Georgia is one of the larger Medicare Advantage markets in the Southeast. Nearly 1.97 million Georgians are enrolled in Medicare, and roughly 1.07 million of them, about 54%, have chosen a Medicare Advantage plan over Original Medicare. That penetration rate is in line with the national average and reflects strong competition from seven or more carriers in Atlanta-area counties. The 2026 plan year brought 180 plans statewide, up from 178 in 2025, per the CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D Landscape Fact Sheet. The statewide average monthly premium is about $7 in 2026, well below the national MA average of $14.
Atlanta and the surrounding metro counties (Fulton, Gwinnett, Cobb, DeKalb) have 70-81 plans to choose from, including Kaiser Permanente's closed-network HMO. Confirm your doctors are in-network before enrolling. Rural south Georgia counties like Echols, with only 28 plans, and rural northwest Georgia (Chattooga, at an average premium of $29/mo) show how plan count and price shift outside the metro areas. If you live outside Atlanta, verifying your county's exact plan lineup at medicare.gov is especially important.
This guide covers the 2026 Georgia Medicare Advantage market: how many plans exist, which carriers offer them, what the plan types look like, and the enrollment dates that matter. The Annual Election Period is October 15 to December 7, 2026, with coverage beginning January 1, 2027.
2026 Medicare Advantage Market Overview in Georgia
In 2026, Georgia has 180 Medicare Advantage plans available, with 1,075,000 beneficiaries enrolled (54% MA penetration). The average monthly premium is $7 and the statewide average Star Rating is 3.8.
Top Medicare Advantage carriers in Georgia (2026)| Carrier | Plans | Avg Star Rating | Avg Premium |
|---|
| Humana | 25 | 3.5 | $6/mo |
| UnitedHealthcare | 18 | 4.0 | $5/mo |
| Aetna | 16 | 4.2 | $8/mo |
| WellCare | 14 | 3.5 | $4/mo |
| Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia | 12 | 3.8 | $9/mo |
| Kaiser Permanente | 5 | 4.5 | $10/mo |
| HealthSpring | 8 | 3.8 | $7/mo |
| Molina Healthcare | 5 | 3.5 | $0/mo |
Source: CMS 2026 MA/Part D Landscape State-by-State Fact Sheet; KFF Medicare Advantage 2026 Spotlight; NerdWallet Georgia 2026 MA analysis
Plan Types in Georgia: HMO vs PPO vs SNP
Medicare Advantage plan-type breakdown in Georgia| Plan Type | Plans Available | Avg Premium | Best For |
|---|
| HMO / HMO-POS | 94 | $5/mo | Lower premiums, in-network care, Atlanta and suburban markets |
| PPO | 67 | $12/mo | Flexibility to see out-of-network providers across Georgia |
| Special Needs Plan (SNP) | 51 | $0/mo | Dual-eligible (Georgia Medicaid + Medicare), chronic conditions, institutional care |
| PFFS / MSA | 3 | $0/mo | Private fee-for-service or medical savings account; rare in Georgia |
HMO plans are most common in metro Atlanta, where Kaiser, HealthSpring, and UnitedHealthcare compete. PPOs are dominant in rural and suburban counties where network breadth matters more. SNP count includes 28 D-SNPs in Fulton County alone.
Source: CMS 2026 MA/Part D Landscape Fact Sheet; CMS Medicare Plan Finder Q4 2025
County-Level Variance in Georgia
Plan availability in Georgia varies sharply by county. Metro Atlanta counties offer 70-81 plans, while remote south Georgia counties may have fewer than 30. Premiums also diverge: competitive urban markets average under $10/mo, while rural northwest Georgia averages nearly $30/mo.
Plan count and average premium by county in Georgia| County | Plans Available | Avg Premium |
|---|
| Fulton County (Atlanta) | 81 | $6/mo |
| Gwinnett County | 80 | $6/mo |
| Chattooga County | 67 | $29/mo |
| Echols County | 28 | $18/mo |
Plan counts and premiums are from CMS Medicare Plan Finder Q4 2025. Run a personalized ZIP code search at medicare.gov to see plans available at your exact address.
Source: CMS Medicare Plan Finder Q4 2025; MedicareAdvantage.com county data
What to Look For in a Medicare Advantage Plan in Georgia
Picking a Medicare Advantage plan in Georgia is not just about premium. Here's what to focus on for 2026:
- Provider network. Confirm your primary care physician, specialists, and preferred hospital are all in-network. In metro Atlanta, most major hospital systems (Piedmont, Emory, Wellstar, Northside) participate in at least some MA plans, but this varies by carrier. In rural counties, hospital networks can be thin.
