The number of Medicare Advantage plans changes every year and depends on where you live

There is no single answer to how many Medicare Advantage plans exist. The number shifts annually because insurers add, remove, and redesign plans each fall. In 2024, roughly 3,700 Medicare Advantage plans were available across the United States — but the number available to you depends entirely on your ZIP code. Some counties have 20 or more options; others have fewer than five.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) publishes the official count each year in October, when insurers file their plans for the following year. That count includes all plan types: Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs), Private Fee-for-Service plans, and Special Needs Plans. The variation by location exists because insurers decide which counties and regions to serve based on enrollment demand and profitability.

Your actual choice set is smaller than the national total. To find out how many plans serve your specific address, you need to check Medicare.gov's plan finder tool or contact Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE. The tool shows every plan available in your area, what each one costs, which doctors and hospitals are in-network, and what prescription drugs are covered.

Key Takeaways

  • Roughly 3,700 Medicare Advantage plans operate nationwide in 2024, but the number available to you depends on your county and ZIP code.
  • The number of plans changes every year because insurers add and remove plans during the annual enrollment period in the fall.
  • You can find the exact number of plans in your area by using the plan finder on Medicare.gov or calling 1-800-MEDICARE.
  • More plans in your area does not automatically mean better options — you still need to compare costs, networks, and drug coverage for each one.

Why the number of plans varies by location

Medicare Advantage insurers are private companies. They choose which geographic areas to enter based on whether they think they can attract enough members to make money. A densely populated urban county might attract five or six insurers, each offering multiple plan variants. A rural county with fewer seniors might attract only one or two insurers, each with one or two plans.

Insurers also withdraw from markets. If an insurer decides a region is no longer profitable, it stops offering plans there. When this happens, existing members get a notice and must choose a different plan during the open enrollment period. This is why the count in your county can drop from one year to the next.

State regulations also shape the landscape. Some states impose stricter rules on insurers or require them to maintain certain service standards. These rules can make some states more or less attractive to insurers, which affects how many plans operate there.

How to find the plans available to you

The Medicare plan finder is the authoritative source. Go to Medicare.gov, click "Find Care Providers & Suppliers," then select "Compare Medicare Advantage Plans." Enter your ZIP code and the tool will display every plan available in your area, sorted by plan type, monthly premium, and out-of-pocket costs.

The tool shows you the plan's network — which doctors, hospitals, and specialists are in-network and which are out-of-network. It also displays the formulary, which is the list of prescription drugs the plan covers and at what cost tier. You can filter by plan type (HMO, PPO, etc.) and by whether the plan includes dental, vision, or hearing coverage.

If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, call 1-800-MEDICARE. A representative can walk you through the plans available in your area and answer questions about costs and coverage. The call is free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

What changed in the number of plans from 2023 to 2024

The total number of Medicare Advantage plans increased slightly from 2023 to 2024, though the change was not uniform across all regions. Some counties gained plans while others lost them. The net effect was a modest increase in the national total, but many seniors in specific counties experienced a decrease in their local options.

Insurers also made significant changes to plan designs. Some plans reduced out-of-pocket maximums (the most you pay in a year before the plan covers everything). Others expanded dental and vision benefits or added new supplemental benefits like transportation or meal delivery. These changes mean that even if the number of plans in your area stayed the same, the plans themselves may have changed.

CMS publishes a detailed report each year comparing plan counts by state and county. You can find this report on the CMS website if you want to see how your specific area changed year over year.

How many plans you should actually compare

Having many plans to choose from does not mean you need to compare all of them. Start by filtering for plan type. If you want to see any doctor without a referral, look only at PPOs. If you are comfortable with a network and want lower premiums, focus on HMOs. This step alone usually cuts your list in half.

Next, check whether your current doctors are in-network. Call your doctor's office or use the plan finder to verify. Plans with your preferred doctors already in-network are worth closer attention. Plans that exclude your doctor are usually not worth the time to review further.

Then compare the three numbers that matter most: the monthly premium, the annual deductible, and the out-of-pocket maximum. These three figures determine your total cost in most years. After that, look at the formulary to see whether your regular medications are covered and at what cost.

Most people can narrow their options to three to five plans using these steps. Comparing more than five plans rarely changes the outcome and usually creates decision fatigue.

Plans that serve multiple states

Some large national insurers offer Medicare Advantage plans in many states. UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Anthem, and Aetna each operate in dozens of states. However, the specific plans they offer vary by state and county. A plan available in one county may not be available in the next county over, even within the same state.

If you move to a different state or county, your current plan may not follow you. You will need to check what plans are available in your new location during the open enrollment period and choose a new plan. This is one reason to understand how to use the plan finder tool — you may need it again.

When the number of plans in your area drops

If an insurer exits your market and you lose your current plan, Medicare sends you a notice in the fall. The notice explains that your plan is ending and gives you a important date to choose a new plan. You are not automatically moved to another plan — you must actively choose one during the open enrollment period, which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year.

If you do not choose a new plan by December 7, Medicare will assign you to a plan automatically. The assignment is usually based on your current plan type and cost, but you may end up with a plan you did not choose. It is better to make the choice yourself.

If fewer plans are available in your new location, you may have to switch to a different plan type or accept a larger out-of-pocket cost. This is frustrating, but it is a real possibility in areas with limited competition among insurers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does having more plans in my area mean I will find a better plan?

Not necessarily. More plans means more options to compare, but the best plan for you depends on your doctors, your medications, and your budget. A county with 25 plans might have only three that include your doctor in-network. A county with five plans might have four that do. The quality of your options matters more than the quantity.

Can I switch Medicare Advantage plans in the middle of the year?

Only during the open enrollment period from October 15 to December 7. Outside that window, you can switch only if you have a may have access to life event (such as moving to a new county, losing employer coverage, or becoming may be able to access for Medicaid). Otherwise, you are locked into your plan until the next open enrollment period.

What happens if my plan is discontinued and I do not choose a new one?

Medicare will assign you to a plan automatically, usually one similar to your current plan in type and cost. However, the assigned plan may not include your doctors or cover your medications the way your old plan did. You should always choose your own plan rather than let Medicare assign one.

Are plans with more benefits always more expensive?

Not always. Some plans offer dental, vision, and hearing coverage at no extra premium. Others charge a higher monthly premium for those benefits. You need to compare the total cost — premium plus out-of-pocket costs for the care you actually use — rather than assuming more benefits means higher cost.

How often does the number of plans in my area change?

Every year. Insurers file their plans for the following year in the summer, and CMS publishes the updated count in October. Some years your area gains plans; other years it loses them. This is why it is worth checking the plan finder each year during open enrollment, even if you were happy with your plan the previous year.