Today's Report
With open enrollment starting November 1, more than 4.6 million Americans have already left marketplace plans following the expiration of enhanced federal premium tax credits.
Read the full report →Primer
Part C plans replace Original Medicare with a private, network-based bundle. Often $0 premium; trade-off is prior authorization and narrower networks.
Enrollment share: 54%
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Supplemental policies that pay Original Medicare's cost-sharing. Plan G and Plan N dominate new enrollment; underwriting rules vary by state.
Plan G avg. premium: $155/mo
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Prescription drug coverage sold through standalone PDPs or bundled into MA plans. 2025 introduced a $2,000 out-of-pocket cap.
OOP cap 2025: $2,000
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Initial Enrollment Period, Annual Election Period, MA Open Enrollment, Special Election Periods — miss a window and penalties follow you for life.
Part B late fee: 10% / yr
Drug plans adjust their formularies and pricing tiers each year. Checking your medication list against the Medicare Plan Finder can prevent costly surprises come January.
Brute force lets you lift something heavy, but power is what catches your foot before you fall. Here is why speed of movement deserves your attention.
A single reading taken in an exam room rarely tells the whole story. Arriving with a week of quiet home numbers gives your doctor the context they actually need.
In Depth · Carrier Reviews
Scored on CMS Star Rating, prior-authorization denial rate, in-network provider breadth, drug formulary generosity, and appeal-overturn rates reported to CMS.
| Rank | Carrier | Star Rating | PA Denial | Overturn on Appeal | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kaiser Permanente | 4.5 | 4.8% | 82% | A |
| 2 | Humana | 4.0 | 6.9% | 78% | A− |
| 3 | UnitedHealthcare | 4.0 | 9.1% | 76% | B+ |
| 4 | Aetna (CVS Health) | 3.5 | 8.6% | 72% | B |
| 5 | Cigna Healthcare | 3.5 | 7.4% | 74% | B |
| 6 | Blue Cross Blue Shield | 3.5 | 8.2% | 70% | B |
| 7 | Elevance (Anthem) | 3.5 | 10.4% | 68% | B− |
| 8 | Centene (WellCare) | 3.0 | 12.6% | 64% | C+ |
| 9 | Molina Healthcare | 3.0 | 13.1% | 61% | C |
| 10 | Devoted Health | 3.5 | 9.8% | 69% | B− |