Indiana is a mid-size Medicare Advantage market with roughly 127 plans competing statewide in 2026, down from 155 in 2025. That reduction reflects a national trend of insurers tightening their plan footprints, but Hoosier beneficiaries still have meaningful competition in most urban and suburban counties. About 679,000 Indianans, nearly half of all Medicare eligibles in the state, are enrolled in Medicare Advantage.
One important distinction for Indiana residents: the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) is Indiana's Medicaid expansion program for low-income adults under 65 and is entirely separate from Medicare Advantage. If you are 65 or older and enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid, you may qualify for a Dual Special Needs Plan (D-SNP), not HIP. Starting January 1, 2026, Indiana launched PathWays Dual Care, a Fully Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (FIDE SNP) administered by Anthem, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare, designed to coordinate Medicaid and Medicare benefits in one plan.
This guide covers the 2026 Indiana Medicare Advantage market: how many plans, which carriers lead, what to look for when shopping, and the enrollment dates that matter. Annual Election Period is October 15 to December 7, 2026, with coverage starting January 1, 2027.
2026 Medicare Advantage Market Overview in Indiana
In 2026, Indiana has 127 Medicare Advantage plans available, with 679,000 beneficiaries enrolled (49% MA penetration). The average monthly premium is $15 and the statewide average Star Rating is 3.9.
Top Medicare Advantage carriers in Indiana (2026)| Carrier | Plans | Avg Star Rating | Avg Premium |
|---|
| Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield | 28 | 4.0 | $14/mo |
| UnitedHealthcare | 26 | 4.1 | $13/mo |
| Humana | 22 | 3.8 | $16/mo |
| Aetna | 12 | 4.2 | $12/mo |
| WellCare | 14 | 3.5 | $10/mo |
| Devoted Health | 8 | 4.2 | $11/mo |
| MyTruAdvantage (SIHO) | 4 | 3.5 | $0/mo |
Source: NerdWallet Indiana Medicare Advantage 2026, CMS Medicare Plan Finder Q4 2025, Aetna Medicare Indiana 2026, CMS MA Contract and Enrollment Data 2024
Plan Types in Indiana: HMO vs PPO vs SNP
Medicare Advantage plan-type breakdown in Indiana| Plan Type | Plans Available | Avg Premium | Best For |
|---|
| HMO / HMO-POS | 55 | $10/mo | Lower costs, comfortable staying within a provider network |
| PPO | 53 | $20/mo | Flexibility to see out-of-network providers at higher cost share |
| Special Needs Plan (SNP) | 16 | $0/mo | Dual-eligible (Medicaid + Medicare), chronic conditions, institutional care |
| PFFS (Private Fee-for-Service) | 3 | $18/mo | No network requirement; provider must accept plan terms per visit |
HMO and PPO plans account for the large majority of Indiana's 127 plans. SNP count includes D-SNPs (dual eligible), C-SNPs (chronic condition), and I-SNPs (institutional). Plan type availability varies by county.
Source: CMS Medicare Plan Finder Q4 2025, medicareadvantage.com Indiana 2026
County-Level Variance in Indiana
Plan availability across Indiana's 92 counties ranges from over 50 plans in urban Indianapolis and its suburbs to fewer than 20 plans in rural southern and southeastern counties. Premiums also vary by county, with urban markets generally showing more $0-premium options due to higher competition.
Plan count and average premium by county in Indiana| County | Plans Available | Avg Premium |
|---|
| Marion County (Indianapolis) | 49 | $12/mo |
| Hamilton County (Carmel/Fishers) | 52 | $13/mo |
| Lake County (Gary/Hammond) | 44 | $14/mo |
| Vanderburgh County (Evansville) | 38 | $15/mo |
| Crawford County (English) | 18 | $22/mo |
Plan counts are approximate and sourced from CMS Medicare Plan Finder Q4 2025 and third-party directories. Run a ZIP-code search at medicare.gov to see exact plans available in your area.
