Medicare Plans
In 16 NC Counties
A CMS 5-star rating for Medicare is the highest quality rating, indicating excellent performance for a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. These ratings are based on annual reviews of plans in five categories: staying healthy, managing chronic conditions, member experience, member complaints, and customer service.
Wellcare
Medicare Advantage, Part D
Varies by region and plan
Varies; competitive with others
Varies; competitive network sizes
Vision, dental, fitness programs, OTC items
Alignment Health
Medicare Advantage (HMO, PPO, SNPs)
High (100% of members in 4-star+ plans; offers 5-star plans in NC)
Often low or $0 monthly premiums
Primarily HMO (must use in-network providers) in many areas
Dental, vision, hearing coverage, OTC allowances
Devoted Health
Medicare Advantage (HMO, PPO, SNPs
High (above-average; offers 5-star plans)
Many plans have a $0 monthly premium
Primarily HMO/PPO with network focus
Dental, vision, hearing, fitness, and more
United Healthcare
MA (HMO, PPO, SNPs), Part D, Medigap
High (AARP/UHC best for Medigap; offers 5-star MA plans)
Many plans have a $0 or low monthly premium
Large network; offers both in-network (HMO/PPO) and out-of-network options (PPO)
Large network; offers both in-network (HMO/PPO) and out-of-network options (PPO)
Aetna Senior Supplemental Insurance
Aetna Senior Supplemental Insurance, a part of the CVS Health family of companies, primarily offers Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans and a suite of complementary ancillary insurance products. These plans are designed to help cover out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare (Parts A and B) doesn't pay for.
Aetna Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans
Medigap policies are standardized by the federal government, meaning that plans of the same letter designation (e.g., Plan G) offer the exact same core benefits, regardless of the insurance carrier.
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Purpose: To fill the "gaps" in Original Medicare coverage, such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.
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Key Features:
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Nationwide Access: Policyholders can visit any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare, without network restrictions or referrals.
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Guaranteed Renewability: Coverage is generally guaranteed for life as long as premiums are paid.
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Standardized Benefits: Benefits do not change based on which Aetna company issues the policy (e.g., American Continental Insurance Company, Continental Life Insurance Company).
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Popular Options: Plan G is a popular choice for new enrollees as it covers all Original Medicare costs except the Part B deductible. High-deductible versions of certain plans are also available in some areas, offering lower premiums.
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Aetna Ancillary "Protection Series" Plans
These products offer cash benefits paid directly to the policyholder upon a covered event, which can be used for medical bills or everyday living expenses like groceries or mortgage payments. They cover expenses not included in Original Medicare or Medigap plans.
The Protection Series includes:
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Hospital Indemnity: Pays a fixed cash benefit for covered hospital stays, which can help offset deductibles and copays.
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Dental, Vision, and Hearing (DVH): Helps cover routine services and items like fillings, eyeglasses, and hearing aids, which Original Medicare typically excludes.
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Cancer and Heart Attack or Stroke/Plus: Provides a lump-sum cash payment upon the diagnosis of a covered critical illness.
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Home Care Plus & Recovery Care: Offers cash benefits for home health care or short-term nursing care after an accident or illness, allowing recovery in a preferred setting.
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Final Expense Whole Life Insurance: Provides funds to help loved ones cover end-of-life expenses and other debts.
Alignment Health Medicare Plans
Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating. For 2025, Alignment Health Plan's HMO plan in North Carolina landed in the top spot, earning a coveted 5-star rating.
Alignment Health plans are Medicare Advantage plans that offer high-quality benefits, including $0 or low monthly premiums, a 24/7 ACCESS On-Demand Concierge for health-related questions and services like transportation, and benefits such as vision, hearing, and dental coverage. Many plans feature additional support, such as grocery and meal allowances, and offer plans tailored for specific needs, like Special Needs Plans (SNPs) for those with chronic conditions.
