Best Medicare Advantage Plans in North Carolina (2025)
Aetna has the best overall Medicare Advantage plans in North Carolina.
Compare Medicare Plans in Your Area
Best Medicare Advantage in NC
Aetna has the best all-around Medicare Advantage plans in NC because of its good medical coverage, high ratings, low monthly costs and variety of plan types.
Alignment Health, Devoted Health and Health Team Advantage also have top Medicare Advantage plans in NC.
Compare the best NC Medicare Advantage plans
Company |
Rating
|
Cost
| |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $5 | |
| AARP/UnitedHealthcare | $53 | |
| Devoted Health | $0 | |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield | $17 | |
| Humana | $30 | |
Compare Medicare Plans in Your Area
The best Medicare Advantage plans in NC are selected using:
- Editor ratings that consider medical coverage, plan quality, affordability and unique features
- Star ratings on Medicare.gov which include information about medical care and customer satisfaction
- Affordability in NC and if coverage is a good value
- Plan options and availability
Rates only include Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage, which is what most people choose. Read our full methodology
Best overall Medicare Advantage in NC: Aetna
| Editor rating | |
| Medicare.gov rating in NC | 4.3 out of 5 |
| Average monthly cost | $5 |
Aetna has high-quality and affordable plans with great benefits.
Pros
-
Highly-rated plans
-
Good benefits for most people
-
Has $0 plans and cheap PPOs
Cons
-
Poor customer service
-
High medical costs if you need lots of care
5-Star Medicare Advantage in NC: Alignment Health
| Medicare.gov rating in NC | 5 out of 5 |
| Average monthly cost | $3 |
Alignment Health's 5-star Medicare Advantage plans make it one of the best companies in the country.
Pros
-
Perfect score of 5 stars from Medicare.gov
-
Affordable rates
-
Excellent medical coverage
Cons
-
Smaller network of doctors
-
Only available in the Triangle, Triad and Western NC
-
Accounting and administrative issues found by the state
Choosing between Alignment Health's Medicare Advantage plan options
- The best plan for extra perks is Alignment Health Platinum HMO POS plan costing $0 per month
- The best plan for doctor flexibility is the Alignment Health AVA PPO plan which costs an average of $10 per month and gives you some coverage if you go to a doctor that's outside of Alignment's network.
- The best plan for low monthly costs is the Alignment Health smartHMO plan which is a "giveback plan" that costs $0 per month and helps cover the cost of Medicare Part B which is usually deducted from your Social Security benefits.
Best cheap Medicare Advantage in NC: Devoted Health
| Editor rating | |
| Medicare.gov rating in NC | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Average monthly cost | $0 |
Devoted Health is one of the best Medicare Advantage companies in the country because of its high-rated plans that cost $0 per month.
Pros
-
Low cost plans can save you money
-
Helpful extras and perks
Cons
-
Basic coverage
-
Available in only about a third of NC
-
May have a smaller network of doctors
Best Medicare Advantage in Wilmington, NC: Health Team Advantage
| Medicare.gov rating in NC | 4.4 out of 5 |
| Average monthly cost in Wilmington | $0 |
HealthTeam Advantage has the best Medicare Advantage plans in Wilmington because it's highly rated and affordable.
Pros
-
High ratings from Medicare.gov
-
PPO plan for flexible coverage
-
Great customer satisfaction
Cons
-
Average prescription drug deductible
-
May have a smaller network of doctors
HealthTeam Advantage is offered in 33 counties in NC so it's also a good choice in areas beyond Wilmington.
How much does Medicare Advantage cost in North Carolina?
In 2025, it costs an average of $24 per month for an NC Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage.
- Is it cheap? Rates in NC are slightly cheaper than the nationwide average of $28 per month. However, most people pay much less for a Medicare Advantage plan because of the many cheap plans that are available.
- Can you get free plans? In North Carolina, $0 Medicare Advantage plans are available in every county. With these free plans, you won't have to pay anything extra on top of the cost of Original Medicare. And they often include extras such as dental care and vision.
- Are there ways to lower your monthly bills? Most NC counties also have Medicare Advantage plans that will help pay for Original Medicare, called "Part B giveback plans." These plans are a great way to lower your monthly costs. However, the tradeoff is that the plans will cover less of your medical expenses.
How to sign up for Medicare in North Carolina
- Determine if you're eligible: Medicare eligibility in North Carolina is the same as in the rest of the country. You're eligible for Medicare when you turn 65 or if you qualify through a disability.
- Apply for Original Medicare: Initial enrollment starts by applying for Medicare benefits through the Social Security Administration. This process will confirm your eligibility, after which you'll receive your Medicare card.
- Choose your plan: Whether you choose to bundle your coverage with Medicare Advantage or you want to add on coverage on top of Original Medicare, the next step is to choose from the plans offered by private insurance companies operating in North Carolina.
- Compare costs: Remember that comparing your total costs for the year can help you find the best deal for your current medical needs. Medicare Advantage plans have open enrollment every year from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, allowing you to change your coverage each year.
- Use local resources: In North Carolina, the Seniorsʼ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) offers free, independent Medicare counseling to answer your questions and help you navigate the Medicare enrollment process.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Medicare Part B cost in North Carolina?
Medicare Part B usually costs $185 per month in 2025. That's true in North Carolina and everywhere else. If you have a low income, you can pay less for Medicare Part B if you qualify for the Medicare Savings Program. You'll pay a higher rate for Part B if you earn more than $106,000 per year as an individual or more than $212,000 as a couple.
Does Medicare cover dental in North Carolina?
Nearly all Medicare Advantage plans in North Carolina cover routine dental care such as cleanings and X-rays. Several plans also cover advanced services such as extractions, periodontics and dentures, but there are usually limits on how much the plan will pay.
What are the qualifications for Medicare in NC?
You'll qualify for Medicare when you turn 65 or if you have certain illnesses, such as kidney failure.
Is Medicare Advantage popular in North Carolina?
Yes, Medicare Advantage is popular in North Carolina. About 58% of people eligible for Medicare in NC get their benefits through a Medicare Advantage plan.
Methodology and sources
The cost and ratings for Medicare Advantage plans in North Carolina is based on Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) public use files.
Information is based on 2025 Medicare Advantage plans that include prescription drug coverage. Averages exclude employer group plans, Medicare-Medicaid Plans (MMPs), Medical Savings Account (MSA) plans, Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) plans, prepayment plans (HCPPs), sanctioned plans and Special Needs Plans (SNPs).
The top companies are selected based on a range of factors including ratings, plan benefits, affordability and unique features.
Additional sources include KFF and the NC Department of Insurance.
About the Author
Analyst
Stephanie Guinan is an Analyst for ValuePenguin/LendingTree. She specializes in simplifying complex insurance topics for consumers.
She’s also worked as an award-winning data journalist and content marketing writer. Stephanie’s work has been cited by Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Rolling Stone and more.
Expertise
- Health insurance and Medicare
- Home and auto insurance
- Crunching numbers
Referenced by
- Wall Street Journal
- New York Times
- Rolling Stone
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