- Prescription drug coverage (formulary). Most MA plans include Part D. Check that your specific medications are on the plan formulary at a tier you can afford. The 2026 Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 across all plans, established by the Inflation Reduction Act.
- Star Ratings. CMS rates MA plans 1-5 stars each October based on quality of care, member experience, and drug safety. Plans with 4 stars or higher receive CMS bonus payments that often fund richer benefits. In Georgia, Aetna leads major carriers at 4.2 stars and Kaiser Permanente at 4.5 stars (Atlanta only).
- Supplemental benefits (dental, vision, hearing, transportation). MA plans frequently cover extras that Original Medicare does not. Compare annual dental maximums, hearing aid coverage, and whether the plan offers transportation to medical appointments. Georgia is a large state geographically; transportation benefits can matter.
- Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP). The 2026 federal in-network MOOP ceiling for MA is $9,250 (down from $9,350 in 2025). Many Georgia plans set it lower, between $4,500 and $7,500. Original Medicare has no annual MOOP, so a high-cost illness can cost far more without a Medigap supplement.
- Prior authorization requirements. If you have a chronic condition, a history of hospitalizations, or expect significant specialty care, ask how often the plan requires prior authorization for surgeries, imaging, or specialist visits. CMS publishes denial rate data you can request from each plan.
- $0 premium plans. All Georgia Medicare beneficiaries have access to at least one $0-premium Medicare Advantage plan in 2026. A $0 premium does not mean $0 cost; you still pay copays, coinsurance, and your Part B premium ($202.90/mo in 2026). Compare total cost, not just headline premium.
Key Medicare Dates in Georgia
Medicare and Medicare Advantage have several enrollment windows. Missing one can delay coverage or trigger late enrollment penalties.
- Annual Election Period (AEP): October 15 - December 7, 2026 — Switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, change MA plans, or change your Part D drug plan. Coverage starts January 1, 2027.
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP): January 1 - March 31, 2026 — Existing MA enrollees can switch to a different MA plan or return to Original Medicare. One switch only during this period.
- Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): 7-month window around your 65th birthday — Starts 3 months before your 65th birthday month, includes your birth month, and runs 3 months after. Enroll in Medicare Parts A and B first, then choose a Medicare Advantage plan or keep Original Medicare and add Part D.
- Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs): Varies by qualifying life event — Triggered by moving out of your plan's service area, losing employer coverage, qualifying for Georgia Medicaid (dual eligible), or other qualifying events. Typically a 2-3 month window after the event.
Notable Extras in Georgia Plans
Georgia Medicare Advantage plans have several state-specific features worth knowing before you shop:
- Dual-eligible D-SNPs (Georgia Medicaid + Medicare): Georgians who qualify for both Georgia Medicaid and Medicare can enroll in a Dual Special Needs Plan (D-SNP), which coordinates both programs. D-SNPs in Georgia typically carry $0 premiums, $0 copays for primary care, and significantly reduced prescription costs. Fulton County alone has 28 D-SNPs in 2026. UnitedHealthcare, WellCare, and Molina Healthcare offer multiple D-SNP options across the state.
- Quarterly enrollment rights for dual-eligible beneficiaries: If you qualify for Georgia Medicaid and Medicare at the same time, you are not limited to the standard AEP enrollment window. Dual-eligible beneficiaries can switch MA plans once per quarter during Q1, Q2, and Q3 of each year, in addition to AEP. This flexibility means you can change plans in January, April, or July if your needs or coverage change.
- Rural coverage gaps in south and north Georgia: Georgia's rural counties, particularly in the agricultural south and the Appalachian north, have fewer MA plan options and higher average premiums than metro Atlanta. In counties with limited hospital infrastructure, some HMO plans may not cover your nearest hospital in-network. If you live in a rural Georgia county, check whether a PPO plan, which allows some out-of-network coverage at a higher cost, fits your situation better than a local HMO.
- State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) Medicare Advantage for state retirees: Georgia state government retirees and their dependents who are Medicare-eligible can enroll in the Georgia State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) Medicare Advantage option, administered separately from the individual MA market. SHBP enrollees have different plan choices and cost structures than individual MA shoppers. If you retired from Georgia state employment, check with the Georgia Department of Community Health's SHBP division for your specific options.