Alignment Health's ACCESS On-Demand Concierge program, available exclusively to Alignment Health Plan members, comes with an exclusive black card that members of select plans can use as a debit card to buy eligible over-the-counter items at more than 65,000 stores nationwide. The program provides 24/7 access to concierge-level member services, including in-home and telemedicine doctor visits and everything that basic Medicare covers, plus more.
Alignment Plan highlights
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$0 to low premiums: Many plans have premiums as low as $0, beyond the standard Medicare Part B premium.
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24/7 ACCESS On-Demand Concierge: Provides members with a dedicated concierge to help with a wide range of health-related tasks, including scheduling appointments and arranging transportation.
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Supplemental benefits:
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Vision, hearing, and dental coverage.
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Routine transportation for medical appointments.
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Grocery and meal support.
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In-home support and other caregiver reimbursements.
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Special needs plans (SNPs): Offers plans specifically for members with chronic conditions (C-SNPs) or those who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid (D-SNPs).
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Quality ratings: Many plans have received high ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and have been recognized by publications like U.S. News & World Report.
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$0 copay for certain prescriptions: Some plans offer a $0 copay for generic Part D prescription drugs.
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$0 copay telehealth visits: Offers $0 copay for virtual doctor visits.
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Fitness benefits: Some plans include a free gym membership at participating fitness clubs.
Devoted Health Medicare Plans
Devoted Plan highlights
Financial and spending benefits
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Food & Home Card: A monthly allowance for groceries and certain housing expenses.
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Dental Allowance: A yearly allowance that can cover services like dentures, crowns, and root canals.
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Eyewear Allowance: A yearly allowance for glasses or contact lenses.
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Over-the-Counter (OTC) Allowance: A quarterly or monthly allowance to help pay for items like vitamins, bandages, and toothpaste.
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Prescription Drugs: Some plans offer $0 starting costs for prescription drugs and have no deductible.
Health and wellness benefits
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Primary Care Copay: Many plans have a $0 copay for primary care visits.
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Gym Membership: A free membership at thousands of fitness centers, often through the SilverSneakers program.
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Hearing and Vision: Routine hearing and vision exams are often included for free.
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Medical Alert Device: Many plans include a free medical alert device with monthly monitoring.
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Transportation: Some plans include rides to doctor's appointments
Additional support
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Member Service Guide: A dedicated guide to help members navigate their benefits and healthcare needs.
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Devoted Medical: An option for a virtual medical team for additional support and care.
Devoted Health has received high star ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), with many of its 2025 Medicare Advantage plans earning 4 to 5 stars.
Devoted Health plans include money-saving benefits like monthly allowances on a Food & Home Card, and a Food & Home Card for certain health conditions, plus an over-the-counter (OTC) allowance. They also provide benefits such as dental and eyewear allowances, free routine hearing and vision exams, $0 copay for primary care visits, and prescriptions with low copays starting at $0. Additionally, many plans include a SilverSneakers membership, transportation services, and a medical alert device.
United Healthcare Medicare Plans
UnitedHealthcare is the exclusive insurer of AARP Medicare plans, which include Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Medicare Advantage, and Prescription Drug plans. These plans are sold under the AARP brand, but insured and administered by UnitedHealthcare, and offer various ways to help pay for healthcare costs beyond Original Medicare. You do not need to be an AARP member to enroll in the AARP Medicare plans from UnitedHealthcare.
UnitedHealthcare's Medicare Advantage plans often highlight benefits like $0 premium and copay options, which may include $0 copays for primary care visits, certain prescriptions, and preventive services. Additional benefits frequently available are coverage for dental, vision, and hearing, as well as access to gym memberships or fitness programs. Telehealth services are also a highlight, often with a $0 copay for virtual visits.
United Healthcare Highlights
Cost
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$0 premium plans: Many plans are available with a $0 monthly premium.
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$0 copays: Some plans offer $0 copay for primary care, preventive care, and Tier 1 prescriptions.
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Annual out-of-pocket maximums: In-network out-of-pocket maximums may be around $6,700 for medical costs on some plans.
Medical
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Preventive care: $0 copay for many preventive services and a "Welcome to Medicare" visit.
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Doctor visits: $0 copay for primary care visits on many plans.
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Specialist visits: Copays may apply, such as
$40$ 40
$40 for in-network specialists on some plans.
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Telehealth: $0 copay for virtual visits with network providers via live audio and video.
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Hospital care: Copays apply for inpatient and outpatient hospital services, depending on the plan.
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Fitness benefits: Many plans include a free gym membership and other wellness benefits.
Additional benefits
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Dental: Coverage for preventive and comprehensive dental services, with varying copayments and allowances depending on the plan.
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Vision: Benefits often include a $0 copay for eye exams and an allowance for eyewear.
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Hearing: $0 copay for routine hearing exams, plus savings on hearing aids.
Wellcare Medicare Plans
Wellcare Plan highlights
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Coverage:
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Includes Medicare Part A and B, and often includes Part D prescription drug coverage.
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Supplemental benefits may include routine dental, vision, and hearing care.
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Cost:
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Offers $0 or low monthly premiums.
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Some plans include a Spendables® debit card for everyday health expenses, including over-the-counter items.
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Provider and care options:
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Extensive network of physicians, specialists, and hospitals.
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PPO plans offer flexibility to choose providers without a PCP referral.
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24/7 nurse advice line for health questions.
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Specialized plans:
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Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) provide extra benefits at no extra cost for those who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid.
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Other features:
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Mail-order pharmacy options for prescription delivery.
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Rewards program for completing health actions.
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Some plans may offer additional benefits like GED assistance or baby showers depending on the state and plan type.
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A Wellcare Health Plan is dedicated to providing medical services to three of the government sponsored health care plans. These healthcare plans are as follows: Medicaid. Medicare Advantage. Medicare Prescription Drugs.
Wellcare plan highlights include prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and hearing benefits, and a low or $0 monthly premium. Other features are the Wellcare Spendables® debit card for health expenses, a 24/7 nurse line, and a wide network of providers, including the freedom to choose doctors in PPO plans. Some plans may offer extra support for dual-eligible members or rewards for healthy actions.
Medicare Enrollment Periods
The main Medicare enrollment periods are the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), which is a 7-month window around your 65th birthday; the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), from October 15 to December 7, for changing Medicare Advantage and drug plans; and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, from January 1 to March 31, for current Medicare Advantage plan enrollees to make changes.
A Special Enrollment Period (SEP) is also available for specific situations, and a General Enrollment Period (GEP) exists for those who miss other deadlines to enroll in Original Medicare.
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
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Who it's for: People becoming eligible for Medicare for the first time, usually when turning 65.
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When it is: A 7-month period that begins 3 months before your 65th birthday month, includes your birthday month, and ends 3 months after.
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What you can do: Sign up for Medicare Parts A and B.
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
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Who it's for: Anyone with Medicare.
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When it is: October 15 to December 7 every year.
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What you can do: Make changes to your Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Part D prescription drug plan for the following year. This includes switching plans, joining a plan, or dropping a plan. Coverage changes begin on January 1.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP)
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Who it's for: People already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.
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When it is: January 1 to March 31 each year.
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What you can do: Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or drop your Medicare Advantage plan to return to Original Medicare. If you return to Original Medicare, you can also enroll in a separate Part D plan.
General Enrollment Period (GEP)
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Who it's for: People who missed their Initial Enrollment Period and are not currently enrolled in Medicare.
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When it is: January 1 to March 31 each year.
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What you can do: Enroll in Original Medicare (Parts A and B). Note that late enrollment penalties may apply.
Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
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Who it's for: Individuals who have a "life-changing" event that qualifies them to enroll outside of the standard periods.
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When it is: The timing varies based on the qualifying event.
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What you can do: Enroll in or change Medicare coverage due to specific situations like moving to a new area, losing employer coverage, or moving into or out of an institution.
Medicare Overview
4 Parts of Medicare
Medicare has four parts: Part A (Hospital Insurance), Part B (Medical Insurance), Part C (Medicare Advantage), and Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage). These parts cover different types of healthcare services, including inpatient and outpatient care, prescription drugs, and bundled plans offered by private companies.
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Part A: Covers inpatient hospital stays, limited nursing care, and hospice care.
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Part B: Covers outpatient medical services, preventive care, and doctor visits.
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Part C: A Medicare Advantage plan offered by a private company that includes Part A, Part B, and often Part D (prescription drug coverage).
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Part D: Helps cover the cost of prescription drugs.
Medicare Part A
Medicare hospital insurance component, known as Part A, assists with costs related to inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice services, and certain home health care.
Generally, individuals are eligible for-free Part A if they or their spouse have paid Medicare taxes for a specified number of years; however, those who do not qualify may have to pay a monthly premium. Part A is part of Original Medicare and includes out-of-pocket expenses such as deductibles and coinsurance.
Medicare Part B
Medical insurance that includes essential services like doctor's appointments, outpatient care, and preventive not covered by Part A.
It also encompasses additional services such as outpatient therapy, durable medical equipment, lab tests, and ambulance services. You can enroll in a Part B plan during designated enrollment periods. Note that there is a monthly premium for Part B, which may differ based on your income.
Medicare Part C
Medicare Advantage or Part C, also referred to as a private plan, combines the benefits of Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance).
These plans typically offer extra coverage, such as prescription drugs (Part D), vision, dental, and hearing services. It's important to note that you will still need to pay your Part B premium, and other costs like premiums and copayments can vary depending on the specific plan.
Medicare Part D
Medicare Part D provides optional prescription drug coverage that is available private insurance companies for individuals with Medicare.
This coverage assists in paying for both-name and generic medications, either through standalone plans or as part of Medicare Advantage plan. To qualify, you need to have Medicare Part A or Part B and reside within the plan's service area. The costs for coverage differ by plan and may include monthly premiums, deductibles copayments, and coinsurance.
Medicare Supplement
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans are sold by private companies to fill the coverage gaps in Original Medicare, offering highlights like no network restrictions (you can see any provider who accepts Original Medicare), guaranteed renewable policies, and standardized benefits (like covering the 20% Part B excess after Medicare's 80%). A key feature is the six-month Medigap open enrollment period that begins when you are 65 or older and enrolled in Part B, which allows you to buy any plan without medical underwriting. Common considerations include a separate premium for a needed Part D prescription drug plan and the fact that Medigap plans generally have steadily increasing premiums. View Plans in Your Area
Key benefits and features
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Flexibility: You can see any healthcare provider nationwide who accepts Original Medicare, as there are no provider networks.
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Guaranteed renewability: Your policy cannot be canceled or denied as long as you pay the premiums, even if your health changes.
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Predictable out-of-pocket costs: Plans cover some or all of the remaining costs after Original Medicare pays its share, often leaving you responsible for little beyond the annual Part B deductible.
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Standardized benefits: Plans are labeled with letters (like Plan G or Plan N) and offer the same set of benefits in each state, making them easy to compare.
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Guaranteed-issue rights: These allow you to enroll in certain Medigap plans without medical underwriting under specific circumstances.
Things to consider
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Separate Part D plan: Medigap plans do not include prescription drug coverage, so you will need to enroll in a separate Medicare Part D plan and pay an additional premium for it.
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Premiums will increase: Premiums are not fixed and will likely increase over time.
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Enrollment period: The best time to enroll is during your one-time six-month open enrollment period that starts when you are 65 or older and have enrolled in Medicare Part B. After this period, you may have to answer health questions, and your eligibility or premium could be affected by your health.
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No extra benefits: Medigap plans do not cover services not in Original Medicare, such as routine dental, vision, or hearing aids, although some companies might offer exceptions.
Additional Information
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This information is for Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans, which are different from Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans. Medicare Advantage plans combine your Medicare benefits (Parts A and B) into a single plan offered by a private insurer and often include additional benefits like dental, vision, and hearing, but may have provider networks and other restrictions.