Medicare Advantage Plans in Buffalo County, NE:
Your Complete 2026 Guide
In Buffalo County, NE, Medicare beneficiaries have 20 Medicare Advantage plans to consider for 2026. Among them, 13 are offered at a $0 premium. About 2,488 people in the County are currently enrolled, and 13% of plans are rated 4 stars or higher. Special Needs Plans are not included in the figures shown above. Explore SNP options for Buffalo County, NE here.
Page last revised:
Enrollment data refreshed: May 2, 2026
* Each year CMS evaluates Medicare Advantage plans on a 5-star scale. Data sources
Medicare Advantage PPO Plans
PPO, or Preferred Provider Organization, plans give Medicare beneficiaries the ability to see a wide range of providers. These plans cover in-network care at the lowest cost but also include the option to use out-of-network providers for a higher fee, offering added choice compared with other plan types.
| Health Plan Name | CMS Rating* | Premium Per Mo | MOOP | PDP Ded. | CMS Plan ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC NE-0002 | $30 | $4,900 | $520 | H1278 020 0 | |
| AARP Medicare Advantage Patriot No Rx NE-MA01 | $0 | $6,700 | N/A | H1278 018 0 | |
| Medica Advantage Preferred | $155 | $3,800 | $275 | H8889 011 0 | |
| Medica Advantage Select | $45 | $4,200 | $355 | H8889 015 0 | |
| Medica Advantage Solution H8889-009 | $0 | $6,750 | N/A | H8889 009 0 | |
| Medica Advantage Value | $0 | $6,750 | $615 | H8889 010 0 | |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska MA Access | $30 | $3,900 | $400 | H8181 001 0 | |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska MA Connect | $0 | $4,900 | $400 | H8181 002 0 | |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska MA Secure | $91 | $2,500 | $400 | H8181 003 0 | |
| Wellcare Assist Open | $33 | $4,800 | $570 | H1395 003 0 | |
| Wellcare Patriot Giveback Open | $0 | $6,600 | N/A | H1395 004 0 | |
| DEVOTED CHOICE 001 NE | $0 | $4,400 | $230 | H9802 001 0 | |
| DEVOTED CHOICE GIVEBACK 002 NE | $0 | $9,250 | $605 | H9802 002 0 |
What is the total number of PPO plans offered in Buffalo?
Buffalo County has 13 PPO plans for 2026, with enrollment of 1,773.
How much do PPO plans cost on average in Buffalo?
The mean monthly PPO premium in Buffalo is $29.52, and 7 plans have no premium.
Medicare Advantage HMO Plans
With an HMO, you’ll typically get care from providers and facilities in the plan’s network. In exchange for this limitation, HMO plans usually feature lower monthly premiums and reduced cost-sharing, which can help enrollees better manage their healthcare expenses.
- Total HMO Plans
- 1
- Average Premium
- $0.00/mo
- Beneficiaries Enrolled
- 152
- $0 Premium HMOs
- 1
- Average MOOP
- $4,100
- Most Popular HMO
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska MA Core (HMO) with 152 enrollees
- HMOs Without Drug Coverage
- 0
| Health Plan Name | CMS Rating* | Premium Per Mo | MOOP | PDP Ded. | CMS Plan ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska MA Core | $0 | $4,100 | $400 | H3170 003 2 |
- What is the average monthly premium for HMO plans?
- On average, HMO plans in Buffalo cost $0.00 per month.
- Which HMO plan is most popular in Buffalo?
- The leading HMO in Buffalo is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska MA Core (HMO), with 152 members.
- How many HMO plans in Buffalo do not include drug coverage?
- There are 0 HMO plans available in Buffalo without Part D benefits.
Medicare Advantage HMO-POS Plans
HMO Point-of-Service (HMO-POS) plans blend elements of HMO and PPO coverage. You can see providers outside the network, but out-of-network services typically cost more. This type of plan may appeal to people who like the lower costs of an HMO but also want occasional flexibility to go out of network.
- Total HMO-POS Plans 6
- Average Premium $11.50/mo
- Beneficiaries Enrolled 563
- $0 Premium HMO-POS 5
- Average MOOP $5,742
- Most Popular HMO-POS AARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC NE-3 (HMO-POS) with 283 enrollees
- HMO-POS Without Drug Coverage 0
| Health Plan Name | CMS Rating* | Premium Per Mo | MOOP | PDP Ded. | CMS Plan ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC NE-3 | $0 | $5,900 | $520 | H2802 001 0 | |
| AARP Medicare Advantage Extras from UHC NE-5 | $0 | $6,700 | $600 | H2802 074 0 | |
| Wellcare Giveback | $0 | $8,850 | $615 | H1215 003 0 | |
| Wellcare Simple | $0 | $5,000 | $615 | H1215 005 0 | |
| MyAdvocate Medicare Advantage GOLD | $69 | $3,500 | $250 | H0816 001 0 | |
| MyAdvocate Medicare Advantage SILVER | $0 | $4,500 | $400 | H0816 002 0 |
What is the total number of HMO-POS plans in Buffalo?
There are 6 HMO-POS plans in 2026, covering 563 beneficiaries.
How much do HMO-POS plans cost on average in Buffalo?
The average HMO-POS premium is $11.50, with 5 costing $0.
What is the leading HMO-POS plan in Buffalo?
AARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC NE-3 (HMO-POS) is the most popular HMO-POS plan in Buffalo, with 283 enrollees.
What is the number of HMO-POS plans without Part D coverage in Buffalo?
0 HMO-POS plans in Buffalo do not include drug coverage.
The table below shows the quality ratings for Medicare Advantage plans offered in Buffalo County, NE for 2026.
| Rating Category | Number of Plans | Percent of Plans |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Stars | No 5-star plans available. | 0% |
| 4 Stars (includes 5 Stars) | 2 | 13% |
| 3 Stars | 13 | 87% |
| Below 3 Stars | 0 | 0% |
| Not Rated | 5 | 25% |
| Average Rating | 3.33 | |
In Buffalo County, Medicare Advantage enrollment follows specific timelines. Understanding these options—whether it’s your first time enrolling or switching plans—helps you choose coverage that matches your health and budget.
When You Can Sign Up
- Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): Lasting seven months around your 65th birthday, this period lets you enroll in Medicare for the first time. You may also choose a Medicare Advantage plan during this time. Learn more
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP): Between January 1 and March 31, people already enrolled in Medicare Advantage can make a one-time change—switch to another plan or return to Original Medicare. Learn more
- Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): Each fall, from October 15 to December 7, Medicare beneficiaries can review their coverage and make changes for the next plan year. Learn more
- Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs): Life events like moving to a new service area, losing other health coverage, or becoming eligible for assistance may open a Special Enrollment Period to adjust your Medicare coverage. Learn more
Ways to Enroll in Medicare Advantage
- Consult a Licensed Agent: Call a licensed insurance agent at HealthCompare 1-833-748-3201 (TTY 711), available Monday through Friday 5am–6pm and Saturday 6am–5pm PST, for help reviewing your Medicare options.
- Contact the Plan Provider Directly: Start enrollment by reaching out to the plan provider through their website or by phone with their member services team.
- Use Medicare.gov: At Medicare.gov, you can compare Medicare Advantage plans side by side and enroll securely online.
The MA and MAPD plans on this page are available to people on Medicare enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B living in Elm Creek, Gibbon, Kearney, Ravenna, Shelton, and all other areas of Buffalo County, Nebraska.
Plans Offered for Enrollment through Medicare.org
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and benefits offered by the following carriers: Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and benefits offered by the following carriers: Aetna Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Aspire Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Capital Blue Cross, Dean Health Plan, Devoted Health, Florida Blue Medicare, Freedom Health, GlobalHealth, Health Care Service Corporation, HealthSpring℠, HealthSun, Healthy Blue, Humana, Molina Healthcare, Mutual of Omaha, Medica Central Health Plan, Optimum HealthCare, Premera Blue Cross, SCAN Health Plan, Simply, UnitedHealthcare(R), Wellcare, WellPoint
- CMS.gov, Landscape Source Files — Last accessed September 26, 2025
- CMS.gov, Medicare Part C & D Performance — Last accessed October 10, 2025
- CMS.gov, Plan Benefits Package — Last accessed October 13, 2025
- CMS.gov, Medicare Advantage/Part D Contract and Enrollment Data — Last accessed May 2, 2026
Some facts and percentages shown on this page (such as average premiums, distribution of plan types, and percentage of $0 premium plans) are calculated by Medicare.org using data from the CMS Landscape file, Plan Benefits Package (PBP) files and Part C & D Performance files. All underlying values originate from CMS, and calculations are refreshed whenever CMS issues updated data. Enrollment counts and rankings (such as Top 3 plans by enrollment) are derived from CMS monthly enrollment files and aggregated at the county level.
Medicare.org separates Medicare Advantage (MA/MAPD) plans and Special Needs Plans (SNPs) into different pages for clarity. As a result, plan counts, percentages, and other calculations shown here may differ from the aggregate totals published in the CMS Landscape files. All plan availability and benefit details originate from CMS.
Learn more about how we use CMS data.
- Medicare.gov, "Compare types of Medicare Advantage Plans" — Last accessed 25 May, 2025
- Medicare.gov, "Your coverage options" — Last accessed 25 May, 2025
- AARP.org, "The Big Choice: Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage" — Last accessed 25 May, 2025
Some facts and percentages shown on this page (such as average premiums, distribution of plan types, and percentage of $0 premium plans) are calculated by Medicare.org using data from the CMS Plan Benefits Package (PBP) files and Part C & D Performance files. All underlying values originate from CMS, and calculations are refreshed whenever CMS issues updated data.
To explore how 2026 Medicare Advantage plans available in Buffalo County compare with plans offered elsewhere, you can search the Medicare Advantage plan directory to review options nationwide using the same authoritative data sources.
Medicare.org is owned and operated by Health Network Group, LLC, an Allstate company. Medicare.org provides information only and is not connected 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, Medicare Technical Operator, using a standardized, data-driven methodology designed for accurate, non-commercial Medicare plan interpretation and resolution.