CMS Star Rating Care N' Care sells HMO and PPO plans in Texas only. Star ratings are below average, but member experience scores fare better. from askchapter.org States available 1 state Members in high-rated plans Low (49% or less) Member experience 4.01 (Above average) States available 1 state Members in high-rated plans Low (49% or less) Pros Cons
Care N' Care
Care N' Care Medicare Advantage plans are available in Texas only, and the provider’s star ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are below average. Member experience ratings, however, are above the average for major providers.
Here’s what you should know about Care N' Care Medicare Advantage.
Care N' Care Medicare Advantage pros and cons
Care N' Care’s offerings have advantages and disadvantages.
Pros
Member experience ratings: Member experience ratings on metrics like care coordination and customer service are above the average for major providers.
Out-of-pocket max: Care N’ Care Medicare Advantage plans’ average out-of-pocket maximum is just under $3,600, which is lower than the average for major providers.
Cons
Star ratings: Care N' Care Medicare Advantage plans’ star ratings from CMS are below the industry average.
Limited availability: Care N' Care offers Medicare Advantage plans in Texas only.
No SNPs: Care N’ Care doesn’t offer any Medicare Advantage special needs plans.
» MORE: Best Medicare Advantage plans
Care N' Care Medicare star ratings
Average star rating, weighted by enrollment: 3.37
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services maintains star ratings for Medicare Advantage plans on a 5-point scale, ranking plans from best (5 stars) to worst (1 star). The agency bases these ratings on plans’ quality of care and measurements of customer satisfaction, and ratings may change from year to year.
Based on the most recent year of data and weighted by enrollment, Care N' Care’s 2024 Medicare Advantage plans get an average rating of 3.37 stars.
For comparison, the average star rating for plans from all providers is 4.04.
You can find a plan’s rating with the Medicare plan finding tool.
Still deciding on the right carrier? Compare Medicare Advantage plans
What does Care N' Care Medicare Advantage cost?
Costs for Medicare Advantage plans depend on your plan, your geographic location and your health needs.
Premiums
One of the costs to consider is the plan’s premium. In 2024, about 6 in 10 Care N' Care Medicare Advantage plans that aren’t special needs plans (SNPs) have a $0 premium.
Even as a Medicare Advantage user, you’ll still be responsible for paying your Medicare Part B premium, which is $174.70 per month in 2024, although some plans cover part or all of this cost. (Most people pay this standard amount, but if your income is above a certain threshold, you'll pay more.)
Copays, coinsurance and deductibles
Requirements for copays, coinsurance and deductibles vary depending on your plan, location and the services you use. Other out-of-pocket costs to consider include:
Whether the plan covers any part of your monthly Medicare Part B premium.
The plan’s yearly deductibles and any other deductibles, such as a drug deductible.
Copayments and/or coinsurance for each visit or service. For instance, there may be a $10 copay for seeing your primary doctor and a $45 copay for seeing a specialist.
The plan’s in-network and out-of-network out-of-pocket maximums.
Whether your medical providers are in-network or out-of-network, or how often you may go out of network for care.
Whether you require extra benefits, and if the plan charges for them.
To get a sense of costs, use Medicare’s plan-finding tool to compare information among available plans in your area. You can select by insurance carrier to see only Care N' Care plans or compare across carriers.
Available Medicare Advantage plans
There are a few kinds of Care N' Care Medicare Advantage plans, and they vary in terms of structure, costs and benefits. Care N' Care offers Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans (MAPDs) as well as Medicare Advantage plans without drug coverage.
Plan offerings include the following types:
HMO plans
A health maintenance organization (HMO) generally requires that you use a specific network of doctors and hospitals. You may need a referral from your primary doctor in order to see a specialist, and out-of-network benefits are usually very limited.
PPO plans
Preferred provider organization (PPO) plans provide the most freedom, allowing you to see any provider that accepts the insurance. You may not need to choose a primary doctor, and you don’t need referrals to see specialists. You can seek out-of-network care, although it may cost more than seeing an in-network doctor.
Care N' Care Medicare Advantage service area
Care N' Care offers Medicare Advantage plans in Texas only and covers just under 10,000 members.
» MORE: Best Medicare Advantage plans in Texas
Compare Medicare Advantage providers
Get more information below about some of the major Medicare Advantage providers. These insurers offer plans in most states. The plans you can choose from will depend on your ZIP code and county.
AARP Medicare Advantage plans.
Aetna Medicare Advantage plans.
Anthem Medicare Advantage plans.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plans.
Cigna Medicare Advantage plans.
Humana Medicare Advantage plans.
Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage plans.
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans.
Wellcare Medicare Advantage plans.
Find the right Medicare Advantage plan
It’s important to do your research before selecting a Medicare Advantage plan for yourself. Here are some questions to consider asking:
What are the plan’s costs? Do you understand what the plan’s premium, deductibles, copays and/or coinsurance will be? Can you afford them?
Is your doctor in-network? If you have a preferred medical provider or providers, make sure they participate in the plan’s network.
Are your prescriptions covered? If you’re on medication, it’s crucial to understand how the plan covers it. What tier are your prescription drugs on, and are there any coverage rules that apply to them?
Is there dental coverage? Does the plan offer routine coverage for vision, dental and hearing needs?
Are there extras? Does the plan offer any extra benefits, such as fitness memberships, transportation benefits or meal delivery?
If you have additional questions about Medicare, visitMedicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048).
