Maryland › Howard County
Medicare plans in Howard County, Maryland
2026 plans. Other years: 2026 · 2027
Where to start
This page lists every Medicare plan sold in Howard County for 2026, sorted from the lowest cost each month. They're in four tables below, by the kind of coverage. Jump to the one that fits you. Under each table, Compare these plans opens the same plans in our plan list, where you can add your prescriptions, narrow the list and compare plans side by side.
- Medicare Advantage with drug coverage (15 plans)
- Part D drug plans (10 plans)
- Special needs plans (14 plans)
- Medicare Advantage without drug coverage (5 plans)
- Medigap (Medicare Supplement) prices
Not sure which you need? Most people choose either a Medicare Advantage plan, which usually includes drug coverage, or Original Medicare with a Part D drug plan and often a Medigap policy to pay what Medicare leaves.
What would these plans cost you? Try the calculator → It's set to Howard County. Add your age, health and drugs to see what each kind of plan would cost you next year and over the years ahead.
The best plan here for…
- A low monthly premium
- Money back on your Part B premium
- The lowest cost in a bad year
- Dental coverage
- A high star rating
- Seeing doctors outside a network
- The lowest-priced Medigap Plan G
No plan is best for everyone, so we pick one for each of these and explain why. All our picks in Howard County
At a glance
- 20 Medicare Advantage plans are open to anyone with Medicare here; 9 charge no monthly premium.
- 5 give back part of your Part B premium, up to $100 a month.
- The lowest yearly limit on what you pay for in-network care is $5,700.
- 10 Part D drug plans, from $0 to $108.60 a month.
Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage 15
Medical and drug coverage in one plan, open to anyone with Medicare who lives here. This is what most people mean by a Medicare Advantage plan.
| Plan | Network | Premium | Out-of-pocket limit | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humana Gold Plus H6622-095 (HMO) Humana · H6622-095-000 | HMO | $0/moGives back $12/mo of your Part B premium | $9,250 | 3.5★ |
| Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Value 2 MD (HMO) Kaiser Permanente · H2172-026-000 | HMO | $0/mo | $8,900 | 4.5★ |
| CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Essential (PPO) CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Medicare Advantage · H7379-001-000 | PPO | $0/mo | $8,300 | 4.0★ |
| Alterwood Advantage Select (HMO) Alterwood Advantage · H9306-009-001 | HMO | $0/mo | $7,500 | 3.5★ |
| Johns Hopkins Advantage MD Primary (PPO) Johns Hopkins Advantage MD · H3890-005-000 | PPO | $5/mo | $7,550 | 3.5★ |
| Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Care Plus MD (HMO-POS) Kaiser Permanente · H2172-014-000 | HMO-POS | $28/mo | $7,500 | 4.5★ |
| Alterwood Advantage Choice (HMO) Alterwood Advantage · H9306-008-001 | HMO | $30/mo | $7,500 | 3.5★ |
| Humana Gold Plus H6622-081 (HMO) Humana · H6622-081-000 | HMO | $35/mo | $8,950 | 3.5★ |
| Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Standard 2 MD (HMO-POS) Kaiser Permanente · H2172-022-000 | HMO-POS | $38/mo | $8,900 | 4.5★ |
| CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Complete (PPO) CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Medicare Advantage · H7379-002-000 | PPO | $42/mo | $7,300 | 4.0★ |
| Johns Hopkins Advantage MD (HMO) Johns Hopkins Advantage MD · H1225-001-000 | HMO | $45/mo | $8,950 | 3.5★ |
| Johns Hopkins Advantage MD (PPO) Johns Hopkins Advantage MD · H3890-001-000 | PPO | $95/mo | $7,550 | 3.5★ |
| Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage High MD (HMO-POS) Kaiser Permanente · H2172-002-000 | HMO-POS | $104/mo | $5,700 | 4.5★ |
| Alterwood Advantage Choice Plus (HMO) Alterwood Advantage · H9306-002-000 | HMO | $122/mo | $6,500 | 3.5★ |
| Johns Hopkins Advantage MD Plus (PPO) Johns Hopkins Advantage MD · H3890-002-000 | PPO | $155/mo | $7,550 | 3.5★ |
Part D drug plans 10
Standalone drug coverage, for people who keep Original Medicare (often with a Medigap policy). Drug plans are sold for a whole region, so the same plans are sold throughout Mid-Atlantic (Delaware, District of Columbia and Maryland).