- HealthSpring rebranding from Cigna Medicare: Effective for the 2026 plan year, what was formerly Cigna HealthSpring is now branded HealthSpring, following HCSC's (Health Care Service Corporation) acquisition of Cigna's Medicare business in March 2025. Members who had Cigna HealthSpring plans received new HealthSpring-branded ID cards. Coverage terms and provider networks were maintained during the transition. If you were enrolled in a Cigna HealthSpring plan, your plan is now administered by HealthSpring under HCSC.
Medicare Advantage vs Original Medicare in Georgia
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) plus a Medigap supplement and a standalone Part D drug plan gives you access to virtually any Medicare-accepting provider nationwide, with no prior authorization requirements for most services. In Georgia, a Medigap Plan G or Plan N plus a Part D plan typically costs $150-$300 per month in combined premiums, depending on your age and the county you live in. Medicare Advantage bundles hospital, medical, and usually prescription drug coverage into one plan, with a statewide average premium around $7 per month in 2026, a big premium difference on paper.
The tradeoff with Medicare Advantage: you are typically limited to in-network providers, and many services require prior authorization. If you split time between Georgia and another state, or you travel frequently, a PPO-type MA plan or Original Medicare plus Medigap often works better. If you stay in Georgia year-round and your doctors and hospitals are in the plan's network, Medicare Advantage usually wins on total annual cost and annual out-of-pocket maximum.
One caution specific to Georgia: if you enroll in Medicare Advantage and later want to switch back to Original Medicare to buy a Medigap policy, Georgia Medigap insurers are generally not required to sell you coverage outside your initial Medigap open enrollment window, unless you have a federal guaranteed issue right (for example, if your MA plan leaves the market). Georgia does not have the same birthday rule that California uses to allow annual Medigap plan-switching without underwriting. Plan your coverage choice carefully before age 65.
How Star Ratings work and why they matter in Georgia
CMS publishes Medicare Advantage Star Ratings every October, rating plans 1 to 5 stars on roughly 40 quality measures: chronic disease management, preventive screenings, member satisfaction, customer service, and Part D drug safety. Plans rated 4 stars or higher earn CMS quality bonus payments, which they typically reinvest as richer benefits, lower copays, or reduced premiums. Choosing a higher-star plan often means better care coordination and fewer hassles with prior authorization.
Georgia's weighted-average Star Rating for 2026 is approximately 3.8, at the national average. Kaiser Permanente leads in Georgia at 4.5 stars (Atlanta service area only). Aetna follows statewide at 4.2 stars. UnitedHealthcare averages 4.0 stars. Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia and HealthSpring both average 3.8 stars. Humana and WellCare average 3.5 stars each. About 58% of Georgia MA plans that include prescription drug coverage were rated 4 stars or higher for 2024, a solid baseline.
How Star Ratings work and why they matter in Georgia detail| Carrier | Star Rating (2026) | Avg Monthly Premium |
|---|
| Kaiser Permanente | 4.5 | $10/mo (Atlanta only) |
| Aetna | 4.2 | $8/mo |
| UnitedHealthcare | 4.0 | $5/mo |
| Anthem BCBS Georgia | 3.8 | $9/mo |
| HealthSpring (HCSC) | 3.8 | $7/mo |
| Humana | 3.5 | $6/mo |
| WellCare | 3.5 | $4/mo |
Star Ratings are CMS 2026 contract-level ratings. Individual plan ratings may vary. Source: CMS Medicare Advantage Quality Rating System.
Source: CMS Medicare Advantage Quality Rating System 2026
How to enroll in Medicare Advantage in Georgia
To enroll in any Medicare Advantage plan, you must first be enrolled in both Medicare Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical). Part B has a standard 2026 premium of $202.90 per month, deducted automatically from Social Security if you collect it, or billed directly if you do not. Most Georgia residents enroll in Part A and B automatically at 65 if they receive Social Security. If you are not receiving Social Security at 65, you need to sign up through SSA.gov or your local Social Security office.
Once enrolled in Parts A and B, you can compare and enroll in Georgia MA plans through three channels: the CMS Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov (free, official), a licensed insurance agent or broker who can compare plans from multiple carriers at no additional cost to you, or directly through a carrier's website. The Georgia SHIP program (State Health Insurance Assistance Program), administered by the Georgia Department of Human Services, offers free, unbiased counseling for Medicare shoppers. You can reach Georgia SHIP at 1-866-552-4464.
