Hundreds of thousands of Maryland residents have chosen private Maryland Medicare Advantage plans to replace their Original Medicare coverage. There are 64,844 enrollees in Baltimore, another 23,370 in Takoma Park, and a further 14,992 in Salisbury – and that’s only three of Maryland’s 528 cities! Before enrolling in a plan, it’s essential to understand what Medicare Advantage is and how it works.
How Medicare Advantage plans work in Maryland
Medicare Advantage is an all-in-one plan that can provide medical, vision, hearing, and dental coverage.
Maryland Medicare Advantage plans offer all the benefits included in Original Medicare, plus additional benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t have. Some also include prescription drug coverage.
Each plan is a little different. Don’t presume that Medicare Advantage plans are all the same. For example, some programs include prescription drug coverage, but others don’t.
Depending on your Maryland county, you may have as many as 49 different Medicare Advantage plans. Before enrolling in a plan, review its benefits summary to ensure you’re getting all the coverage you need.
Medicare Advantage plans offered in Maryland
Unlike Medigap plans, which work alongside Original Medicare to help cover out-of-pocket costs, Medicare Advantage plans aren’t standardized by the federal government. That means that certain factors will be different depending on your zip code.
Below, we have listed some available plans using a single Maryland zip code. Information for your specific zip code may differ somewhat. We have sorted the plans listed below by those having zero-dollar premiums, zero-dollar prescription drug deductibles, five-star ratings, and Part B reductions.
Zero-Dollar Premium MA plans
Maryland Medicare Advantage plans are available that have zero-dollar premiums. However, higher co-pays and maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits usually offset the zero-dollar premiums.
The Humana Local PPO plan listed below has a zero-dollar premium and the lowest MOOP limit of the three, at $6,700. It has a four-star rating.
The five-star Kaiser Permanente HMO plan is the next most affordable at $6,900. Finally, we have the HMO plan from Kaiser Permanente with a MOOP of $7,200 and a five-star rating.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | PLAN TYPE | STAR RATINGS |
| Humana | $0 | $6,700 | Local PPO | 4 |
| Kaiser Permanente | $0 | $6,900 | HMO | 5 |
| Kaiser Permanente | $0 | $7,200 | HMO | 5 |
Zero-dollar drug deductible MA plans
If you take a significant amount of medication regularly, you may consider a Maryland Medicare Advantage plan with a zero-dollar prescription drug deductible.
Kaiser Permanente offers a zero-premium HMO plan with a $7,200 MOOP and a five-star rating. Humana’s five-star-rated plan has a monthly premium of $25 and a MOOP of $6,900. It’s also an HMO.
Next in line is the Johns Hopkins plan, an HMO with a $7,550 MOOP and a $30 monthly premium. It has a three-star rating. Carefirst BCBS offers two different HMO plans, but neither is rated. The first one has a $35 monthly premium and a $7,550 MOOP. The other has a $95 monthly premium and a $6,550 MOOP.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | PLAN TYPE | STAR RATINGS |
| Kaiser Permanente | $0 | $7,200 | HMO | 5 |
| Humana | $25.00 | $6,900 | HMO | 5 |
| Johns Hopkins | $30.00 | $7,550 | HMO | 3 |
| Carefirst BCBS | $35.00 | $7,550 | HMO | N/A |
| Carefirst BCBS | $95.00 | $6,550 | HMO | N/A |
5-star rating MA plans
All of the Medicare Advantage plans offered in Maryland receive a star rating between one and five, with five being the highest. The higher the rating, the better the plan is thought to be. If you already have Medicare Advantage, but a five-star plan becomes available in your area, you can choose to change it during a Special Enrollment Period.
Kaiser Permanente offers a five-star HMO plan with a $25 monthly premium and a $6,900 MOOP.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | PLAN TYPE | STAR RATINGS |
| Kaiser Permanente | $0 | $6,900 | HMO | 5 |
Medicare Advantage plans with a Part B reduction
Medicare Part B plans include monthly fees, but some Medicare Advantage plans can reduce the monthly costs. Considering some Maryland Medicare Advantage plans with Part B cost reductions if enrolled in Medicare Part B.
Humana offers a plan with a zero-dollar premium that includes a $50 Part B Reduction. The plan’s MOOP is $6,700 and has a four-star rating.
Remember that the numbers listed below are subject to change depending on the beneficiary’s exact Maryland zip code. Part B reductions may not be available in all areas.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | PART B REDUCTION | STAR RATINGS |
| Humana | $0 | $6,700 | Local PPO | 4 |
Ancillary/DVH
Maryland Medicare Advantage plans differ from Medicare Supplements like Medigap. While Medicare Advantage and Medigap have advantages and disadvantages, Maryland Medicare Advantage plans often offer ancillary coverage for basic needs that Original Medicare does not cover, such as dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drugs.
Cities in Maryland with Estimated Premiums for Medicare Supplement Coverage
No matter where you live in Maryland, Medicare Supplement premiums differ. So we’ve created some handy charts for the following cities:
FAQs
What Medicare Advantage plans are available in Maryland?
There are four types of Maryland Medicare Advantage plans available: health maintenance organization (HMO), preferred provider organization (PPO), private fee-for-service (PFFS), and special needs plan (SNP).
Each offers different pricing and different levels of flexibility regarding which healthcare providers you can visit. All plans provide the same coverage as Original Medicare but may offer additional benefits, sometimes at a higher premium.
Which company has the best Maryland Medicare Advantage plan?
If you’re looking for a five-star plan, see if there is a Maryland Medicare Advantage plan in your area offered by either Kaiser Permanente or . In particular, Kaiser Permanente’s HMO plans usually have lower monthly premiums and lower maximum out-of-pocket costs.
Does Medicare cover dental in Maryland?
Original Medicare does not cover routine dental care. Many Maryland Medicare Advantage plans do include dental care. Read the plan’s summary of benefits to see if the plan you’re considering offers dental care coverage.
Can I drop my Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare in Maryland?
Yes, you can drop your plan to return to your Original Medicare during the Annual Enrollment Period between October 15 and December 7 each year. Your new coverage under Original Medicare will begin on January 1.
You can also drop your plan in favor of returning to Original Medicare when the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment period takes place each year from January 1 through March 31.
If you change from a prescription drug coverage plan, remember to sign up for a stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plan (PDP) unless you have drug coverage from another source. If you don’t sign up for a PDP when switching and decide to sign up for Part D coverage later, you can face a penalty for late enrollment.
Is there a trial period for Medicare Advantage plans in Maryland?
Medicare lets you have a one-year “trial period” when signing up for a Maryland Medicare Advantage plan. During the trial period, you can go back to your Original Medicare and Medicare Supplement plan without having to answer any medical questions.
How to get help enrolling in Medicare Advantage in Maryland
Not sure which Maryland Medicare Advantage plan is right for you? Let us help. Medigap works with all carriers and compares all plans to find the best one for you. Our services are free, and you can get rates when you fill out our online form or call us at the above number.