Source: CMS Medicare Plan Finder Q4 2025, conniehealth.com Indiana county data
What to Look For in a Medicare Advantage Plan in Indiana
Picking a Medicare Advantage plan in Indiana is not just about premium. Here is what matters most when shopping in 2026:
- Provider network. Confirm your primary care physician, specialists, and preferred hospital are in-network before enrolling. Indiana network breadth varies by carrier and county, particularly in rural southern Indiana where hospital consolidation has tightened some HMO networks.
- Prescription drug coverage (formulary). Most Indiana MA plans include Part D built in. Check that your specific medications are on the plan's formulary at a tier you can afford. The 2026 Part D annual out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 across all plans, a consumer protection from the Inflation Reduction Act.
- Star Ratings. CMS rates plans 1 to 5 stars annually on quality of care and member experience. 4-star and higher plans receive quality bonus payments from CMS that fund richer benefits. In Indiana, Aetna and Devoted Health carry the highest average ratings (4.2 stars); Humana and WellCare trail at 3.5 to 3.8.
- Extras: dental, vision, hearing, fitness, and transportation. Plans vary widely on supplemental benefits. Many Indiana plans include SilverSneakers or a similar fitness benefit. Check dental coverage limits carefully, as some plans cap at $1,000 to $2,000 per year for comprehensive services.
- Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP). The 2026 federal in-network MOOP ceiling for MA plans is $9,250, down from $9,350 in 2025. Many Indiana plans set their MOOP lower, from $4,900 to $7,500. Original Medicare has no annual MOOP, making MA's cap a meaningful financial protection for high-utilization years.
- Prior authorization requirements. MA plans can require prior authorization for surgeries, advanced imaging, and some specialist visits. If you have ongoing chronic conditions or expect significant care, compare plans on how often they require PA and check CMS denial rate data published in the annual Star Ratings report.
Key Medicare Dates in Indiana
Medicare and Medicare Advantage have several enrollment windows. Missing a deadline can delay your coverage or trigger late penalties.
- Annual Election Period (AEP): October 15 - December 7, 2026 — Switch between Original Medicare and MA, change MA plans, or change Part D plans. Coverage starts January 1, 2027.
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP): January 1 - March 31, 2026 — If you are already in an MA plan, you can switch to a different MA plan or return to Original Medicare. One switch only per OEP.
- Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): 7-month window around your 65th birthday — Starts 3 months before your birth month, includes your birth month, and extends 3 months after. Enroll in Medicare Parts A and B, then choose MA or Original Medicare plus a standalone Part D plan.
- Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs): Varies by qualifying event — Triggered by moving out of your plan's service area, losing employer coverage, qualifying for Medicaid (dual eligible), or other life events. Dual-eligible Hoosiers can switch plans once per quarter in Q1 through Q3, plus once during AEP.
Notable Extras in Indiana Plans
Indiana's Medicare Advantage market has several state-specific features worth knowing before you enroll:
- PathWays Dual Care: Indiana's FIDE SNP (launched January 2026): Starting January 1, 2026, Indiana launched PathWays Dual Care, a Fully Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (FIDE SNP). Anthem, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare are the three participating plans. Dual-eligible Hoosiers (those qualifying for both Medicare and Medicaid) who enrolled in PathWays for Aging Medicaid were automatically aligned to the matching D-SNP. The plan combines Medicare and Medicaid benefits into a single coordinated program with $0 premiums and simplified cost-sharing.
- HIP (Healthy Indiana Plan) is Medicaid, not Medicare Advantage: The Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) is Indiana's Medicaid expansion program for adults aged 19 to 64 with low incomes, not for Medicare beneficiaries. If you are 65 or older, HIP does not apply to you. If you are under 65 and uninsured or low-income, HIP may cover you until you age into Medicare. Once you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare, you should explore D-SNP plans if you also qualify for Medicaid, not HIP.