- Step 1: Confirm you are enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B (check at ssa.gov or medicare.gov).
- Step 2: Use medicare.gov Plan Finder to search plans available at your ZIP code. Filter by premium, Star Rating, and carrier.
- Step 3: Check that your current doctors and hospitals are in-network for each plan you are considering.
- Step 4: Verify your medications are covered on the plan's formulary at an affordable tier.
- Step 5: Enroll online at medicare.gov, by calling 1-800-MEDICARE, or through a licensed agent. AEP closes December 7, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Medicare Advantage plans are available in Georgia in 2026?
Georgia has 180 Medicare Advantage plans available statewide in 2026, up from 178 in 2025, per the CMS 2026 MA/Part D Landscape Fact Sheet. Not every plan is offered in every county. Metro Atlanta counties like Fulton (81 plans) and Gwinnett (80 plans) have the most choices. Rural south Georgia counties like Echols have as few as 28 plans. Run a ZIP code search at medicare.gov to see the exact plans available in your area.
What is the average Medicare Advantage premium in Georgia for 2026?
The statewide weighted-average Medicare Advantage premium in Georgia is about $7 per month in 2026, well below the national MA average of $14. All Georgia Medicare beneficiaries have access to at least one $0-premium MA plan. Remember: you still pay the 2026 Part B standard premium of $202.90 per month regardless of which MA plan you choose. A $0 plan premium does not mean $0 total cost.
When can I enroll in Medicare Advantage in Georgia?
The primary window is the Annual Election Period (AEP) from October 15 to December 7, 2026, with coverage starting January 1, 2027. If you are turning 65, your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period gives you time to enroll starting 3 months before your birthday month. Existing MA enrollees can switch plans during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 - March 31, 2026). Dual-eligible beneficiaries (Georgia Medicaid + Medicare) can switch plans once per quarter outside of AEP.
Which carriers have the highest Star Ratings in Georgia for 2026?
Kaiser Permanente leads Georgia with 4.5 stars, but it is only available in the Atlanta metro area. Aetna follows statewide at 4.2 stars. UnitedHealthcare averages 4.0 stars. Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia and HealthSpring (formerly Cigna, now owned by HCSC) both average 3.8 stars. Humana and WellCare average 3.5 stars each. Plans rated 4 stars or higher earn CMS bonus payments that often translate to better benefits.
Does Georgia have any state-specific Medicare Advantage programs?
Georgia does not have a state-branded Medicare Advantage program. Instead, you shop from private carriers (Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, WellCare, Anthem, Kaiser, HealthSpring) through the federal marketplace. However, Georgia state employees and retirees eligible for Medicare can access the Georgia State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) Medicare Advantage option, which is separate from the individual market. For dual-eligible Georgians (Georgia Medicaid + Medicare), Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) are available from multiple carriers.
Can I get a $0 premium Medicare Advantage plan in Georgia?
Yes. In 2026, all Georgia Medicare beneficiaries have access to at least one Medicare Advantage plan with a $0 monthly premium. Carriers including WellCare, Molina Healthcare (for dual-eligible enrollees), and UnitedHealthcare all offer $0-premium options. Keep in mind that a $0 premium plan still has copays, coinsurance, and deductibles. You also continue to pay the standard Part B premium ($202.90/mo in 2026). Compare total expected out-of-pocket costs, not just the premium.
Is Kaiser Permanente available for Medicare in Georgia?
Yes, but only in the Atlanta metro service area. Kaiser Permanente offers 5 Medicare Advantage HMO plans in Georgia, all within greater Atlanta (Fulton, Gwinnett, Cobb, DeKalb, and surrounding counties). Kaiser operates as a closed-network integrated HMO, meaning you must use Kaiser doctors, Kaiser hospitals, and Kaiser pharmacies. It is not available in rural Georgia or outside the Atlanta metro region. Kaiser's Georgia MA plans hold 4.5-star ratings, the highest in the state.
What is the difference between an HMO and a PPO Medicare Advantage plan in Georgia?
HMO plans (about 52% of Georgia's 180 MA plans) require you to use providers within the plan's network and typically need a referral to see a specialist. HMOs average about $5 per month in Georgia and have lower cost-sharing overall. PPO plans (about 37% of plans) allow you to see out-of-network providers at a higher cost share, with no referral required for specialists. Georgia PPOs average about $12 per month. If you live in a rural Georgia county with limited local specialists, a PPO can be valuable for accessing out-of-area care.
