2026 Medicare Plans & Options in Benton County, AR
This page explains all Medicare coverage options available to residents of Benton County, Arkansas, including Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Part D, Medigap, and local assistance.
Medicare Options at a Glance
Medicare coverage in Benton County is built around several core options, each serving different needs depending on how you want to receive care, manage costs, and access providers. They include:
- Original Medicare: Best for broad provider access nationwide.
- Medicare Advantage: Best for bundled coverage with lower premiums.
- Part D: Best for prescription drug coverage with Original Medicare.
- Medigap: Best for predictable out-of-pocket costs.
- SNPs: Best for specific health or eligibility needs.
- Other Options: These may include VA benefits, employer or retiree coverage, and local assistance programs.
Each of these options works differently. Understanding how they compare is the key to choosing the right Medicare coverage.
Medicare Advantage Options in Benton County
Medicare Advantage plans in Benton County combine hospital and medical coverage into a private plan option, often with prescription drug coverage and extra benefits. Availability, plan type, and out-of-pocket limits vary by county.
| Medicare Advantage Snapshot | Benton County |
|---|---|
| Total Medicare Advantage plans | 39 |
| $0 premium plans | 33 |
| HMO plans | 6 |
| PPO plans | 20 |
| Plans with drug coverage | 30 |
| Lowest MOOP | $3,350 |
| Highest MOOP | $9,250 |
| Highest Part B giveback | $39.00 |
Top PPO Plans by Enrollments
| Plan | CMS Rating | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|
| HumanaChoice Giveback H7617-056 | 4.5 ★ | 37,184 |
| Humana USAA Honor Giveback | 3.5 ★ | 26,695 |
| HumanaChoice H5216-337 | 3.5 ★ | 18,979 |
Top HMO Plans by Enrollments
| Plan | CMS Rating | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|
| BlueMedicare Classic Plus | 3.0 ★ | 7,907 |
| BlueMedicare Premier | 3.0 ★ | 4,321 |
| HealthSpring Preferred | 4.0 ★ | 1,226 |
Top HMO-POS Plans by Enrollments
| Plan | CMS Rating | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|
| Humana Gold Plus H5619-111 | 3.0 ★ | 30,563 |
| Wellcare Simple | 3.5 ★ | 11,297 |
| AARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC AR-1 | 4.0 ★ | 7,855 |
Top PFFS Plans by Enrollments
| Plan | CMS Rating | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|
| BlueMedicare Preferred | 3.5 ★ | 1,684 |
| Humana Gold Choice H8145-126 | 3.5 ★ | 1,005 |
| BlueMedicare Value | 3.5 ★ | 460 |
Medicare Advantage plans are primarily defined by their provider networks, whether prescription drug coverage is included, and their annual out-of-pocket limits. For those seeking bundled benefits and lower premiums, these plans are often the starting point, though network access and plan requirements should be considered.
Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D) in Benton County
For those using Original Medicare, Part D plans provide separate prescription drug coverage. Plan differences include premiums, deductibles, pharmacy access, and the list of covered drugs.
Top Basic Coverage Plans by Enrollments
| Plan | Premium | Deductible | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wellcare Classic | $0.00 | $615 | 27,442 |
| SilverScript Choice | $73.50 | $615 | 25,560 |
| HealthSpring Assurance Rx | $0.00 | $615 | 14,768 |
Top Enhanced Coverage Plans by Enrollments
| Plan | Premium | Deductible | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humana Value Rx Plan | $0.00 | $601 | 55,656 |
| Wellcare Value Script | $0.00 | $615 | 43,383 |
| AARP Medicare Rx Preferred from UHC | $114.90 | $130 | 9,182 |
Choosing a Part D plan is less about how many plans are available and more about whether your medications are covered at your preferred pharmacy at an affordable price.
Medigap Options in Benton County
Medigap plans work with Original Medicare and help pay deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. Unlike Medicare Advantage, Medigap does not replace Original Medicare and usually requires separate Part D coverage for prescriptions.
Sample data across 30 insurers shows monthly premiums starting around $40 and exceeding $1,423 depending on plan type and pricing structure. Even when coverage is identical, differences in rating methods and discounts can lead to wide variation across insurers.
| Medigap Snapshot | Benton County |
|---|---|
| Works with Original Medicare | Yes |
| Includes prescription drug coverage | No |
| Requires separate Part D plan | Usually yes |
| Best fit for | Beneficiaries who want broad provider access and predictable cost sharing |
In Benton, Medigap is commonly chosen by those who want the freedom to see any provider nationwide that accepts Medicare, without being limited to local Medicare Advantage networks.
Sample Plan G Pricing in Arkansas
Plan G typically ranges from $142 to $565.
| Carrier | Plan | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| AARP - UnitedHealthcare | G | $174 | $565 |
| Allstate | G | $142 | $179 |
| Cigna | G | $156 | $171 |
| Humana | G | $157 | $193 |
| Mutual of Omaha | G | $180 | $207 |
| Wellcare | G | $147 | $176 |
Sample Plan N Pricing in Arkansas
Plan N typically ranges from $111 to $519.
| Carrier | Plan | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| AARP - UnitedHealthcare | N | $136 | $519 |
| Allstate | N | $112 | $141 |
| Cigna | N | $124 | $136 |
| Humana | N | $124 | $164 |
| Mutual of Omaha | N | $139 | $160 |
| Wellcare | N | $116 | $139 |
Explore all Medicare Supplement plans in Arkansas for more details.
Special Needs Plan (SNP) Options in Benton County
Special Needs Plans are Medicare Advantage plans created for people with specific eligibility profiles, including those with Medicaid, certain chronic conditions, or institutional care needs.
| SNP Snapshot | Benton County |
|---|---|
| Total SNP plans | 31 |
| D-SNP plans | 21 |
| C-SNP plans | 9 |
| I-SNP plans | 1 |
Top D-SNP Plans by Enrollments
| Plan | CMS Rating | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|
| UHC Dual Complete AR-S001 | 4.5 ★ | 17,638 |
| UHC Dual Complete AR-S2 | 4.5 ★ | 16,734 |
| Humana Gold Plus SNP-DE H5619-123 | 3.0 ★ | 7,318 |
Top C-SNP Plans by Enrollments
| Plan | CMS Rating | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|
| UHC Complete Care AR-5 | 4.0 ★ | 16,103 |
| UHC Complete Care AR-6 | 4.0 ★ | 13,918 |
| HumanaChoice - Diabetes and Heart | 3.5 ★ | 8,328 |
Top I-SNP Plans by Enrollments
| Plan | CMS Rating | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|
| Tribute Select | 0.0 ★ | 2,662 |
Availability of SNPs in Benton is tied to eligibility requirements. These plans are not available to all beneficiaries but can be especially valuable for those with Medicaid or qualifying chronic conditions.
VA Benefits and Medicare Assistance in Benton County
Beneficiaries may also have access to coverage or support options outside traditional Medicare plan types, such as VA benefits, employer or retiree plans, and counseling services.
| Additional Support Options | Benton County |
|---|---|
| VA health coverage may coordinate with Medicare | Yes |
| SHIP / local counseling availability | Arkansas SHIP |
| Local help resource | State Health Insurance Assistance Program |
Choosing the Best Medicare Coverage for You in Benton County
Selecting Medicare coverage depends on how you prefer to receive care, control Medicare costs, and access providers. Most people begin by deciding between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare.
Medicare Advantage plans bundle hospital, medical, and often prescription drug coverage into one plan. They may offer lower premiums and extra benefits, but usually require you to stay within a provider network.
Original Medicare provides access to providers nationwide who accept Medicare. Many beneficiaries add a Part D drug plan and a Medigap policy to help manage costs and reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
Special Needs Plans (SNPs) are designed for individuals with qualifying health conditions or eligibility, including those with Medicaid. While not available to everyone, they can provide focused coverage when you meet the criteria.
The best option depends on your preferred doctors, medication needs, and how you balance monthly premiums with potential out-of-pocket costs.
To take the next step, review available plans and coverage options in Benton County.
| Validation Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Publication validation canary | county:05007:2026:7F3A91C2 |
| Data Source | Publisher | Version |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare Advantage & Special Needs Plan Landscape Source Files | Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services | 202608 |
| Medicare Part C & D Performance Data | Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services | 2026 |
| Medicare Advantage & Part D Contract and Enrollment Data | Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services | 2026-08 |
County-level figures shown on this page (including plan counts, enrollment totals, averages, and percentage distributions) are derived from CMS-published datasets using a standardized aggregation methodology.
Data sources and methodology documentation .
| Publisher | Reference | Last Accessed |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare.gov | Drug coverage (part D) | May 2, 2026 |
| Medicare.gov | Understanding Medicare Advantage Plans | May 6, 2026 |
| Medicare.gov | Joining a plan | May 7, 2026 |
| Medicare.gov | What Is Medigap and How Does It Work? | May 6, 2026 |
MedicarePlans.com is an independent, non-government informational resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program.
Data provenance documentation is maintained in alignment with the U.S. Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI) Provenance standard .
Page content independently curated and maintained by David W. Bynon, Editorial Steward, using a standardized, data-driven methodology for accurate, non-commercial Medicare plan interpretation and resolution.