The bottom line: Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plans vary by company, and BCBS includes a network of 33 companies around the country. It's important to check star ratings and benefits for the BCBS provider near you. Jump to: Full Review
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage pros and cons
Pros
- Accessible plans: BCBS companies offer Medicare Advantage plans in 47 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. There’s a good chance you have access to plans from a BCBS insurer.
- Member satisfaction: BCBS companies take 1st or 2nd place for member satisfaction in 8 out of 10 states surveyed in J.D. Power’s latest Medicare Advantage study.
Cons
- Variability: BCBS companies can vary a lot in terms of price, quality ratings and member satisfaction. Depending on your location, you may not have access to a strong Blue Cross Blue Shield company.
- Limited special needs plans: BCBS companies offer SNPs in only two-thirds of U.S. states.
Compare against other providers
🔍 UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage
» More options in our roundup of the best Medicare Advantage plans
Compare against other providers
🔍 UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage
» More options in our roundup of the best Medicare Advantage plans
Our full review
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Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage star rating
Average star rating, weighted by enrollment: 3.97
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plans get an average star rating of 3.97 stars out of 5 from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for 2026, weighted by enrollment. That’s almost exactly equal to the all-company weighted average of 3.98 stars.
Of Blue Cross Blue Shield’s rated plans, 47% are rated 4 stars and up. Of Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Medicare Advantage members who are in rated plans, 64% are in plans that are rated 4 stars or higher for the 2026 plan year.
CMS maintains its own database of star ratings on every Medicare Advantage and separate Medicare Part D plan, ranging from best (5 stars) to worst (1 star). The agency bases these ratings on plans’ quality of care and measurements of customer satisfaction, and ratings may change from year to year.
You can find a plan’s rating with Medicare's plan finding tool.
How much does Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage cost?
Although premiums vary, Blue Cross Blue Shield companies offer Medicare Advantage plans with $0 premiums in 37 states. You'll also be responsible for paying your Medicare Part B premium, which is at least $185 per month in 2025.
(Most people pay this standard amount, but if your income is above a certain threshold, you’ll pay the income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA). Some Medicare Advantage plans cover part or all of your Part B premium.)
Requirements for copays, coinsurance and deductibles vary depending on your plan, location and the services you use. Other out-of-pocket costs to consider include:
Whether the plan covers any part of your monthly Medicare Part B premium.
The plan’s deductibles.
Copayments and/or coinsurance for each visit or service. For instance, there may be a $10 copay for seeing your primary doctor and a $45 copay for seeing a specialist.
The plan’s in-network and out-of-network out-of-pocket maximums.
Whether your medical providers are in-network or out-of-network, or how often you may go out of network for care.
Whether you require extra benefits, and if the plan charges for them.
Here are examples of BCBS Medicare Advantage costs for plans in a mid-range city:
BCBS Medicare Advantage plan | Pricing |
|---|---|
Medicare Plus Blue Secure PPO | Monthly premium: $0. Deductible: None. Out-of-pocket max: $6,750. Copays:
Dental allowance: $1,000. |
New Medicare Plus Blue Giveback (PPO) | Monthly premium: $0. Deductible: $650 in-network. Out-of-pocket max: $9,250 in-network. Copays:
Dental allowance: Preventive only. |
Medicare Plus Blue PPO Signature | Monthly premium: $119.10. Deductible: None. Out-of-pocket max: $4,300 in-network. Copays:
Dental allowance: $1,500. |
Selected plans are available in ZIP code 49501. *Inpatient hospital copay is per day for days 1-7. | |
| |
To get a sense of costs, use Medicare's plan finding tool to compare information among available plans in your area. You can select by insurance carrier to see only Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, or compare across carriers.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plan types
Blue Cross Blue Shield offers Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans without drug coverage.
Plan offerings include the following types:
- HMO plans
A health maintenance organization (HMO) generally requires that you use a specific network of doctors and hospitals. You may need a referral from your primary doctor in order to see a specialist, and out-of-network benefits are usually very limited.
- HMO-POS plans
HMO point of service (POS) plans are HMO plans that allow members to get some out-of-network services, but they’ll pay more for those services.
- PPO plans
Preferred provider organization (PPO) plans provide the most freedom, allowing you to see any provider that accepts the insurance. You may not need to choose a primary doctor, and you don’t need referrals to see specialists. You can seek out-of-network care, although it may cost more than seeing an in-network doctor.
