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U.S. News & World Report Reveals the Best Medicare Insurance Companies for 2026

On October 17, 2025, U.S. News & World Report announced its highly anticipated rankings of the best insurance providers for Medicare Advantage and Part D for the year 2026. This comprehensive evaluation serves as an essential resource for Medicare beneficiaries looking to make informed decisions during the annual Open Enrollment period, which runs this year from October 15 to December 7, with coverage commencing on January 1, 2026.

U.S. News, a recognized authority in health care rankings, aims to provide clear and objective information to help Medicare-eligible individuals navigate the often complex landscape of health insurance. With the ongoing changes in the healthcare market, understanding the features and quality of insurance plans has never been more crucial. According to Sumita Singh, executive vice president and general manager of Health at U.S. News, "Consumers need clear and trustworthy information about the companies providing their health insurance and the features of the plans they offer."

Methodology Behind the Rankings

The U.S. News evaluation utilized a rigorous methodology, incorporating data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The process involved assessing various quality measures, with experts selecting 37 CMS quality indicators. Each measure was weighted according to its significance to consumers, resulting in a rating system that reflects the overall quality of health plans offered by different insurance companies. Plans with higher enrollments were given a greater weighting to ensure that the ratings would be relevant to a broader audience.

Top Rated Companies for 2026

For Medicare Advantage, the 2026 best-rated companies include:

• - Aetna Medicare
• - Devoted Health, Inc.
• - UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

Conversely, the top companies for Medicare Part D are:

• - Centene Corporation
• - Humana, Inc.

Additionally, U.S. News spotlighted leading Medicare Advantage providers in each state, providing beneficiaries localized options tailored to their specific needs.

National Awards for Consumer Value

In a step promoting a higher standard of care, U.S. News also recognized national insurers achieving excellence in specific consumer-value categories. The 2026 national awards were driven by analysis based on 12 critical CMS quality measures:

• - Best for Screening & Prevention: Aetna Medicare; Devoted Health, Inc.
• - Best for Care Continuity: Aetna Medicare; Devoted Health, Inc.
• - Highest Satisfaction (Medicare Advantage): Aetna Medicare, Cigna Healthcare, Elevance Health, Inc., Molina Healthcare, Inc., and UnitedHealth Group, Inc.
• - Highest Satisfaction (Medicare Part D): Cigna HealthCare and UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

Conclusion and Resources

As Medicare beneficiaries prepare to enroll in their health plans, U.S. News provides a free three-day email course, including a Medicare Plan Selection Guide designed to assist seniors and their caregivers in making educated choices. The comprehensive insights from this study empower consumers to weigh their options effectively and prioritize their health and financial needs.

U.S. News & World Report not only serves as a beacon of guidance in healthcare but has been an essential resource for more than 90 years, tackling a broad spectrum of topics including education, finance, and consumer products. Through unbiased evaluations and reports, U.S. News continues to play a vital role in equipping consumers with the information they need to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.