Medicare Advantage Plans in Tennessee

Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) is run directly by the federal government and is accepted by nearly every provider nationwide. Medicare Advantage (Part C) is an alternative offered by private insurers that's approved by Medicare — it typically bundles hospital, medical, and often drug coverage into one plan, usually with a defined network (HMO or PPO) and extra benefits like dental, vision, or hearing that Original Medicare doesn't include.

The Tennessee market at a glance

Many Medicare Advantage plans in Tennessee are available with a $0 monthly premium beyond the standard Part B premium; the statewide average reflects the full mix of plan types. Out-of-pocket costs still depend on the plan's deductibles, copays, and network.

Carriers to know

Market strength varies by region, but the carriers most Tennesseans will run into include UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Cigna, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee. Cigna and UnitedHealthcare both offer strong HMO options with average monthly premiums in the $16–$20 range and 4-star CMS quality ratings, while Aetna also has a meaningful presence statewide. See our county guides for local detail.

When to enroll

• Initial Enrollment Period: a 7-month window around your 65th birthday (3 months before, your birthday month, 3 months after).
• Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15 – December 7 each year, when anyone can switch plans for the following year.
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: January 1 – March 31, for people already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan who want to make one change.

Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap

Instead of Medicare Advantage, some Tennesseans choose Original Medicare paired with a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy, which helps cover Original Medicare's out-of-pocket costs in exchange for a separate monthly premium. Medigap generally allows you to see any provider nationwide who accepts Medicare, without network restrictions or referrals, which can matter for people who travel often or split time between Tennessee and another state. Medicare Advantage, by contrast, usually costs less month to month and often bundles in drug coverage and extra benefits, but ties you to a defined network. Neither option is universally better; the right choice depends on how much you value network flexibility versus lower monthly cost.

Extra benefits worth comparing

Beyond hospital and medical coverage, many Tennessee Medicare Advantage plans include dental, vision, and hearing benefits that Original Medicare doesn't cover at all. Some plans also offer a fitness program membership, an over-the-counter allowance for health items, or transportation assistance to medical appointments. These extras vary significantly by plan and carrier, so it's worth comparing them directly rather than assuming all Medicare Advantage plans include the same add-ons.

Special Needs Plans

Some Tennesseans qualify for a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan (SNP), a category designed for people with specific chronic conditions, those who qualify for both Medicare and TennCare, or those living in an institutional setting like a nursing home. SNPs often include care coordination and benefits tailored to the qualifying condition, and can be worth exploring if you or a family member fits one of these categories, since they're priced and structured differently from standard Medicare Advantage plans.