Utah is a smaller, fast-growing Medicare Advantage market shaped by the state's unusually young population and its dominant integrated health system. About 195,000 Utahns had a Medicare Advantage plan in 2026, roughly 45% of the state's Medicare-eligible population, well below the national MA penetration rate of about 55%. Utah's demographics explain part of the gap: the state has the youngest median age in the country, so fewer residents are Medicare-eligible overall, even though that population is growing quickly as Utah's baby boom generation reaches 65.
What makes Utah different: SelectHealth, the insurance arm of Intermountain Health, dominates the state's HMO market with tightly coordinated care across its own hospital and clinic network. Confirm your doctors are in-network before enrolling if you're considering a plan outside the Intermountain system. Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and Aetna compete for the remaining HMO and PPO market, especially along the Wasatch Front and in fast-growing Washington County near St. George. Rural counties in southeastern and central Utah, like San Juan and Uintah, have far fewer plan choices, sometimes in the single digits, and noticeably higher premiums than the Wasatch Front.
Utah's 2026 Medicare Advantage market is the focus of this guide: how many plans, which carriers, what to look for when shopping, and the key enrollment dates. Annual Election Period is October 15 - December 7, 2026, with coverage starting January 1, 2027.
2026 Medicare Advantage Market Overview in Utah
In 2026, Utah has 55 Medicare Advantage plans available, with 195,000 beneficiaries enrolled (45% MA penetration). The average monthly premium is $11 and the statewide average Star Rating is 3.9.
Top Medicare Advantage carriers in Utah (2026)| Carrier | Plans | Avg Star Rating | Avg Premium |
|---|
| SelectHealth | 16 | 4.5 | $5/mo |
| UnitedHealthcare | 12 | 3.5 | $10/mo |
| Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah | 8 | 4.0 | $15/mo |
| Humana | 8 | 3.5 | $12/mo |
| Aetna | 6 | 3.5 | $18/mo |
| Cigna Healthcare | 3 | 3.5 | $20/mo |
| Devoted Health | 2 | 4.0 | $0/mo |
Source: KFF Medicare Advantage 2026 Utah Spotlight, CMS Medicare Plan Finder Q4 2025
Plan Types in Utah: HMO vs PPO vs SNP
Medicare Advantage plan-type breakdown in Utah| Plan Type | Plans Available | Avg Premium | Best For |
|---|
| HMO | 35 | $6/mo | Lower premiums, willing to use SelectHealth or another closed network |
| PPO | 15 | $19/mo | Flexibility for snowbirds and residents who split time outside Utah |
| Special Needs Plan (SNP) | 4 | $0/mo | Chronic conditions (C-SNP), dual-eligible Medicare + Utah Medicaid (D-SNP) |
| Medical Savings Account (MSA) | 1 | $0/mo | High-deductible plan with bank account; rare in Utah |
HMO plans dominate Utah: about 64% of all MA plans in 2026, largely because of SelectHealth's integrated Intermountain Health network. PPO enrollment is growing fastest in southern Utah's retiree communities.
Source: KFF Medicare Advantage 2026 Utah Spotlight, CMS Medicare Plan Finder
County-Level Variance in Utah
Utah plan availability varies sharply by county. Salt Lake and Utah counties along the Wasatch Front have 35-45 plans to choose from in 2026; rural southeastern and central Utah counties may have only 5-10. Premiums also vary, with rural areas typically $10-20 higher per month because of limited carrier competition.
Plan count and average premium by county in Utah| County | Plans Available | Avg Premium |
|---|
| Salt Lake County | 45 | $8/mo |
| Utah County | 38 | $9/mo |
| Davis County | 34 | $9/mo |
| Washington County | 26 | $11/mo |
| Uintah County | 9 | $23/mo |
| San Juan County | 5 | $27/mo |
Plan counts and premiums are from CMS Medicare Plan Finder Q4 2025. Run a personalized search at medicare.gov to see exact plans for your ZIP code.
Source: CMS Medicare Plan Finder Q4 2025, Utah county data
What to Look For in a Medicare Advantage Plan in Utah
Picking a Medicare Advantage plan in Utah is not just about premium. Here's what matters for shopping in 2026:
- Provider network. Utah's SelectHealth network is tied closely to Intermountain Health hospitals and clinics, so confirm your primary care physician, specialists, and preferred hospital, including University of Utah Health facilities if you use them, are all in-network before enrolling.
- Prescription drug coverage (formulary). Most Utah MA plans include Part D. Check that your specific medications are on the plan's formulary at a tier you can afford. The 2026 Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 across all plans nationwide, including Utah.
