There are nearly 299,000 Connecticut Medicare Advantage plans in the three biggest cities alone. This number marks an average participation rate of about 44% for Medicare Advantage in the state.
Connecticut Medicare Advantage plans
Medicare Advantage is essentially a private health insurance replacement plan for Original Medicare. These plans start with the benefits you get from Original Medicare but allow you to add extras like prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, or even hearing coverage.
Medicare will pay your monthly premium for you, meaning many of these plans cost $0 per month in premiums.
But you could pay extra costs for co-pays, coinsurance, and more, so it’s essential to understand your summary of benefits with your insurance agent before you purchase a plan.
Between 32 to 36 plans are available for Connecticut retirees interested in Medicare Advantage. But it varies by county, which is why your zip code is so important.
Medicare Advantage plans offers in Connecticut
Unlike Medigap plans, Medicare Advantage plans are customized to the individual. They resemble a private health plan much more closely than a typical Medicare plan or Medicare Supplement.
Different Medicare Advantage plans will try to entice you to buy by offering extra perks. Some offer a guaranteed $0 premium no matter what, and others provide $0 drug deductibles or even Part B reduction.
The plan you purchase depends on your unique medical needs and what you can afford to pay.
Medicare Advantage plans with a zero-dollar premiums in Connecticut
A $0 premium sounds excellent on the surface — but the catch is that it will make your less predictable expenses more costly. You could pay higher coinsurance fees, co-pays, or other surcharges to make up for that $0 premium.
Your maximum out-of-pocket costs may offset your premium savings if you use Connecticare (an HMO) or Anthem BCBS. Both plans cap your out-of-pocket expenses at $7,550.
The Lowest out-of-pocket maximum comes from Wellcare. You’ll stop paying out-of-pocket after $5,500 and get a PPO network of providers.
Aetna and are in the middle. They cap your out-of-pocket expenses at $6,700 and have above-average customer service ratings.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | PLAN TYPE | STAR RATINGS |
| Wellcare | $0 | $5,500 | LOCAL PPO | 3 |
| Connecticare | $0 | $7,550 | HMO | 4 |
| Anthem BCBS | $0 | $7,550 | LOCAL PPO | N/A |
| Aetna | $0 | $6,700 | LOCAL PPO | 4 |
| $0 | $6,700 | HMO | 4 |
Medicare Advantage plans with a zero-dollar drug deductible in Connecticut
If you want a $0 drug deductible and the lowest out-of-pocket maximum, you’ll want Carepartners of Connecticut. But you may be rolling the dice as far as customer service goes.
The next most affordable would be Cigna. Their out-of-pocket maximum is limited to $6,500, and you get a PPO network of doctors and providers for more choices.
Wellcare and Aetna are probably the most expensive, with a $7,550 out-of-pocket maximum. Aetna, though, has higher customer service ratings.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | PLAN TYPE | STAR RATINGS |
| Carepartners of Connecticut | $0 | $4,900 | LOCAL PPO | N/A |
| Wellcare | $0 | $7,550 | HMO | 3 |
| $0 | $6,700 | LOCAL PPO | 3 | |
| Cigna | $0 | $6,500 | LOCAL PPO | 3 |
| Aetna | $0 | $7,550 | HMO | 4 |
Medicare Advantage plans with a Part B reduction in Connecticut
If you’re struggling to pay your Medicare Part B premium, some Medicare Advantage plans will come with a premium reduction. Wellcare is the most generous, with a $60 deduction per month.
Unfortunately, these plans aren’t available in all areas. So not all seniors will have a chance to save $41 a month in Part B premiums like they could if they purchased a Connecticare plan.
offers a modest $30 Part B reduction and a relatively more affordable $6,000 out-of-pocket maximum. They also have good customer service ratings.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | PART B REDUCTION | STAR RATINGS |
| Connecticare | $0 | $7,550 | $41.00 | 4 |
| Wellcare | $0 | $7,550 | $60.00 | 3 |
| $0 | $6,000 | $30.00 | 4 |
Ancillary/DVH
Some beneficiaries prefer Medicare Advantage because they can get their main medical benefits and ancillary coverage under the same policy.
With Original Medicare, you must purchase prescription drug coverage, hearing, vision, and dental all separately. But with Medicare Advantage, most plans will allow you to purchase everything under the same umbrella so that you won’t have to juggle multiple policies.
FAQs
What is the biggest disadvantage of Medicare Advantage in Connecticut?
Medicare Advantage plans only offer limited medical networks of doctors and facilities for you to choose from. Some beneficiaries feel they won’t get the care they need with such restrictions. Others appreciate the cost savings they get from their limited medical network.
Does Medicare Advantage pay 100 percent in Connecticut?
Yes, but only after you hit your maximum out-of-pocket limit. If you reach that limit during a calendar year, your Medicare Advantage plan will pay for 100% of your expenses until the next calendar year starts.
Can you switch back to Medicare from Medicare Advantage in Connecticut?
If you enroll in Medicare Advantage and decide you don’t like your plan, most providers will allow you to switch back within your first 30 days. If you go beyond your evaluation period, you may have to wait up to a full year for an annual enrollment window to switch back. But you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period in the meantime if life circumstances change.
How to get help enrolling in a Connecticut Medicare Advantage plan
The only way to get the best deal is to get rates from providers near you and compare plans. You could do that alone, but it would be time-consuming and difficult. Let us do the hard work for you.
We already have connections with Medicare Advantage providers near you. We can help you determine which company will offer you a reasonable price on a great plan. And it only takes a few minutes to get started! Complete our online form now, or give us a call to speak directly to a licensed agent.
