The bottom line: UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage, which also insures AARP plans, has a large network of medical providers and is available with $0 premiums in 45 states. Plans with premiums can get pricey, however, and UHC doesn’t always perform well on customer experience surveys. Jump to: Full Review
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage pros and cons
Pros
- Provider network: UnitedHealthcare offers a large Medicare Advantage network, with nearly 1 million network care providers.
- $0 plans: Premium-free Medicare Advantage plans from UnitedHealthcare are available in 45 states.
Cons
- Premiums could be lower: For plans with premiums, UnitedHealthcare’s average monthly cost is higher than many competitors.
- Customer experience: UnitedHealthcare scored below average for customer experience in 6 out of 10 major Medicare markets surveyed by J.D. Power.
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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UHC Medicare Advantage star ratings
Average star rating, weighted by enrollment: 4.1
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans are rated at about the industry average, receiving an average rating of 4.1 stars out of 5 from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for 2026, weighted by enrollment. For comparison, the average weighted star rating for plans from all providers is 3.98.
Of UHC members who are in Medicare Advantage plans with a star rating, 78% are in plans that have been rated 4 stars or above for 2026.
CMS maintains a database of star ratings on every Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug 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.
All Medicare Advantage plans are evaluated on health plan measures, and Medicare Advantage plans that include prescription drug coverage are also evaluated on drug plan measures.
You can find a plan’s rating with the Medicare plan finding tool.
What does UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage cost?
For 2026, 60% of UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans have $0 premiums. UnitedHealthcare plans with premiums cost an average of $65.56 per month.
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 pay some 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 yearly deductibles and other deductibles, such as a drug deductible.
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 whether the plan charges for them.
Here are some examples of UHC Medicare Advantage costs for the most popular plans in a mid-range city:
UHC/AARP Medicare Advantage plan | Pricing |
|---|---|
AARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC KC-4 (PPO) | Monthly premium: $0. Deductible: None. Out-of-pocket max: $4,900 in-network. Copays:
Dental allowance: No coverage. |
AARP Medicare Advantage Patriot No Rx KS-MA01 (PPO) | Monthly premium: $0. Deductible: None. Out-of-pocket max: $6,700 in-network. Copays:
Dental allowance: $1,500. |
AARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC KC-6 (HMO-POS) | Monthly premium: $0. Deductible: None. Out-of-pocket max: $3,900 in-network. Copays:
Dental allowance: Preventive services only. |
Selected plans are available in ZIP code 66013. *Inpatient hospital copay is per day for days 1-6. **Inpatient hospital copay is per day for days 1-5. | |
| |
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 UnitedHealthcare plans or compare across carriers.
UHC additional benefits
UnitedHealthcare prioritizes access to dental, hearing and vision benefits with its Medicare Advantage plan, the company says.
Many of its plans offer other benefits as well. Here are a few examples:
Fitness benefits: UnitedHealthcare’s Renew Active fitness program gives members access to a large network of gyms and fitness facilities, as well as local classes and events. Members can also access a library of online workout videos and an online brain health program from AARP Staying Sharp.
Food and over-the-counter allowance: Some dual health plan members may get an allowance they can put toward their choice of healthy foods, over-the-counter items and utility bills.
Healthy rewards: Members may be able to earn rewards for completing health-related tasks, such as getting their annual physical.
Home health visits: Some plans include HouseCalls, a program that offers members an annual visit with a licensed clinician in their home, which can be used to help manage care.
UHC Medicare Advantage plan types
UnitedHealthcare offers Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans and plans without drug coverage. UHC also offers Medicare Advantage Patriot Plans, which are geared toward veterans and other people with existing drug coverage.
Other 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 to see a specialist, and out-of-network benefits are usually limited.
- HMO-POS plans
HMO point-of-service plans are HMO plans that allow members to get some out-of-network services, but you’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
UnitedHealthcare’s private fee-for-service (PFFS) plans allow you to see any Medicare-approved provider who accepts your UnitedHealthcare 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. The benefits, network and drug formularies are tailored to the needs of those members. UnitedHealthcare offers three types of SNPs:
Chronic Condition SNP: Designed to meet the needs of members living with certain chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disorders, diabetes or chronic heart failure.
Dual-Eligible SNP: For people who are entitled to Medicare and who also qualify for assistance from a state Medicaid program.
Institutional plans: Provide specialized care to members who live in skilled nursing or assisted living facilities and need an institutional level of care.
Third-party ratings of UHC
AM Best Financial Strength Rating: A+ (Superior)
AM Best is a credit rating agency that specializes in the insurance industry. In June 2025, AM Best affirmed its Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Superior) for the companies collectively referred to as UnitedHealthcare. An A+ rating in this category indicates that AM Best believes UnitedHealthcare has a superior ability to meet its ongoing insurance obligations.
