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Top 10 US Medicare Advantage Plans 2026

Medicare Advantage covers more than 55% of the nation's 67 million beneficiaries and attracts $450 billion in annual federal funding. But 2026 brings significant market changes: recent rate cuts have forced major carriers like UnitedHealth to exit select markets, triggering the most dramatic Medicare Advantage reshuffling in a decade. For beneficiaries choosing or reconsidering plans, understanding which carriers offer stable, widely-available coverage is essential. We've ranked the 10 largest Medicare Advantage plans by total enrollment to help you identify the most established options likely to serve your area in 2026.

Location: US2026174 viewsJul 17, 2026 Updated Oct 3, 2026

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Current Rankings

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#1
UnitedHealthcare MA
UnitedHealthcare dominates the 2026 Medicare Advantage market with 8.9 million members, the largest MA plan enrollment in the US. The plan offers supplemental dental, vision, and fitness coverage through the Renew Active program, available in all 50 states. This nationwide access provides an infrastructure advantage over regional entrants, ensuring consistent member benefits from coast to coast.
Medicare.gov UnitedHealthcare KFF Health Policy Research
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source: wikipedia
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#2
Humana MA
Humana commands 5.7 million members and over 20% of the national MA market share, making it the second-largest plan by enrollment. CenterWell home health and primary care arms provide integrated care pathways that differentiate it from UnitedHealthcare’s broader insurance model, especially for members with complex health needs.
Medicare.gov Humana Modern Healthcare
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source: wikipedia
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#3
CVS/Aetna MA
Aetna’s 3.9 million members benefit from CVS Health’s $69B vertical integration, creating an unmatched ecosystem of pharmacy, clinic, and insurance services. Its SilverScript PDP is the dominant standalone drug plan in the US, covering over 4.6 million beneficiaries. This synergy drives cost savings and convenience for plan holders.
Medicare.gov Aetna Forbes Health
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source: wikipedia
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#4
Elevance Health (Anthem) MA
The 2022 rebrand from Anthem signals a shift to whole health, with a strong dual-eligible (D-SNP) program that integrates behavioral health services, reducing hospital readmissions by 18% compared to Aetna's standard offerings. Its community-focused model fosters loyalty among members with chronic conditions, supported by targeted wellness incentives.
Medicare.gov Elevance Health Healthline
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source: wikipedia
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#5
Centene MA
Centene dominates the dual-eligible and low-income senior segment with 1.5 million members through its WellCare subsidiary, acquired for $17B in 2019. By applying deep Medicaid managed care expertise to Medicare, it outperforms Kaiser in Rural MA markets underserved by larger plans, achieving 12% growth there in 2024. This data-led strategy ensures cost-effective coverage for seniors who need it most.
Medicare.gov WellCare CMS.gov
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source: wikipedia
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#6
Kaiser Permanente MA
Kaiser Permanente leads in care quality with 1.4 million members in its integrated delivery system, consistently earning 4.5-5 STAR ratings. Its friction-free model, where members see Kaiser physicians at Kaiser facilities, reduces hospital readmissions by 15% compared to rivals. This coordinated approach delivers superior outcomes at lower costs.
Medicare.gov Kaiser Permanente U.S. News & World Report
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source: wikipedia
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#7
BCBS Michigan MA
BCBS Michigan boasts 800,000 members with industry-leading retention rates of 94%, driven by high brand loyalty among Michigan seniors. Its Priority Health subsidiary adds a managed care network.
Medicare.gov Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan CMS.gov
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source: wikipedia
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#8
Cigna/Evernorth MA
Cigna/Evernorth serves 600,000 members while rebuilding MA scale after strategic portfolio adjustments in 2023-2024. Its Evernorth pharmacy arm provides integrated PBM capabilities that reduce drug costs by an average of $450 per member annually. Compared to BCBS Michigan, Cigna expands offerings to compete in select rural markets where its pharmacy network is 18% more accessible.
Medicare.gov Cigna / Evernorth Forbes Health
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source: wikipedia
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#9
Molina Healthcare MA
Molina Healthcare MA leads with 400,000 members and stands out for its rapid expansion, entering 8 new states since 2022. Leveraging its Medicaid DNA, Molina excels at managing high-acuity, socially complex populations, a critical edge as 45% of new enrollees have dual-eligibility status.
Healthline Medicare.gov Molina Healthcare
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source: wikipedia
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#10
SCAN Health Plan MA
SCAN Health Plan MA is a California-based nonprofit with 285,000 members and boasts the highest STAR ratings in Southern California, achieving a 4.5 overall score in 2025. As a pioneer of Medicare Advantage since 1977, SCAN brings decades of actuarial data on senior health trends. Monthly premiums average $0 for Part C.
U.S. News Medicare.gov SCAN Health Plan
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source: wikipedia
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Frequently asked questions

What is Medicare Advantage and how does it differ from Original Medicare?

Medicare Advantage (Part C) is a private insurance alternative to Original Medicare that bundles Part A, Part B, and often Part D prescription drug coverage, and may include extra benefits like dental, vision, and hearing.

When is the enrollment period for Medicare Advantage plans in 2026?

The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs from October 15 to December 7, 2025, for coverage starting January 1, 2026; there is also a Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31, 2026, for current enrollees to switch plans.

What criteria are used to determine the top 10 Medicare Advantage plans?

Plans are typically ranked based on star ratings (1–5) from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which measure quality, customer satisfaction, and performance on preventive care, chronic disease management, and member experience.

Do Medicare Advantage plans cover prescription drugs?

Most Medicare Advantage plans include Part D prescription drug coverage (known as MA-PDs), but some private fee-for-service plans may not; you should check the plan's summary of benefits for details.

Can I keep my doctor if I enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan?

It depends on the plan type: HMO plans generally require using in-network providers except emergencies, while PPO plans offer out-of-network coverage at a higher cost; always verify your preferred providers are in the plan's network.