- Star Ratings. CMS rates plans 1-5 stars annually on quality of care, member experience, and customer service. 4-star and 5-star plans get bonus payments from CMS that fund richer benefits. In Utah, SelectHealth consistently scores 4.5 stars, the highest in the state.
- Extras (dental, vision, hearing, fitness, transportation). Rural Utah residents especially value transportation benefits given the long driving distances to specialists in Salt Lake City. Several carriers also offer over-the-counter allowances and fitness memberships.
- Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP). Utah MA plans cap your annual in-network out-of-pocket spending. The 2026 federal MOOP ceiling for in-network MA is $9,250 (down $100 from $9,350 in 2025); many Utah plans set it lower. Original Medicare has no MOOP.
- Prior authorization burden. Utah MA plans can require prior authorization for surgeries, advanced imaging, and specialist referrals. If you have a chronic condition or expect significant care, ask how often the plan requires prior authorization and check the denial rates CMS publishes.
Key Medicare Dates in Utah
Utah Medicare and Medicare Advantage have several enrollment windows in 2026. Miss them and you may face delays or 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're already in a Utah MA plan, you can switch to a different MA plan or return to Original Medicare. One switch only.
- Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): 7-month window around your 65th birthday — Starts 3 months before your 65th birthday month, includes the birth month, and runs 3 months after. Enroll in Medicare Parts A and B, then choose MA or Original + Part D.
- Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs): Varies by qualifying event — Triggered by moving out of your plan's Utah service area, losing employer coverage, qualifying for Utah Medicaid (dual eligible), or other life events. Typically a 2-3 month window.
Notable Extras in Utah Plans
Utah Medicare Advantage plans have several state-specific features worth knowing about:
- Intermountain Health and SelectHealth integration: SelectHealth is the insurance subsidiary of Intermountain Health, Utah's dominant nonprofit hospital and clinic system. SelectHealth Advantage plans coordinate hospital, physician, pharmacy, and lab services under one network, similar in structure to how Kaiser Permanente operates in California, though Kaiser itself does not operate in Utah.
- Rural and frontier access via telehealth: Utah's vast rural geography, including San Juan, Daggett, and Piute counties, means MA plans lean heavily on telehealth benefits and travel or lodging assistance for specialist care that isn't available locally.
- Utah Medicaid dual-eligible coordination (D-SNPs): Utah's Department of Health and Human Services coordinates dual-eligible D-SNP enrollment. Utah's dual-eligible population is smaller than the national average given the state's younger overall population, but D-SNPs are available in Salt Lake, Utah, Davis, and Weber counties in 2026.
- Utah SHIP counseling: Utah's Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIP), run through the Division of Aging and Adult Services, offers free one-on-one counseling on Medicare Advantage and Medigap enrollment in every Utah county.
Medicare Advantage vs Original Medicare in Utah
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) plus a Medigap supplement and a standalone Part D drug plan gives Utah residents nationwide provider freedom and no prior authorization for most services, but the combined Medigap and Part D premium in Utah typically runs $180-$350 per month. Medicare Advantage plans bundle hospital, medical, and usually drug coverage into one plan with average premiums of $11 per month statewide in 2026, but the trade-off is a defined network and prior authorization for many services.
Utah residents who split time in Arizona or another Sun Belt state during winter, or who need frequent access to specialists at academic medical centers outside Utah, are often better served by Original Medicare plus Medigap. Utah residents who stay year-round near their SelectHealth or Regence network and want lower premiums plus extras like dental, vision, and transportation typically save more with Medicare Advantage on total annual cost.
One Utah-specific consideration: switching from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare during AEP or MA OEP does not guarantee you can buy a Medigap policy in Utah. Medigap insurers in Utah are generally not required to sell you a policy outside your initial Medigap open enrollment window unless you qualify for a guaranteed issue right. Unlike California, Utah does not have an annual Medigap birthday rule, so residents who drop Medicare Advantage after their first year may face medical underwriting to get a new Medigap policy. Plan ahead before switching.
How Star Ratings work in Utah
Utah Medicare Advantage Star Ratings, like every state's, are published by CMS every October, rating plans 1 to 5 stars based on roughly 40 quality measures: how well plans manage chronic conditions, customer service ratings, member complaints, and Part D drug safety. Plans rated 4 stars or higher receive quality bonus payments from CMS, which often translate into richer benefits the following plan year.
