How to Compare Medicare Advantage Plans in Your County
What to compare, what to prioritize, and how to use CMS data on PlainMedicare to find the right Medicare Advantage plan for where you live.
Medicare Advantage plan availability is county-specific, a plan available in the next county may not be available in yours. Start your comparison on PlainMedicare by looking up your specific county to see exactly which plans, premiums, and star ratings are available where you live.
Why County-Level Comparison Is Essential
Medicare Advantage plans are not available everywhere. Each plan defines its service area by county, and plans vary enormously between counties, even within the same state. A beneficiary in Miami-Dade County may have access to 50+ MA plans, while a beneficiary in a rural Florida county may have fewer than 10. The premiums, star ratings, and supplemental benefits also differ by county for the same insurer.
This is why national or state-level plan comparisons are insufficient. The only comparison that matters for your decision is what is available in your county. PlainMedicare organizes plan data by state and county so you see exactly your options.
Star Ratings: The Quality Baseline
CMS assigns star ratings (1-5) to Medicare Advantage plans based on quality measures across clinical care, member experience, complaint rates, and administrative performance.
What it tells you: Plans with 4+ stars consistently perform above average on CMS quality measures. 5-star plans are exceptional and qualify for year-round enrollment. Plans below 3 stars are underperforming and may face CMS sanctions.
What it does not tell you: Star ratings are plan-wide averages. Your experience depends on local network quality, which varies within a plan's service area. A 4-star plan with excellent providers in one county may have thin coverage in another. Star ratings also reflect the prior year's performance, current quality may differ.
How to use it: Use star ratings as a quality floor, generally prefer plans with 4+ stars. But do not choose solely on stars. A 4.5-star plan without your cardiologist in-network is worse for you than a 3.5-star plan that includes all your providers.
Premiums and Out-of-Pocket Costs
MA plan premiums range from $0 (many plans) to over $200/month. But the premium is only part of your cost, copays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums also matter.
What it tells you: The monthly premium you will pay in addition to your Part B premium. Many MA plans offer $0 premiums, which does not mean free coverage, you still pay Part B ($202.90/month in 2026) and copays/coinsurance for services.
What it does not tell you: Your total cost of care, which depends on how much healthcare you use. A $0 premium plan with high copays may cost more than a $50/month plan with low copays if you are a frequent healthcare user. The CMS data on PlainMedicare shows premiums but not copay structures.
How to use it: Do not automatically choose the lowest premium. Compare total expected cost based on your typical healthcare utilization. If you see multiple specialists monthly, a plan with higher premiums but lower specialist copays may save money overall.
Supplemental Benefits: The MA Advantage
Medicare Advantage plans frequently offer benefits that Original Medicare does not cover: dental, vision, hearing, fitness programs, over-the-counter allowances, and transportation to medical appointments.
What it tells you: Which plans include supplemental benefits in your county. Dental coverage alone can be worth $1,000+ annually. Vision and hearing benefits add additional value. PlainMedicare shows supplemental benefit availability for each plan.
What it does not tell you: The depth of supplemental coverage. "Dental coverage" can mean preventive-only (cleanings and X-rays) or comprehensive (including crowns and dentures). The CMS data categorizes benefits as available/not available but may not detail coverage limits.
How to use it: Prioritize supplemental benefits you will actually use. If you need dental work, a plan with comprehensive dental may save more than the premium difference with a plan that lacks it.
What This Means for You: A Practical Framework
Step 1, Look up your county on PlainMedicare. See exactly which plans are available, their star ratings, and premiums.
Step 2, Filter by star rating. Start with 4+ star plans. If options are limited, consider 3.5-star plans.
Step 3, Compare premiums and supplemental benefits. Among quality-filtered plans, compare monthly cost and which supplemental benefits are included.
Step 4, Verify provider networks. Before enrolling, confirm your doctors are in-network for your top candidate plans. This step is critical and cannot be done from CMS data alone, check the plan's provider directory or call your doctors' offices directly to confirm network participation.
Step 5, Check prescription drug coverage. If you take medications regularly, verify they are on the plan's formulary and at what tier (which determines your copay). A plan that does not cover your medications at a reasonable tier can add hundreds or thousands of dollars in annual out-of-pocket drug costs.
