Best Medicare Advantage plan for the lowest cost in a bad year in Apache County, Arizona

Why this plan

HumanaChoice H5216-224 (PPO) costs $130.80 a year in premiums and caps what you pay for in-network medical care at $4,150, so $4,280.80 is the most a year of covered care can cost you: the lowest worst case of the 4 plans we compare here. The next is AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC AZ-0008 (PPO), at $6,440 a year at most ($540 in premiums plus a $5,900 limit).

AARP Medicare Advantage Access from UHC AZ-15 (PPO) has a lower out-of-pocket limit, $3,000, but its premium of $295 a month makes its worst year $6,540.

The middle plan's worst year here is $6,490: in a year with a hospital stay or a run of treatment, this plan could cost you up to $2,209.20 less.

What it gives up

Nothing we can measure: its premium and out-of-pocket limit are no higher than most plans' here, and its star rating isn't below average.

Who it suits

This suits you if you have an ongoing condition, a surgery or treatment coming, or simply want to know the worst a year can cost. Once your copays and coinsurance for in-network medical care reach the plan's out-of-pocket limit, it pays in full for covered care for the rest of the year -- but you keep paying the premium, so we count both.

The next best for the lowest cost in a bad year

Before you choose

• Check your doctors and hospitals. Most Medicare Advantage plans pay only, or mostly, for care in their own network. Ask the plan, or your doctor's office, before you join.
• Price your prescriptions. What your drugs cost can differ by hundreds of dollars a year between plans and outweigh any premium difference. Add them in our plan list to see your own costs.
• Read the plan's own documents. We take every figure from what the plan filed with Medicare, but its Evidence of Coverage is the final word on what it pays.
• Get free advice if you want it. Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) gives free, unbiased help choosing a plan.

How we picked

The plan whose worst year costs least: twelve months of premiums plus its yearly limit on what you pay for covered medical care in its network. Drugs aren't included; Part D has its own yearly cap. Where several tie, we look next at the largest Part B giveback, then the lowest premium, then the lowest copay to see a primary care doctor. Plans that still tie are listed by name.

We compare the 5 Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage that anyone with Medicare in Apache County can join. Special needs plans and PACE, which are only for people who qualify, aren't included; you'll find them on the Apache County page. No plan pays to be picked.

We don't pick plans Medicare rates below 3 stars, and leave 1 out here: HumanaChoice R7220-002 (Regional PPO) (2.5 stars). Plans too new to have a rating are included, and say so.