Utah's statewide weighted-average Star Rating for 2026 is 3.9, just above the national average of about 3.8. SelectHealth is the state's highest-rated carrier, consistently scoring 4.5 stars thanks to its integration with Intermountain Health's care-management programs. Devoted Health and Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah also score above the state average at 4.0 stars. A 5-star plan, when available in a county, triggers a Special Enrollment Period allowing enrollment any time of year.
How to enroll in Utah Medicare Advantage
Utah residents enrolling in Medicare Advantage in 2026 follow the same federal process as the rest of the country, but with Utah-specific carrier and county options. Use medicare.gov/plan-compare as your starting point; CMS publishes a personalized plan-finder tool keyed to your ZIP code.
Common reasons Utah Medicare Advantage applications are delayed or denied: late Part B enrollment, since you must have both Part A and Part B active before an MA plan can start; a home address outside the plan's Utah service area, since rural counties like Daggett or Piute may fall outside a carrier's approved county list; missing Utah Medicaid eligibility documentation for D-SNP applicants; identity verification mismatches between your Medicare card and application; and choosing a Special Needs Plan you don't qualify for, such as a dual-eligible D-SNP without confirmed Medicaid status.
- Step 1: Confirm Medicare Part A and Part B eligibility. You must already be enrolled in both before you can join a Utah Medicare Advantage plan. If you're newly turning 65, your Initial Enrollment Period covers this, and Utah's Medicare eligibility rules follow the same federal age-65 and disability standards as every other state.
- Step 2: Gather your documents. You will need: your Medicare card (showing your Medicare number and Part A/B effective dates), your ZIP code (for plan availability along the Wasatch Front or in rural Utah), a list of current prescriptions (for formulary lookup), a list of current doctors and hospitals (for network check, especially if you use Intermountain or University of Utah Health), and your Utah Medicaid card if you are dual-eligible.
- Step 3: Compare plans at medicare.gov/plan-compare. Filter by your ZIP code. Sort by Star Rating, monthly premium, total estimated annual cost, or maximum out-of-pocket. Utah residents should also contact Utah SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program) for free, unbiased counseling.
- Step 4: Apply. You can enroll directly through medicare.gov, by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or through the carrier directly. Most enrollments take 10 to 15 minutes online.
- Step 5: Confirm your coverage start date. AEP enrollments start January 1, 2027. SEP enrollments typically start the first of the month after you enroll. You will receive a member ID card and Evidence of Coverage from the carrier within 7 to 10 business days.
$0 premium plans in Utah for 2026
Utah has a growing number of $0 monthly premium Medicare Advantage plans available in 2026, concentrated in Wasatch Front counties (Salt Lake, Utah, Davis, Weber) where SelectHealth, UnitedHealthcare, and Devoted Health compete most heavily. A $0 premium does not mean $0 cost. Utah enrollees in a $0 premium plan still pay the Part B premium ($202.90 per month in 2026) plus any drug copays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs the plan charges.
$0 premium plans in Utah for 2026 detail| Carrier | Plan Type | Star Rating | Counties Available |
|---|
| SelectHealth Advantage (HMO) | HMO | 4.5 | Salt Lake, Utah, Davis, Weber |
| SelectHealth Community Care (HMO D-SNP) | HMO D-SNP | 4.0 | Salt Lake, Utah, Davis |
| UnitedHealthcare Dual Complete (HMO D-SNP) | HMO D-SNP | 3.5 | Salt Lake, Utah, Washington |
| Devoted Health Utah (HMO) | HMO | 4.0 | Salt Lake, Davis |
| Humana Gold Plus (HMO) | HMO | 3.5 | Salt Lake, Utah, Weber |
Utah $0 premium plan availability sample; full list at medicare.gov/plan-compare keyed to your ZIP code. Star Ratings reflect the 2026 plan year.
Source: Utah CMS Medicare Plan Finder Q4 2025
SelectHealth, Intermountain Health, and dual eligibility in Utah
Utah's Medicare Advantage market is unusually shaped by SelectHealth, the insurance subsidiary of Intermountain Health, the state's dominant nonprofit hospital and clinic system. SelectHealth Advantage plans coordinate hospital, physician, pharmacy, and lab services under one integrated network, similar in structure to how Kaiser Permanente operates in California, though SelectHealth does not use the Kaiser brand or ownership model and operates only in Utah, Idaho, Nevada, and Colorado. Utah residents who already see Intermountain Health providers often find SelectHealth plans deliver the smoothest coordinated care.