| Plan | Premium | Drug deductible | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humana Basic Rx Plan (PDP) Humana · S5884-103-000 | $0/mo | $615 | 3★ |
| Humana Value Rx Plan (PDP) Humana · S5884-184-000 | $4.30/mo | $601 | 3★ |
| Wellcare Value Script (PDP) Wellcare · S4802-140-000 | $5.60/mo | $615 | 3.5★ |
| Wellcare Classic (PDP) Wellcare · S4802-079-000 | $5.70/mo | $615 | 3.5★ |
| HealthSpring Assurance Rx (PDP) Cigna Healthcare · S5617-214-000 | $32.60/mo | $615 | 2.5★ |
| AARP Medicare Rx Saver from UHC (PDP) UnitedHealthcare · S5921-350-000 | $37.80/mo | $615 | 2★ |
| HealthSpring Extra Rx (PDP) Cigna Healthcare · S5617-355-000 | $66.60/mo | $615 | 2.5★ |
| AARP Medicare Rx Preferred from UHC (PDP) UnitedHealthcare · S5921-387-000 | $94.50/mo | $130 | 2★ |
| SilverScript Choice (PDP) Aetna Medicare · S5601-010-000 | $97.40/mo | $615 | 3★ |
| Humana Premier Rx Plan (PDP) Humana · S5884-151-000 | $108.60/mo | None | 3★ |
Special needs plans 14
Medicare Advantage plans built for people with particular needs, and open only to people who have them. If one of the three below describes you, these are often worth a look before a general plan. Each row says who can join.
Who special needs plans are for
- D-SNP: you have Medicaid as well as Medicare (sometimes called "dual eligible" or "Medi-Medi").
- C-SNP: you have a chronic condition the plan is built around, such as diabetes, heart failure, chronic lung disease or dementia. The plan checks with your doctor.
- I-SNP: you live in a nursing home or similar facility, or need that level of care at home.
Why people choose them
- Care built around you. Most assign a care coordinator, and many run clinical programs for the condition they serve: diabetes education and supplies, heart or lung monitoring, medication reviews, or doctors who visit you in a facility.
- Often more generous extras. Many offer larger allowances than general plans for groceries, over-the-counter items, transportation, meals or utilities. Compare the figures; they vary widely from plan to plan.
- Lower costs for many members. With full Medicaid, a D-SNP member usually pays nothing for care Medicare covers.
The catch: you have to qualify, and the plan will check, for example your Medicaid status or a doctor's confirmation of your condition. If you're not sure, your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) gives free, unbiased advice.