- MyTruAdvantage: Indiana's doctor- and hospital-founded local carrier: Southeastern Indiana Health Organization (SIHO) operates MyTruAdvantage, a locally founded Medicare Advantage carrier. Its plans include a $0-premium PPO with a Part B premium giveback in 2026 ($125/month for the Red, White and Tru plan). Available primarily in southeastern and south-central Indiana counties. Its smaller scale can mean tighter networks than national carriers, but also more community-focused care coordination.
- Indiana SHIP: free Medicare counseling: Indiana's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling through local volunteers. Call 800-452-4800 to speak with a trained counselor who can help you compare Indiana Medicare Advantage plans, understand your rights, and navigate enrollment. SHIP counselors do not sell insurance and do not receive commissions.
Medicare Advantage vs Original Medicare in Indiana
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) covers hospital and medical services nationwide, with no annual out-of-pocket maximum. In 2026, the standard Part B monthly premium is $202.90, the Part B deductible is $283, and the Part A inpatient deductible is $1,736. Most Indiana beneficiaries who choose Original Medicare also buy a Medigap supplement policy ($100 to $250/month typically) and a standalone Part D drug plan to cap costs and add drug coverage.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) bundles hospital, medical, and usually drug coverage into one plan, averaging $15/month statewide in Indiana for 2026. Plans cap your annual in-network spending (MOOP) at or below $9,250 federally, with many Indiana plans setting it between $4,900 and $7,500. Trade-offs include defined networks, prior authorization requirements for some services, and a plan that is tied to your county.
Indiana does not have a statutory Medigap birthday rule (unlike California), so if you want to switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare and buy a Medigap policy, you may face medical underwriting outside your initial Medigap open enrollment window unless you have a specific guaranteed issue right. This is an important consideration for anyone who might need to travel frequently or who values unrestricted access to any Medicare-accepting provider.
How Star Ratings work and what they mean for Indiana enrollees
CMS publishes Medicare Advantage Star Ratings every October, scoring plans 1 to 5 stars based on roughly 40 measures: managing chronic conditions, Part D drug safety, member experience surveys, customer service, and complaint rates. Plans rated 4 stars or higher receive quality bonus payments from CMS, which plans typically reinvest in lower premiums or richer supplemental benefits the following year.
Indiana's statewide weighted-average Star Rating is approximately 3.9 for 2026, in line with the national average. Aetna (4.20 stars) and Devoted Health (4.22 stars) are the highest-rated carriers operating in Indiana. UnitedHealthcare averages 4.11 stars across its Indiana book. Humana and WellCare trail at 3.8 and 3.5 stars respectively. A plan with 5 stars triggers a Special Enrollment Period, meaning you can switch into it any time of year outside AEP.
How Star Ratings work and what they mean for Indiana enrollees detail| Carrier | Avg Star Rating (IN, 2026) | Avg Premium (IN) |
|---|
| Devoted Health | 4.22 | $11/mo |
| Aetna | 4.20 | $12/mo |
| UnitedHealthcare | 4.11 | $13/mo |
| Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield | 4.00 | $14/mo |
| Humana | 3.79 | $16/mo |
| WellCare | 3.50 | $10/mo |
Star Ratings are CMS 2026 contract-level ratings. Premiums are Indiana averages by carrier and may vary by county and plan.
Source: NerdWallet Indiana MA 2026, CMS Star Ratings 2026
Dual eligibility in Indiana: PathWays, D-SNPs, and Medicaid
If you qualify for both Medicare and Indiana Medicaid, you are dual eligible and have access to Dual Special Needs Plans. Check whether you also qualify for Extra Help with drug costs (D-SNPs). These plans typically carry $0 premiums, $0 copays for primary care, and zero or near-zero prescription drug costs. Indiana had 28 SNP plans (D-SNPs, C-SNPs, I-SNPs combined) available statewide in 2026.