Utah residents who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid at the same time are dual-eligible and can enroll in a Dual Special Needs Plan (D-SNP). D-SNPs typically carry $0 premiums, $0 copays for primary care, and reduced or zero prescription costs. Utah's dual-eligible population is smaller than the national average because of the state's younger overall demographics, but D-SNPs are available in Salt Lake, Utah, Davis, and Weber counties in 2026. Review Utah's Medicaid income limits to confirm dual-eligible qualification before applying for a D-SNP.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Medicare Advantage plans are available in Utah in 2026?
Utah has 55 Medicare Advantage plans available statewide in 2026, per KFF's Medicare Advantage 2026 Utah Spotlight and CMS Medicare Plan Finder data, up from 48 plans in 2025. The exact number available to you depends on your county and ZIP code. Wasatch Front counties like Salt Lake and Utah offer 35-45 plans; rural counties like San Juan or Uintah may have only 5-10 plans. Run a ZIP-code search at medicare.gov to see your exact 2026 options.
What is the average Medicare Advantage premium in Utah for 2026?
The statewide weighted-average Medicare Advantage premium in Utah is about $11 per month in 2026, close to the national MA average of roughly $14. Several SelectHealth and Devoted Health HMO plans charge $0 monthly premium along the Wasatch Front. Premiums tend to run higher, often $18-$25 per month, for PPO plans that offer broader out-of-network flexibility, which is especially useful for Utah residents who winter in Arizona or Nevada.
When can I sign up for Medicare Advantage in Utah?
The main enrollment window is the Annual Election Period (AEP) from October 15 to December 7, 2026, for coverage starting January 1, 2027. Utah residents can also enroll during their 7-month Initial Enrollment Period around their 65th birthday, or during a Special Enrollment Period triggered by events like moving, losing employer coverage, or qualifying for Utah Medicaid. Existing Utah MA enrollees can switch plans during the MA Open Enrollment Period, January 1 to March 31, 2026.
Who has the best Medicare Advantage plans in Utah?
SelectHealth, the insurance arm of Intermountain Health, leads Utah in Star Ratings (4.5 stars) and enrollment, thanks to its tightly integrated hospital and clinic network. Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah and Devoted Health also score above the state average at 4.0 stars. UnitedHealthcare and Humana offer the broadest statewide networks for Utah residents who don't want a closed HMO tied to one health system. The best plan for you depends on your doctors, medications, and whether you value coordinated care or wide network access.
Can I switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare in Utah?
Yes. Utah residents can switch back during the Annual Election Period (October 15 to December 7) or the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31). Returning to Original Medicare does not automatically guarantee you can buy a Medigap policy: Medigap insurers in Utah generally are not required to sell you a plan outside your initial Medigap open enrollment window, except under specific guaranteed issue rights. Unlike California, Utah does not have an annual Medigap birthday rule, so plan ahead before dropping Medicare Advantage.
What is the difference between an HMO and a PPO in Utah Medicare Advantage?
HMOs (35 of Utah's 55 plans, about 64%) require you to use in-network providers, usually SelectHealth's Intermountain Health network, and typically need a referral to see a specialist. They offer lower premiums, averaging $6 per month. PPOs (15 plans, about 27%) let you see out-of-network providers at a higher cost share and don't require referrals, but charge higher premiums, averaging $19 per month. Utah residents who split time out of state often prefer PPOs for the added flexibility.
Does Medicare Advantage cover prescription drugs in Utah?
Most Utah 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 across all plans, set by the Inflation Reduction Act, and the 2026 insulin cost-sharing cap is $35 per month. Always check a Utah plan's formulary to confirm your specific medications are covered, and at what tier, before enrolling.
Are dental, vision, and hearing covered by Medicare Advantage in Utah?
Most Utah Medicare Advantage plans include some level of dental, vision, and hearing benefits, none of which Original Medicare covers. Coverage varies: some Utah plans cover only routine cleanings and eye exams, while others cover crowns, hearing aids, and prescription eyewear. SelectHealth and Devoted Health tend to offer the most generous supplemental packages in the state. Always check a plan's Evidence of Coverage for annual dollar limits and what services are actually included.
What is a Special Needs Plan (SNP) and who qualifies in Utah?
A Special Needs Plan (SNP) is a type of Medicare Advantage plan restricted to people with specific needs. Utah offers Chronic Condition SNPs (C-SNPs) for residents with qualifying conditions like diabetes or heart failure, and Dual Eligible SNPs (D-SNPs) for residents who qualify for both Medicare and Utah Medicaid. Utah has a smaller SNP market than larger states, with about 4 SNP plans statewide in 2026, but C-SNP enrollment makes up a notably large share of Utah's SNP market. Institutional SNPs (I-SNPs) for nursing-home residents are rare in Utah. Confirm your eligibility documentation before applying.
