)
5-star plans
The companies below offer plans in North Carolina that are rated 5 stars out of 5 by CMS:
Humana.
UnitedHealthcare.
4.5-star plans
The companies below offer plans in North Carolina that are rated 4.5 stars out of 5 by CMS:
Alignment Health Plan.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.
Care N' Care Insurance Company of North Carolina.
Cigna.
Experience Health.
FirstMedicare Direct.
Humana.
UnitedHealthcare.
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.
Medicare resources in North Carolina
Medicare and Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP): Provides resources and information about Medicare plans, costs and financial assistance.
North Carolina Senior Medicare Patrol (NCSMP): Provides information on identifying and preventing health care errors, fraud and abuse for Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers and how to report such cases.
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.
Looking for additional insurance in North Carolina? Check out these resources: