eHealth Medicare Advantage Plans 2024

It’s hard to miss the ads for Medicare Advantage plans with a $0 monthly premium. While the idea of getting coverage without a monthly bill is certainly appealing, it’s rarely the full story. The monthly premium is just one part of your total healthcare spending. A plan with no premium might have a higher annual deductible or more expensive copays when you visit a doctor or fill a prescription. To make a smart choice, you have to look beyond that initial price tag. This article will show you how to evaluate the true cost of eHealth Medicare Advantage plans 2024, so you can find a plan that protects both your health and your budget from unexpected expenses.

Key Takeaways

Treat eHealth as a starting point, not the final word: It’s a useful online marketplace for comparing plans, but it doesn’t show every option available. Since eHealth is a broker, its listings are limited to its partner insurance companies.
Focus on total out-of-pocket costs, not just the premium: A $0 premium plan can still be expensive if it has high deductibles and copays. Always check the plan’s annual out-of-pocket maximum, as this number is your ultimate financial protection for the year.
Confirm your doctors and drugs are covered before enrolling: The best plan on paper is useless if it doesn’t include your trusted doctors or essential medications. Use the plan’s provider directory and drug formulary to check for your specific needs to prevent surprise costs.

What Are eHealth Medicare Advantage Plans?

Let’s start with the basics. It’s a common point of confusion, but eHealth is not an insurance company. Think of it as a large online marketplace where you can compare and purchase plans from many different private insurers. When you see an “eHealth Medicare Advantage plan,” you’re looking at a plan from a well-known provider like Aetna, Humana, or Cigna that is being offered on the eHealth platform.

This setup allows you to see a wide variety of options in one place. These plans, also known as Medicare Part C, are an alternative to Original Medicare. They are offered by private companies that are approved by Medicare and must cover everything that Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does. The key difference is how they package these benefits and what extras they include. Using a platform like eHealth gives you a tool to sort through these choices, but it’s important to understand what you’re looking at before you begin.

Key Features and Benefits

The main appeal of Medicare Advantage plans is that they bundle your coverage. These plans combine your hospital insurance (Part A) and medical insurance (Part B) into a single, convenient plan. Most also include prescription drug coverage (Part D), which saves you from having to buy a separate policy. Beyond the essentials, many plans offer attractive extra benefits not covered by Original Medicare. It’s common to find plans that include routine dental, vision, and hearing care. Some plans go even further, offering perks like meal delivery after a hospital stay, transportation to medical appointments, and fitness program memberships. These bundled benefits are designed to provide more comprehensive health coverage in one package.

Medicare Advantage vs. Original Medicare

Choosing between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare is a fundamental decision. Original Medicare, the federal government’s health insurance program, provides your Part A and Part B coverage. To get prescription drug coverage, you must enroll in a separate Part D plan. In contrast, Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurers and wrap all your benefits into one plan. While many MA plans feature low or even $0 monthly premiums, you will still have out-of-pocket costs. These include deductibles (the amount you pay before your plan pays), copays (a set fee for a service), and coinsurance (a percentage of the cost you pay for a service). Understanding this trade-off between monthly premiums and out-of-pocket expenses is key to picking the right path for your healthcare.

Common Medicare Advantage Plan Types on eHealth

When you start comparing plans, you’ll quickly see a few acronyms—HMO, PPO, SNP—show up repeatedly. These represent the different types of plans available. Each one is structured differently, offering its own approach to managing your healthcare and costs. Understanding these basic structures is the first step to finding a plan that truly fits your life. Let’s break down the most common Medicare Advantage plan types you’ll find on eHealth.

HMO Plans

Think of a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan as having a home base for your healthcare. With an HMO, you choose a primary care physician (PCP) from within the plan’s network. Your PCP is your main point of contact for all your health needs. If you need to see a specialist, like a cardiologist or a dermatologist, you’ll typically need to get a referral from your PCP first. These plans generally require you to use doctors, hospitals, and specialists within their network. The trade-off for these rules is often lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs, making it a budget-friendly option if you’re comfortable with a more structured approach to your care.

PPO Plans

If you value flexibility, a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan might be a better fit. PPO plans give you the freedom to see any doctor or specialist you choose, without needing a referral from a primary care physician. While you have the option to go out-of-network, you’ll save money by staying within the plan’s “preferred” network of providers. Your costs, like copays and coinsurance, will be lower when you see in-network doctors. This flexibility is a major plus for people who want more control over their healthcare choices or who already have doctors they want to continue seeing, even if they aren’t in one specific network.

Special Needs Plans (SNPs)

Special Needs Plans (SNPs) are not for the general public. Instead, they are specifically designed to serve people with very particular health situations. To enroll in an SNP, you must meet its specific criteria. For example, some SNPs are for people with chronic conditions like diabetes, heart failure, or COPD. Others are for individuals who are dual-eligible, meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid. Because these plans are so focused, they offer tailored benefits, provider choices, and drug formularies that are customized to the unique needs of their members, ensuring highly coordinated and effective care.

Other Plan Types

Beyond the big three, you may also come across a few other options on eHealth. Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans are one example. With a PFFS plan, you can generally go to any Medicare-approved doctor or hospital that accepts the plan’s payment terms and agrees to treat you. Another less common option is the Medicare Savings Account (MSA), which combines a high-deductible health plan with a special savings account. The plan deposits money into your account, which you can then use to pay for your healthcare costs before the deductible is met. These plans offer different ways to manage your health expenses.

How to Use eHealth’s Comparison Tools

When you first land on eHealth, the number of plan options can feel like a lot to take in. It’s easy to see a long list of carriers and plan names and not know where to even begin. But the platform’s real strength lies in its comparison tools, which are designed to help you sort through the noise and find what you’re looking for. The secret is to approach it with a clear, step-by-step method. Instead of getting lost in the details of every single plan, you can use the site’s features to systematically narrow your choices based on what matters most to you.

Think of it as a funnel. You’ll start with a wide range of plans available in your area and gradually refine your list by applying filters, checking for quality, and comparing the nitty-gritty details side-by-side. This process helps you move from a broad overview to a focused list of top contenders that truly fit your healthcare needs and budget. By taking control of the search process, you can feel more confident that you’re not just picking a plan, but choosing the right one. It puts you in the driver’s seat, ensuring the plan you select is based on solid information and your personal priorities, not just a guess. We’ll walk through exactly how to do that.

Filter Your Plan Options

Your journey on eHealth begins by entering your ZIP code. This simple step instantly shows you all the Medicare Advantage plans available in your specific area. From there, it’s time to filter. You can immediately narrow your options by plan type, such as an HMO or PPO, which is helpful if you already know whether you want to stay within a network or have more flexibility. You can also filter for plans with a $0 monthly premium or sort by their star rating. Using these filters first is a great way to clear away the plans that are an immediate “no,” letting you focus your attention on the ones with real potential.

Decode Star Ratings and Plan Quality

As you browse, you’ll notice that every plan has a star rating. This isn’t an eHealth review; it’s an official quality score from Medicare itself. Plans are rated on a scale of 1 to 5 stars, with 5 being the highest quality. These ratings are based on dozens of factors, including member satisfaction surveys, the quality of care patients receive, and how well the plan helps people stay healthy. A plan with a high star rating is generally a sign of a reliable and well-managed plan. While a low premium is tempting, always check the star rating to get a sense of the overall quality you can expect.

Compare Coverage, Costs, and Networks

Once you have a shortlist of promising plans, it’s time to compare them head-to-head. eHealth allows you to select a few plans and view their details side-by-side. This is where you look past the monthly premium and examine the total out-of-pocket expenses. Check the annual deductible you’ll have to meet, the copays for doctor visits, and the coinsurance for other services. Most importantly, look for the plan’s annual out-of-pocket maximum, which is the most you’d have to pay in a single year. This is also your chance to confirm that your doctors are in the network and your prescription drugs are covered.

Look for Extra Plan Benefits

One of the main reasons people choose Medicare Advantage is for the extra benefits that go beyond what Original Medicare covers. Think of these plans as all-in-one packages. While Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) is your foundation for hospital and medical coverage, it leaves significant gaps for things like prescriptions, routine dental check-ups, and vision care. This is where Medicare Advantage plans step in.

They often bundle coverage for these services, which can make managing your healthcare much simpler and more predictable. Instead of juggling multiple cards and policies, you have one plan for most of your needs. When you’re comparing options on a platform like eHealth, pay close attention to these additional perks. They aren’t just minor add-ons; they can have a real impact on your health and your wallet by covering services you would otherwise pay for out-of-pocket. From fitness memberships to allowances for hearing aids, these benefits are designed to address your whole health. Taking a moment to see what’s included helps you find a plan that truly supports your lifestyle and budget.

Prescription Drug Coverage

Most Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage (these are often called MA-PD plans). This is a major convenience, as it rolls your medical and drug benefits into a single plan, often with one monthly premium. You won’t have to sign up for a separate Part D plan and keep track of another policy. When using eHealth’s tools, you can input your list of medications to see how each plan covers them. Every plan has its own formulary, or list of covered drugs, so this step is essential to make sure your prescriptions will be affordable.

Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefits

Routine dental, vision, and hearing services are some of the most common—and most expensive—gaps in Original Medicare. This is where Medicare Advantage plans can be a huge help. Many plans offer benefits like annual dental cleanings, eye exams, and allowances for eyeglasses or contact lenses. Some even provide coverage for hearing exams and hearing aids, which can be a significant expense. As you compare plans, look at the details. Is there a specific network of dentists or eye doctors you need to use? What is the annual dollar limit for coverage? Understanding these specifics will help you choose wisely.

Wellness Programs and Fitness Perks

Many plans are designed to help you stay healthy, not just treat you when you’re sick. It’s common to find plans that include wellness programs and fitness perks to support your overall well-being. One of the most popular benefits is a fitness program membership, like SilverSneakers, which gives you free access to thousands of gyms and fitness classes across the country. You might also find plans that offer nutrition counseling, health coaching, or even allowances for over-the-counter health products. These benefits can add a lot of value to your plan and help you maintain an active, healthy lifestyle.

Telehealth Services

The convenience of seeing a doctor from home is a benefit that many people now rely on. Most Medicare Advantage plans include comprehensive telehealth services, allowing you to have virtual appointments with doctors, specialists, and mental health providers over the phone or through a video call. This is perfect for routine follow-ups, managing a chronic condition, or getting medical advice without having to travel to an office. When reviewing a plan’s details, check to see which types of telehealth visits are covered and if there are any copays for a virtual consultation.

The Pros and Cons of Using eHealth

Online comparison tools like eHealth can feel like a great starting point when you’re exploring your Medicare Advantage options. They put a lot of information right at your fingertips, which can make a complex process feel a bit more manageable. However, like any tool, it has its strengths and weaknesses. Understanding both sides is key to making sure you find a plan that truly fits your life, not just one that’s convenient to sign up for. Let’s walk through what eHealth does well and where you might find its limitations.

The Benefits of Using eHealth’s Platform

The biggest advantage of using eHealth is convenience. The platform lets you enter your ZIP code and instantly see a list of Medicare Advantage plans available in your area. You can sort these plans by cost, company, and plan type, making it easy to do a side-by-side comparison from your own home. The service is also free for you to use; eHealth earns a commission from the insurance companies when you enroll in a plan through their site. This setup makes it a straightforward way to shop for Medicare Advantage plans without having to visit multiple insurer websites.

The Drawbacks to Consider

The main drawback is that eHealth doesn’t show you everything. Because it’s a broker, its website only displays plans from the insurance companies it has a partnership with. This means you won’t see every single Medicare Advantage plan available to you, and you could miss out on one that’s a better fit. Furthermore, while eHealth’s agents can be helpful, it’s important to remember they work for a private company that gets paid when you enroll. This structure can create a potential for bias in the advice you receive, as their recommendations are limited to their partner plans. You deserve a full, unbiased view of your options.

What Do Medicare Advantage Plans Really Cost?

It’s easy to get drawn in by Medicare Advantage plans that advertise a $0 monthly premium. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love the sound of “free”? But when it comes to health insurance, the price tag you see upfront is rarely the full story. The monthly premium is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. To really understand what a plan will cost you over the course of a year, you have to look at the complete picture of your potential expenses.

Think of it like booking a budget flight. The initial ticket price looks great, but then you have to pay for your seat, your carry-on, and even a bottle of water. Suddenly, that cheap flight isn’t so cheap. Medicare Advantage plans can be similar. A plan with a $0 premium might look like the best deal, but it could have higher costs when you actually go to the doctor or fill a prescription. The key is to shift your focus from just the monthly premium to your total potential out-of-pocket costs. This approach helps you make a choice that truly protects both your health and your finances, without any surprise expenses down the road.

Monthly Premiums vs. Total Out-of-Pocket Expenses

While you might find plans with no monthly premium, you will still have other costs to think about. These include your deductible (the amount you pay before your plan starts paying), copays (a set fee for a doctor’s visit or service), and coinsurance (a percentage of the cost you pay for care). A plan with a low or zero premium might have higher copays or a larger deductible. This means that if you visit the doctor often or have a chronic condition, you could end up paying more throughout the year than you would with a plan that has a modest monthly premium but lower costs for services.

Deductibles, Copays, and Annual Maximums

When you’re comparing plans, please don’t just look at the monthly premium. It’s so important to always check the deductible, copays, and the annual out-of-pocket maximum. This maximum is the absolute most you will have to pay for covered medical services in a single year, and it’s your most important financial safety net. Once you hit this limit, your plan pays 100% of your covered costs for the rest of the year. A plan with a lower out-of-pocket maximum can offer incredible peace of mind, protecting you from overwhelming medical bills if you have an unexpected health crisis or need extensive treatment.

How to Enroll Through eHealth

Ready to sign up for a plan? The enrollment process on eHealth is designed to be straightforward. It’s all about confirming you’re eligible, knowing the right time to enroll, and then using the website’s tools to find and apply for your chosen plan. Let’s walk through the key steps together so you know exactly what to expect and can feel confident in your decisions.

Check Your Eligibility

Before you start comparing plans, it’s helpful to understand what eHealth is. It’s an insurance broker, which means it’s a company that partners with different insurance carriers to sell their plans. Think of it as a marketplace where you can shop for options from various providers, not an insurance company itself. To sign up for any Medicare Advantage plan, you must first be enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). Once you have that sorted, you can use a platform like eHealth to find a Medicare Advantage plan that’s offered in your area.

Know Your Enrollment Periods

Timing is everything when it comes to Medicare. The main window to join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage plan is during the Annual Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. This is when most people make changes to their coverage for the upcoming year. However, life happens, and certain events—like moving to a new service area or losing your current coverage—may qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period. This gives you a chance to enroll in a new plan outside of the standard fall window, so it’s always good to know your options.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Sign Up

Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility and have your enrollment period in mind, you can start the sign-up process. You’ll begin by visiting the eHealth website and entering your ZIP code. This will pull up all the Medicare Advantage plans available where you live. From there, you can use the site’s tools to narrow down your choices. You can filter plans by their type (like HMO or PPO), their quality star rating, or whether they have a $0 monthly premium. The platform also lets you compare plans side-by-side to see a clear breakdown of their costs and benefits. After you find the right fit, you can complete the application right on their website.

How to Make an Informed Decision

Choosing a Medicare Advantage plan is a significant decision, but you don’t have to feel overwhelmed. By breaking the process down into a few manageable steps, you can confidently select a plan that truly fits your life. It all comes down to understanding your personal health needs, your budget, and the specifics of each plan you consider. Taking the time to look at these key areas will help you find coverage that works for you, not the other way around.

Assess Your Healthcare Needs

Before you start comparing plans, take a moment to think about what you really need from your health insurance. A great first step is to make a simple list. Write down your regular doctors and specialists, the prescription drugs you take, and any extra benefits you rely on, like dental, vision, or hearing aids. Having this list handy makes it much easier to see which plans cover what matters most to you. This simple exercise is the foundation for finding a plan that supports your specific health and wellness goals.

Evaluate Your Budget

A plan with a $0 monthly premium can be very appealing, but it’s important to look at the bigger financial picture. You will still have other expenses, so you need to consider the plan’s total out-of-pocket costs. These include your deductible (what you pay before insurance kicks in), copays (fixed fees for services), and coinsurance (a percentage of the cost you pay). Understanding these figures helps you anticipate your yearly healthcare spending and avoid surprises. Thinking about your total budget will help you find a plan that is both comprehensive and affordable for your situation.

Check Your Doctor and Drug Coverage

Once you have a few plans in mind, the most critical step is to confirm they work with your healthcare providers. Before you sign up, double-check that your favorite doctors, specialists, and local hospitals are included in the plan’s network. You should also verify that your prescription medications are on the plan’s list of covered drugs, known as a formulary. Because these networks and formularies can change, it’s a good idea to review your coverage every year during the Annual Enrollment Period to ensure your plan still meets your needs.

Get the Most from Your Medicare Advantage Plan

Picking the right Medicare Advantage plan is a huge step, but learning how to use it effectively is just as important. A great plan on paper is only valuable if it works for your real-life healthcare needs and budget. This means understanding the true costs involved and knowing what to look for beyond the basic coverage. Many people focus so much on enrollment that they forget to plan for how they’ll use their benefits throughout the year. Being proactive is key.

Think of your plan as a toolkit. You wouldn’t buy a toolkit without knowing what each tool does, and the same goes for your health plan. Taking the time to understand the details—from your network of doctors to the extra perks like dental or vision coverage—can save you money and a lot of headaches down the road. It helps you make smarter healthcare decisions and ensures there are no surprises when a medical bill arrives. By being an informed member, you can make sure you’re getting the full value from your benefits all year long. Let’s walk through how to select a plan that’s truly cost-effective and sidestep some common misunderstandings that can trip people up.

How to Choose a Cost-Effective Plan

When you start to compare Medicare Advantage plans, it’s tempting to focus on the plan with the lowest monthly premium. However, the true cost is more than just that one number. To find a genuinely cost-effective plan, you need to look at the whole picture. Always check the deductible, copays for doctor visits and prescriptions, and the annual out-of-pocket maximum. This maximum is the most you’ll have to pay for covered services in a year, and it’s a critical safety net for your finances. Marketplaces like eHealth let you see options from various insurers like Aetna, Cigna, and Humana, making it easier to weigh these different costs side-by-side.

Avoid Common Plan Misconceptions

It’s easy to get confused by all the details, so let’s clear up a few things. First, remember that eHealth is a broker, not an insurance company. This means it shows you plans from its partners, so you may not see every single Medicare Advantage plan available in your area. It’s a great starting point, but not the complete picture. Second, don’t overlook the extra perks. Many plans offer valuable benefits beyond standard medical coverage, including routine vision and dental care, hearing aids, and even fitness programs. Before you sign up for any plan, do your homework to understand exactly what is and isn’t covered so you can take full advantage of your benefits.

Top Medicare Advantage Providers on eHealth

When you start comparing plans on eHealth, you’ll see a long list of insurance companies. It can feel like a lot to sort through, but you’ll quickly notice a few big names appearing over and over. Understanding who these major providers are and what they’re known for can make your search much easier.

Think of this as a quick introduction to the key players in the Medicare Advantage market. While the “best” plan is always the one that fits your specific health needs, budget, and location, knowing the general reputation of each company is a great starting point. Some are praised for customer service, others for their low costs, and some for their massive doctor networks.

Keep in mind that a company’s offerings and quality can vary from state to state and even county to county. The providers below are consistently major players across the country, and you’re almost certain to encounter them on eHealth. Having a little background on each one will help you feel more confident as you begin to compare your options.

UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare (UHC) is one of the largest and most recognized names in health insurance, and for good reason. They are particularly well-regarded for their extensive provider networks and high member satisfaction. For many people, having a UHC plan means easier access to a wide range of doctors and hospitals. A recent J.D. Power study on Medicare Advantage plans highlighted UnitedHealthcare for its high overall satisfaction scores in several states. This suggests that members are generally happy with the service and support they receive, which is a crucial factor when you’re counting on your plan to be there for you.

Aetna

Aetna, now part of CVS Health, is another top provider you’ll frequently see on eHealth. They are often praised for offering high-quality, comprehensive plans. If you’re looking for a plan that provides solid, all-around coverage, Aetna is a great place to start your search. They consistently receive high marks for their plan options and customer service. In fact, industry experts often point to Aetna as one of the best Medicare Advantage plan providers because of their blend of excellent coverage and affordability. Their connection with CVS also means some plans come with unique pharmacy benefits.

Humana

Humana has built a strong reputation in the Medicare space, largely due to the sheer variety of its plans and benefits. If you feel like your healthcare needs are unique, Humana likely has an option tailored for you. They are known for offering a wide availability of plans that cater to different health conditions and financial situations. This makes them a top choice for beneficiaries who want to find a plan that feels personalized. Whether you need a low-cost HMO or a more flexible PPO with extra perks, Humana’s broad selection is a significant advantage.

Cigna

For many seniors, keeping healthcare costs predictable is a top priority. Cigna often stands out for its focus on affordability. You’ll find that many Cigna plans feature low or even $0 monthly premiums, making them an attractive option if you’re on a tight budget. But low cost doesn’t mean low quality. Cigna’s plans are also recognized for their strong provider networks and comprehensive benefits. They are frequently listed among the best Medicare Advantage plans for their value, offering a great balance of cost-effectiveness and solid medical coverage for members.

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is a household name with a powerful brand reputation. One of its biggest strengths is its extensive network of doctors and hospitals. However, it’s important to know that BCBS is an association of 34 independent, locally operated companies. This means that the quality and types of plans can differ significantly depending on where you live. While one state’s BCBS plan might be the top-rated option, another’s might be average. Still, BCBS is known for being a reliable choice with a wide range of plans, making it one of the best insurance companies in many states.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is eHealth the same as the official Medicare website? That’s a great question, and it’s a common point of confusion. No, they are two different things. Think of eHealth as a large online marketplace run by a private company. It shows you plans from the insurance carriers it partners with. The official government website is Medicare.gov, which provides information on every single plan available in your area, regardless of partnerships. Both can be useful research tools, but it’s important to know you’re looking at a curated list on eHealth.

Why should I consider a plan with a monthly premium when so many are $0? It’s tempting to go straight for the $0 premium plans, but that number doesn’t tell the whole story of what you’ll pay. A plan with no monthly premium might have a higher annual deductible or larger copays every time you visit a doctor or fill a prescription. It’s often better to evaluate a plan based on its total potential out-of-pocket costs for the year, especially the annual maximum. Sometimes, paying a small monthly premium can lead to much lower costs when you actually use your insurance.

If I find a plan on eHealth, does that mean my doctor will accept it? Not necessarily, and this is one of the most important things to verify. While eHealth provides tools to check for network doctors, you should always confirm this information directly. The best way to be certain is to call your doctor’s office and ask if they are in-network for the specific plan you are considering. Provider networks can change, so taking this extra step before you enroll can save you from major headaches and surprise bills later.

Does eHealth show me every single Medicare Advantage plan I can get? Because eHealth is a broker, it only displays plans from the insurance companies it has a business relationship with. This means you will see many great options, but you won’t see every single plan available in your county. You could miss out on a plan from a local or regional insurer that doesn’t partner with eHealth but might be a perfect fit for you. It’s a helpful platform for comparison, but it isn’t a complete catalog of all your choices.

What happens if I pick a plan and then realize it’s not a good fit for me? You are not permanently locked into a plan that isn’t working for you. Medicare has an Annual Enrollment Period every fall, from October 15 to December 7, which is your main opportunity to switch to a different plan for the following year. Additionally, certain situations, like moving out of your plan’s service area, may qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period, giving you another chance to make a change.