- PFFS plans
Blue Cross Blue Shield’s private fee-for-service (PFFS) plans allow you to see any Medicare-approved provider who accepts your Blue Cross Blue Shield plan. You won’t have to pick a primary doctor, and you won’t need a referral to see a specialist.
- SNPs
Special needs plans (SNPs) restrict membership to people with certain diseases or characteristics. Hence, the benefits, network and drug formularies are tailored to the needs of those members. Blue Cross Blue Shield offers three types of SNPs:
Chronic Condition SNP: Designed to meet the needs of members living with certain chronic conditions, such as diabetes, congestive heart failure and cardiovascular disease.
Dual-Eligible SNP: For people who are entitled to Medicare and who also qualify for assistance from a state Medicaid program.
Institutional SNP: For people living in a BCBS network nursing home or assisted living community, or another plan-approved spot.
Third-party ratings
AM Best
Financial Strength Rating: A+ (Superior) to C++ (Marginal)
AM Best is a credit rating agency that specializes in the insurance industry. Because Blue Cross Blue Shield is a collection of companies, AM Best has rated some — but not all — Blue Cross firms.
As of Sept. 26, 2025, AM Best affirmed the following ratings for Blue Cross Blue Shield companies:
- AM Best BCBS ratings
Company
Financial Strength Rating
Anthem Health Group (and subsidiaries)
A (Excellent).*
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
A (Excellent).
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, A Mutual Insurance Company
A (Excellent).
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of South Carolina
A+ (Superior).**
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
A+ (Superior).
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, Inc.
A (Excellent).
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
A- (Excellent).
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana
A+ (Superior).
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska, Inc.
A- (Excellent).
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico
A+ (Superior).
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma
A+ (Superior).
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
A+ (Superior).
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont
C++ (Marginal).***
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Mutual Insurance Company
A (Excellent).
Blue Shield of California
A (Excellent).
Florida Blue
A+ (Superior).
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
A (Excellent).
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia
A (Excellent).
Highmark Blue Shield
A (Excellent).
Premera Blue Cross
A (Excellent).
Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon
A (Excellent).
Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah
A (Excellent).
Regence BlueShield
A (Excellent).
Regence BlueShield of Idaho Inc.
A (Excellent).
Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield
A (Excellent).
Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield (South Dakota)
A (Excellent).
* An A or A- rating in this category indicates that AM Best believes the company has an excellent ability to meet its ongoing insurance obligations.
** An A+ rating in this category indicates that AM Best believes the company has a superior ability to meet its ongoing insurance obligations.
*** A C++ rating in this category indicates that AM Best believes the company has a marginal ability to meet its ongoing insurance obligations and its financial strength is vulnerable to adverse changes in underwriting and economic conditions.
J.D. Power
J.D. Power releases an annual study measuring member satisfaction with Medicare Advantage plans. It uses eight factors, such as level of trust, ability to get health services, ease of doing business and resolving problems or complaints.
Here’s how Blue Cross Blue Shield companies ranked among major providers in the 10 Medicare markets surveyed:
California: Blue Shield of California is 4th out of 8. Anthem Blue Cross is 8th out of 8.
Florida: Florida Blue is 4th out of 6.
Georgia: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is 2nd out of 5.
Illinois: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is 1st out of 5.
Michigan: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is 1st out of 5.
New York: Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is 1st out of 6.
North Carolina: Blue Cross NC is 2nd out of 4.
Ohio: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is 1st out of 4.
Pennsylvania: Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is 2nd out of 7. Independence Blue Cross is 3rd out of 7.
Texas: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas is 1st out of 6.
NCQA
Score range: 2 to 4.5 out of 5
The National Committee for Quality Assurance, or NCQA, rates health insurance plans on a 5-point scale (with 5 being best) based on clinical quality, member satisfaction and results from the NCQA accreditation survey. The ratings highlight the results of care and what patients say about their care.
Blue-branded plans received NCQA ratings between 2 and 4.5 stars in September 2025.
The highest-rated BCBS plan was Blue Care Network of Michigan with 4.5 stars. The lowest-rated BCBS plans, which received 2 stars, came from Arkansas Blue Medicare.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage service area
Blue Cross Blue Shield offers Medicare Advantage plans in 47 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield family of companies includes Elevance Health (formerly Anthem), the fourth-largest Medicare Advantage provider in the country among for-profit health plans. Elevance captured 6.5% of national market share for Medicare Advantage in 2025, according to a report from health care analytics firm Chartis. Blue companies account for 11% of the national market in 2025.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield
Blue Cross Blue Shield began as two companies — Blue Cross and Blue Shield. They grew and merged to form the current Blue Cross Blue Shield Association in 1982. Today, the association includes 33 independent Blue Cross Blue Shield companies. Nationwide, it provides health care coverage to 118 million members.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association has two main offices, in Chicago and Washington, D.C.
