Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage plans are available in nine states and Washington, D.C. Kaiser uses an integrated HMO care model, so all providers are connected. The company earns great government quality ratings and gets very few customer complaints. But some members might find the network requirements of the HMO model frustrating, and competitors can offer cheaper plans.
Anthem Medicare Advantage plans offer low hospital copays and lots of options for $0-copay generic drugs. But Anthem gets below-average government ratings for quality and member experience, and it offers plans in a limited number of states.
Here’s a look at how Kaiser Permanente and Anthem Medicare Advantage compare.
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Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage
Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage plans get strong government quality ratings, but competitors serve more states and might offer more flexible plan options.
Pros
Best quality ratings from CMS among the major Medicare Advantage companies.
Low annual caps on out-of-pocket costs.
Good customer complaint rates.
Cons
Available in only nine states and Washington, D.C.
Offers mostly HMO plans, so most members must work within Kaiser’s network of medical providers.
Competitors might offer cheaper plans.
Other factors to consider
Average government quality rating | 4.47 out of 5. |
Percent of plans with $0 premium | 54%. |
Average non-$0 premium | $72.43. |
Average maximum out-of-pocket spending cap (MOOP) | $4,660. |
Medicare Advantage enrollment | Nearly 2.1 million. |
Averages weighted by enrollment where relevant. | |
Kaiser Medicare Advantage plan availability
» MORE: Read our full review of Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage plans
Anthem Medicare Advantage
Anthem Medicare Advantage plans offer low hospital copays and often have $0 copays for generic prescription drugs, but quality and customer satisfaction are subpar.
Pros
Most plans have $0 out-of-pocket costs for Tier 1 and Tier 2 generic drugs.
Average hospital copays are considerably cheaper than competitors.
Cons
Below-average quality ratings from CMS.
Subpar government ratings on measures of member experience.
Prescription drugs on plans without $0 copays can be pricey.
Other factors to consider
Average government quality rating | 3.33 out of 5. |
Percent of plans with $0 premium | 70%. |
Average non-$0 premium | $38.92. |
Average maximum out-of-pocket spending cap (MOOP) | $7,122. |
Medicare Advantage enrollment | Nearly 1.3 million. |
Averages weighted by enrollment where relevant. | |
Anthem Medicare Advantage plan availability
» MORE: Read our full review of Anthem Medicare Advantage plans
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 preferred medical 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?
» MORE: Best Medicare Advantage plans
If you have additional questions about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048).
Medicare Advantage review methodology
NerdWallet’s Medicare Advantage ratings are based on premiums, out-of-pocket costs, prescription drug coverage, quality data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, consumer experience and more. We analyze and calculate ratings for every Medicare Advantage plan sold throughout the U.S. on a curved 5-point scale.
At the national level, we calculate ratings for companies as the average of their plans’ scores, weighted by enrollment.
NerdWallet’s editorial team analyzed companies covering about 87% of all Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in the United States. We reviewed 23 Medicare Advantage brands, with some insurance companies having more than one brand under their umbrella. (For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield includes the brands Anthem and Highmark.)
The Medicare Advantage marketplace is concentrated among just a handful of companies. In many places, one company serves more than half of the market. At the national level, NerdWallet’s reviews include each of the 10 largest brands by enrollment.
We research and analyze all commercial Medicare Advantage plans and publish reviews for selected companies. At the state level, we review at least one major insurer in every state where Medicare Advantage plans are sold, and we review both of the top two insurers in 40 of those 49 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.
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 and full ratings methodology for Medicare Advantage.