Medicare Advantage Plans in Hawaii: 2026 Top County Options

Overview of Medicare Advantage in Hawaii

Medicare Advantage plans in Hawaii, known as Part C, bundle Original Medicare Parts A and B coverage with additional benefits such as dental, vision, hearing, and often prescription drugs. In 2026, these plans are being offered by industry leaders including Kaiser Permanente, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, HMSA Akamai Advantage, and Devoted Health. Providers offer both HMO and PPO options, with premiums and coverage varying by county.

Residents enrolling in Medicare Advantage plans Hawaii 2026 can expect average out-of-pocket maximums (MOOP) between $6,700 and $7,700. Hawaii County offers about 12 plans (average premium: $25-$35/month, Star Rating: 3.7, MOOP near $7,700), while Honolulu County features over 20 plans averaging $35/month premium and $6,700 MOOP. These metrics align with CMS’s latest Star Ratings – higher ratings (4-5 stars) correlate with plan quality and member satisfaction.

To learn more about qualifying for specialized Medicare coverage, such as durable medical equipment for home care, see our resource on Medicare Qualifications for a Hospital Bed Coverage.

Best Plans by Type & County

Plan availability and structure vary significantly based on location. Hawaii’s counties – notably the Big Island (Hawaii County) and Oahu (Honolulu County) – are served by a spectrum of 2026 Medicare Advantage options. Here’s a current look at the top offerings by region and type, including HMO, PPO, and D-SNP (Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans) selections.

Hawaii County (Big Island)

Plan Name	Type	Monthly Premium	Deductible	MOOP	Rx Coverage	Star Rating
Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage	HMO	$182	$0	$5,100	Yes	4.5
AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC (HI-0004)	PPO	$31	$420	$5,900	Yes	4
AARP Medicare Advantage Patriot No Rx	PPO	$0	N/A	$6,700	No	4
Devoted CHOICE	PPO	$0	$590	$6,700	Yes	3.5

• Best HMO: Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage, featuring a 4.5-Star Rating, $0 deductible, and robust extras.
• Best PPO: UnitedHealthcare AARP Medicare plans offer strong Star Ratings and competitive out-of-pocket costs for broader provider access.
• Average PPO premium in Hawaii County is $36 monthly, balancing plan value and flexibility.

Honolulu County (Oahu)

Plan Name	Type	Monthly Premium	Deductible	MOOP	Rx Coverage	Star Rating
HMSA Akamai Advantage Standard	HMO/PPO	$20	$300	$7,700	Yes	N/A
HMSA Akamai Standard Plus	HMO/PPO	$151	$200	$5,100	Yes	N/A
Humana $0 HMO	HMO	$0	Varies	$5,900	Yes	3.5
UnitedHealthcare PPO	PPO	$46	$615	$6,700	Yes	4

• Best Overall: HMSA Akamai and UnitedHealthcare for established networks and customer service. Humana offers compelling $0 premium plans in Hawaii Medicare for cost-sensitive beneficiaries.
• Typical plan averages: Premium of $35, MOOP of $6,700.
• D-SNP option: UnitedHealthcare Dual Complete, a $0 premium, 4-star plan ideal for dual-eligible, low-income members.

Looking for comparisons of Hawaii Medicare premiums to other states? Check our in-depth guide on Price of Medicare Supplemental Insurance by Plan and State 2026.

Understanding Star Ratings, MOOP, and Plan Types

• CMS Star Ratings: Score plans on care quality, satisfaction, and available services (higher ratings preferred; 4-5 is excellent).
• MOOP (Maximum Out-of-Pocket): Caps your total health spending for covered services, a critical point when comparing Medicare Advantage plans Hawaii 2026.
• Plan Types: HMO networks are tighter and often less expensive, while PPOs offer wider choice at slightly higher cost. D-SNPs cater to dual-eligibles.

How to Choose & Compare

There are several essential steps when searching for the best Medicare Advantage Hawaii plan in 2026. To streamline your experience, the following approach focuses on data-driven selection and official CMS tools.

1. Enter your ZIP on Medicare.gov’s Plan Finder. This tool returns 2026 plans specific to your address, showing costs, provider networks, Rx formulary inclusions, and CMS star ratings.
2. Analyze plan networks. HMO options generally restrict you to in-network care on the islands, which can be a good fit if you have established local providers. PPO plans have broader reach (potentially extending to specialists on other islands or mainland in some cases) but often require higher premiums or copays. For a detailed explainer, contrast HMO vs. PPO Hawaii Medicare nuances.
3. Check drug coverage and extras: Many plans bundle prescription coverage (Part D). Check formulary lists, tier structures, and pharmacy networks. Extras like dental, vision, fitness memberships, meals, and transportation are increasingly common perks.
4. Evaluate provider networks and quality. Use the latest CMS star ratings Hawaii – a rating of four or higher indicates reliable performance and high enrollee satisfaction.
5. Review MOOP and premiums: Lower out-of-pocket maxes protect your finances. Many $0 premium plans Hawaii Medicare offer excellent value, particularly in urban areas, but confirm deductibles and copays before enrolling.
6. Time your enrollment. Remember you must have both Medicare Part A and Part B to enroll, and plan selection is limited to official enrollment periods:
• IEP (Initial Enrollment Period): 7 months around your 65th birthday.
• AEP (Annual Election Period): October 15-December 7, for switching or joining plans for the coming year.
• OEP (Open Enrollment Period): January 1-March 31, if you already have a Medicare Advantage plan.
• SEPs (Special Enrollment Periods): For qualified events (e.g., moving, Medicaid/Medicare eligibility changes).

If you’re unsure about which option fits your needs, some agents and expert guidance services are available at no cost. Visit Who Can Help Me Choose a Medicare Plan? Free Expert Guidance for more about impartial support and advice.

Pros/Cons vs. Original Medicare/Medigap

Aspect	Medicare Advantage	Original Medicare + Medigap
Coverage	All-in-one (Parts A/B plus extras like dental, vision, hearing). Most include Rx. Annual out-of-pocket cap (e.g., $6,700).	Basic Part A/B. Medigap covers coinsurance, deductibles, and some extras; add Part D for drug coverage. No out-of-pocket cap without Medigap.
Cost	Low or $0 premium plans Hawaii Medicare; predictable copays; must use network doctors unless it’s an emergency.	Part B premium ($185+), Medigap premium ($100-$300+ per month). 20% coinsurance with no maximum unless you have Medigap.
Flexibility	Provider networks (HMO more restricted than PPO). Travel outside of service area limited.	Any provider accepting Medicare nationwide. No network restrictions, better for frequent travelers.
Pros	Extra benefits (dental, hearing, meals, gym). MOOP protects from catastrophic costs. $0-$50 monthly options available.	Freedom to choose any Medicare-participating provider. Switching plans is generally easier, especially during open enrollment.
Cons	Network restrictions. May require referrals. Difficult to switch to Medigap later due to health underwriting.	Much higher potential costs if only on Parts A/B and you get sick. Higher monthly payment if you layer with Medigap and Part D.

If you’re considering a move to Medigap or wondering about alternative states, our comparative guides are a must-read. See the Medicare Supplement Plans Washington: 2026 Rates & Comparison or review Medicare Plans in North Carolina: 2026 Coverage Options for broader context.

Avoiding coverage gaps and minimizing healthcare costs require understanding plan networks and actuarial differences between Advantage and Supplement insurance. Note that recipients cannot have both Medicare Advantage and Medigap simultaneously.