Best Cheap Medicare Plans in New York
Humana has the best overall Medicare Advantage plans in New York. It has a strong reputation for customer satisfaction and its plans cost an average of $8 per month, which is less than the state average of $35 per month.
WellCare offers the best cheap Medicare Part D plan in New York. The company's prescription plans have good coverage, and you can buy one for as little as $4 per month. In contrast, Part D plans in New York cost $74 per month on average.
How we chose the best Medicare plans
ValuePenguin's data-backed research on Medicare plans compares costs, quality ratings and coverage for companies that offer plans in at least 10 New York counties. Our experts also looked at other plan features such as add-ons or deductibles.
Best New York Medicare Advantage plans
Humana Medicare Advantage plans are the best in New York. They have a low average cost of just $8 per month and they get significantly fewer complaints compared to an average insurance company of a similar size.
While there are many factors to consider when choosing a Medicare Advantage plan, comparing plans by cost and quality rating is an important first step. When shopping for Medicare Advantage, it's important to keep in mind that plan availability will depend on where you live.
These bundled plans, also called Medicare Part C, combine coverage for medical care, hospitals and prescription drugs. Frequently, plans also include benefits for dental, vision and other add-ons.
Company | Monthly cost | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Centers Plan for Healthy Living | $0 | |
Humana | $8 | |
MediGold | $10 | Not yet rated |
Healthfirst Medicare Plan | $12 | |
Wellcare by Fidelis Care | $14 |
Costs are the average of Medicare Advantage plans offered in New York, and ratings are based on a 5-point scale using the national average for Medicare Advantage plans on Medicare.gov.
Best cheap Medicare Advantage in New York
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Star rating
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Monthly rate
$8 ?
Why it's great
Humana has low prices, good coverage and high customer satisfaction.
Humana's Medicare Advantage plans are a good value with cheap rates and comprehensive coverage for an average of $8 per month.
Plans have good overall coverage including a full range of benefits for medical care, diagnostic tests, skilled nursing, surgery, mental health, diabetes care, opioid treatment and more. Plans also usually include a wide range of add-on benefits such as vision, dental, hearing care and SilverSneakers.
Humana has a strong reputation for customer service.
A recent survey by JD Power ranked Humana third for customer satisfaction among large Medicare Advantage companies in New York. Humana also gets less than one-third the complaints of an average health insurance company in New York, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), an industry group.
Top-rated Medicare Advantage in New York
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Star rating
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Monthly rate
$34 ?
Why it's great
Capital District Physicians' Health Plan's (CDPHP) 4.5-star rating means it's one of the top companies in the country.
CDPHP's 4.5-star Medicare Advantage plans stand out for high-quality coverage at a moderate cost. Offering plans in the eastern half of upstate New York, CDPHP is a great choice if you have access to it.
The high star rating reflects a high level of customer satisfaction with CDPHP plans. The company also gets 72% fewer complaints compared to an average company its size according to the NAIC.
For those who want a top-ranking plan but with a wider network of doctors, consider a Medicare Advantage plan from Highmark, which also has a strong rating of 4 out of 5 stars. Highmark's plans are more expensive, averaging $57 per month in New York. However, Highmark is a part of Blue Cross Blue Shield, and this affiliation could give you access to a wider selection of doctors.
Best middle-of-the-road Medicare Advantage plan in New York
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Star rating
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Monthly rate
$31 ?
Why it's great
AARP has good coverage and many extra benefits for wellness and fitness.
Medicare Advantage plans from AARP/UnitedHealthcare (UHC) are a good choice because the plans have good coverage at a reasonable price.
AARP/UnitedHealthcare plans have an average star rating of 3.5 out of 5.
AARP/UHC plans cost an average of $31 per month in New York. But, most people who live in New York have access to at least one $0 plan.
All AARP/UHC plans offer a strong set of add-on benefits that help contribute to overall wellness while also reducing out-of-pocket costs, including benefits for dental care, vision, mental health, fitness and more.
The downside of these plans is that the customer experience tends to be worse than average. UnitedHealthcare has significantly more complaints than is typical for a company of its size. It also ranks below average in J.D. Power's survey of Medicare Advantage customer satisfaction.
These plans aren't as cheap as Humana's plans, and they're not as highly rated as plans from CDPHP or Highmark. However, the balanced approach can be ideal for those who want to balance benefits, quality and cost. That's why AARP/UHC is the most popular Medicare Advantage plan in the country and is popular in the New York City metro area and in the Hudson Valley.