The biggest new development for 2026 is PathWays Dual Care, Indiana's FIDE SNP program. Indiana's Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) contracted exclusively with Anthem, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare for this program. Dual-eligible residents enrolled in PathWays for Aging Medicaid were automatically aligned to their Medicaid plan's matching Medicare D-SNP as of January 1, 2026. This means many dual-eligible Hoosiers no longer need to separately manage their Medicare and Medicaid coverage.
Dual-eligible beneficiaries retain expanded enrollment rights: they can change MA plans once per quarter during Q1, Q2, and Q3 (in addition to AEP), and any change in Medicaid status triggers a Special Enrollment Period. If you think you might qualify for Medicaid, contact the Indiana FSSA or call Indiana SHIP at 800-452-4800.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Medicare Advantage plans are available in Indiana in 2026?
Indiana has 127 Medicare Advantage plans available statewide in 2026, down from 155 in 2025. This decrease reflects a national trend of insurers tightening their plan footprints, not a loss of competition in Indiana's major markets. The exact number of plans available to you depends on your county and ZIP code. Marion County (Indianapolis) has 49 plans; rural southern counties may have 15 to 25. Run a ZIP-code search at medicare.gov to see your exact options.
What is the average Medicare Advantage premium in Indiana for 2026?
The statewide average Medicare Advantage premium in Indiana is $15.40 per month in 2026, down from $17.34 in 2025. Every Indiana Medicare beneficiary has access to at least one $0-premium plan option. HMO plans tend to have lower premiums (around $10/month), while PPO plans average closer to $20/month due to the added network flexibility.
Who are the top Medicare Advantage carriers in Indiana?
The major carriers in Indiana for 2026 are Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Aetna, and WellCare. Devoted Health and MyTruAdvantage (SIHO) serve select markets. Aetna and Devoted Health carry the highest average Star Ratings in Indiana (4.20 and 4.22 stars respectively). The best carrier for you depends on which doctors and hospitals are in-network and whether your medications are on the plan's formulary.
Is the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) the same as Medicare Advantage?
No. The Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) is Indiana's Medicaid expansion program for low-income adults aged 19 to 64. HIP has nothing to do with Medicare Advantage. If you are 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare, HIP does not apply to you. If you qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid at the same time, you may be eligible for a Dual Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) instead. Indiana's PathWays Dual Care program, launched January 1, 2026, is the state's integrated D-SNP program for dual-eligible residents.
What is PathWays Dual Care and who qualifies?
PathWays Dual Care is Indiana's new Fully Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (FIDE SNP), launched January 1, 2026. It serves Hoosiers who are 60 or older and qualify for both Medicare and Indiana Medicaid (specifically those enrolled in PathWays for Aging). Anthem, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare are the three participating plans. PathWays Dual Care combines Medicare and Medicaid into one coordinated plan with $0 premiums and simplified benefits, and many dual-eligible members were automatically aligned to it at launch.
When can I enroll in Medicare Advantage in Indiana?
The main enrollment window is the Annual Election Period (AEP) from October 15 to December 7, 2026, for coverage starting January 1, 2027. You can also enroll during your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period around your 65th birthday. Existing MA enrollees may switch plans once during the MA Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31, 2026). Dual-eligible residents can switch MA plans once per quarter in Q1 through Q3. Special Enrollment Periods apply for events like moving or losing employer coverage.
Does Medicare Advantage in Indiana cover prescription drugs?
Most Indiana Medicare Advantage plans include Part D prescription drug coverage built in (these are called MA-PD plans). The 2026 Part D annual out-of-pocket maximum is $2,100, a protection created by the Inflation Reduction Act. Insulin is capped at $35/month across all Part D plans. Always check the specific plan's formulary to confirm your medications are covered and at what cost-sharing tier.
What free Medicare help is available in Indiana?
Indiana's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling from trained volunteers. You can reach Indiana SHIP at 800-452-4800 (TTY: 317-232-7740). SHIP counselors can help you compare Medicare Advantage plans, understand your coverage rights, and navigate enrollment periods. They do not sell insurance and do not receive commissions, so you can trust their advice is impartial.