| Plan | Network | Who can join | Premium | Out-of-pocket limit | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaiser Permanente Dual Complete Plan 2 MD (HMO D-SNP) Kaiser Permanente · H2172-017-000 | HMO | Only for people who have Medicaid as well as Medicare | $0/mo | $9,250 | 4.5★ |
| Kaiser Permanente Dual Essential Plan 2 MD (HMO D-SNP) Kaiser Permanente · H2172-019-000 | HMO | Only for people who have Medicaid as well as Medicare | $0/mo | $9,250 | 4.5★ |
| KeyCare Advantage Plus (HMO C-SNP) KeyCare Advantage · H6959-002-000 | HMO | Only for people with certain chronic conditionsDiabetes, Heart | $0/mo | $6,900 | 4.0★ |
| Provider Partners Maryland Community Plan (HMO I-SNP) Provider Partners Health Plans · H8067-003-000 | HMO | Only for people who live in a nursing home, or need that level of care at home | $0/mo | $3,750 | 4.5★ |
| CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage DualPrime (HMO D-SNP) CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Medicare Advantage Dual Prime · H8854-002-000 | HMO | Only for people who have Medicaid as well as Medicare | $0/mo | $8,850 | 3.5★ |
| UHC Dual Complete MD-S002 (HMO D-SNP) UnitedHealthcare · H7464-008-001 | HMO | Only for people who have Medicaid as well as Medicare | $3.60/mo | $9,250 | 3.5★ |
| KeyCare Advantage (HMO I-SNP) KeyCare Advantage · H6959-001-000 | HMO | Only for people who live in a nursing home, or need that level of care at home | $23.20/mo | $8,950 | 4.0★ |
| UHC Nursing Home Plan EX-F004 (PPO I-SNP) UnitedHealthcare · H0710-032-000 | PPO | Only for people who live in a nursing home, or need that level of care at home | $27.80/moGives back $1.20/mo of your Part B premium | $9,250 | 4.5★ |
| Alterwood Advantage Dual Secure (HMO D-SNP) Alterwood Advantage · H9306-004-000 | HMO | Only for people who have Medicaid as well as Medicare | $28.10/mo | $9,250 | 3.5★ |
| Johns Hopkins Advantage MD D-SNP (HMO D-SNP) Johns Hopkins Advantage MD · H1225-003-000 | HMO | Only for people who have Medicaid as well as Medicare | $31.20/mo | $9,250 | 3.5★ |
| CommuniCare Advantage ISNP (HMO I-SNP) Communicare Advantage · H3727-002-002 | HMO | Only for people who live in a nursing home, or need that level of care at home | $31.20/mo | $9,250 | 3.0★ |
| Provider Partners Maryland Advantage Plan (HMO I-SNP) Provider Partners Health Plans · H8067-001-000 | HMO | Only for people who live in a nursing home, or need that level of care at home | $31.20/mo | $9,250 | 4.5★ |
| Provider Partners Maryland Essential Plan (HMO I-SNP) Provider Partners Health Plans · H8067-004-000 | HMO | Only for people who live in a nursing home, or need that level of care at home | $31.20/mo | $9,250 | 4.5★ |
| Alterwood Advantage Dual Value (HMO D-SNP) Alterwood Advantage · H9306-007-000 | HMO | Only for people who have Medicaid as well as Medicare | $31.20/mo | $9,250 | 3.5★ |
Medicare Advantage plans without drug coverage 5
Medical coverage only. These suit people who get their drugs elsewhere, such as from the VA or an employer, since you generally can't add a separate Part D plan to them.
| Plan | Network | Premium | Out-of-pocket limit | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Salute (PPO) CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Medicare Advantage · H7379-003-000 | PPO | $0/moGives back $100/mo of your Part B premium | $5,900 | 4.0★ |
| Alterwood Advantage Freedom (HMO) Alterwood Advantage · H9306-003-000 | HMO | $0/moGives back $75/mo of your Part B premium | $9,250 | 3.5★ |
| Humana USAA Honor Giveback (HMO) Humana · H6622-094-000 | HMO | $0/moGives back $70/mo of your Part B premium | $6,750 | 3.5★ |
| Johns Hopkins Advantage MD Tribute (HMO) Johns Hopkins Advantage MD · H1225-004-000 | HMO | $0/moGives back $40/mo of your Part B premium | $6,800 | 3.5★ |
| Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Liberty (HMO) Kaiser Permanente · H2172-005-000 | HMO | $0/mo | $5,900 | 4.5★ |
Medigap (Medicare Supplement)
A Medigap policy pays some or all of what Original Medicare leaves you owing, and works with any doctor who takes Medicare. The coverage of each plan letter is the same whichever company sells it; only the price differs.
- Plan G: $177–$498/mo from 25 companies, at age 65.
- Plan N: $1–$374/mo from 24 companies, at age 65.
Discussion
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