James Beem, MHA, MA
James Beem, MHA, MA, managing director of global health-care intelligence at the data-and-analytics firm J.D. Power, based in Costa Mesa, California.
Bottom Line: The top plans rated by the people who use them.
The Kaiser Foundation Health Plan came out on top for the fifth consecutive year in the 2019 J.D. Power study ranking 11 Medicare Advantage plans with at least 100,000 members.* More than 3,200 people, from age 65 to 95, were polled on their satisfaction levels in six categories weighted by importance—coverage and benefits…choice of health-care providers…cost…customer service…information/communication…and billing and payment.
Plans that were rated “better than most” overall…
2. Highmark, including “among the best” for provider choice and “better than most” on coverage and benefits.
3. Humana, including “better than most” for information/communication.
Those rated “about average” overall…
4. Aetna, including “among the best” for cost.
5. Centene, including “among the best” for cost.
6. Anthem.
7. UnitedHealthcare.
8. Cigna HealthSpring.
*All plans are limited to varying degrees in the number of states where they offer coverage.
