(MENAFN- PR Newswire)

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Medicare Advantage+Part D plans in 47 states and Puerto Rico will be recognized for exceptional value in the design of their medical and Part D prescription drug benefits available effective January 1. The 2026 Senior Choice Gold Award recipients were selected from Medicare Advantage plans across over 100 markets based on cost-sharing analysis conducted by HealthMetrix Research Inc. posted on MedicareNewsWatch. The 2026 Senior Choice Gold Award selections include recognition for plans achieving at least 3.5-star overall ratings for quality and performance as reported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

According to HealthMetrix Research Inc. president Alan Mittermaier:

"The continuing concerns about inflation and its impact on health care out-of-pocket costs weighs heavily on Medicare beneficiaries regardless of socioeconomic status. The annual Senior Choice Gold Award highlights both forward-looking 2026 cost-sharing along with past quality and performance ratings. Each award recipient has demonstrated the commitment to excellence in the design of their 2026 Medicare plan benefits, copayments, deductibles and premiums including the Part D prescription drug benefits. Over 70% of the award recipients also achieved at least 4-star overall CMS ratings for exceptional performance. HealthMetrix Research understands the importance of providing this independent recognition as Medicare beneficiaries consider their 2026 Medicare Advantage+Part D options."

The award criteria were based on 2026 core benefits and cost-sharing features approved by Medicare for the selected plans as published on Medicare Plan Finder ( ). These include applicable plan copayments, deductibles and premiums adjusted for beneficiaries' health status (Excellent, Good, Poor) and utilization of healthcare services. The HealthMetrix Research cost-sharing analysis is available at . HealthMetrix Research neither recommends nor endorses specific Medicare Advantage plans.

The following 40 Medicare Advantage sponsors are recognized for "Excellence in 2026 Medicare Benefits Value & Performance".

2026 Senior Choice Gold Award Recipients and States

Aetna	NY, RI
Align-Sanford Health	ND, SD
Alignment Health Plan	CA, NC, NV
Allina Health-Aetna	MN
Alterwood Advantage	MD
Anthem	IN
Astiva Health	CA
Blue Cross Blue Shield-Massachusetts	MA
Blue Cross Blue Shield-Tennessee	TN
Capital Blue Cross	PA
Capital Health Plan	FL
CarePlus Health Plans	FL
Christus Health Plan	NM
Clover Health	GA, NJ
Devoted Health	OH, TX
Doctors Healthcare	FL
Elderplan	NY
EmblemHealth	NY
Essence Healthcare	AR, KY, MO
Freedom Health	FL
Global Health	OK
Health Alliance Plan	MI
HealthSpring	AL, IL, MS, TN, TX, UT
HealthTeam	NC
Highmark	NY, PA
Humana	AL, CT, FL, HI, MA, NM, SC, TX, VA, WA, WI
Imperial Health Plan	CA
Jefferson Health Plans	PA
Kaiser Permanente	CO, DC, OR, VA
Leon Health	FL
MCS Classicare	PR
Network Health	WI
PacificSource	MT
Peak Health	WV
Peoples Health	LA
SCAN Health Plan	AZ
Select Health	CO
Trinity Health	IA, ID, OH
United Healthcare	KS, WY
WellCare	ME

Contact: Alan Mittermaier, President HealthMetrix Research Inc., 614-236-8345

SOURCE HealthMetrix Research Inc.

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE? 440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers 9k+
Digital Media
Outlets 270k+
Journalists
Opted In GET STARTED

MENAFN15102025003732001241ID1110201118