How to choose the best Medicare Advantage plan in New York
A Medicare Advantage plan in New York can cost anywhere from $0 to $241 per month. With varying benefits and features, there can be a lot to consider when shopping for a plan. Fortunately, you can call the New York Office for the Aging which offers free, over-the-phone help for people with Medicare-related questions.
Getting started is easier than you may realize. Ask yourself these three questions when choosing the best Medicare Advantage plan for you.
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What plans are available?
Medicare Advantage plans change each year. Different options could be added, and even plans with the same name could offer different benefits. This makes it important to review your options each year. To get started, request quotes for your ZIP code to discover what plans are offered in your area.
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How much will the plan cost?
Medicare Advantage costs an average of $35 per month in New York. However, your total cost of Medicare Advantage is on top of what you pay for Medicare Part B, which is currently $174.70 per month.
Many plans are available for $0, and choosing one of these plans is a great way to keep your monthly costs low while still getting access to benefits for medical care, prescription drugs, dental care and more. However, the cheapest plan is not always the right choice for everyone. In general, if you expect to need more medical care, you could save money overall by choosing an expensive plan with better benefits.
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How does coverage compare?
All Medicare Advantage plans cover the same set of services as Original Medicare. However, extra benefits that go beyond what Original Medicare offers will differ by plan. For example, you may find that some Medicare Advantage plans offer free preventive care, and others could have better coverage for surgery.
It's a good idea to look closely at the coverage for the health services you expect to need such as cardiology, joint replacement surgery or diabetes treatment, and then choose the plan that offers the best level of coverage for the care you need. Also, compare coverage based on the drugs you currently take.
Medicare Part D plans in New York
In New York, the best company for cheap Medicare Part D plans is Wellcare, which has options that start at $4 per month. You may get the best deal with a no-deductible plan from Wellcare if you take expensive medications.
Wellcare has the highest average star ratings out of any Medicare Part D company in New York.
Company | Star rating | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna SilverScript | 3.0 | $73 |
| Wellcare | 3.5 | $46 |
| Humana (best-rated plans)[/link] | 3.0 | $98 |
| UnitedHealthcare AARP | 3.0 | $96 |
| Cigna | 2.5 | $59 |
Data shows the range of costs for a Medicare Part D plan in New York and the company's average nationwide star rating for Medicare Part D plans on Medicare.gov.
Frequently asked questions
Is there Medicare in New York?
Yes, New Yorkers can qualify for Medicare. You qualify for Medicare when you turn 65 or if you have an eligible illness such as kidney failure.
If you're enrolled in Medicare, you can choose a Medicare Advantage plan which offers bundled coverage from a private health insurance company.
What's the best Medicare Advantage plan in New York?
CDPHP has some of the highest-rated Medicare Advantage plans in New York with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. You should considerHumana Medicare Advantage if affordability is a high priority for you since its plans cost just $8 per month on average.
Does New York Medicare work out of state?
Usually, but it depends on the type of Medicare. About 99% of doctors nationwide accept Original Medicare and Medicare Supplement plans. With Medicare Advantage, access is based on each plan's network of doctors, and the broadest access to care will be with a PPO plan.
Methodology and sources
Medicare plan information is based on 2024 data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) public use files. Comparisons were made by cost, coverage and quality, as well as third-party data from J.D. Power and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
Our experts looked at Medicare Advantage companies operating in at least 10 New York counties. Our analysis also excluded plans that do not include prescription drug coverage, employer group plans and special needs plans (SNPs). This analysis of Medicare Part D plans also excluded employer and group plans that are not offered through Medicare.gov.
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Callers will be directed to a licensed and certified representative of Medicare Supplement insurance and/or Medicare Advantage HMO, HMO SNP, PPO, PPO SNP and PFFS organizations. Calls will be routed to a licensed insurance agent who can provide you with further information about the insurance plans offered by one or more nationally recognized insurance companies. Each of the organizations they represent has a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal.
Availability of benefits and plans varies by carrier and location and may be limited to certain times of the year unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 73 organizations which offer 5,110 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
These numbers provided are not specific to your area, but rather represent the number of organizations and the number of products available on a national basis. We will connect you with licensed insurance agents who can provide information about the number of organizations they represent and the number of products they offer in your service area. Not all plans offer all of these benefits. Benefits may vary by carrier and location.
Deductibles, copays, coinsurance, limitations, and exclusions may apply.
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