Worked Example: Comparing 3 Plans in Miami-Dade County
Suppose you are a 68-year-old in Miami-Dade County with the following healthcare needs: 2 specialist visits per month, 1 brand-name drug, and a preference for dental coverage. Here is how three available MA plans compare on total annual cost:
| Cost Component | Plan A ($0 premium) | Plan B ($45/mo) | Plan C ($79/mo) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Premium | no premium | $540 | $948 |
| 24 Specialist Visits | $960 ($40 x 24) | $480 ($20 x 24) | $240 ($10 x 24) |
| Brand Drug (Tier 3) | $1,080 ($90 x 12) | $576 ($48 x 12) | $384 ($32 x 12) |
| Dental Benefit Value | not included | $600 (preventive only) | $1,500 (comprehensive) |
| OOP Maximum | $6,700 | $4,500 | $3,200 |
| Total Annual Cost (est.) | $2,040 | $1,596 | $1,572 |
| Net Cost After Dental Value | $2,040 | $996 | $72 |
Plan A is the cheapest by premium but the most expensive by total cost, its higher copays add $444 more than Plan B and $468 more than Plan C annually, even before counting dental value. After accounting for dental benefit value, Plan C delivers the lowest net cost at just $72/year. The lesson: premium is the worst predictor of total cost for beneficiaries who use healthcare services regularly.
Star Rating Distribution Across Plans
CMS star ratings follow a distribution curve that varies by county. Understanding the distribution helps set realistic expectations when browsing plans:
| Star Rating | % of Plans (National) | Quality Tier | Enrollment Implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0 Stars | 8% ... 12% | Excellent | Year-round enrollment eligible |
| 4.0 ... 4.5 Stars | 35% ... 45% | Above Average | Strong quality floor |
| 3.5 Stars | 20% ... 25% | Average | Acceptable with good network |
| 3.0 Stars | 10% ... 15% | Below Average | Use only if no better options |
| Under 3.0 Stars | 5% ... 10% | Poor | Under CMS sanctions; avoid |
Provider Network Verification Methods
Before enrolling, confirm your doctors participate in the plan's network using these methods ranked by reliability:
- Call your doctor's office directly - Ask the billing department: "Do you accept the specific Medicare Advantage plan?" Reference your plan name when calling. This is the most reliable method because online directories can be months out of date.
- Check the plan's online provider directory - Every MA plan must maintain a searchable provider directory. Note the directory's "last updated" date, if it is older than 3 months, the data may be stale.
- Cross-reference with CMS data on PlainMedicare - Use our county-level plan listings to narrow candidates, then verify networks directly.
- Confirm hospital affiliations - Even if your doctor is in-network, the hospital they admit to may not be. Verify both the doctor and their primary hospital are covered.
When County-Level Data Is Insufficient
In some situations, county-level plan data on PlainMedicare may not capture your specific circumstances. Rural counties with few plans may not have sufficient competition to drive quality or value. Beneficiaries who live near county borders may find better plans available in an adjacent county but not their own. In these cases, consider expanding your search to nearby counties and verifying whether any plans spanning multiple counties are available at your address.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Medicare Advantage plans are available in each county?
The number varies dramatically by county, urban counties may have 30-50+ plans while rural counties may have fewer than 10. PlainMedicare shows exactly which plans are available in each county with star ratings and premiums.
Can I keep my doctors if I switch to Medicare Advantage?
Not necessarily. MA plans use provider networks. Before switching, verify that your doctors, specialists, and preferred hospitals are in the plan's network. Network adequacy varies significantly between plans, even in the same county.
What supplemental benefits should I look for in MA plans?
Common supplemental benefits include dental, vision, hearing, fitness programs, over-the-counter allowances, and transportation. The value depends on your personal needs, comprehensive dental coverage alone can be worth $1,000+ annually if you need dental work.
Is a 5-star plan always the best choice?
Not necessarily. Star ratings measure plan-level quality across all members, but your experience depends on network adequacy in your area, formulary coverage for your medications, and whether the plan's benefits match your specific needs. A 4-star plan with better network coverage in your county may be a better choice than a 5-star plan with limited local providers.