J.D. Power Ranking
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 UnitedHealthcare ranked among major providers in the 10 Medicare markets surveyed:
California: 6th out of 8.
Florida: 5th out of 6.
Georgia: 1st out of 4.
Illinois: 2nd out of 5.
Michigan: 4th out of 5.
New York: 4th out of 6.
North Carolina: 1st out of 4.
Ohio: 3rd out of 4.
Pennsylvania: 5th out of 7.
Texas: 2nd out of 6.
NCQA Score Range: 3 to 4.5 out of 5
The National Committee for Quality Assurance rates health insurance plans on a 5-point scale (with 5 being best) based on quality of care, patient satisfaction and health plans’ efforts to keep improving.
UnitedHealthcare received NCQA ratings between 3 and 4.5 stars in September 2025. Almost all of the company’s rated plans scored 4 stars or 3.5 stars.
UnitedHealthcare’s best rated plan was a UnitedHealthcare-branded PPO plan scoring 4.5 stars. On the lower end, UnitedHealthcare of the Mid-Atlantic and Oxford Health Plans scored 3 stars.
UnitedHealthcare Medicare service area
UnitedHealthcare offers Medicare Advantage plans in 48 states and Washington, D.C. Ninety-four percent of Medicare beneficiaries have the option of a UnitedHealthcare plan.
UnitedHealthcare is the largest for-profit Medicare Advantage provider in the country, with more than 9.8 million Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan. The company added 404,000 members for the 2025 plan year, according to a report from health care analytics firm Chartis.
About UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare is part of UnitedHealth Group, which is headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. It's the largest health insurance company in the U.S. The company offers individual- and employer-based health insurance plans, Medicare and Medicaid plans, dental and vision plans, and other types of supplemental insurance.
Read the NerdWallet reviews of these other UnitedHealthcare Medicare offerings:
AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) from UnitedHealthcare.
AARP Medicare Rx Medicare Part D plans from UnitedHealthcare.
Read the NerdWallet reviews of these other AARP insurance products:
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage customer service
UnitedHealthcare members can contact their plan’s customer service in the following ways:
Call the number on your member ID card.
Chat with a service advocate in the UHC app for members.
Chat with a service advocate in your member account online.
Is AARP Medicare Advantage the same as UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage?
AARP and UnitedHealthcare are partners — UnitedHealthcare sells AARP-branded Medicare plans. AARP is not a health insurer, but it sells Medicare plans that are insured by UnitedHealthcare.
Compare 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.
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).
- Large Medicare Advantage medical network with nearly 1 million providers.
- Available with $0 premiums in 45 states.
- Plans with premiums can be expensive.
- Customer experience might vary by location.
Frequently asked questions
How is UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage rated?
How is UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage rated?
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans are rated at about the industry average. The provider’s 2026 Medicare Advantage plans received an average rating of 4.1 stars out of 5 from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, weighted by enrollment. For comparison, the average weighted star rating for plans from all providers is 3.98.
Is UnitedHealthcare Medicare the same as Medicare?
Is UnitedHealthcare Medicare the same as Medicare?
No, UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans are sold by a private insurance company that has contracted with the federal government to sell Medicare plans. Members of these plans generally must use the providers and hospitals within the plan’s network for their nonemergency health care. If they go out-of-network, they may pay more. Original Medicare, on the other hand, is sold by the federal government, and members of these plans can visit any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare.
What is the most popular Medicare Advantage provider?
What is the most popular Medicare Advantage provider?
Among Medicare Advantage members, the largest percentage are enrolled in a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan. In 2025, UnitedHealthcare accounts for 28.5% of the Medicare Advantage market, or 9.8 million members, according to health care analytics firm Chartis. The next-closest insurer, Humana, accounts for 16.7%.
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 (ZIP). Accessed Oct 10, 2025.
- 2.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CY2026 Landscape (202509). Accessed Oct 10, 2025.
- 3.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Costs. Accessed Oct 10, 2025.
- 4.UnitedHealthcare. UnitedHealthcare’s 2026 Medicare Advantage Plans Deliver Value, Access and Consumer Choice. Accessed Oct 10, 2025.
- 5.UnitedHealthcare. Medicare Advantage Plans with veterans in mind. Accessed Oct 10, 2025.
- 6.AM Best. AM Best Revises Outlooks to Negative for UnitedHealth Group Incorporated and Its Subsidiaries. Accessed Oct 10, 2025.
- 7.J.D. Power. Medicare Advantage Plan Member Satisfaction Facing Headwinds; Digital Innovation an Emerging New Solution, J.D. Power Finds. Accessed Oct 10, 2025.
- 8.NCQA. Health Plans. Accessed Oct 10, 2025.
- 9.Chartis. Medicare Advantage market growth slows amid intensified headwinds. Accessed Oct 10, 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 |