- See Blue Cross Blue Shield companies available around the country.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama.
Premera Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alaska.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona.
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
Anthem Blue Cross (California).
Blue Shield of California.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Colorado.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Connecticut.
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware.
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (Washington, D.C.).
Florida Blue.
BlueCross BlueShield of Puerto Rico.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Hawaii.
Blue Cross of Idaho.
Regence BlueShield of Idaho.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Indiana.
Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Iowa).
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Kentucky.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Maine.
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (Maryland).
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Missouri.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Missouri).
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Nevada.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield New Hampshire.
Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico.
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (New York).
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York.
Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York.
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield (New York).
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Ohio.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma.
Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon.
Capital BlueCross (Pennsylvania).
Highmark Blue Shield (Pennsylvania).
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield (Pennsylvania).
Independence Blue Cross (Pennsylvania).
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina.
Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield (South Dakota).
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas.
Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia.
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (Virginia).
Premera Blue Cross (Washington).
Regence BlueShield (Washington).
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Wisconsin.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming.
» MORE: Read our review of Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement Insurance
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage customer service
Blue Cross Blue Shield members can contact their plan’s customer service in the following ways:
Call the toll-free number on the back of your member ID card.
Find your BCBS company for specific contact information.
Compare Medicare Advantage companies
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.
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?
If you have additional questions about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048).
- BCBS companies offer plans in 47 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico.
- BCBS companies often take top spots in customer satisfaction surveys.
- Ratings vary among BCBS companies, and you may not have access to a highly-rated BCBS plan.
- BCBS companies offer special needs plans in only two-thirds of U.S. states.
Article sources
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines.
- 1.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. 2026 Star Ratings Data Tables. Accessed Oct 15, 2025.
- 2.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CY2026 Landscape (202509). Accessed Oct 15, 2025.
- 3.AM Best. AM Best Rating Services. Accessed Oct 15, 2025.
- 4.J.D. Power. Medicare Advantage Plan Member Satisfaction Facing Headwinds; Digital Innovation an Emerging New Solution, J.D. Power Finds. Accessed Oct 15, 2025.
- 5.NCQA. Health Plans. Accessed Oct 15, 2025.
- 6.Chartis. Medicare Advantage market growth slows amid intensified headwinds. Accessed Oct 15, 2025.
Medicare Advantage review methodology
The Medicare Advantage marketplace is concentrated among just a handful of companies; in many places, one insurer serves more than half of the market. NerdWallet reviewed 26 Medicare Advantage brands, with some insurers having more than one brand under their umbrella. (For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield includes the brands Anthem and Highmark.) At the national level, these reviews include nine of the 10 largest brands by enrollment. At the state level, our research includes at least one major insurer in 47 of the 49 states that offer Medicare Advantage plans, and includes the top two insurers in 35 of those states. (Alaska doesn't offer Medicare Advantage plans.) We also look at online search volume to identify regional and other notable players in the space.
NerdWallet’s Medicare Advantage reviews are based on ratings data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, as well as pricing, plan availability by state, plan types available, consumer experience, extra benefits offered and more. These reviews are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several plans to find the best coverage and rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines for additional information.
Compare Medicare Advantage plans
Insurance company | CMS star rating | States available | Members in high-rated plans | Member experience | Learn more | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4.10 | 4.10/5 | 48 states and Washington, D.C. | Medium (50% to 84%) | 3.76 (Above average) | (855) 821-0556 / TTY 711 Call UnitedHealthcarefrom UnitedHealthcare | |
3.61 | 3.61/5 | 46 states and Washington, D.C. | Low (49% or less) | 3.61 (Above average) | from Humana | |
(855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on http://askchapter.org on NerdWallet | 4.19 | 4.19/5 | 43 states and Washington, D.C. | Medium (50% to 84%) | 3.88 (Above average) | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on http://askchapter.org on NerdWallet |
(855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.68 | 3.68/5 | 29 states and Washington, D.C. | Medium (50% to 84%) | 3.89 (Above average) | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet |